Summer is here, and that means more outdoor signage jobs for you! When it comes to outdoor banners, the key is long-lasting graphics that can stand up to the elements.

For this installation of our Good, Better, Best series, we’re looking at three excellent outdoor banner options from HEYtex Textiles: HEYtex 13 oz TopazFLX, HEYtex 15 oz Topaz DS and HEYtex 18 oz Pole Banner.

Each of these deliver consistent quality at an affordable price that are compatible with eco-solvent, solvent, UV and latex ink technologies. We chose the matte options for outdoor use to avoid any glare from the sun that you might get when used outside. Let’s dive in to these three options:

GOOD: HEYtex 13 oz TopazFLX — This is an affordable and durable frontlit banner that’s ideal for one-sided printing. While there are other 13 oz options on the market, our partners at HEYtex are known for their highly consistent product with a 1000×1000 denier and 9×9 knitted base material that looks great grommeted for hanging banners.

What users say: “It’s a nice, thick media. The denier count is really high compared to the different vinyl substrates, which is crucial for outdoor signage.”

BETTER: HEYtex 15 oz Topaz DS — A heavier frontlit option with the added value of double-sided printing capabilities, as well as a higher tensile strength and a nice, smooth, matte surface for exceptional print reproduction. Excellent option for a variety of applications, such as the barrier graphic used in a retail space, pictured at top.

What users say: “We definitely needed a durable product that would be tough and hold up to a lot of abuse.”

BEST: HEYtex 18 oz Pole Banner — With a 1,000-by-1,000 woven denier, this pole banner material has a high tensile strength for long-term indoor or outdoor sign and graphic applications. Plus, it’s two-sided printable and provides 100% blockout qualities that makes it the ideal option for pole banners that are viewed whether people are coming or going.

What users say: “The 18 oz offers a very high tensile strength that’s great for printing on both sides. It looks great sewn with pole pockets, as well.”