Better Banners: When to Choose Vinyl or Fabric for Event Signage

Banner printing is a staple in many print shops, and vinyl was the go-to for years. However, fabric is a top trend lately that customers demand these days. While fabric used for banners has some advantages, vinyl is still the top option in many circumstances. We put together this quick hit list on when to choose which media for the best event banner results:

Printer capabilities. If you have an aqueous printer, vinyl is generally your best bet. Fabric works well on latex or dye-sub printers. However, LexJet does offer LexJet Poly Select Heavy, for example, which works on aqueous or latex printers. It’s a good option when you want the drape of a fabric, but a heavier option that won’t curl like vinyl. It’s also available in Poly Select Light and Poly Select Medium that are multi-tasking products that can be used for backlit signs and trade show displays.

rodeo bannerEnvironment. Asking your customer where the banner will be displayed and what the ambiance is are the two most important questions to help you deliver the best banner for their expectations. At a casual, outdoor sporting event, a vinyl banner with grommets can deliver great results for the money. However, as Nackard Companies found when working on the Chuck Sheppard Memorial Roping event, opting for LexJet Poly Select Heavy was a great outdoor choice because when the signage hit the chain-link fence, it didn’t make as much noise as vinyl would, which could spook the animals in the rodeo.

No Dye-Sub? No Problem. You Can Still Print Great Fabrics

There’s no doubt about it: Printed fabrics are in demand right now. And with the textile market seeing a 75% increase in the soft signage category, print service providers need to offer fabric as an alternative substrate, or their customers may just walk on by.

One major misconception is that printers need dye-sublimation technology to print fabrics correctly. But with the advancements in media options and printer technology, that’s certainly no longer the case. And in some instances, inkjet-printed fabrics are an even better option than dye-sub.

Free Core Adapter for 2-inch Spindles Included with 3-inch Rolls

3-2 core

If you’ve purchased a 3-inch roll of media recently, you may have noticed the plastic end caps in the box. Don’t toss those out. Included in those end caps are easy-to-use core adapters that will allow you to run that 3-inch media on printers with 2-inch spindles.

More media is now sold on 3-inch cores to reduce the curl in the media. These value-added core adapters allow you to use media on a variety of printers, including latex. To use the adapter, just remove it from the end cap and pop it into the roll, as shown below.

Core adapter

The adapters can currently be found in the following LexJet products, which are sold in 3-inch rolls:

We also carry 3-inch spindles for a variety of printers, if you’re ready to make that switch, instead. Call a LexJet print specialist at 800-453-9538 to determine the right solution for you.

 

Try before You Buy: Pick up Your Free Fabric Swatch Book While Supplies Last

Selecting fabrics for inkjet printing applicationsInkjet printable fabric is an excellent alternative for a variety of graphics applications – including banner stands, table drapes, point of sale, trade show, backdrops and special events – but picking one can be tricky. Each has its own feel, texture and weight, so that’s why LexJet is offering its customers free swatch books of its popular line of Poly Select fabrics while supplies last.

The swatch book includes un-printed samples of the Poly Select Aqueous and SUV (compatible with solvent, low-solvent, UV-curable and latex) lines.  Each swatch is 3″ x 4.5″ and appears in the order shown on the inside front cover of the book…

LexJet Poly Select Light: Weighs in at 155g, is 7.5 mils thick and with its tight, barely discernable weave it’s ideal for reproducing colorful, finely detailed high-end images and designs.

LexJet Poly Select Medium: Combines the tight weave of the lighter fabric with additional durability and thickness (12 mils).

LexJet Poly Select Heavy: It’s 13 mils thick, 230g and lays nice and flat so it’s easy to work with in production. Plus, it’s glare resistant for consistent viewing in any lighting situation.

LexJet Poly Select Light SUV and LexJet Poly Select Heavy SUV: The solvent/low-solvent/UV-curable/latex compatible versions have similar qualities as the aqueous versions, but are more durable for outdoor displays.

Call a LexJet customer specialist at 800-453-9538 to pick one up before we run out, and here are a few posts that show how LexJet Poly Select fabrics are being used in the field:

Short Term Promotions with Punch at Colonial Beverage

Lighting up a Room with Inkjet Printed Fabric Window Shades

Fabric Fanatics: Creative and Colorful Fabric Applications by FBIS