How to install and care for you GoBigBanners.com banner:

Properly handled and stored, your vinyl banner will last many many years. Although considered a temporary signage solution, here are some tips for keeping your 'temporary' sign permanently.

1. Hang banner using all provided grommet holes.

Grommet holes are provided every 24" over the length of your banner - use them all and provide equal tension on each hole when attaching them. Our banners are made using premium 13oz vinyls with double thick hems and will withstand quite high wind situations if hung correctly using all the grommet holes. Most banner material failure occurs when only the corner grommets are used.

2. Use zip-ties or similar.

Zip ties are exceptionally strong and durable, a great choice for hanging banners in a variety of situations. Using long zip ties (12-18") gives freedom to vary hanging location at the time of install. Bungie cords or similar can be used, but not recommended for high wind situations since they stretch and can allow your banner to become a sky-sail.

3. Storage and handling.

If the banner is wet, allow it to dry before rolling it up, a wet rolled banner will be ruined!
Digitally printed banners intended for storage should be rolled with the print on the inside.
Don't roll it too loosely or when stored it will flatten and end up with folds in the banner. Ideally imagine you are rolling it around a 2" diameter tube, or find a tube to wrap it around - this will keep it from flattening when stored.
Do not store it rolled in the sun or high heat, this will also ruin the banner.

How to Make Great Looking Banners:

There are many factors that go into creating a good looking design, but there is indeed an art in making a good looking design that also is readable (I will assume readability is what you want). This page will hopefully point you in the right direction and help you come up with a cool looking banner that catches the eyes of passer-bys (a rhyme!).

1. Correct type size, typeface, and color for wording.

Visit the Suggested Type Sizes page, this part is so critical that it gets its own page! You'll find charts and examples on all the factors that go into creating ledgible type.

2. Keep the wording simple!

If you are promoting a business or event. Only include absolutely necessary information to get your point across. Remember most people will only have a few seconds to view a banner before their car/train/dog/horse/herd of cats takes them out of view of your banner.
The worst thing you can do is to make your banner so wordy that no one will bother reading it.

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3. Backgrounds.

Again, simplicity here is key for ease of readability. Plain colors or simple gradients are great behind images or information that you want to stand out. But remember to use good color combinations. See the Suggested Type Sizes page for tips on good color combinations.

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4. Watch your margins.

It will be a great temptation to run your designs right to the edge of the banner, but remember - there is a hem and grommets in the outer 1 inch of the banner so you will lose some of the graphic in this area. Our banner designer has both the 1 inch margin and the grommets put in place to help you out.
However it is advisable for layout and readability to keep your information even further in from the edges. A good distance to keep in mind is 2.5 inches on a small banner and 3.5 inches on a larger one. Keeping larger margins, improves the readability of your banner from a distance.

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5. Tips for uploaded art.

If you have the necessary tools to create an entire banner (or parts of one), great! Good for you! You can upload your artwork using our designer interface and you'll be all done!
There are some important file guidelines to follow:

  • Images should be saved as high quality JPEG files (either maximum setting or very close)
  • Image resolution should be between 100 and 150 ppi (dpi) at 100% scale. Images less than this will print pixelated (see example)
  • Color mode should be RGB. Avoid CMYK - it's the devil.
  • Do not interpolate an image to make it bigger if possible - it can look terrible.

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Troubleshooting and fixes:

Even the best laid schems of mice and men go astray. When problems occur, here are some helpful tips:

1. Removing wrinkles and folds:

Best method to remove unwanted wrinkles and folds is to hang it as though you are going to use it. Hang the banner taughtly using all the grommet holes - ideally place in full sun to warm the vinyl and allow the wrinkles to dissapate.
Another method is to fully unroll the banner and place heavy objects on either end to hold it tight and let it sit in the sun or somewhere warm for a day. Staking the corners tightly with tent pegs works well, but don't leave it on grass on a hot day or you'll end up with a large rectangle of dead grass in your lawn!

2. Torn out grommet:

If the grommet is completely missing, your best option here is to place another grommet next to the location of the missing one. Either do it yourself or have your local sign shop do it for you. A serious break like this should never occur if hung correctly using all grommet hole locations and equal tension. See topmost guide.