Banners are a common product, but in high demand, and sign companies are called on constantly to provide them. Some are simple; some more complex. There are plenty of methods to print banners and plenty of materials to print on, and today, with the power of digital imagery, banners are something akin to a form of modern art.
We asked a few friends and contributors to send some examples of their recent banner work to illustrate just how much variety there is in this part of the industry.

And there will be more...

A replica of a 1930s-era silk banner for a Masonic Lodge that had been stored damp and deteriorated. This one is made up on cloth material and painted in flat “Keeps Intenso”, a British signwriter’s paint and embellished with 23-karat gold leaf. (Courtesy David Kynaston, Llangollen, North Wales)

These banners were displayed on Denver’s 16th Street Mall during the February, 2005 NBA All Star Game in Denver. The banners were printed with an HP/Scitex XL-Jet printer on 13-oz. banner material and were hemmed and grommeted and “planted” in the large containers. The smaller perpendicular panels created a three dimensional effect. (Courtesy New Vista Image, Golden, Colo.)

A multi-media project using 1 Shot paints, cut vinyl, digital printing and airbrush highlights on banner material from US Banner. (Courtesy Tramp’s Designs, Toronto, Ont.)

A 55' long by 11' high banner, printed on Mehler Super Mesh 9-oz. material with a Scitex XLJet 3. (Courtesy Blue Media, Phoenix, Ariz.)

Printed with a Summa Durachrome thermal transfer printer on 10-oz. vinyl and finished with taped hems and grommets. (Courtesy Reid Signs, Seattle, Wash.)

Printed with a Summa Durachrome thermal transfer printer on 10-oz. vinyl and finished with taped hems and grommets. (Courtesy Reid Signs, Seattle, Wash.)

Banners were placed at the train station to greet wounded soldiers from Walter Reed Medical Center who were being transported to the Army/Navy game in donated vintage rail cars. The banners were printed on 13-oz. banner material and attached to a retractable banner stand. (Courtesy New Vista Image, Golden, Colo.)

Measuring 5' x 4', this banner is painted with 1 Shot enamel directly to enamel-receptive banner material from US Banner. (Courtesy David Kynaston, Llangollen, North Wales)

A multi-media project using cut vinyl, 1 Shot paints and airbrush highlights on enamel-receptive coated banner material from US Banner. (Courtesy Tramp’s Designs, Toronto, Ont.)

Street pole banners for the Art District on Denver’s Santa Fe Drive were printed on an HP/Scitex XL-Jet printer, and were coated with a matte liquid laminate for added durability. Unlike many promotional banners, these banners will be on display for several years. (Courtesy New Vista Image, Golden, Colo.)

Zoo

A line of street pole banners promotes the attractions at Denver’s Zoo and the nearby Museum of Nature and Science. The pole banner campaign, designed by Denver-based ad agency McLain Finlon, was printed with a Nur Blueboard on 13-oz. vinyl. (Courtesy Fineline Graphics, Denver, Colo.)

Banners printed by the in-house sign shop at Chicago’s Navy Pier using a Roland SOLJET printer/cutter. (Courtesy Navy Pier)