Up until a few years ago, vinyl banners were just about the only “real” choice for flexible graphics for both indoor and outdoor applications. People like banners because they are less expensive than other products, you can make them up to 16' without seams, they can be rolled for shipping, they store well, and are very durable. What graphics providers do not like about vinyl banners is that they tend to curl on the edges, the ink can scratch off, and they tend to be priced low, the margins are not that great. Let’s look at some ways to add value to your banner projects.

BANNER FRAME SYSTEMS
When you take a vinyl banner and stretch it in a frame, it looks very nice. If you don’t believing me, I just look at a truck with a banner frame graphic and you will see what I am talking about. In October, at the SGIA show in Atlanta, I saw a number of booths with vinyl banners stretched across various types of frames and they looked quite good.The trick to a frame system is to make sure that you do not invest in one that makes it difficult for you to manufacture the banner to fit. Also, make sure the frame isn’t so expensive that you can’t sell the solution to your intended client.
Let me take you through a few of the ways to present the banners and the banner frames I have worked with and sold over the years and you can decide for yourself which route you want to travel.

Popup Banner Stands — This is, without a doubt, the most popular way of presenting banners. Popup banner stands come in many different styles and sizes. There are many choices for both width and height, and anywhere from 22" wide to 48" wide, and from 60" tall to 96" tall. I must say, however, that when it comes to pop-up stands, you get what you pay for; so, if you think a $109 stand is just as good as a $229 stand, think again.

Pole Pocket Systems — The second most popular way to hang a banner is by adding pole pockets to the banner. This goes beyond the pole banners you see in street applications. Adding pole pockets to banners is a very good way to hang vinyl banners in many situations. The only caveat is that once the banner gets beyond 10' wide, it becomes difficult to get a pole system that does not sag. However, I have found a good work-around for larger jobs – make cuts in the banner every six to 10 feet and add a support line to the pole to keep it straight and level.

The Banner Trak — I have used this unique system, from ImageOne Impact, for years, and I like it for a number of applications. The system consists of an aluminum track that has a sliding thumbscrew on it so you can put the grommets on the banner where you want, and the Banner Trak system will adjust to the grommets in the banner. It is easy to connect many pieces together to support a large banner, and is fast to install. I have sold this solution to a number of places that put up banners all the time in the same location and, for the most part, they love them. One thing to remember is that if you’ve set up a banner job with a track on the top and bottom, you must make sure that when you replace the banner that you make the new one the same exact dimensions as the original.

PVC Banner Frames — These are great for short-term day events, and best for areas where you have no trees or anything to hang a banner on. You can purchase these from a number of suppliers, or you can also go to your local plumbing supply place and pickup 2" PVC pipe with the matching PVC corners and connectors and make your own.

Truckside Frame Systems — These systems are mostly found on trailers and trucks, but can also be used for many different applications where the banner is to be changed out. I have used these frames on museums and other public buildings where the images are changed out on a regular basis. Typically these frames are for outdoor use.

Zig-Zag Banner Hanging — This type of installation is best when you are not sure if the banners will always be the same size, or the hanging system is a cable or an existing building. Many times the banners you see at stadiums, such as at the Super Bowl, are hung between the steel girders of the building. I had a situation recently where nothing could touch the front of the building, so we strung steel cables to make up a large square, and I used the zig-zag method to install the banner.

Hidden Frame Systems — For many retail, airport, and tradeshow booth settings that might require vinyl banners, the hidden frame system can be a great solution. Essentially, the banner is pinched between two frames, and the inside frame presses the banner against the outside frame. So all you see is the banner face and the frame around the sides of the banner. A number of the airports are now using backlit banners in large format (typically 12' x 6') hidden frame systems that look fantastic. There are no seams and the graphics are backlit, durable, and inexpensive.

BAD RAP? NEVER!
For a while, banners had a bad rap because the price on the street for banners had dropped so much. But, by showing your client a new way to present banners, you can up your margin and give your clients a better product. I hope you find the banner solution that works best for you and your client.

Good luck, and be smart with your money, and I will see you on the show floor!