How to Care for Vinyl Banners So They Last for Years

A good vinyl banner is built to last, but how you hang, clean, and store it decides whether that is one season or several years. Alaska weather is hard on outdoor signage, so a little care goes a long way. Here is how to get the most life out of your banner.

Hang it right

Most banner damage starts at the mounting points. Wind tugs on grommets, and a banner stretched too tight or left to flap will tear long before the print fades.

• Use every grommet. Anchor all of them, not just the corners, to spread the load.
• Use bungees or zip ties, not rigid rope. A little give absorbs wind gusts instead of ripping grommets out.
• Don’t overtighten. A drum-tight banner has nowhere to flex and tears at the corners.
• Choose mesh for windy spots. If wind is constant, mesh vinyl lets air through and survives where solid vinyl fails.

Clean it gently

Dirt and grime dull a banner over time, but harsh cleaning damages the print. Use mild soap and water with a soft cloth or sponge, rinse clean, and let it air dry. Skip abrasive scrubbers, pressure washers, and solvent cleaners, they can lift or scratch the ink.

Store it rolled, never folded

This is the one that catches people out. Never fold a vinyl banner, the creases are permanent and crack the print along the fold. Always roll it, printed side out, around a tube or loosely on itself, and store it somewhere dry and out of direct sun. A folded banner pulled out of a closet a year later is often ruined.

Bring seasonal banners in

For banners you only use part of the year, take them down and store them between seasons rather than leaving them to weather year-round. UV exposure and freeze-thaw cycles age vinyl fast. A banner that lives outside all year ages far quicker than one that works its season and rests rolled up.

Banners built for Alaska

We print heavy-duty vinyl and mesh banners with reinforced hems and grommets made to handle the weather here. See our large format printing options, and check standard banner sizes before you order. Request a free quote.