5 Types Of Printable Banner Media

Printable banner media is widely used for shop banners, outdoor signs, illuminated displays, and exhibition backdrops. PVC media offers a choice of surfaces and light transmission, while fabric adds a soft textile finish. Here’s a breakdown of 5 popular types of printable banner media.

1. Frontlit Vinyl Banner Media

Frontlit vinyl is a familiar choice for everyday banners and billboards. The graphic is viewed in daylight or under lights placed in front of it. A PVC face carries the print, supported by polyester fabric. Matte gives a low-glare finish, while gloss adds surface shine.

White UNISIGN coated frontlit vinyl banner media with a fine reinforced surface

Here’s Why It’s Popular:

Uses: Shop promotions, outdoor billboards, event banners, and hoarding graphics.
Options: Laminated and coated constructions; gloss, matte, and different backings.
Weights & models:
- LFG35/340: 340 g/m², gloss laminated vinyl.
- CFM11/440: 440 g/m², matte coated vinyl.
Roll sizes: Both models: 50 m rolls; widths from 1 to 3.2 m, plus 5 m.
Advantages:
- A solid surface for text, photos, and large areas of color.
- Flexible material for cutting, hemming, and adding grommets.
- A choice of surface finishes for different designs.

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2. Backlit Vinyl Banner Media

Backlit vinyl is made for light boxes with the light source behind the graphic. Its translucent structure lets light pass through the print, bringing shop signs, retail displays, and airport advertising to life. The flexible face suits large illuminated signs.

Translucent UNISIGN backlit vinyl banner media for illuminated sign faces

Here’s Why It’s Popular:

Uses: Shop light boxes, retail displays, airport advertising, and large illuminated signs.
Options: Laminated and coated backlit media.
Weights & models:
- LBG55/610: 610 g/m², laminated backlit vinyl.
- CBM11/510: 510 g/m², coated backlit vinyl.
Roll sizes: Both models: 50 m rolls; widths from 1 to 3.2 m, plus 5 m.
Advantages:
- A translucent structure for backlit graphics.
- A flexible sign face that can be cut to size.
- A 5 m width option for extra-wide displays.

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3. Blockout Vinyl Banner Media

Blockout vinyl has an opaque layer that keeps light from passing through the banner. It is used for retail hanging signs, exhibition backdrops, and two-sided displays. Double-sided printable versions carry a graphic on each face for signs viewed from both directions.

White UNISIGN blockout vinyl banner media with an opaque inner layer

Here’s Why It’s Popular:

Uses: Retail hanging banners, two-sided signs, exhibition backdrops, and event graphics.
Options: Single-sided printable laminated media and double-sided printable coated media.
Weights & models:
- LDM11B1/510: 510 g/m², single-sided printable laminated vinyl.
- CDM2525/510: 510 g/m², double-sided printable coated vinyl.
Roll sizes: Both models: 50 m rolls; widths from 1 to 3.2 m, plus 5 m.
Advantages:
- An opaque layer keeps rear lighting from showing through.
- Double-sided versions display different messages on each face.
- Suitable for hems, pole pockets, and hanging displays.

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4. Mesh Banner Media

Mesh banner media has small openings that let air and some daylight pass through the graphic. It brings large advertising designs to building wraps, construction fences, and sports grounds. Bold text, simple shapes, and large color areas work well for viewing from a distance.

Fine open weave of white UNISIGN PVC mesh banner media

Here’s Why It’s Popular:

Uses: Building wraps, construction fences, sports fences, and event barriers.
Options: Lined, linerless, white-back, and black-back media.
Weights & models:
- M1212NP: 360 g/m², supplied with a printing liner.
- M1212B: 240 g/m², black back, without a liner.
Roll sizes: Both models: 50 m rolls; widths from 1 to 3.2 m, plus 5 m.
Print setup: A liner catches ink passing through the holes. Linerless mesh uses the ink collection setup specified by the printer manufacturer.
Advantages:
- Open holes allow airflow.
- Some daylight passes through large covered areas.
- Suited to large graphics on fences and building fronts.

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5. Fabric Banner Media

Fabric banner media gives banners and backdrops a soft textile finish. Polyester display fabric is used in frames, exhibition stands, and hanging graphics, with dye sublimation printing for colorful designs. The UNISIGN textile range also includes backlit, blockout, and flag fabrics.

Printed UNISIGN DSP09 polyester display fabric with a colorful parrot graphic

Here’s Why It’s Popular:

Uses: Exhibition backdrops, framed displays, indoor hanging banners, and event graphics.
Options: Display, backlit, blockout, and flag fabrics.
Weights & models (display fabric):
- DSP09 (Mars): 230 g/m², stretch display fabric.
- DSP06 (Saturn): 230 g/m², traditional display fabric.
Roll sizes: Both models: 100 m rolls; maximum width 3.2 m.
Printing: Both models support direct dye sublimation and dye sublimation transfer printing.
Advantages:
- A soft textile surface for indoor displays.
- A warp-knit structure with slight stretch.
- Suitable for sewn graphics, frames, and backdrop systems.

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Why Choose UNISIGN?

PVC and textile ranges: Frontlit, backlit, blockout, mesh, and display fabrics for a wide range of signs.
A choice of specifications: Different weights, surfaces, and widths for graphics of different sizes.
Material samples: Explore the surface, feel, and print results with physical samples.

From outdoor banners to indoor fabric backdrops, UNISIGN supplies printable media for a wide range of displays. Contact UNISIGN for free samples and a quote.