Vinyl vs Mesh Banners: Which Banner Material for Your Location?

A vinyl banner is printed on solid PVC-coated fabric: it shows the brightest, fullest colour and suits nearly every indoor and outdoor use. A mesh banner is printed on an open-weave material full of small holes, so wind passes through instead of pushing against it, which is what large banners on fences, scaffolding and building faces need.

13 oz and 18 oz vinyl

Banner vinyl is graded by weight per square yard. 13 oz vinyl is the everyday standard for storefronts, events and indoor displays. 18 oz opaque vinyl is heavier, stronger at the seams and blocks light, so nothing shows through from behind. We print both; our banners come in sizes from 18 x 24 in to 60 x 96 in plus 48 x 108 in, with sizes 48 in wide and up on 18 oz opaque vinyl. Grommets are an option: all 4 corners, the top 2 corners, or every 18 in or 2 ft along the edges, depending on size.

When mesh is the right banner

A large solid banner on a fence acts like a sail: wind loads the grommets and the fence. Mesh relieves that load, so it is the choice for big banners on construction fencing, scaffolding and exposed sites. The trade-off is that the holes let light and background through, so colours look less dense and fine text reads less clearly than on vinyl, especially up close. Mesh is not one of our online banner options: ask the shop about mesh for your location.

Which one for your job?

Choose 13 oz vinyl for most banners, 18 oz opaque for large banners, long outdoor use or when light behind the banner would show through. Choose mesh for very large banners on fences and scaffolding in wind. Wind slits cut into vinyl are another trade option for exposed banners; our grommets entry covers it, and the shop can tell you if it suits your banner.

Common questions

What is the difference between 13 oz and 18 oz vinyl banners?

Weight and opacity. 13 oz is the standard, lighter banner. 18 oz opaque is heavier and stronger and blocks light, so a bright background behind it does not shine through the print.

Do mesh banners look as good as vinyl?

From a distance, close. Up close, the holes make colours less dense and small text less crisp, so mesh designs should use large type and bold graphics.

Do you print mesh banners?

Mesh is not in our online banner options, which are 13 oz and 18 oz opaque vinyl. Contact the shop with the size and location and we will tell you what fits.

Products where this term matters

See also in the dictionary: Grommets, UV printing, DPI vs PPI · full dictionary