Question: What is the best banner for a double-sided application? Answer: Well, this is a loaded question, as there are so many variables when it comes to banners and where they’re used. Banners are probably the most widely used form of temporary or display signage used, and there are two main categories that they fall under, then several sub-categories. Vinyl banners have been around for several decades and have gone through several revisions as to how they are decorated, but the basic material hasn’t changed much. My first experience with double-sided banners was in the ‘90’s when the first 18oz. vinyl fabric materials were introduced to our plant by a sales rep from one of our suppliers.

1. Double-sided Banners: Are Cloth Banners Better? Or Vinyl?
Question: What is the best banner for a double-sided application?
Answer: Well, this is a loaded question, as there are so many variables when it comes to banners and
where they’re used. Banners are probably the most widely used form of temporary or display signage
used, and there are two main categories that they fall under, then several sub-categories.
Vinyl banners have been around for several decades and have gone through several revisions as to how
they are decorated, but the basic material hasn’t changed much. My first experience with double-sided
banners was in the ‘90’s when the first 18oz. vinyl fabric materials were introduced to our plant by a
sales rep from one of our suppliers.
Shortly thereafter, another company introduced us to a much lighter weight double-sided vinyl banner
material that was easier to handle. At any rate, printing in the early 90’s was typically done using a vinyl
plotter (which isn’t really printing) or by screen printing.
In the early 21st Century, we started printing banners using the dye sublimation printing method which
used ink printed to a transfer paper which was then infused into polyester fabric using heat and
pressure. More frequently now printers are printing using direct-to-fabric inks that are as good as the
older heat and pressure method.
To make a double sided fabric banner, most frequently we print two banners and sew them back-to-
back with a block-out fabric layer between them. There are actual double-sided fabrics for dye sub
banners that have an internal block-out layer, but we haven’t been impressed with that fabric enough to
offer it to our clients, due to the fact that it wrinkles too easily and we don’t like to cause our clients a
bunch of extra work trying to remove the wrinkles.
So that gives you your two basic choices for double sided banners. Now, the question as to which is
best. Again, you will need to decide, given your usage for the banner, which type is best, as it won’t
always be the same.
If you’re at a trade show (inside a building or convention center), a double sided dye sublimate printed
cloth banner may be superior to a similar vinyl banner. Many of our clients have gotten completely away
from vinyl banners as they kind of have a propensity, according to them, to look cheap.
And for an indoor usage, wind will not be an issue. So, my vote for a double sided banner, if it’s being
used indoors, would definitely be for the fabric option. It just looks better and makes your company look
better. Nothing says “cheap” about a company at a tradeshow more than plastic-y looking signs or
banners.
However, if it’s an outdoor venue, or hanging between two light poles over a street, or is on the side of a
building, particularly at a long viewing distance, then vinyl would more likely be the better solution. It
has superior outdoor durability, and people expect to see vinyl banners out-of-doors because they are

2. out-of-doors and it makes sense and won’t make your firm look cheap using an outdoor double sided
vinyl banner.
However, there are some venues which still require double sided dye sublimated outdoor cloth banners
such as light pole banners. Since these are typically smaller than, say, vinyl banners than are hung across
a street, they won’t have as much wind load.
These fabric light pole banners can be either screen printed or printed using dye sublimation printing.
The fabrics for dye sub printing are typically polyester, whereas screen-printed outdoor fabrics can be
polyester or the popular acrylic fabrics.
In conclusion, there is not one answer to your question, but you will need to decide, based on the
installation environment which is the best choice. Fabric banners tend to be a bit more costly, but in
trade show environments, it will, in our opinion, act as a better sales tool for your company. Vinyl is
more durable, generally, for outdoor usage, but fabrics are getting more durable for outdoor usage
every year.
More about Double Sided vinyl banners and cloth banners can be found here.