Banner Types: Frontlit, Backlit, Mesh and Blockout

Banner is a PVC-coated polyester fabric for digital printing. It has four main types: frontlit (viewed from the front), backlit (lit from behind), mesh (perforated, lets wind through) and blockout (opaque, printable on both sides). By production method it is either cast (coated) or laminated.

The four types

• Frontlit: billboards, facade banners, stretched signs. Stocked as laminated 250, 280 (black back), 380 and 400 g, and cast 380 and 510 g.
• Backlit: illuminated totems and lightboxes. Cast backlit 380, 480 and 510 g, and Starflex 610 g.
• Mesh: facades and scaffolding in windy places. Stocked as 350 g protected. See what is mesh banner.
• Blockout: laminated 400, 440 and 480 g, 2.80 m wide, with a light-blocking layer.

Cast banner has PVC applied as a liquid onto the woven base, giving a smoother surface and higher strength; it suits long-term and illuminated work. Laminated banner has PVC film bonded with heat; it is cheaper and suits short- to medium-term jobs.

Roll widths

Rolls are mostly 50 m; some products also come in 70 m.

Type	Widths
Cast 380 g (frontlit)	1.05 · 1.10 · 1.25 · 1.40 · 1.60 · 1.80 · 2.10 · 2.20 · 2.50 · 3.20 · 4.20 m
Cast backlit 510 g	1.10 · 1.60 · 3.20 · 5.00 m
Starflex 610 g	2.50 · 3.20 · 5.00 m
Blockout laminated	2.80 m

Weight is per square metre: 100 m² of 380 g banner is about 38 kg.

Eyelets

Eyelets go into a folded, reinforced hem; a typical spacing is about 50 cm, adjusted for wind and size. Example: a 6 × 3 m banner needs about 19.8 m² of material and, at 50 cm, about 36 eyelets. The print calculator works out seams, hems and eyelets.

Which one for which job?

Job	Typical choice
Windy facade, scaffolding	Mesh
Billboard, facade banner	Cast frontlit or laminated 380–510 g
Illuminated totem, lightbox	Cast backlit, Starflex
Double-sided hanging banner	Blockout

Our products

Starflex PVC banner, mesh perforated PVC banner, cast vinyl banner and laminated vinyl banner. For price and stock, ask your branch or contact us.

FAQ

What is the difference between frontlit and backlit?

Frontlit is opaque and viewed from the front; backlit lets light through and is lit from behind. Use backlit in lightboxes.

Mesh or solid vinyl?

Mesh for large, windy sites; solid frontlit vinyl where detail must stay sharp and the site is sheltered.

What is blockout for?

Hanging prints with different artwork on each side and no light showing through.

Source: PrintSimple.

This article contains general information; confirm dimensions and technical values before production.