How long will a Banner last outdoors?

How long will my banner last?

“How long will a printed banner last outdoors” isn’t an easy question to give a definitive answer? Many factors can shorten the life of an outdoor banner, so to explain, we’ll talk through each aspect. We’ve known banners to last outdoors for five years or more and banners that have lasted much less.

Long-lasting banners

There are many variables to give an exact answer to the longevity of a PVC banner. Variables that harm the lifespan of a PVC banner are extreme sunlight and High UV, adverse weather, incorrect or substandard fitting. As well as these conditions, some factors cannot be accounted for. For example, the damage could be caused by a foreign object or misuse of the product. You also need to choose the best banner product for your needs. Choosing the best product for your application is essential, so please read our other article for more information regarding each of our banner products.

So how long will a banner last outdoors?

Because we have many different banner materials on offer, we will discuss our Premium PVC banner printing in this article. A banner is classed as a temporary sign meaning that banners are only a temporary signage solution. Though banners are classed as temporary signs, banners are durable and can last for years outdoors. We’ve seen evidence of banners installed correctly lasting upwards of five years.

How does sunlight affect a printed banner?

Like most items in an outdoors environment, sunlight plays a big part in the degradation of printed banners. The more a banner is in direct sunlight, the more it is likely to fade over time. We print our banners using UV resistant and eco-solvent inks, which do delay the deterioration of the printed surface. However, UV eventually will fade a printed surface, so the more sheltered your banner is from direct sunlight, the longer it will last. Colours also determine the resistance to fading. Reds and orange colours are more susceptible to fading than blues and greens, and this is because of longer and more active UV wavelength.

How does the bad weather affect a printed banner?

Weather conditions are a big factor in the lifespan of an outdoor banner. So it’s not surprising that banners situated in sheltered conditions will have a longer lifespan than a banner positioned out in the elements. Adverse weather and high winds are the most common factor in the deterioration of your banners. Always be mindful when positioning your banners and opt for a more sheltered position where possible. If your area is susceptible to high winds, it’s an idea to opt for a mesh banner. Mesh banners are more suited to deal with windy locations and have a mesh surface that allows air to pass through the banner. Wind passing through the banner face reduces the banner’s sail effect, making mesh banners the favourable option in open windy areas. You can read more about the benefits of our different banner materials in our blog post.

Will banners installed correctly last longer?

Banners that are correctly installed will last much longer than banners fitted poorly. The fitting is the most important factor in the longevity of your PVC banner. Make sure that you attach the banner using all the eyelets provided. Missing out eyelets means fewer fixing points and more stress on the supporting eyelets. Make sure your banner is fitted tightly like a drum skin against your fitting medium. Banners that are loosely fitted can flap. The flapping cause the banner to rub against whatever it’s fitted to and wear through, which will ruin the banner. A banner that is fitted loosely, especially on metal fences, can wear through in a matter of days. In the end, a metal on PVC is a bit like the game paper, scissors, stone. In the case of a plastic banner vs metal, metal always wins.

So what is the lifespan of a PVC banner?

The lifespan of your banner is a question with no answer, and because of so many variations of circumstances as discussed, we can never quote a time frame. However, we have seen many banners lasting many years or as little as a few days. A printed banner is only as good as its environment.