Banner Grommets vs Pole Pockets: Which Is Best for Your Display?
Grommets and pole pockets are standard finishing options that make it easier to display banners indoors or out.
Keep reading to learn the difference between the two. I’ll also explain their pros and cons to help you determine the best choice for your upcoming event.
Grommets vs Pole Pockets: How They Work and Where They’re Used
Here’s a closer look at the differences between these two popular hanging methods:
What Are Grommets?
Grommets are small, reinforced rings added to pre-cut holes. They often work together with hems, which are 1-inch folded edges sewn to the banner’s backside, to strengthen the material.
They’re commonly used on the following types of signage:
- Vinyl, mesh, or fabric banners
- Corrugated plastic yard signs
- Rigid plastic signs
Grommets reinforce a banner’s attachment points. With these circular rings, banners hang with less risk of ripping or fraying, especially in windy conditions.
Metal grommets are the standard in the banner industry, and they are much sturdier compared to plastic or rubber grommets.
What Are Pole Pockets?
Pole pockets are sleeves that printers heat-weld or stitch onto banners, making it easy to insert poles or rods through the pockets. They can be positioned vertically or horizontally, depending on your hanging needs.
With built-in sleeves, banners look clean and polished when displayed. Pole pockets are perfect for:
- Lamp posts
- Scaffolding
- Stages and theaters
- Parade routes
- Street banners
- Retail spaces
- Trade shows
- Wall-mounted displays
How to Hang Your Banner Using Grommets vs Pole Pockets
Right: Lamp post banners with pole pockets we printed for McKinney Performing Arts Center
Banners with grommets and pole pockets are great for both indoor and outdoor displays.
How to Hang Banners With Grommets
Installing banners with grommets is easy, whether you’re hanging your banners outside a building, on a festival stage, at a conference, or at a sports event.
You can use:
- Zip ties for hanging banners on fences and around posts or railings
- Nylon ropes for securing your banner to railings, trees, poles, or other stable fixtures
- Bungee cords for windy areas, as their elasticity allows your banner to sway resiliently with strong gusts, reducing stress and the risk of tearing
- Screws with washers for long-term installation onto wood or concrete surfaces
- Adhesive hooks for quick, tool-free installation on metal and glass surfaces
Pro Tip: Use all of the grommets on your banner to distribute tension evenly, keeping it taut and stable. If you hang your banner using only the corner grommets, it will likely sag and won’t hold up long, particularly in harsh weather.
How to Hang Banners With Pole Pockets
For pole pockets, simply slide your banner into pole mounting brackets that fit the sleeves.
Display your banner by:
- Placing it on street pole displays
- Suspending it from a ceiling rod
- Mounting it on a wall bracket
- Using a banner stand
Make sure the poles slide in smoothly and don’t fit too tightly inside the sleeves. If you need a particular sleeve diameter, let us know and we’ll create pockets in just the right size.
Pro Tip: When hanging your banner using only the top sleeve, I recommend adding a weighted chain, rope, pole, or rod to the bottom pocket to keep the banner taut and wrinkle-free.
Pros and Cons of Banner Grommets vs Pole Pockets
Here’s a quick comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of these finishing options:
Banner Grommets
Pros:
- Grommets offer flexible installation as you can use them with various hanging hardware.
- They add durability to banners, making them ideal for outdoor settings.
- When damaged, they’re easy to replace without affecting the rest of the banner.
Cons:
- While small, grommets remain visible on banners. If you want a more polished appearance without any hardware on the banner, pole pockets are a good finishing option.
Pole Pockets
Pros:
- Pole pockets create an aesthetic, professional look without any extra hanging hardware.
- They distribute support more evenly along the banner edges, reducing the risk of sagging or wrinkling with proper setup.
- They’re easy to install when you have compatible display hardware without requiring additional hanging supplies.
Cons:
- Pole pockets offer fewer hanging options compared to grommets. Also, they’re usually more difficult to repair. If a pocket tears, your banner will likely be unusable until it’s repaired.
Quick Design Tips
Keep these tips in mind to avoid hidden details, cropped text, or other artwork issues:
- Avoid placing key elements near the banner edges, whether it’s your brand name, logo, or important graphics.
- Add a 2- to 3-inch safe zone on all sides of your banner design to ensure grommets, hemming, or pole pocket welds don’t affect its final appearance.
Don’t forget to send high-resolution images in the correct art file format for a smoother printing process.
Choose the Right Finishing Option for Your Custom Banners
At NorthCoast Banners, we use robust metal grommets for our custom banners and place them every 2 feet on all sides for extra strength and durability.
We can also add top and bottom 3.5-inch pole pockets to your banner.
Our base pricing includes grommets and pole pockets, which means there are no extra fees for these finishing options. We provide custom quotes for special finishes, such as velcro, wind slits, or custom pole pockets.
Get in touch with us now to discuss your banner project! We ship across the U.S. and offer same-day quotes for rush orders.
Mendy Rimler
As CEO of NorthCoast Banners, Mendy has 15 years of experience in the print industry and has worked with brands large and small across the US to bring their branding to life with quality prints.