Quick Guide to Hem and Grommet Banner Finishing Options

Hem and grommet banner finishing options are popular because they strengthen edges and extend a banner’s overall lifespan. They’re the standard finish for most indoor and outdoor banners.

Read on to understand their benefits and explore other finishing options.

What Exactly Are Hems and Grommets?

Hemming is a widely used finishing technique that creates folded-over edges, most commonly 1 inch wide. The edges are stitched, taped, or heat-welded to the back of the banner for extra durability.

Heat welding is best for heavy-duty and outdoor displays, because it creates tougher, weather-resistant edges without stitching holes. On large banners, webbing in the hems helps to reinforce the hems to manage extra weight and wind tension.

• Hemming adds strength and improves resistance to fraying and tearing, especially in outdoor settings where your banner gets exposed to wind, rain, and harmful sun rays.
• It boosts your banner’s structural integrity for a smoother, wrinkle-free display. Your design and message will look crisp and clear.
• It creates a clean, professional finish, so your banner looks presentable wherever you hang it.

Grommets, also called eyelets, are small but robust metal rings that work with hems to provide a sturdy installation option for various display settings.

Hems and grommets are great for indoor and outdoor banners, particularly installations that use nylon ropes, bungee cords, hooks, or zip ties, whether you’re displaying a massive festival mesh banner, stage backdrop, or trade show banner.

At NorthCoast Banners, we place durable metal grommets every 2 feet on all sides of printed banners for even weight distribution.

We recommend using every grommet on your banner to maintain stability and prevent tearing. Remember, there’s strength in numbers, and grommets work best when all used together. 

The last thing you want is seeing a 20-foot banner rip apart because you only secured it by the corners!

What Other Finishing Options Are Available?

Besides the standard hem-and-grommet duo, we offer the following options for custom banners:

Pole Pockets

Want to mount event announcement banners on street lamp posts, retail displays on adjustable banner stands, or sports team banners from ceilings in sports venues? Pole pockets are just the right finishing option.

Built-in sleeves make it easy to slide your banner into pole mounting brackets, ensuring a firm and stable display. The pockets hide the mounting hardware for a clean look.

If you want this finish, we provide top and bottom 3.5-inch pole pockets for secure installation. Opposing pole pockets make your banner hang flatter, preventing sagging and creating a smooth appearance.

Wind Slits

Wind slits are thin cuts (crescent-shaped or straight) that allow wind to pass through solid vinyl banners. They reduce the risk of tearing by minimizing stress on hems, grommets, and mounting points.

They’re usually paired with hems and grommets on large outdoor vinyl banners, building banners, or fence banners.

Pro Tip: Ask for wind slits as an additional finishing option if you’re displaying a large banner in a windy location, like a coastal area or an open field.

Velcro

Also called hook-and-loop fasteners, velcro makes it easy to install and remove your banner from a flat surface without using any hardware. It often works well for fabric cloth banners.

Simply press the banner edges with velcro strips onto a wall, exhibition panel, frame, or other smooth, dry surface to display your banner.

Pro Tip: Choose a velcro finish for pop-up displays, retail signage, and indoor events, like exhibits and trade shows. It also fits short-term installations, especially when you need to swap or relocate your banner often.

Pick the Best Finish For Your Display Needs

When deciding the right banner finish, remember to consider where and how you plan to display your banner.

Not sure what to choose? Let us know the purpose of your banner and event location, and our banner specialists will guide you through the best options.

Get in touch with us now to start your custom banner project! We tailor every order and ship anywhere in the United States.

Next, find out how long vinyl banners last outside with our extensive article below: