Best Outdoor Banner Material Options for Event Advertising

I’ll compare the key features of these banner materials to help you make the right choice for your upcoming event.

Top Banner Materials for Outdoor Displays

Your display location is a key factor when choosing your banner material. Here are the two main banner materials I recommend for outdoor use:

Mesh (For Windy Areas)

Mesh is the go-to banner material for outdoor advertising, especially sponsor banners where you promote brands and businesses that financially supported your event.

Mesh banners feature a perforated structure that allows airflow through tiny holes, reducing strain, minimizing flapping, and preventing damage.

The most common type of mesh banner is 70/30 blow-through vinyl mesh (70% vinyl and 30% holes), which is ideal for most outdoor locations where wind is a concern.

For extremely windy sites, 30/70 vinyl mesh (30% vinyl and 70% holes) allows more wind to pass through for better outdoor durability and wind resistance.

Pros

• Wind and Weather Resistant: The wind-permeable design minimizes strain on the mounting hardware, reducing the risk of tearing whether you’re mounting your school event banner on a fence or displaying an advertising banner in a windy sports field.
• Reduced Billowing Effect: Your message remains clear and your banner won’t fly like a sail during strong gusts.
• Lightweight, Durable Construction: Mesh banners are lighter compared to solid vinyl banners, making them easier to install and transport from one event to the next.
• Perfect for Large-Scale Advertising: Even massive 20’ x 30’ custom mesh banners will hold up well outdoors.
• Reduce Sound Distortion: Want to cover large, unsightly speakers on the stage? 30/70 (70% blow through) mesh banners allow air and sound to pass through without affecting the audio or flapping, so you can use them as visually striking advertising tools in front of tall speakers.

Cons

• Less Vibrant: Mesh banners have a muted appearance with less vivid colors. For 30/70 vinyl mesh, the print may appear less visible in harsh sunlight or when the banner is backlit.
• More Expensive: Because of their superior outdoor durability, mesh banners often cost more than solid vinyl banners. But if you don’t want to keep replacing a torn or frayed banner frequently, mesh banners are definitely a worthwhile investment.

Ideal Installation: Festival stages, band backdrops, building wraps, construction sites, scaffolding, fences, sports arenas, and other high-wind zones.

Pro Tip: Keep your design simple and avoid highly detailed graphics and small text. It’s best to use large fonts and contrasting colors, since the perforations may affect clarity.

Solid Vinyl (For Non-Windy Outdoor Areas)

If you want smaller banners for outdoor advertising in low-wind locations, solid vinyl is an economical choice.

Featuring a non-perforated surface, solid vinyl banners block light completely and provide a smooth print surface for crisp, vibrant graphics. They’re made from PVC vinyl with an inner polyester scrim, creating a sturdy, flexible, and weather-resistant structure.

They’re great when you want to make a strong visual impact, especially for elaborate designs and photo-quality images. 

Pros

• Stunning Colors: Solid vinyl banners have a smooth, solid surface with no holes, making them ideal for high-resolution prints with rich colors and sharp text.
• Budget-Friendly: They are more affordable than vinyl mesh and cloth banners. 
• Matte and Glossy Finish Options: Matte reduces glare, while glossy gives your banner a luxurious appearance.
• Easy to Clean: Simply wipe down the surface with a mixture of water and mild soap to get rid of dirt and dust.

Cons

• Not Ideal for Windy Areas: Unlike mesh banners, which have holes that let wind pass through, solid vinyl banners have a non-porous surface. These banners can act like a sail in high-wind areas. They’re also more vulnerable to tears and other damage when exposed to heavy gusts.
• Prone to Wrinkles: When you fold your solid vinyl banner and store it for long periods, it will likely form creases. However, it’s easy to remove wrinkles from a vinyl banner with natural sunlight exposure or low heat from a hair dryer.

Ideal Installation: Outdoor areas with little to no wind, such as flat walls, storefront facades, covered walkways, and overhangs.

Pro Tip: Use every grommet on your banner to distribute wind load and keep it taut. Avoid simply tying down the corners, which increases the risk of tearing.

Quick Comparison of Outdoor Banner Materials

Use this chart to compare the two best outdoor banner material options:

Get Custom Banners That Withstand Outdoor Conditions

After choosing the right banner material, make sure to partner with a trusted printer to get stunning banners that withstand outdoor use.

With over two decades of experience printing quality banners across the U.S., NorthCoast Banners has become a dependable choice for large-format banners, stage backdrops, feather flags, and plastic roll banners.

We use premium materials and UV-resistant inks to ensure sharp, long-lasting banners. Durable grommets every 2 feet allow proper weight distribution, and reinforced edges boost strength. We offer multiple finishes, such as custom pole pockets, velcro, and wind slits.

Need help comparing your banner and signage options? Our banner experts will recommend the best material that fits your event.

Get in touch with us to start your custom outdoor banner project today!

Next, explore the best banner sizes for outdoor events with our quick guide below: