What is the Difference Between Vinyl and Flex Banners?

 When promoting your business or event, you want to choose the most effective and affordable method which may include banner printing. What you may not know is that there are different types of banners, each with its own pros and cons. To make it easier for you when choosing signage to promote your business, we are going to look at the most common types of banners, vinyl and flex. Vinyl printing and flex materials both have their primary uses, so you can use this info to decide which is best for your needs:

Vinyl banner printing

Vinylprinting is the most commonly used. Unlike the past where vinyl couldn’t be colored, there are new color printers on the market that can print coloured vinyl signage and 3M vinyl wrap. If you choose vinyl, you can choose your desired pattern and colours with your sign maker. There is a special machine where the sign maker loads the vinyl and cuts it into your selected pattern.

Vinyl has an adhesive material which helps attach to your banner board after cutting. The adhesive is pulled off before attaching it. Unfortunately, the process of first peeling off the adhesive material before sticking the vinyl to the board makes this type of banner prone to wrinkles.

Vinyl is mostly used to create signs and banners on surfaces that the adhesive material can stick to. They have the advantage that the PVC and 3M vinyl wrap is quite flexible and the vinyl can stick on the surface for many years without wearing.

Flex banner printing

Flex material is mostly used for printing on clothing, however, recently sign makers have diversified the usage of flex and are now using it to make signage as well. Unlike vinyl printing, flex is softer and moves better. These banners are made using special printers that look like the normal inkjets but have the capability of printing flex materials. After printing, your sign maker will use heat to attach the flex material to your final product. There are special tools that are used to bond flex to the surface.

There are three types of inks used when printing on flex. These include:

1. Solvent ink– these have a strong smell and are non-biodegradable. They are carcinogenic and hence not recommended for long use. They also produce low quality final print.
2. Eco solvent ink- unlike the solvent ink, this type is less harmful and is almost odorless. They are not harmful for use under normal working conditions and they are better quality than the former.
3. UV ink– this type is the most recent and it has the advantage that it’s eco friendly. The UV ink doesn’t require any heating when curing it and hence can be used in more applications. It produces the most vibrant quality.

Flex banner printing simply uses a board whose material can perfectly bond with the flex material. These types of banners are most preferred due to their durability. They also tend to be safer than having your banner printed on clothing.

 

How to Find Sign Companies in Calgary

 Signage is a crucial part of presenting your business to prospective customers. Signs are how people find your location, what draws them in or turns them off and they can also be used to direct traffic throughout your location. Signs share important information about your company, from promotions, special offers and daily specials to where to find the washroom and hours of operation. It’s safe to say that sign companies are an important business partner for Calgary businesses. 

Businesses in Calgary need signs, so having a sign company that you trust to work with is important for your business. When looking for sign companies in Calgary, it is best to follow certain parameters so you can ensure you’ve got the best fit.

1.    Local - Look for a sign company that makes their products locally in Calgary. While some items will be much cheaper if the sign companies outsource them from outside of Calgary, you want to work with a company that creates as much of their products locally as possible. This cuts down on the turnaround time for your projects and protects local jobs, ensuring that your business is supporting the local community, especially during these difficult times 

2.    Service - Most sign companies in Calgary will offer the same products, so the biggest differentiator to look for is service. Notice if a sign companies website is geared towards the customer, if they have a positive online and offline reputation and of course, the most important is how they treat you. Making an inquiry, requesting a quote, stopping by to view samples and seeking product advice are all critical steps in the process towards making a sign purchase and a good sign company in Calgary will treat you with care and consideration during every step 

3.    Quality - The single most significant factor when choosing front he various sign companies in Calgary is that the products you purchase are high quality and the right fit for the job they are being used for. Products should last for the amount of time that is expected without fading or wearing more than what is to be expected for the materials and how the signs are used. The best sign companies in Calgary will be honest with you about how the product will wear down and which materials are best to use for each type of application. Unforeseen issues will happen, but how the company handles them is also a key point in the quality of product AND service that you receive 

We highly recommend choosing sign companies in Calgary that are local, offer impeccable service and produce high quality products. Running your business can be challenging, so choose a sign company that is easy to work with and doesn’t cause you additional problems. You will likely need new signs often, so it’s worth finding the best sign company in Calgary and sticking with them to make your life easier in the long run.