13oz Vinyl (solid)
Mesh (perforated)The 10-second answer
For almost any indoor sign, trade-show backdrop, or short-term outdoor banner, order a 13oz vinyl banner — it's the affordable, vivid, all-purpose choice. If your banner lives outdoors on a fence or building where wind is a factor (think stadiums, construction fences, or windy coastlines), choose a mesh banner: the tiny holes let air pass through so it doesn't sail, tear, or rip out its grommets.
Vinyl vs mesh banners, side by side
| Vinyl Banner (13oz) | Mesh Banner | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Solid, smooth PVC vinyl | Perforated vinyl with tiny air holes |
| Wind handling | Catches wind — needs secure mounting | Lets ~30% of air pass through |
| Color & sharpness | Most vivid, solid color and detail | Slightly softer due to the holes |
| Best location | Indoors, storefronts, short-term outdoor | Fences, buildings, stadiums, windy spots |
| See-through? | No — fully opaque | Slightly, up close |
| Typical use | Grand openings, events, promos, backdrops | Construction wraps, fence banners, big outdoor |
Vinyl wins on color and versatility. Mesh wins the moment wind enters the picture. Pick by where the banner will hang, not just what it says.
Vinyl: the all-purpose default
Standard 13oz vinyl is the banner most people want: durable, weather-resistant for short-to-medium outdoor runs, and the most vivid for solid colors, logos, and photos. It's perfect for grand openings, sales, events, trade-show backdrops, and storefront signage. Because it's solid, it needs to be mounted securely if it's outdoors — wind has nowhere to go but against the banner.
Mesh: built for wind
Mesh banners are printed on perforated material full of tiny holes. Those holes let a big chunk of the wind pass through the banner instead of pushing against it. That's why you see mesh on stadium railings, construction fences, and the sides of buildings. Trade-off: the perforations make colors and fine detail a touch softer up close — but from normal viewing distance it still reads great, and it stays put when a solid vinyl banner would be flapping or tearing.
The wind question (this decides it)
Ask one thing: will this banner be outdoors, exposed, for more than a day or two?
- Indoors or short-term outdoor, sheltered → vinyl. Maximum color, lowest cost.
- Outdoors on a fence, building, or open area with wind → mesh. It survives; vinyl fights the wind and can rip.
- Huge banner (building-side) → mesh, almost always, for safety and longevity.
Finishing: hems, grommets & pole pockets
How your banner is finished matters as much as the material. Standard options:
Every i Can Print That banner order includes a free professional file check, so your artwork prints crisp at size and nothing important lands in a hem or grommet.
How to choose
Print a banner that stays up and stands out.
Pick your size, material, and finishing, see your price instantly, and it ships to your door.
Build Your Banner ⚡ Banner Size GuideFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between a vinyl and a mesh banner?
A vinyl banner is solid, smooth PVC that produces the most vivid color and is ideal indoors or for short-term outdoor use. A mesh banner is perforated with tiny holes that let wind pass through, making it the better choice for fences, buildings, and windy outdoor locations.
Are mesh banners better for outdoor use?
Mesh banners are better for exposed outdoor locations where wind is a factor, because the perforations let roughly 30% of the air pass through so the banner doesn't catch the wind, sail, or tear. For sheltered or short-term outdoor use, vinyl is fine and gives sharper color.
Do vinyl banners hold up outdoors?
Yes, 13oz vinyl banners are weather-resistant and work well outdoors for short-to-medium runs, as long as they're mounted securely. In high wind, a solid vinyl banner can flap or tear, which is when mesh is the safer choice.
Which banner has better color, vinyl or mesh?
Vinyl has the most vivid, solid color and sharpest detail because the surface is smooth and unbroken. Mesh looks slightly softer up close due to its perforations, but reads clearly from normal viewing distance.
What finishing options do banners need for outdoor use?
For outdoor banners, use hemmed edges to prevent fraying and grommets (metal rings) every 2 to 3 feet for secure mounting. Pole pockets are a clean option for hanging banners on rods.