Custom vinyl banners are a great way to get your message across to a large audience. They are durable, cost-effective, weather-resistant, and come in a variety of sizes. With the ability to fully customize your banner it’s easy to see why these banners are many people’s first choice for custom signage. However, wrinkled or creased banners can look unprofessional and obscure your message, and poorly stored banners can shorten their lifespan. In this post, we’ll share tips on how to remove wrinkles from vinyl banners and how to store banners properly to avoid wrinkles, creases, and fold lines.
How Do You Smooth Out Vinyl Banners?
There are two ways to get wrinkles out of vinyl banners: lay them out and use natural heat from the sun or use artificial heat.
Before getting started, make sure that the banners are clean. Any dirt or grime can make the process of removing wrinkles messier and harder. It’s best to use a soft cloth with warm water to clean your vinyl banner, then dry it quickly with a dry cloth before beginning.
Method 1: Use Natural Heat From the Sun
Using natural heat is the best method to remove wrinkles from vinyl banners. This option works well when it’s sunny and warm outside. The heat from the sun will soften the vinyl material and naturally smooth out wrinkles in your banner. This may take a few hours or even up to a day or two, depending on the size of the banner, the amount of sunlight, and the severity of the wrinkles.
To speed up the process, use gravity and tension to stretch out the vinyl. If the banner comes with grommets, you can hang the vinyl banner against a wall, facing the sun, and add weight like partially filled water bottles to flatten creases. When laying the banner flat, place weights in the corners to prevent it from rolling up. Using grommets, bungee cords, zip ties, or rope to display the banner tautly will also help remove wrinkles and creases.
Method 2: Use Artificial Heat
Use a heat gun, handheld steamer, or a hairdryer to smoothen any wrinkles. In the absence of natural heat, artificial heat can be used to help remove wrinkles from your vinyl banners. Remember to exercise caution when using artificial heat as too much of it can permanently damage or completely ruin your vinyl banner.
Follow these tips when using artificial heat to remove wrinkles from your vinyl banners
- Avoid direct contact with the vinyl banner. Placing the heat source too close to the banner can damage the vinyl material so point your heating device a few inches away from the banner
- Always operate on a lower heat setting. You can also try shifting between the lowest heat setting to medium heat at most depending on the tool you’re using.
- Before heating the entire banner, test the device in one corner of your vinyl banner to ensure that the it’s warm enough to straighten a wrinkle without melting the material. You can also test it on a piece of fabric to gauge whether the heat is too high or just enough.
- Avoid directing artificial heat in one area for too long. Even a low heat setting held in one place for too long can cause damage to your vinyl banner.
- Only heat the non-printed side while trying to remove wrinkles or creases.
- When working with a banner printed on both sides, place a soft cloth or piece of fabric between the heat source and the vinyl banner to avoid causing permanent damage. Place the banner printed side down on a clean flat surface, such as the table or the floor. Use a heat gun, handheld steamer, or hairdryer on low heat to slowly pass over wrinkled areas and flatten the creases on the banner. If needed, use your hand to help flatten out the wrinkles.
A Word on Irons
Avoid using an iron to remove wrinkles from vinyl banners. Although some people claim that using an iron with improvised technique meant to prevent damage, it is not a safe option, it is not a safe method of smoothing your banner. The weight of most irons and the potential for direct contact can cause damage to the material.
How to Store Banners Properly and Prevent Them From Wrinkling
Vinyl banners are durable and have a long lifespan, but they need to be stored properly to minimize wrinkles and creases. To ensure the longevity of your banner, follow these tips:
- Store the banner in a cool and dark area away from direct sunlight or any heat source to prevent fading and damage.
- Roll the banner instead of folding it to prevent creases from forming. Use a cardboard or plastic tube core for rolling and avoid placing heavy objects on top of it. Even a rolled banner with a weight on top of it can result in creases or fold lines.
- Keep the banner in its original packaging. Some banners come with a storage bag, while others are packed in a box. If possible, store your banner in its original container to protect it and keep it clean.
- If you intend to store your banner for a long time, unroll it occasionally to avoid wrinkles and prolong its lifespan.
Vinyl banners are effective promotional tools that help bring more customers to your business, while a wrinkled banner can drive away potential customers. Keep banners in excellent condition by storing them properly and using the right techniques to remove its wrinkles. With that being said, remember that all vinyl banners have a lifespan, and after years of use, it may be time to replace your banner if the wrinkles and creases don’t come out.
