Banner Signs Key Terms

Learn banner sign key terms and design a banner that meets your business needs

If you are a business owner in need of banner signs to advertise your business, then your first job is to decide on the objective of your project. The banner sign printing process is very complex, and there are factors to consider, from pre-press through finishing.

In order achieve the best result from your project, you need to set up your files the right way, choose the appropriate materials and finish your banners according to their end use. To accomplish these tasks successfully, it is necessary for you to understand banner signs key terms.

 

Prepress

This refers to how you set up your banner sign artwork to make it ready for printing. Prepress steps include providing the design in the required file format and picking from various proof options.
Try: Promotion Xpress provides a FAQ section that responds to queries regarding the prepress stage of printing banner signs.

Full color vs. spot colors

Full color images require the mix of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K) to produce color. Spot color, in contrast, is the use of one, exact color. Full or process color is used for full color images, such as photographs, whereas the latter is used for images less than four colors. Spot color is also used in addition to process color, if a logo calls for exact colors that process color cannot match.
Try: InkD Spot describes the benefits of full color printing.

Vinyl, canvas and bioflex

Three common banner materials. There are a variety vinyl types available; bioflex is a material that looks a lot like vinyl but is fully biodegradable; and canvas offers a natural appearance that holds up outdoors.
Try: Sharper Imaging features a listing of banner material options and includes their features, benefits and ideal uses.

Digital Printing

Digital printing is the ideal method for printing banners. It is also the most popular printing method for banners.
Try: Banner-Printer.com offers information on various types of banner printing methods.

Bleeds

Refers to a design element where the ink falls off the edge of the printed piece. To get ink to print on the very edge of the banner, images are actually printed beyond the edge and then trimmed.
Try: Creative Latitude offers an extensive explanation on what bleed is and why it is a significant design technique.

Finishing

Finishing is the stage following the printing process during which the banner is prepped for use. For example, adding grommets and pole pockets are just a couple of finishing options.
Try: Jakprints features a section on various finishing options, and includes helpful images and a brief explanation on the associated benefits of each.

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