FAQ
Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Lakeway, & West Lake Hills
Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our FAQ page. Here you’ll find quick answers to the most common questions about ordering, artwork setup, materials, finishing, turnaround, and installation for banners and related display products.
Austin Banner Printing serves Austin, TX and the surrounding area, and we offer a wide range of indoor and outdoor banner options printed in vibrant full color with multiple finishing choices.
If you don’t see your question here, send us a message and we’ll be happy to help right away.
Ordering, Quotes & Proofs
Start here if you’re wondering how to order, what we need for a quote, or how proofs work.
The easiest way to get started is to send over the details of your project by phone, email, or the contact form on the website. Once we have the size, material, quantity and deadline, we’ll send back pricing and turnaround. If everything looks good, we’ll move forward with artwork and production. The process is straightforward and we’ll guide you through it if needed.
To provide accurate pricing, we need the finished size (width x height), quantity, material type, finishing (grommets, pole pockets, etc.) and your deadline. If it’s a wall wrap or window project, measurements and photos are very helpful. The more detail you provide up front, the faster and more accurate the quote will be.
Yes. For most projects, we review the artwork and provide a proof before printing. Once the proof is approved, production begins. It’s important to check spelling, sizing and layout carefully during the proof stage, because we print exactly what is approved.
Artwork & File Setup
File setup questions? These answers help you get clean, sharp prints—especially for large-format banners.
Printing large format graphics is different from printing small format (business cards, postcards, flyers) because the viewing distance is farther away. 300 DPI is overkill for a large banner or window graphic because the image will be viewed from several feet away rather than right in front of your eyes. Large graphics are typically printed at around 150 DPI and sometimes even lower.
Viewing distance really matters when dealing with resolution. Typically, the farther away the viewer is, the less resolution is required to make a nice-looking image. Billboards, for example, can sometimes be printed as low as 50 DPI and it works because the nearest viewer is 60 feet away from the print. The eye can’t catch the low resolution from far away.
Vector graphics are always the preferred file formats for large printing because they retain sharp edges no matter how large or small they are printed. Common vector formats include .ai, .eps and .svg. A .pdf is normally great for printing also, however .pdf files don’t necessarily mean that the graphics are vector. Aside from this, any large, full-size .jpg or .tiff can work well for printing large graphics.
Vector artwork is built using paths and shapes rather than pixels. The benefit of vector artwork is that it can scale infinitely without losing sharpness. If you stretch a pixel-based image too large, it will become blurry or pixelated. Vector graphics stay crisp at any size, which is why they are preferred for large format printing.
Banner Materials, Durability & Finishing
Not sure which banner material or finish to choose? This section breaks down the most common options.
The most common material used for banner printing is vinyl. Vinyl is a universal material similar to vinyl car-seat covers, vinyl bar-stool seats and vinyl rain coats. While vinyl is the most common material used, there are also others as well. Mesh banner is a form of vinyl, however with perforations in the material to allow wind to pass through. Also, banners can be made of various fabrics such as polyester and stretch fabric.
The difference in weight indicates the thickness of the vinyl material. For example, 13 oz vinyl is a measurement of the weight of one square yard of material, while 18 oz represents the same size of material, but heavier because the material is thicker. A simple way of putting it is: the heavier the weight, the thicker and more heavy-duty the material is.
Mesh banners are a type of vinyl banner which should be considered for use when the banner will be exposed to wind. For example, many people use mesh banners on chain link fences. The reason for this is because the wind can blow on the banner from any direction and the perforations in the material reduce the stress load from the wind.
You should consider using a heavier material when you know your banner is going to be exposed to high stress. For example, you would want to go with a heavier material when you know that gusts of wind and extreme weather are going to affect the banner. These materials look the same, but the difference in thickness can make the difference in the lifespan of the banner.
A common banner life cycle is generally about two years depending on outdoor conditions. If you keep your banner indoors, it can last for many years. Outdoors, weather and sun exposure directly affect the life of the material and the inks. If your banner is exposed to the sun all day long every day, you may notice some ink fading within 18 months. If your banner is installed in a mostly shady area, the inks can last much longer. The same goes for the vinyl material itself. Sun and wind are the primary variables in the lifespan of a vinyl banner.
For windy areas, mesh banner is usually recommended because the perforations allow air to pass through the material. Heavier vinyl can also help if the banner is securely mounted. Proper finishing and installation matter just as much as the material itself. Even the best material can fail if it’s not installed correctly in high wind.
Finishing options for a vinyl banner include hem and grommet (standard finishing), extra grommets or no grommets, webbing in the edges, rope sewn into the edges, pole pockets on any of the edges, reinforced corners, D-rings, and straight cut (no finishing).
By default, most banners will have the grommets placed every two to three feet apart, all around the four edges. You may choose to add more or fewer grommets if you need to.
Pole pockets are sewn sleeves along a banner edge, designed to slide over a pole or pipe for hanging. Common pole pocket size options listed on our banner pages include 2 inch, 3 inch, and 4 inch pockets. Pole pockets are used for specific installation types such as hanging a large banner from a ceiling.
Yes. Most banner materials are printable on both sides. Using 13, 15 or 18 oz won’t make a difference. One thing to consider is that many shops will default to “no hemming” if the banner is printed double sided, so you might consider adding extra grommets in this case. With other materials such as mesh banner, the two sides are printed separately and then sewn together.
Turnaround, Delivery & Service Areas
Deadlines matter. Here’s what to know about production timing, rush service, and getting your order.
Many common banner products are completed in about 48 hours, depending on the time the order is approved and the artwork is finalized. Some items like banner stands may take longer. Rush options are often available, but cutoff times matter. If you’re on a tight deadline, let us know immediately so we can confirm what’s realistic before moving forward.
For standard banner orders, a few days’ notice is usually enough. For trade shows, large wall wraps or custom installs, it’s better to plan at least one to two weeks in advance. The more complex the project, the more important it is to allow time for proofing, production and shipping.
Each city site serves its surrounding metro area and nearby cities. Orders are delivered directly to homes, businesses, event venues, hotels or job sites. If your delivery location has specific requirements such as dock hours or exhibitor deadlines, it’s important to mention that early so everything arrives on time.
Other Large Format Products
Tips for hanging, cleaning, and storing banners so they look great and last longer.
The most common retractable banner stand size is 33 inches wide by 81 inches tall. Other common sizes include 24 x 81, 36 x 81 and sometimes wider premium versions. Smaller tabletop retractables are also available for trade show tables. The exact size depends on the stand model, but 33 x 81 is generally considered the industry standard.
Step and repeat backdrops are typically produced in a few different styles. The most common is a pole pocket banner used with a pipe and drape frame. There are also tension fabric backdrops that stretch over an aluminum frame for a smooth, wrinkle-free look. Higher-end options include SEG (silicone edge graphic) systems where the fabric has a sewn edge that tucks into a frame. The best option depends on budget, portability and how often it will be used.
Most table covers and throws are printed on polyester fabric. The material is typically wrinkle resistant and machine washable. Stretch table covers are made from a polyester blend that allows the fabric to pull tight around the legs of the table. Standard throws simply drape over the table and can be open back or fully enclosed on all four sides.
Yes. We print common flag styles like feather flags, teardrop flags, and rectangular flags. Flags are typically produced on lightweight polyester (often listed as 4 oz polyester on our location pages) and can be ordered single sided or double sided depending on visibility needs.
Yes. Fence wraps are a common product for job sites and events. We typically recommend mesh for most fence wrap projects (especially where wind is a factor), and we can help you choose finishing that matches how it’s being installed on the fencing.
Common window graphic options include perforated window vinyl (often called window perf), solid adhesive vinyl, cut vinyl lettering and static cling. Each serves a different purpose. Some are meant for advertising while still allowing visibility from the inside, while others are designed for branding, privacy or temporary promotions.
Perforated window vinyl is a material that has tiny holes throughout the surface. When printed and installed on the outside of a window, it allows people outside to see the graphic, while people inside can still see out. It works because the light difference between inside and outside makes the holes appear transparent from the darker side.
Static cling sticks to glass using static rather than adhesive. It is typically used for temporary promotions and can be removed easily. Adhesive vinyl uses a pressure-sensitive adhesive and is better for longer-term installations. Adhesive vinyl is more durable and less likely to peel unintentionally.
Common rigid sign materials include foam board (primarily indoor use), coroplast (often used for yard signs), PVC board, aluminum composite material, and acrylic. The correct choice depends on whether the sign will be indoors or outdoors, how long it needs to last and how it will be mounted.
Payments & Policies
A few common questions about payment, tax, and what to do if you need changes.
Invoices are sent electronically and can be paid online by major credit card. Orders are shipped using standard carriers, and delivery is the normal workflow. In most cases, in-person pickup is not available, so planning for delivery time is important.
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