Naqsh Signs.
Buying guides

13oz, 18oz or mesh? How to choose the right vinyl banner

Banner weight is not just a number on the quote. Here is what each vinyl does best, from everyday 13oz to blockout, mesh and backlit.

Naqsh Signs team1 min read

Matte vinyl banner printed by Naqsh Signs in Toronto

Vinyl banners are sold by weight in ounces per square yard. Heavier usually means stronger, but the right banner depends on where it hangs, whether it is seen from both sides, and how windy the spot is.

13oz matte: the everyday banner

Our most popular banner. The low-glare matte finish reads well in direct sun and under indoor lights, and it is hemmed with grommets every 2 ft. Use it for storefront promotions, fences and event entrances. See 13oz matte vinyl.

18oz blockout: double-sided and heavy duty

18oz blockout has an opaque layer between two vinyl faces, so light does not shine through and you can print both sides without ghosting. It is the one for street pole banners and banners hung across an open space. See 18oz blockout.

8oz mesh: for wind

Mesh is perforated, so wind passes through instead of pulling on the banner like a sail. It is the safe choice for construction fences, scaffolding and exposed sites. The image looks slightly softer up close, and that trade-off is worth it on a windy site. See 8oz mesh.

Indoor and backlit options

  • 12oz smooth matte has no visible scrim grid, so it is made for close viewing: trade show backdrops and retail displays.
  • 15oz Duratex backlit is translucent and spreads light evenly in lightboxes and illuminated menu boards.
If your banner is…Order
Outdoors, one side, normal conditions13oz matte
Seen from both sides or on a street pole18oz blockout
On a fence or scaffold in the wind8oz mesh
Indoors and viewed up close12oz smooth matte
Inside a lightbox15oz Duratex backlit
  • #banners
  • #vinyl
  • #outdoor

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