You’ve made it through the process of designing and displaying a custom vinyl banner for your brand or business. You’ve realized the benefits over the past few months, but the season is past and it’s time to take it down. Before you throw it in the back corner of a storage closet until next year, take a second to learn how to properly look after your magnificent banner and preserve it for years to come.
Think of it like washing your car. There’s no set interval to wash a banner since it depends completely on where the vinyl banner is set up and the weather. Vinyl banners are commonly used as outdoor advertisements, so during wet weather, signs are sprayed by dirt and other grime. When this dries, it can leave unsightly streaks. Dry weather may also lead to a slow build-up of dust and dirt. Fortunately, both mud and dust are easily washed off. To keep your custom vinyl banners looking clean and vibrant, wash it when it begins to look dirty.
If your vinyl sign only comes out at certain times of the year, wash it at least once before putting it up for display and again before storing it. This care will help it last longer and keep its vivid color.
Harsh detergents and bleach can cause the colors of a vinyl banner to fade. If you are using these to clean your graphic banners - stop.
Cold water and a mild soap is the safest option. Also, avoid scrubbing a vinyl banner with a stiff brush or sponge. These can scratch and wear the vinyl material. Your best friend for cleaning will be a microfiber cloth or soft towel.
Cold water and soft soaps do the job when it comes to mud and dirt, but if something more volatile lands on your sign, you’ll need something more powerful. Household fabric stain removers should be up to the challenge. For best results, follow these steps to remove stains from your vinyl banner:
Note: Solvents such as gasoline, alcohol, and paint thinner will smear the ink printing causing irreversible damage to your vinyl graphic.
Many banners, such as temporary sale signs or advertisements, banners used only at sporting events, rodeos, or seasonal signs, need to be stored properly when not in use. If stored the right way, your banners shouldn’t lose any of their vibrancy or customer appeal. Hot temperatures (above 80 degrees) and damp conditions are the most damaging conditions to avoid.
One of the most common storage mistakes occurs when well-meaning individuals wash the vinyl sign and then store it before it has thoroughly dried out. A little bit of patience here can go a long way to mitigating mold and keeping your banner odor-free. Be sure your banner is thoroughly dried before you put it away.
Folding a vinyl graphic is a big no-no. The folds will create creases that can be impossible to remove. Furthermore, folding causes ink to ink contact where the display side of the banner is in contact with itself. Ink to ink contact can lead to the ink sticking and blurring.
Fortunately, there is a simple method to avoid both creases and ink to ink contact: rolling. Make sure the banner is flat. Starting at one end, roll it up just like you would an inflatable camping mat, an ancient scroll, or a sushi roll.
Do you have a problem with your vinyl banner that we didn’t answer? Or would you like to find out more about having a custom vinyl banner printed for your business. Contact the experienced team at Craftsmen Industries. We design and distribute vinyl banners of all shapes and sizes and can help you find the solution you’re looking for.