To Vent or Not Vent Your Outdoor Banners, That is the Question

And the Answer is: Do Not Vent

The working theory for many years was that wind vents would reduce the wind load on any given banner. In other words, wind would blow threw instead of pulling on and possibly tearing the banner. This theory was so widely accepted that some governments made vents mandatory for banners installed in certain locations. Springville, Utah went as far as to regulate that at least 20% of the area of a banner must be made up of holes.

But, wind tunnel tests conducted by aerodynamic specialists not only disproved the theory that slits, flaps or holes will reduce wind resistance but have scientifically proven they can be a detriment due to vibration and fabric stress within the banner. They tended to increase the wind load rather than reduce it. "The holes allow the fabric to ripple and catch more wind increasing the drag factor.” [i]

The aerodynamic specialists concluded (somewhat tongue in cheek) that “if you have a banner tied in such a way that it will remain flat in the wind, then it seems that the benefits of adding vents are minimal unless you want to make your banner into Swiss cheese.”

Here in the city and county of Denver, while permits are required for some outdoor signage, the city doesn’t dictate vents or no vents. That stated, to recommend the best substrate we always ask our clients about the install location of the banner and how long it will be up. Based on the research and our professional experience, SpeedPro Denver suggests a few materials that work with the wind without marring your design with holes. Here are a few examples:

Scrim:  Commonly used for outdoor signage since it is scratch- and water-resistant but can be penetrated for grommets for easy hanging. Scrim banners are made of vinyl and reinforced with polyester cording. The material construction is what gives it strength and durability. Its smooth, flat finish makes this surface ideal for large-format inkjet printing.

Heavy duty:  Ideal for fluttering flags that will go with the wind instead of fighting it, this vinyl substrate has high tear resistance due to the multi-layer design. Typically hemmed and with grommets, it is also ideal for prints that will be inserted into re-usable stands to announce the current sale or holiday specials.

To read more about the research referenced in this story, click the link below.

For a quote or to talk about your job, give us a call at 303.426.4199, email denver@speedprodenver.com or visit www.SpeedProDenver.net

To see and read about more banner jobs we’ve done,

check out our Studio News and view our extensive portfolio!

---

[i] “Do wind vent holes in banners make a difference? We used a wind tunnel to find out” article published by Novella April 2016, Matthew Mason, The University of Queensland and Jonathan Roberts, Queensland University of Technology https://blogs.qut.edu.au/science-engineering-education-research/2016/04/25/do-wind-vent-holes-in-banners-make-a-difference-we-used-a-wind-tunnel-to-find-out/

Calling All Marketers & Print Buyers

Large format printers produce a lot more than trade show properties!

SpeedPro Denver prints GREAT. BIG. GRAPHICS. for all departments

SpeedPro Denver can support your marketing including all events—internal, external and sponsorships. And, we can support your facilities, HR, sales, and operations teams with signage of all types and sizes. With our specialized equipment we regularly produce:

Banners for the sponsorships, trade shows, industry events, and the company picnic—hanging and re-usable retractables. Scrim banners are commonly used for outdoor signage while smooth banners present crisp images--even up close. Let us know the setting, and we’ll recommend the right material.

Canvas prints–line the hallways with artwork, no framing necessary! An affordable option for even the smallest business, canvas prints have a soft feel and look.

Door signage–quick identification for the conference rooms, access restricted, supplies, you name it. Choose a substrate that will stay up for years or one that can be easily removed.

Easel prints–for the lobby to welcome guests. Customized messages printed quickly and inexpensively add sophistication to welcome VIPs.

Elevator wraps–entertain and inform employees and visitors. Still a novelty, use this space to reinforce your brand and key messages.

Employee of the Month or Reserved parking space signs that hold up in the elements–visually reward your best employees. Printed on substrates such as Max-metal, signs will stay up weather the elements for years.

Exterior signage of your logo in full color—be easy to find and memorable. Options range from single block lettering to wall murals to 3D treatments.

Lobby, interior and conference room windows with your logo full color or frosted—reinforce your brand. Window film such as Glass Adhere is removable and reusable but can also stay in place for years.

Seasonal graphics for the lobby and lunchroom—bring color to a typically sterile setting. Thin poster boards that can easily be hung and removed from most surfaces are affordable and fun.

Visuals for the big sales meeting–podium signs and posters in any size. Your speakers will appreciate the chance to customize messages and your audiences have come to expect it.

Tents and flags–create shade to show you care about your employees. Fluttering flags are fun and eye-catching. Tents for outdoor events can be nearly any size; cover your trade show table or a crowd of hundreds.

Vehicle wraps or decals–for your sedans and vans. Simple decals can be designed and strategically placed to make an impact while telling the world you a small business but ambitious! Full wraps are custom to show off your brand and convey your market position.

Wall murals–reinforce key messages and add visual interest to a space. For longer-term placements, wall murals can be any customized graphic, familiar scenery or as simple as big arrows pointing the way.

Window graphics–add color, fun and deflect birds. Pull in traffic with the latest specials or shield your interior space with engaging visuals while letting in light. 

Give us a call at 303.426.4199

email denver@speedprodenver.com or 

visit speedprodenver.net

to talk about your large format print jobs. 

We provide free estimate and will come to you.

To see and read about more print jobs we’ve done, check out the 

News & Awards on our website and view our extensive portfolio!

Why follow the yellow brick road? Because it visually pulls you in!

Create your own yellow brick road to . . .  

. . . get booth traffic at a trade show

. . . pull in retail customers

. . . direct traffic in a movie theater
. . . welcome guests to your lobby

. . . route marathon traffic with colorful mile markers

. . . steer your event traffic to the right hotel meeting room

. . . entertain hockey and basketball fans

. . . designate safe zones in a manufacturing plant, print shop or any industrial setting

. . . differentiate your booth at a street festival

. . . brand the schools' gymnasium with the mascot to promote team spirit

. . . create visual interest at the local recreation center

Floor and street graphics are engaging, fun and can be used for the long term or for that one day event. SpeedPro Denver can design, print and install your custom job. We can also remove your graphics--fast and affordably. Here are just few examples of floor/street printing we've handled:

Give us a call at 303.426.4199 or write denver@speedprodenver.com

 to talk about your large format print jobs. We provide free estimates and will come to you!