Mesh, blockout or PVC: which banner material suits which product
Emily Wuschko · Product Development und Supply Chain Management · 6 min ·
Anyone ordering banners rarely thinks about what the material actually is. For further processing that is the crucial piece of information, because it determines which products are possible.
| Material | Property | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| PVC Frontlit | Polyester fabric, PVC-coated on both sides, usually 400 to 500 grammes per square metre, waterproof and tear-resistant | Rucksacks, Messenger Bags, Dufflebags, belt bags, laptop sleeves |
| Mesh | PVC-coated mesh fabric with small holes, lighter and more flexible, not watertight | Tote bags, beanbag covers, reflective strips, elements in combination with other material |
| Blockout | Black intermediate layer against light transmission, stiffer and often thinner than Frontlit, less hard-wearing | Cases, toiletry bags, clutches, Cardholders, keyrings |
| Flag fabric | Light polyester fabric without coating, drapes softly, sewable and breathable | Drawstring bags, chest pouches, scarves and anything that is drawn together or folded |
PVC Frontlit: the standard banner
The most common banner material. A polyester fabric, PVC-coated on both sides, usually in the range of 400 to 500 grammes per square metre. Waterproof, tear-resistant, made for permanent outdoor use.
For further processing this is the most rewarding material. It carries weight, withstands tensile load and holds its shape. It becomes the products that are used every day: rucksacks, Messenger Bags, Dufflebags, belt bags, laptop sleeves.
Mesh: perforated and lighter
Mesh is a PVC-coated mesh fabric with small holes so that wind passes through. That is why it is used on construction fences, scaffolding and stadium facades.
The perforation makes it unsuitable for closed products, because the material is not watertight. On the plus side, it is lighter and more flexible. It makes sense wherever air permeability is not a problem or even helps: tote bags, beanbag covers, reflective strips and elements that are combined with other material.
Blockout: multi-layered and opaque
Blockout has a black intermediate layer so that no light shines through from behind and the print on the reverse does not show through. It is used for double-sided banners and for many roll-ups.
The material is stiffer and often thinner than Frontlit. It can be cut cleanly, but is less hard-wearing. Suitable for cases, toiletry bags, clutches, Cardholders and keyrings, less so for load-bearing parts.
Flag fabric: no PVC at all
Flag fabric has no coating whatsoever. The polyester fabric is light, breathable and can be sewn like ordinary cloth.
It becomes drawstring bags, chest pouches, scarves and anything that is drawn together or folded. For heavy bags the material is too light.
How to tell what you have
Usually the feel is enough. Frontlit feels heavy and smooth, Mesh has visible holes, Blockout is stiffer and stays opaque when held up to the light, flag fabric feels like clothing.
If you still have the invoice from the print service provider, the material is usually stated on it, often with the weight per square metre.
When several materials are stored together
That is the normal case. In most warehouses, Frontlit banners, Mesh from the construction fence, old roll-ups and flags sit next to each other.
We sort by type and thickness and match the right products to each type. That way the heavy part becomes the large bags and the thin part the give-aways.
Having the material identified
Send us photos, ideally one of the material as a whole and one close up. We will tell you what it is and what can be made from it.
Materials and products