PVC banner or mesh banner?
PVC banner when the picture should look solid and strong — facade, fence, event, indoors. Mesh banner when wind is involved — scaffolding, site fences, large free-standing surfaces: the perforation lets about 30 % of the air through. Both are printed with UV inks, last about 3 years outdoors and are fixed through eyelets.
The comparison
| PVC banner | Mesh banner | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Closed PVC tarpaulin, 440 / 510 / 680 g/m² | Perforated PVC fabric, 270 / 340 g/m² |
| Rich and solid, even up close | Solid from a distance; fine hole pattern up close | |
| Wind | Catches wind — eyelets and fixings carry the load | Lets approx. 30 % through — far less pull |
| For | Facade, fence, stage, trade fair, indoors | Scaffolding, site fences, large open facades |
| Seamless up to | 3.2 m, welded above that | 3.2 m, welded above that |
| Largest area | 50 × 5 m | 50 × 5 m |
| See-through | None | Slight — it stays light behind it |
| Lifetime outdoors | approx. 3 years | approx. 3 years |
Rules of thumb
- Under 3 m² and on a wall: PVC.
- Over 10 m², free-standing or high up: mesh — the wind load decides, not the picture.
- Site fence: mesh, always. A PVC banner on a site fence turns into a sail and flattens the fence.
- Indoors, stage, trade fair: PVC — no wind, the best picture.
Products in this guide
Questions
Can mesh be printed like PVC?
Yes, with the same UV inks. Small type under about 10 cm high suffers from the perforation — design mesh banners large and with strong contrast.
Which PVC weight?
510 g/m² is the standard. 680 g/m² for very large formats and exposed positions, 440 g/m² for short promotions and indoors.
Do I need a permit for a scaffold banner?
Advertising on scaffolding and site fences in public space usually needs a permit from the district in Berlin — please check with the Bezirksamt beforehand.
Is mesh suitable indoors?
Possible but rarely worthwhile: the perforation weakens colour and contrast, and there is no wind indoors — PVC is the better choice there.
How is a mesh banner fixed to a site fence?
Through the eyelets all round, with cable ties to the fence panels; the eyelets sit in a hem that is folded double and welded on mesh.
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- Berlin, all districts
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