Grommets or pole pockets

Every banner is hemmed on all four sides and fitted with brass grommets in every corner and about every 2 feet along the top and bottom. A 3 x 6 banner has grommets at the four corners plus two more along the top and two along the bottom, which is enough to tie it flat on a fence or screw it to a wall without sagging. There is no charge for hems or grommets.

Grommets work with zip ties, bungee balls, rope, screws and washers, and hooks, which is why they are the default. On a fence, run a tie through every grommet and tighten gradually, alternating sides so the panel stays flat. On a wall, a screw with a washer through each grommet spreads the pressure so the screw head cannot pull through the vinyl.

The weakness of grommets is a mount that uses only a few of them. A banner hung from two corners wrinkles, flaps and eventually tears a corner out. Use every grommet the mounting allows, and keep the tension only firm enough to remove folds.

A pole pocket is a 2 inch sleeve sewn along the top and bottom edges. A pole, dowel or crossbar slides through it, so the whole edge carries the weight evenly and the banner hangs straight without waves between attachment points. A pole or dowel up to about 1 inch in diameter fits comfortably; measure the pole before you buy it.

Pole pockets suit a banner hung between two posts, from a ceiling or beam, on a trade show stand or on a frame that takes a crossbar. They are the better choice when the banner will be taken down and rehung often, because nothing is tied or screwed through the vinyl each time.

On a fence, grommets with bungee balls absorb gusts best, because the bungee stretches instead of the hem. Between two posts, pole pockets with stiff poles stop the flapping that tears corners, but the poles must be anchored to something solid and the banner should come down ahead of storms. Neither finish turns a solid vinyl banner into a mesh banner; for a fence in constant open wind, read the vinyl or mesh guide.

Pole pockets are an option on the banner page at $5.00 per banner, on any of the six sizes. If you need grommets along the sides as well as the pockets, say so in the order notes and we confirm before printing. Banners ship in 1 to 2 business days. Shipping is $9.95 when the items subtotal is below $99.00, and free at $99.00 and above. Alaska and Hawaii freight is quoted individually.