How to Get Wrinkles Out of a Vinyl Banner

Vinyl banners are incredibly sturdy forms of signage, making them ideal for reuse. But we always want our signs to appear fresh, smooth, and clear. Without the right care, reuse can increase wear and tear, impacting your image.

For instance, when we put them away for long stretches of time, banners are at risk of creasing or wrinkling. This could make your signs appear less professional and even impact their readability.

So, how do you remove wrinkles from your banner? In this article, we’ll outline a few different methods you can use to ensure your vinyl banners look brand new. We’ll even go over some helpful tips to prevent wrinkles in the first place.
 
Explore our wide range of signage and banner options, materials, and services at BestFlag today.

Don’t Underestimate a Sunny Day

Sunlight is an incredibly useful tool, especially if you’re looking after your vinyl signs on a budget. You’ll only need a smooth, flat surface and a bright sunny day.

Take your vinyl banner and unfold it completely, laying it flat with its unprinted side open to the air. Ensure that nothing is blocking the sunlight from reaching it. 

Next, check that the banner is as clean as possible, and consider wiping it down. This is to ensure that dirt, debris, and other elements don’t impact how your banner lies.

Over time, heat from the sun will warm up the vinyl material and soften it. This naturally removes wrinkles and creases. However, it may take several hours or even a few days to completely settle.

To speed up the process, you can either pull the banner tight by weighing it down or using ropes. Although vinyl is tough and thick, it’s important not to pull too harshly or place too much weight on it, as you could risk a tear.

Using Artificial Heat for Fast Results

If it’s the middle of winter or you don’t have time to wait, sunlight may not be an option. In that case, artificial heat can help you straighten out your banners promptly.

To do this, you can use a heat gun, handheld steamer, or even a hairdryer if you’re in a pinch. However, you’ll need to follow these steps and tips carefully to avoid damaging your vinyl.

1. Use a Lower Setting

Ensure that your heating device is set to the lowest setting. This can give you time to adjust to the output and assess how it is affecting your vinyl. Starting too high can cause the vinyl to soften too much, stretch, or even melt.

2. Keep a Safe Distance

Make sure your heating device is kept at least a few inches away from the vinyl material. Too close increases your chances of causing damage.

3. Check the Banner

Before jumping in, it’s also important that your banner is clean and clear of debris and dirt.

You’ll also want to test your heating device on a small section of the banner. This way, you’ll be able to stop if it starts causing damage, before it destroys it.

4. Getting Started

Finally, ensure that the banner is face down. Any heat should be applied to the non-printed side. This helps to protect your image and text from the heat.

Once ready, you’ll want to move your heating device slowly and steadily across the banner. Try to avoid lingering in any one spot for too long.

5. Press Out the Wrinkles

Slowly heating the fabric should ‘iron out’ the wrinkles, but in some cases, the creases may be more stubborn. If you have wrinkles that simply won’t let up, you can use your hands or a cloth to apply pressure, which can help to press them out.

Preventing Wrinkles With the Right Care

While vinyl banners are fairly sturdy, there are ways you can store and care for them to prevent damage and wrinkles. 

1. Avoid Heat

Where possible, keep your banners in a cool, dark, and dry place. Heat softens the banners, which is great for getting rid of wrinkles, but it can also cause fading or warping with long-term exposure.

2. Rolling Instead of Folding

Folding your banners increases your risk of wrinkles. Try rolling them into tubes. You can also ensure all your banners are easy to store and rolled away by buying retractable banners.

These are designed to roll out for easy setup and then retract. They also usually come with their own storage, the stand, making them incredibly convenient and less likely to crease.

Take Them Out of Storage

If you’re storing banners for years at a time, it’s essential to get them out for short periods. By spreading them out, you can let the vinyl breathe and relax, potentially increasing its lifespan.

Signs You Need a New Banner

Sometimes, no matter how well we care for our banners, they start to wear through and fall apart. If your banner shows any of these signs, it may be time to get a new one:

• Faded or dull colors
• Blurred images or text
• Visible tears
• Frayed edges
  

BestFlag is Here to Help

At BestFlag, we make custom flags, banners, signage, and more. If you need a reliable, sturdy banner that showcases your business, explore our range of products today.

With unique designs, popping colors, and quality materials, you can ensure you’ll stand out from the competition.