How to hang a banner outside

To hang a banner outside, fix it through every eyelet with cable ties or bungee cords, starting with the top corners, then the bottom corners, then the points in between. Pull it evenly tight so it does not sag or flap. On windy sites use a mesh banner, and never rely on tape or a single corner fixing outdoors.

What you need

• A banner with eyelets (grommets) and hemmed edges, which spread the load along the edge.
• Cable ties for railings and fences, bungee cords where you want a little give, or rope for posts and trees.
• Scissors or side cutters to trim tie ends.
• A second person for anything wider than about 2 m.

Most of our outdoor banners come with eyelets as standard, and you can add bags of cable ties when you order, so everything arrives together.

Step by step: railings and fences

1. Hold it in place first. With a helper, offer the banner up and check it sits level and clear of anything that might rub.
2. Fix the top two corners. Thread a cable tie through each corner eyelet and around the rail. Pull them snug but not fully tight yet.
3. Fix the bottom corners. Pull the banner down gently so it is flat, then tie the bottom corners.
4. Work along the edges. Tie every remaining eyelet along the top, then the bottom, then the sides.
5. Tension evenly. Tighten each tie a little at a time, going round the banner, so it ends up flat without wrinkles.
6. Trim the tails. Cut off spare tie ends so they do not scratch anyone walking past.

Hanging a banner between two posts or trees

When there is no fence, run a rope or strong cord between the two posts and tie the top eyelets to it. Then tie the bottom corners to stakes, the posts lower down, or weights on the ground. A banner tied only at the top behaves like a sail and will twist and tear in the first gust.

Using ground posts or flag bases

If you need a free-standing display on grass or a car park, a flag on a ground spike or water base is often easier than building a frame for a banner. Our flag bases and ground spikes are made for exactly that.

Hanging a banner on a building

On brick, render or timber, the safest outdoor fixing is screws with washers or cup hooks into wall plugs, placed to line up with the eyelets. For a short event you can use existing features such as downpipe brackets, but check with the building owner first. Outdoor tape and adhesive hooks fail on cold, damp surfaces, so avoid them.

Dealing with wind

Wind is the main reason outdoor banners tear. A solid PVC banner on an exposed fence catches the full force of every gust. There are three ways to reduce the strain:

• Use mesh. A mesh banner is perforated so some of the wind passes through. It is the right choice for scaffolding, building sites, sports grounds and coastal spots.
• Use every eyelet. Spreading the load across many fixings stops any one eyelet tearing out.
• Use bungees on exposed sites. A little stretch lets the banner move without ripping.

Cutting half-moon wind slits in a PVC banner is a last resort. It weakens the material and can let the banner tear along the cuts, so choose mesh from the start if you know the site is windy.

How tight is tight enough

The banner should be flat with no ripples, but not so tight that the eyelets are being pulled out of shape. If a corner eyelet looks stretched, slacken the ties around it slightly and add tension to its neighbours instead.

Fixings compared

Fixing	Best for	Watch out for
Cable ties	Railings, Heras panels, mesh fences	Single use; cut them off rather than pulling through
Bungee cords or ball bungees	Exposed spots, gazebo frames, reusable set-ups	Can loosen in strong sun; check them daily on long events
Rope or cord	Posts, trees, scaffold poles	Knots slip when wet; use a proper hitch
Hooks or screws with washers	Brick, timber and rendered walls	Ask the owner before drilling

Taking it down and reusing it

Cut the ties close to the eyelets rather than pulling them through, which can damage the hem. Wipe the banner clean and let it dry before rolling it with the print facing outwards around a tube. Folding creases PVC, so roll wherever you can. A well-stored PVC banner can go back up season after season.

Banners without eyelets

Some uses do not need eyelets at all, for example a banner slotted into a frame or fixed with a pole pocket. If that is your plan, order a banner without eyelets so there are no holes in the design.

Questions

What is the best way to hang a banner outside?

Use cable ties or bungee cords through every eyelet, fix the corners first and tension the banner evenly. On windy sites choose a mesh banner.

How do you hang a banner with grommets?

Grommets and eyelets are the same thing. Thread a cable tie, bungee or rope through each one and around the rail, fence or post, then tighten evenly.

Can I hang a banner without a wall or fence?

Yes. Run a rope between two posts or trees and tie the top eyelets to it, then anchor the bottom corners. A flag on a ground spike or base is another option.

How many cable ties do I need?

One for every eyelet, plus a few spares. You can add bags of cable ties when you order the banner.

Will tape hold a banner outdoors?

Not reliably. Tape and adhesive hooks lose grip on cold or damp surfaces. Use eyelets with ties, hooks or screws instead.