Posters vs Banners: Which is better for advertising? 

Posters vs Banners When it comes to promoting a brand, a large visual with eye-catching graphics can make all the difference. Banners and posters are the two most popular and effective marketing tools that can draw people’s attention to your brand while conveying your message boldly and precisely. In today’s digitized world, one cannot overlook the significance of marketing with banners and posters because they establish direct communication with customers and help brands reach their target audience base.

Both banners and posters are the best print materials for advertising in their own ways but choosing the right option determines how well your brand’s message reverberates with your audience. Here, in this blog, you will come to know the basic differences between banners and posters and a useful guide to choose the best option as per your requirements. But before you jump into analyzing the difference between banners and posters, it is important to understand their composition, benefits, and types. So, let’s start with the basics first

What are Banners?

Banners are made from vinyl, fabric, or mesh materials and are mostly used for outdoor purposes. It is one of the best print materials for advertising. Unlike posters, they can be mounted or hung with poles or attached to fences. You can most often see large-size banners on shopfronts, outdoor events, or building facades to grab people’s attention. By strategically placing them in high-traffic areas, banners can give maximum exposure to a brand.

Take a look at some of its benefits –

• Banners are eye catchy even from a distance,
• Vinyl banners are highly durable as well as weather-resistant,
• Hanging banners can be placed at high traffic areas to grab the attention of crowds,
• A large-size banner can be designed with many impactful visuals to keep your brand’s message loud and clear.

What are all the different types of banners?

As it has already been mentioned marketing with banners and posters offers a seamless way to connect with the target audience, different types of banners are useful for different purposes. Let’s have a look at them below – 

Vinyl banners

Vinyl banners are useful for both indoor and outdoor advertising purposes. They are lightweight yet durable. You can print vinyl banners on 13 oz – scrim vinyl. 

Paper banners

This type of banner printing is useful for indoor purposes only. They are mostly noticed at tradeshows and exhibitions. 

Mesh banners

Mesh banners are highly weather resistant and stand high in all types of weather conditions. It is printed on 10 OZ scrim vinyl material which consists of small holes that allow the wind to pass through and thereby protect them from getting torn. 

Fabric banners

Fabric banners are suitable for both indoor and outdoor purposes. They are printed using sublimation printing technology and result in bright-looking prints. 

What are Posters?

Like banners, posters are also one of the best print materials for advertising that are used to display newly launched products, upcoming events, and deals. They are designed with sharp and vibrant colors and printed on high-quality cardstock and paper material. The sizes of posters range from small format A4 to A1 (big size). Posters such as restaurants, retail stores, coffee shops, community notice boards, etc. are most often used for indoor purposes. Take a look at some of its benefits – 

• Posters require close-view and thus, they can include detailed information 
• They are used to describe events, deals, and offers 
• They are made from affordable materials and thus, they are a bit cheaper than banners 
• Poster prints are lightweight and easily portable. 

Different types of posters:

The poster is a versatile marketing tool that can be used for different purposes in different fields. Let’s have a look at the different types of posters we have – 

Paper posters

Paper posters are available in both glossy and matte finish. It creates a shiny and vibrant look that makes it look more elegant and lively. This makes it an ideal option for displaying detailed images and photography. 

Vinyl posters 

Vinyl posters are available in two options – one is PVC vinyl poster which is long-lasting and can be used for outdoor purposes. The other one is an adhesive vinyl poster that you can stick on to walls, windows or boards to highlight your message. 

Fabric poster 

This is a perfect option for a high-end display, reflecting an artistic and premium look. For tradeshows and event promotion, they make an ideal choice, offering a soft and matte finish look that greatly enhances print quality. 

Foam board posters

If you are looking for professional look posters, foam board offers an ideal option. It is study yet lightweight. This foam material offers extra support to big posters and prevents them from bending. For professional presentations, galleries and exhibitions, they are most often used. 

Translucent films 

Posters made of translucent films look attractive as they offer a perfect visual with backlight.. You can most often observe these posters in window displays, trade shows and art galleries where color and light play an important role for expression.  

Difference between Posters and Banners:

Though both banners and posters are used for advertising purposes, they are designed to serve different purposes. Here, in this section, we discuss the key difference between posters and banners – 

• A poster is printed on hard paper material and used for attractively broadcasting a visual message. It is often used for indoor advertising purposes. On the other hand, banners are printed on vinyl material that lasts longer and is mostly used for outdoor advertising purposes. A banner is a large visual display that can be placed in high-traffic public areas to convey messages directly to the target audience. 

• The size of a poster may range from A4 small format to A1 large format. Since they are designed for close-up viewing, they contain detailed information. On the other hand, banners are larger in size and designed to be viewed from a distance. It is more focused on delivering a concise message. 

• Posters are commonly made of hard paper material that makes them suitable for indoor use. On the other hand, banners are made from different types of materials such as vinyl, fabric, or mesh materials, ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. 

• Posters are designed to grab the attention of the passersby. It is often used to promote music, art, movies, or campaigns. On the contrary, banners are used for different purposes like promoting an event, launching a new product, or highlighting important information in high-traffic areas or public gatherings.

Which one to choose: Banners or Posters? 

Marketing with banners and posters is a prime requirement for all business types. Both are impactful print materials for advertising but are designed to serve different purposes. If you can’t decide which one to choose, here are some important points that can help you choose the best option based on your marketing needs.

Location and placements

This is one of the important factors to be considered. You first need to determine the location and place where you would like to promote your brand. If you are advertising inside a retail shop, you probably don’t need a large banner. Instead, you can opt for A2 or A3 size posters. On the other hand, if you want your brand to be noticed by a larger audience base, banners are the best option which you can place in high-traffic areas. 

Select the message you want to convey

Since banners are all about displaying bold messages and catchy slogans, posters are used for conveying detailed information. Therefore, if you need a grand announcement for any product launch or event, you can certainly go for banners. On the other hand, if your requirement is about informing customers about any deal or offer, you can design a poster with details for a closeup viewing and place it in the reception area, storefront, or coffee shop. Always keep in mind that putting too much information on a banner could make it harder to read. 

Determine how you would like to target your audience

Choosing an A3 banner may not be an ideal option for a crowded area and that’s why it is important to determine who your audience is. For example, a roller banner makes an ideal choice for product launches, exhibitions, and trade shows as it advertises on wheels. 

Consider budget 

Last but not the least is the budget. Your selection should be based on your budget. Custom posters are printed on paper and therefore, they are an affordable option. If you have a requirement for bulk promotion, you can go for posters as they will cost you less compared to banners. But if you need an advertisement that lasts for a long time, banners are the best option as they cut down the cost of reprint. 

Therefore, it’s your call to decide what advertising option you can afford and how long you would like to run your promotion. At ARC Print India, we print both banners and posters for all purposes. You can customize them as per your needs starting from material, design, print material, etc. For more details, feel free to get in touch with us.