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  • Banner “edge it tape”

    Posted by Martyn on January 22, 2025 at 5:56 am

    Hi folks, so i have always used the traditional tape and fold method for eyelets in my banners. Over the years i have never liked a few features in this method, 1-tape seems to crease when banner is rolled up, 2- tape doesnt always hold up to our cold winters.

    Now i have some edge it tape, this seems much stronger, i like the finish better without folded edges and it doesnt seem to crease when rolled. But… the price of the stuff, atleast here is a lot on a finished product that doesnt have the highest margins.

    So today, being a cheap skate i was thinking….. is there any real logical reasons you cant just use edge it tape in the areas the eyelets are going? say 50mm squares at each point? i’m expecting a reason why not but apart from maybe the banner being more flimsy/wavey between the points and not looking so good?

    I’m guessing this has been tried and tested.

    RobertLambie replied 5 days, 14 hours ago 6 Members · 15 Replies
  • 15 Replies
  • David Hammond

    Member
    January 22, 2025 at 6:11 am

    Yes you can. I know someone who does that, and has cut the tape into square pieces.

    My only observation of doing this is the edge can roll a little on a light weight banner.

    • Martyn

      Member
      January 22, 2025 at 7:58 am

      thanks david. i use pretty thick stuff and as with most things the customers will never notice anyway.

      I think i will give this method a try

  • Colin Crabb

    Member
    January 22, 2025 at 8:49 am

    We’ve used the tape for years now, the slight extra cost is offset by the speed in production.

    With smaller banners & large X-frame banners, we do only reinforce the corners with tape not the whole length.

    • RobertLambie

      Administrator
      January 22, 2025 at 9:18 am

      Yeh, I can see how an indoor X-frame banner won’t have a curling problem as I imagine they will create their own parameter tension, vertically and horizontally.

  • RobertLambie

    Administrator
    January 22, 2025 at 8:55 am

    Hi Martyn

    I also use banner edge tape, mate. But I only use it for BIG banners that have either been joined or to strengthen the perimeter.

    Using it to strengthen the eyelet holes will work because it doubles the layer, it is a tougher material (various types & strengths available) and spreads the tension load on the focused area.

    However,
    * A double-sided tape-folded hem gives the banner an overall strength around the perimeter and prevents fraying of the edge of the banner.
    * It gives the banner a better overall finish.
    * More so, it prevents the banner from curling in on itself, which is much worse on banners with 100% coverage, particularly solvent-printed banners.
    * Depending on the grade of the banner used, it can also make this appear or react worse than others.

    The one you show in your pictures is a bit different from the one I use.
    The one I use is smooth and has a thin nylon feel to it. its purpose is for strengthening, but comes in different thicknesses, so can be used just for finishing as well as strengh.

  • Colin Crabb

    Member
    January 22, 2025 at 7:07 pm

    Only thing we find sometimes, is that the edges of the banner tape has the reinforcement fibers showing, and can lead to ‘furry’ edges when they fray – haircut with scissors sorts it out.

    Tend to buy our tape from signgeer, 10 or 20 rolls at a time

  • Martyn

    Member
    January 23, 2025 at 6:04 am

    hmmm fraying edges is a good point, didn’t think of that. i can see the folded hem adds a finished edge so to speak. Well maybe i will test this method out and also look into some stronger hem tape. The stuff i use has a yellow face but i have been advised to use some red face oracle tape which is stronger.

  • David Stevenson

    Member
    January 24, 2025 at 3:36 pm

    Have a look at these Martyn.
    We use them quite a lot on temporary banners for birthdays etc.
    You can buy them separately but the tabs and punch are £80 on their own if bought this way. CLICK HERE

  • RobertLambie

    Administrator
    February 4, 2025 at 11:17 pm

    @Colin-Crabb-1

    Only thing we find sometimes, is that the edges of the banner tape has the reinforcement fibers showing, and can lead to ‘furry’ edges when they fray – haircut with scissors sorts it out.

    Is this similar to the hemming tape you use, Colin?
    I used a similar one in the past, it is a really strong tape. I got it from Vink. This reminds me I should get some more back in. It is also great for bonding correx.

    • Colin Crabb

      Member
      February 5, 2025 at 8:40 am

      Similar, same idea, but the one we use looks a lot thicker.

      We prob’ see furry edges 1 roll in 20 I would guess.

      • RobertLambie

        Administrator
        February 5, 2025 at 10:49 am

        Yes, from memory the stuff I used was thicker for the correx bonding. I was surprised by how good a grip it had on the correx.

        • Colin Crabb

          Member
          February 5, 2025 at 1:01 pm

          just had delivery of PVC free hemming tape – it’s not clear this time, and looks like the banner media itself – not furry bitz too.

          Will have a test and report

  • RobertLambie

    Administrator
    February 5, 2025 at 1:30 am

    The tape I use is like 1mm or 1.5mm smooth gloss nylon-type tape.
    It really does help create a tear-resistant edge.

    We will use it in various ways to add strength to banners, but mainly only with BIG banners.
    We have put up lots of large banners. joined by tape and reinforced in various ways to create a long-lasting banner. There are several banners still up after about 5-6 years I pass now and again. bleached badly by the sun, but still up and zero signs of wear and tear.

    That said, we had a bad storm “last week”, so I’ll need to have another look! 😂

    Orafol 1392
    White double-sided PVC tape and a clear 350-micron PVC.

  • Mark Johnston

    Member
    February 9, 2025 at 11:57 pm

    i think i have used both of those tapes guys. the webbed one stops the banner from tearing easy and makes the banner feel normal. but the smooth one really strengthens the edge but makes it stiffer.

  • RobertLambie

    Administrator
    February 10, 2025 at 3:07 am

    @markjohnston

    Correct, it is stiffer, Mark. But we only really use it for additional strength. Particularly BIG banners as well as banners with joins.

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