How should I best store and ship vinyl banner?

[SA_1134 0]

Hey guys.

I'm new to vinyl cutting and the sticker and banner business in general. I am making a banner for a friend who owns a business. I ordered 10 oz vinyl banner and placed stickers on it. Now, the company that shipped me the banner shipped it all folded up so there are folds in the banner itself. I am planning on putting a large sticker on the banner that I am ordering from a company that has a plotter/cutter and can make multi-colored stickers. I'm hoping it will be a good choice to stick onto the banner, for one. For two, if all goes well after applying the outsourced sticker, how should I ship these banners? Should I stick them in a cylinder of the size? Will this affect the adhesive of the stickers if it bends? Am I doing the wrong thing laying down a large sticker onto the banner itself?

Sorry if these are naive questions, but I am naive to the biz and any information and tips would greatly help. Thank you!
 

[PixelPusher 46]

Ship them in a "cardboard core". https://www.google.ca/search?q=poster+core&biw=1366&bih=623&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjcyNWWru7LAhXkzoMKHeFWDEUQ_AUIBigB#tbm=isch&q=cardboard+core

 

Typically, if local, I wrap them on the outside of the core and then put a plastic bag over it (or wrap paper and then shrink wrap it all securely - the paper won't damage the print or vinyl and serve as a buffer for the shrink wrap). If being shipped through the mail or via courier, I wrap them in a cylinder over itself but in a tighter fashion than the width of the cardboard core. Then you can put something over the ends to secure them and tape to secure that.

 

Eventually you will amass your own cores from rolls of vinyl you go through. Keep them for a while to stock up your inventory. For now, you may wish to purchase some or go to another sign shop and ask if they have any extras in their garbage. Bring them a beer on a Friday afternoon and you'd be amazed at what you can come away with.

 

Oh, and now a days, you can outsource a banner to be printed directly onto the banner vinyl - no stickers needed. Then, if you wish, you can use good quality double sided tape to fold over the edges and then grommet the banner so it can be hung up (and not tear in the wind). In your design stage you need to take into account 1.5-2" on each side for this folding over part. Banners can also be sewn in this way but it's way more expensive to do - and I can't run a sewing machine myself (as I don't currently know how) so I tape mine.

 

Grommet spacing: https://www.esigns.com/grommet-spacing.html

[Dakotagrafx 7,297]

always roll the banner - decals out - chaos is right that is is usually better to print them so that isn't an issue and generally cheaper to make - there are companies doing it for about cost.  with a 10 oz I am guessing this is an indoor or very short term outdoor?  we do everything in 13 oz and longer term have done 18oz.  use a quality banner blank and quality vinyl to put on it after wiping it down with alcohol to remove any residue before applying