Lines of vinyl banners, fabric banners, custom flags, feather flags and custom backdrops are very popular now, as they are so affordable and easy to use. One of the most asked questions is how to keep them free of wrinkles. In this guide we will illustrate to you how to prevent and remove wrinkles and ceases. We will take you through, step by step.
You Need to Know What Material Your Item is Made of
The first thing you need to know is what material your particular banner, flag, or backdrop is made of. This is easy enough to ascertain.
Most banners are made from vinyl, aka PVC, or fabric. 13oz and 18oz Vinyl banners are quite common in the industry. On the other hand, many types of display items, such as custom flags & flag banners, are made of various kinds of fabric. These may include polyester, nylon, cotton, and others.
Are you unsure what type of material your particular display item is made of? Call us to find out, or
You can check here for custom flags.
Check here for custom banners.
Check here for custom backdrops
Once you have a good idea what your display item is made of, you can move on to the next step. This will involve learning how to clean and prepare your items for public display.
The Best Way To Remove Wrinkles Is Setting Them Up And Letting The Natural Heat And Tension Do The Job
This is the safest and least damaging way, with no premature damages to your flags, banners and backdrops. Depending on the environment, temperature & moisture, we observed it takes 2 days to 1 weeks on average.
Prevention is the key: How to not get wrinkles or creases
Please roll the graphics instead of folding, preferably with a paper core and a hard box, then keep them in a cool dry place when they are not in use.
How To Steam or Iron Wrinkles out of a Fabric Flag, Fabric Banner or Fabric Backdrop
When it comes to ironing fabric flags, you need to be careful. This is not an operation you can afford to get wrong. While the flags that we make are designed to be sturdy and long lasting, even the strongest material can wear out if treated in the wrong manner.
Whatever you do, never, ever put the fabric flag or backdrop in the washer. This is the surest way to do irreparable damage to it. The colors will run and the fabric could very easily tear. Instead, here is the very best way to safely iron a nylon flag.
Quick Steps:
Step 1: Remove any pole that is attached to the fabric flag or backdrop for purposes of display. This is to make it easier to prepare the flag for steaming or ironing.
Step 2: Turn your steamer or iron on and set it to the lowest possible heat or very gentle setting.
Step 3: Hang or lay your banner or flag on a surface like an ironing board.
Step 4: Smooth out the flag. Use the palm of your hand to smooth down any wrinkles. Once you have finished, you will be ready to use the steamer or iron.
Step 5: When steaming or ironing your fabric flag or backdrop, be sure to use a slow, gentle back and forth motion. Keep the iron at medium pressure.
Repeat these steps a few times and the wrinkles will begin to lift. If you have laid your banner flat then rotate it to move to a new section.
How to Remove Wrinkles from Vinyl Banners
Removing creases and wrinkles from vinyl banners may be a little tricky. This is a slightly delicate operation that needs a bit of practice to get right. However, the operation is simple enough once you get the hang of it.
Perhaps the most important detail you need to be aware of is that the average banner is not really made for ironing. It’s much better to use a hair dryer on a low heat setting. This allows the banner to dry in a uniform manner without getting too much pressure.
The first thing you should do is lay your banner out flat in the sun. Natural heat from this source is the most effective means of smoothing out the creases and wrinkles. Your banner will smooth out in a natural manner in a very short amount of time.
Next, hang your banner out in the sun. Attach a bit of weight to the end near the grommets. This will greatly aid the process of letting the sun smooth out the wrinkles.
Another way is to use a hair dryer indoor. Keeping the setting as low as you possibly can will greatly help you to reduce any possible damage from too much heat or pressure. This is important because vinyl is very susceptible to damage from burns.
Now concentrate on the side that does not feature any printing. Use back and forth motions to gently flat the wrinkles, please make sure you hang or place the banner on a smooth flat surface. This will help you avoid doing any damage to your custom design or making more wrinkles.
How to Remove Wrinkles from Vinyl Backdrop
Quick Steps:
Step 1: Lay it completely flat in the sun. If the backdrop is made of vinyl, you can speed up the process by adding weights to the grommets in the corner. If you have ordered a backdrop with a stand, you can set it up in a display frame outside. It will dry just as easily in the natural heat of the sun.
Step 2: Use a damp and soft cleaning cloth. Wipe the backdrop over the vinyl in a slow and steady motion. This will get rid of excess dust and grime.
Step 3: Use another cloth to dry the vinyl. This will ensure that the backdrop gets clean while also speeding up the wrinkle removal process.
Step 4: If necessary, use heat gun method like in the above fabric banner section. With low heat use a steady back and forth motion to help lift wrinkles more.
Leave the banner to dry out in the sun until its natural heat smooths out all of the accumulated wrinkles. The amount of time it takes to do so will depend on just how badly wrinkled it currently is. The process will usually take no more than a day.
Contact Us for More Wrinkle Removal Info
If you have any further questions about removing wrinkles from your flags, backdrops, or banners, let us know. We will be happy to give you more info about keeping your display items in the very best possible condition.