Grommets, hems and pole pockets: banner finishing explained

"Finishing" is the printer's word for everything done to a banner after the ink goes down: cutting, hemming, adding grommets or pole pockets. It is the least glamorous line on the order form and the one that most often decides whether a banner survives. A beautifully printed banner with poor finishing will tear at the first grommet; a plain one finished well can hang for a long season.

Hems: the edge that carries the load

A hem is made by folding the edge of the banner back on itself, typically by about an inch, and bonding it by heat welding, sewing or strong double-sided tape. The result is a double thickness of material around the perimeter, exactly where grommets and ties pull.

For anything that hangs outdoors on grommets, choose a welded or sewn hem. For very large banners or long installs, ask about webbing: a strip of polyester strap sewn into the hem that spreads the load from each grommet along the edge.

Grommets: size, material and spacing

Grommets are pressed metal rings, usually brass or nickel-plated brass, that reinforce a hole through the hem. The common banner grommet has an inside diameter of roughly 3/8 inch, large enough for zip ties, rope, bungee balls and S-hooks. Brass resists rust outdoors; cheap steel grommets can stain the banner over time.

Spacing rules

Most printers set grommets in all four corners and then every 2 to 3 feet along the edges, with 24 inches the most common default. Ask for closer spacing, 12 to 18 inches, when:

• The banner will be outdoors on a fence or railing in wind.
• The banner is longer than about 8 feet.
• You will hang it from a rope or cable and want it to sit flat.
• The banner is heavy (18 oz) and large.

For a quick count, use our grommet calculator. A 3 x 6 ft banner with 24-inch spacing typically gets 10 grommets: 4 along each long edge and 2 along each short edge, corners shared.

Top-only grommets

Some banners hang from the top edge only, on hooks or a rope, with nothing holding the bottom. That works indoors. Outdoors, a banner fixed only at the top will swing and flap; add grommets along the bottom too and tie it off, or add a weighted pocket along the bottom edge.

Pole pockets: sleeves for poles, frames and stands

A pole pocket is a sleeve sewn or welded along an edge. A rod, pole or frame bar slides through it so the banner hangs straight with no visible fixings. They are used on:

• Banners hung from a single pole, like a stage or podium banner.
• Street-pole banners on brackets (top and bottom pockets).
• Wall banners on a dowel or curtain rod.
• Banners in frames with top and bottom bars.

What size pocket do I need?

Printers usually describe a pocket by its flat finished depth, such as 2, 3 or 4 inches. A sleeve opened up into a tube has a circumference of about twice that depth. As a rough rule, a pole fits comfortably if its diameter is no more than about half the pocket depth: a 3-inch pocket takes a pole up to about 1.5 inches across. If your printer measures the pocket differently, give them the pole diameter and let them size it.

Remember that a pocket uses up banner height. If the banner must show a full 36 inches of graphic, check whether the printer adds pocket material outside the graphic or folds it from within.

Pocket and grommet combinations

You can combine them: a pole pocket at the top for a rod, and grommets at the bottom corners to tie down. Street banners often have pockets top and bottom with a grommet at each pocket end to stop the banner sliding along the bracket.

Other finishing options

• Rope in hem: rope sewn inside the hem for very large banners hung under tension. Strong and spreads load.
• D-rings and webbing loops: sewn straps instead of grommets, common on mesh and fabric.
• Velcro (hook and loop) edges: for frames, table fronts and attaching to fabric walls.
• Reinforced corners: extra patches where corner grommets go, useful on windy fences.
• Weighted bottom pocket: a pocket you can fill with a chain or rod so an indoor hanging banner stays straight.

Which finish for which job?

Checking finishing on a proof

When the proof arrives, look for: grommet positions drawn on the proof (they should not land on letters or faces); hem and pocket allowances shown; the final size stated after finishing; and the safe-zone margin respected. Our banner file setup guide explains the specs printers send.

Questions people ask

How far apart should grommets be on a banner?

Every 2 to 3 feet is the usual default, with 24 inches the most common, plus all four corners. For windy outdoor locations, large banners or rope-hung banners, ask for 12 to 18 inches.

What size are banner grommets?

Most banner grommets are around 3/8 inch inside diameter, which accepts zip ties, cord, bungee balls and small S-hooks. Larger grommets are available for thick rope.

Should I get a hem on my banner?

Yes for any banner with grommets or that will hang outdoors. The hem doubles the material where it is stressed. Skip it only for banners that will be framed, taped indoors or used on a stand that specifies no hem.

What size pole pocket do I need?

Give the printer your pole diameter. As a rough guide, a pocket's flat depth should be about twice the pole's diameter: a 3-inch pocket fits a pole up to about 1.5 inches across.

Can I add grommets to a banner myself?

Yes, with a grommet kit and a hammer or press, but fold or reinforce the edge first; a grommet through single-thickness vinyl tears out easily.

Sources and further reading

• Grommet (eyelet) basics
• UnlimitedBanners grommet calculator

Written and checked by K.R. for UnlimitedBanners.com. Product specs and prices change; confirm details with the printer or seller before you order. Spot an error? Tell us.