Whether you’re advertising your business or celebrating a special event, one thing is for certain—when choosing a banner, you may be wondering which material will be best for you and your specific needs. Banners come in several types of materials, each with their own unique advantages and disadvantages. Often, that choice comes down to vinyl or canvas. Before making a decision, it’s important to understand the differences between the two.

Vinyl—short for Polyvinyl Chloride—is a type of plastic. It’s extremely durable, naturally waterproof and resistant to fading. Banners made out of this material perform well in both indoor and outdoor environments. They offer bright and vibrant coloring, and when properly maintained, can be used time and time again. Because of this, they’re an ideal option for virtually any situation. One disadvantage of vinyl is that it tends to crease and wrinkle easily over time. Wrinkles can be removed, but it’s best to simply avoid that scenario by making sure your vinyl banner is stored properly. Vinyl banners are a cost-effective option that yields huge benefits.

Canvas banners are made from cotton duck canvas, a type of heavy-duty fabric with a plain-woven texture. This material is often used to make window treatments, art canvases and boat sails, and is a popular option for banners thanks to its professional and hand-painted look, durability and wind-resistant qualities. Canvas banners are more expensive than banners made out of vinyl, and although they’re extremely durable, they are best displayed indoors.

Both options offer beautiful, high-quality printing and eye-catching color. When it comes down to it, choosing between vinyl and canvas for your banner depends on where you plan on displaying it. For example, if you plan on hanging your banner outside, you’ll want to go with vinyl as this material is much more suitable for outdoor use and can withstand exposure to the elements. If you’re going to hang your banners inside, then either option will work and your decision comes down to how much you’re willing to spend.