How to Hang Banners?

Whether you're promoting a sale, advertising an event, or displaying business signage outdoors, knowing how to hang a banner correctly helps improve visibility, durability, and overall presentation.

Different banner materials and locations require different fixing methods, especially for outdoor banners exposed to wind and weather.

In this guide, we explain the best ways to hang PVC and mesh banners on fences, walls, buildings, exhibition stands, and outdoor display frames using professional banner fixing methods recommended by the display experts at Discount Displays.

Types of Banner Hanging

Best Banner Fixing Methods for Different Situations

Different banner locations require different fixing methods depending on wind exposure, display type, and how permanent the installation needs to be. Here are some of the most effective banner hanging solutions recommended by the display specialists at Discount Displays.

Situation Best Fixing Method Why It Works
Fence Bungee ties or cable ties through eyelets Fast, low cost and suitable for temporary outdoor displays
Wall Banner track, eyelet plates or hooks with bungees Gives a neater, more secure fixing for semi-permanent displays
Freestanding Frame Elastic bungees around the frame Keeps even tension and makes banners easy to replace
Lamp Post Dedicated lamp post bracket kit Designed for high visibility street-level promotion
Overhead or Windy Area Mesh banner with support cables Reduces wind load and spreads tension safely
Ceiling Poster rails or pole pockets Creates a clean indoor hanging display

Quick Answers: How to Hang a Banner

Here are the most effective ways to hang PVC and mesh banners indoors and outdoors using professional banner fixing methods.

Best Fixings for Outdoor Banners

  • Bungee cords help reduce wind stress and improve banner durability.
  • Cable ties are ideal for temporary outdoor banner displays.
  • Banner frames provide the most secure long-term fixing solution.

Best Banner Material for Windy Areas

  • Mesh banners allow air to pass through the material, reducing wind resistance.
  • PVC banners are better suited to sheltered outdoor locations.

Best Indoor Banner Hanging Methods

  • Velcro strips are quick and easy for smooth indoor surfaces.
  • Ceiling suspension kits work well for retail and exhibition spaces.
  • Pole pockets are ideal for large display banners and backdrops.

Professional Banner Hanging Tips

  • Secure banners evenly across all eyelets to prevent sagging.
  • Avoid over-tightening outdoor banners in windy areas.
  • Check banner fixings regularly for long-term outdoor installations.

Recommended by the banner printing and display specialists at Discount Displays.

Need a Custom Printed Banner?

Shop high-quality PVC and mesh banners printed in the UK with durable eyelets, hems, and outdoor-ready finishing options.

Shop Banner Printing

Here are some common uses for banners:

  • Supermarkets - Capture the attention of shoppers with promotions near entrances and exits.
  • Garages and Car Forecourts - Advertise service specials, MOTs, or financing options
  • Car Washes - Highlight pricing, loyalty programs, or opening hours.
  • Sporting Events - Promote upcoming events with banners placed around stadiums, parks, fences, or entry points.
  • Schools - Communicate open days, Ofsted achievements, Summer fetes or other events on fences and gates.
  • Petrol Stations - Draw attention to fuel promotions, in-store offers, or food and drink deals.
  • Local Businesses - Showcase opening hours, new services or products, or seasonal promotions.
  • Festivals - Use bold, eye-catching banners to promote festival dates, promote sponsors, advertise headliners and acts, or direct crowds.
  • Shopping Centres - Announce new store openings, in-store sales, or seasonal events in high-traffic areas.
  • Construction Companies - Provide safety notices, project details, or company branding on fences or scaffolding.
Hanging Banner
Sports Banner Frame
Wall Mounted Banner
Fence Mounted Banner

How to Hang a Banner

On a Fence

This is a practical and accessible method often used by a range of businesses such as supermarkets, petrol stations and car washes. Fences provide a sturdy backdrop and allow for easy installation with minimal tools.

Methods:

Cable Ties (Zip Ties):

  • Use: Thread through the banner's eyelets and loop around the fence wires
  • Pros: Low cost, quick to install, best for temporary or one-off displays
  • Cons: Not reusable; must be cut for removal; don't take pressure of eyelets in windy areas.

Elastic Bungees:

  • Use: Hook or loop through eyelets and attach to the fence
  • Pros: Reusable, allows slight movement to reduce wind stress, adjustable tension, best for longer-term use or banners that need repositioning
  • Cons: Slightly more expensive than cable ties but reusable.
Fence Mounted Banner
Bungees and Cable Ties

On a Wall

Wall-mounted banners offer a clean, professional look and are ideal for storefronts or lonterm signage.

Methods:

Aluminium Track System:

  • Use: Tracks are fixed to the wall, and the banner’s edge slides into the track
  • Pros: Secure hold, easy-to-switch banners, long-term use
  • Cons: Higher upfront cost, requires installation tools

Eyelet Plates with Screws:

  • Use: Plates larger than the banner’s eyelets are screwed directly into the wall to hold the banner in place
  • Pros: Affordable, reliable in most weather
  • Cons: Time-consuming to swap banners, visible fixings

Bolt Hooks + Bungees:

  • Use: Bolt hooks are screwed into the wall and the banners are attached using elastic bungees that are connected to the banners eyelets
  • Pros: Easy to remove or change banners, absorbs movement
  • Cons: Hooks remain visible when the banner is removed

Wall Mounted Banner Frame:

  • Use: The frame is fixed to the wall and the banner is secured using bungees or cable ties
  • Pros: Secure hold, easy-to-switch banners, long-term use
  • Cons: Higher upfront cost, the frame needs to be affixed and requires installation tools
Wall Mounted Banner
Wall Plates and Banner Hooks

Using a Banner Frame

Banner frames offer a freestanding solution, ideal for open areas where wall or fence mounting isn’t possible. Our banner frames are supplied with adjustable elastic bungees which makes the banners easy to attach. Banners are made slightly smaller than the frame to allow for added tension and a clean fit.

Pros:

  • Portable and reusable
  • It can be positioned anywhere - on grass, concrete, indoors, or inside
  • Allows for easy banner changes

Cons:

  • Requires a large area of floor space
  • Best for temporary installations
Outdoor Freestanding Banner Frame
Banner Frame Bungee Tie

On a Lamp Post

Lamp post banners are highly visible and commonly used in high-footfall areas for promoting events, retail stores, or local services.

Firstly, ensure you have permission to install a lamp post banner. Most councils require permission before installing banners on public infrastructure, so be sure to obtain this. Once you have permission, you will need a Lampost Banner Bracket Kit.

Lamp Post Installation Kit Includes:

  • Brackets - To fix to the post
  • Arms - Hold the banner at the top and bottom
  • Stainless steel banding - Wrap around the post to secure the brackets to the frame

Pros:

  • Professional appearance
  • Long-lasting hardware
  • High exposure, especially in pedestrian-heavy zones
  • Banners can be swapped out easily by sliding off the arm

Cons:

  • Initial setup can be time-consuming and involves council approval
  • More expensive than other banner solutions
Lamp Post Banner
Banner Poles and Banding

Overhead (Across a Street)

Overhead banners are excellent for announcing community events, sales, or local festivals. For a safe installation, they require a robust setup in order to withstand wind and other weather conditions.

Methods:

  • Use mesh banners to allow airflow and increase wind resistance.
  • Use Support Cables - Ideally, run both top and bottom cables between buildings or poles
  • Secure the banner using hooks or carabiners through every eyelet to distribute the load evenly
  • Consider cutting cutting wind slits (semi-circular holes) in the banner to reduce wind load prevent it from acting like a sail

Pros:

  • High visibility from a distance
  • Great for temporary yet fast community messaging

Cons:

  • Setup requires height access and structural anchoring, which is time-consuming
  • Setup may be challenging in high-wind areas
Overhead Street Banner
Overhead Hanging Banner

From the Ceiling

A great option for indoor environments such as leisure centres, shopping centres, exhibition halls or museums.

Methods:

Poster Rails:

  • Use: Clamp onto the top and bottom edges of the banner
  • Pros: Lightweight, simple to use
  • Cons: Best for small to medium-sized banners

Welded Pockets + Dowel/Tubing:

  • Use: A top pocket holds a wooden dowel or hollow tube. Rope can be threaded through or tied to each end to suspend the banner. The bottom pocket holds a weight pole to keep the banner straight.
  • Pros: Professional look, space-saving, easy to suspend from beams
  • Specialist hooks and cables are often used for hanging banner poles in retail displays, window displays, exhibitions, and suspended ceiling systems. For professional ceiling-mounted banner displays and suspended signage solutions, take a look at our Hanging Wire Systems .
Hanging Banners
Large Hanging Banner

On Scaffold Structures

Scaffold banners are tailored for use on construction sites and renovation zones. They are ideal for construction companies to advertise their services, display safety messages, or provide wayfinding.

Methods:

  • Designed with pole pockets at the top and bottom, slide the banner directly onto the horizontal scaffold poles
  • The banner can be reinforced with tie points or bungees for added stability in windy conditions

Pros:

  • Quick to install on-site
  • Utilises existing scaffolding poles for cost-effective advertising space

Cons:

  • Restricted with size, so banners are usually smaller
  • High off the ground and may not be seen easily by foot traffic
Construction Banner
Scaffolding Banner

How To Hang A Banner

One of the appeals of using printed banners as a marketing and promotional tool is their versatility. Banners can be hung in many different places, for either short-term or long-term promotion. Here are some hints and tips We have put together some hints and tips on how to professionally hang a banner. Here are the ways banners can be displayed:

On a Fence

One of the appeals of using printed banners as a marketing and promotional tool is their versatility. Banners can be hung in many different places, for either short-term or long-term promotion. Here are some hints and tips We have put together some hints and tips on how to professionally hang a banner. Here are the ways banners can be displayed:

On a Fence

This option is often used by supermarkets, petrol stations and car washes. There are two simple choices here. Either use cable ties (also called zip ties) or use elastic bungees. Cable ties are cheaper, but are only for one-off use. Bungees can be reused, are easy to adjust and have some give. Both keep the banner taut and legible, as well as absorbing some of the impact of wind and thereby extending the life of your banner.
Elastic strap for easy banner attachment to wall surfaces
Elastic strap for easy banner attachment to wall surfaces
Elastic strap for easy banner attachment to wall surfaces

On a Wall

Close-up of elastic ties used on a banner frame for stability

For permanent use there are aluminium tracks that can be fixed to a wall. The edge of the banner is finished with a trim which slides into the track. This is ideal if you intend to use banners as a regular promotional tool and change the banner quite frequently.

Portable banner frame designed for single-sided PVC banner display

A cheaper, but not as flexible alternative, is to screw the banner to a wall using eyelet plates that are slightly bigger than the eyelet holes on the banner. This is just as durable, but obviously not so good when you need to change banners on a frequent basis. For short-term use or where you need to change banners frequently or take them down at night, bolt hooks are a great way of achieving this. Simply screw them into the wall, then attach your banner using elasticated bungees.

On a Banner Frame

Our banner frames are supplied with adjustable elastic bungees which makes banners easy to attach. Banners are made slightly smaller than the frame itself to allow for added tension. These are a great versatile option as the banners can be placed anywhere, and easily moved from location to location.

Dual lamp post banners installed for enhanced street visibility
Vibrant cross street PVC banner for outdoor advertising

To a Lamp Post

Lamp post banners are perfect for advertising in high-traffic areas. They are used by a wide range of businesses for a variety of reasons, some include upcoming festivals, retail stores nearby and restaurant openings.

Firstly, to hang a banner on a lamp post you will need planning permission from the council. Once you have received permission, you will need to invest in a lamppost banner frame system. This will include brackets, arms and stainless steel banding. The arms keep the banner taut and the brackets and steel banding secure everything onto the lamppost. Once the frame is attached to the lamppost, the actual banner can be changed out easily.

Elegantly printed hanging banner in a shopping center ambiance

Overhead across a street

Durable printed mesh banner material for exterior use

When hanging a banner overhead, the load needs to be distributed across the whole banner to withstand the weather. Using just the end eyelets might work short-term (in extremely low wind) but a strong gust can rip the banner

The most successful way to hang a banner across a street is to use secure cables. Ideally, you have an upper and lower cable.

The most successful way to hang a banner across a street is to use secure cables. Ideally, you have an upper and lower cable.

Using rings or hooks, you attach the banner from each of the eyelets to the cables. A simpler, but less secure, option is to just use a top cable and use the end eyelets on the bottom of the banner. It can be a good idea to cut semi-circular slots across the banner to reduce wind load in areas where wind often traps.

From the Ceiling

Ideal in places such as leisure centres, shopping centres, exhibition halls or museums.

A simple way to hang a small banner from a ceiling is to use poster rails which clamp onto the top and bottom of the banner.

For larger banners, a better option is to get a banner with welded pockets. In the top pocket, you can put a hollow tube through which you feed the rope through to hang the banner. Alternatively, you could use a wooden dowel with drilled ends and add rope on either side. The bottom pocket is used to put a weighted pole which keeps the banner hanging straight.

Branded scaffold banner for construction site marketing

On Scaffold

Tutorial on selecting the right image resolution for printing

These are a cost-effective solution for building, construction or scaffolding companies to advertise their service. These banners are specifically designed for use with scaffold poles and have pole pockets, making it incredibly easy to slide the banner on.