Installation Guide >> Fastening Vinyl Banners >> Using Rope
Rope is a good fastener for installing banners for those more familiar with tying knots. The types of knots that should be used for tying banners should be a slip knot that allows the rope's tension to be tightened without slipping loose unless the knot is released. Knots like this include the Tautline Hitch Knot, which is a very good knot for securing banners.
Our grommet holes are half an inch in diameter, so we recommend using a rope that is a less than the diameter of the grommet hole but no less than one quarter inch in diameter to ensure the strength of your rope is sufficient. Nylon rope is strong and will provide some stretch to maintain tension on your banner. If strength is the most important factor because of certain laws that have to be adhered to in your area, Kevlar rope is noted to be stronger than steel roping or wire of the same diameter. If your rope will be subject to excess water due to rain in your area, synthetic Polypropylene rope will provide some flex and is highly resistant to water.
There are some definite advantages of using rope when installing your banner. In many situations the secure anchor points where you will be tying your banner to a surface are often not evenly spaced apart. Rope can be easily measured from each grommet hole to the anchored surface and cut accordingly. Also, by using the proper type of tightening slip knot, rope can have a very similar effect as using zip ties with the benefit of using different lengths for each tying point.
Ropes are an excellent way to suspend banners across a wide area by stringing two parallel ropes above your venue from two separate anchor points that exist. Take into account the width of your banner and make sure to space your ropes at least one foot wider than your banner's width for installation. Once the ropes are in place, one can use a number of methods to secure all the grommet holes of your banner to the suspended ropes providing for a secure and easily removable banner.
We strongly advise to investigate whether any city ordinances within your community require proper permissions and/or safety permits to suspend banners using rope. We also strongly recommend to use proper knots when tying up banners with rope. Some knots have a tendency to continually loosen eventually unraveling to the point where your knot completely fails.
Always be sure to check with local ordinances and safety requirements when installing your banners to be sure you are in compliance with local statutes and safety standards. eSigns has placed this recommendation for assistance only and makes no claims, express or implied, as to the safety of this fastener or the recommendation by which to use this fastener for hanging banners.
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