banner hemming with tape

[RighteousDude]

This is wild to see how complicated ya'll are making this... I didn't realize I was doing something unique the way I do it. Maybe (hopefully) I've misunderstood some of the comments here and my way (which is incredibly fast and easy) is in the comments above...
1) print banner with 1" bleed --- we'll be using 1" hem tape the way I do it.
2) flip banner upside down and on the backside of the banner, take your roll of hem tape and hold it so it's lined up with the edge of the banner (thus providing you a solid spot to make a 1" mark, no need to tape measures, the roll is your tape measure)
2.5) make little ballpoint pen marks 1" in from the edge of your banner that you cut to size (with a 1" bleed) roughly every 1' to 3' apart depending on much assistance you need from the marks to pull your tape in a straight line.
3) after you've made your guide marks, just line one edge at a time with hem tape... BUT, and this is where it sounds like a lot of you are complication the process, don't put the tape at the edge of the banner... you're going to set it 1" inside so when you fold over for your hem your folding TO the adhesive instead of WITH the adhesive.
4) as you fold over, don't bother trying to smooth it the whole way... just have a leading hand loosely fold it a bit ahead of your pressing hand and only tack the top edge of it at the top edge of the hem tape (this is where I feel like my description will fall short and I hope I remember to follow with a video of this)
5) once you have it folded over loosely so the edge of the banner is folder to the far edge of the hem tape, just follow through with a squeegee (or a brayer if you don't want to cause a tiny bit of ink damage at the edge of the fold) for pressure.

if my description here isn't easy to follow... if a few people reply and ask for it I'll video tape my process... I knock out a 4'x8' banner in maybe 10 minutes tops with hem tape and grommets using this method. I haven't actually timed myself, but I'd be pretty surprised if it's even 10 minutes. The whole idea of making your own custom straight edges out of sintra and having to get out your tape measure, that's really not necessary and only serves to slow you down and as we have all learned... time is money (or time spent working is less time relaxing)

 

[Kemik]

I have a metal ruler that is 1.25" wide, I hold this against the edge of the banner on the back while I apply the double sided tape to the other edge of the ruler.
After I have double sided tape applied to the full length of once side of the banner, I use the thick backing of the double sided tape as a guide for my crease in the banner.
I fold on the banner over the double sided tape backing, using a plastic vinyl applicator to make a crease in the banner.
Then I remove the backing slowly while smoothing out the creased banner.
Repeat on all 4 sides.
I'll roll the finished banner on a core so that the edges do not wrinkle too bad before the glue has a chance to cure.

 

[incrediblesignco]

ONE LAST TIP
if I had a video I'd show the video = but i don't
1. use the tape roll as a spacer
2. line up the tape roll to the bottom edge of the banner and on the other side make a mark on the banner all the way across
3. tape the banner to the table nice a taught
4. apply banner tape, line up the bottom edge of the tape to the mark you made - leaving the bottom edge of the banner open
5. fold up the banner, lining up the edge witht the edge of the tape
6. start from the center as weveryone says yadda yadda
one of these day si'll video it
let me know if it works for you

 

[Stacey K]

Hmm... I just make my regular banner then add a 1/16"-ish line around the design then add another line around that 1" out because I use 1" tape. That gives me a cut line and a fold line. I just put tape on just inside the cut edge so when I fold it over I look for the line on the outside of the design and just fold that line over so there's a tiny bit of banner showing. I finger tight the tape as I go, then go over the whole thing with a small steel straight edge to really get a nice fold. I knock them out fast. You can add a full 1" bleed if you desire but why waste the ink LOL

 

[Think713]

OK I have searched in tips and tricks trying to find help in the area of hemming my banners with double sided hem tape 1" no matter how I do it I seem to get creases and not always the straightest hems. If there is a thread on this already please point me there. I have seen many amazing tips on this board. any help is appreciated.

Thanks: Dave

What I do for banner hemming with double sided tape is cut the corners at 45 degrees (This makes it so your corners on the back meet together) and start on the right side for application of the tape. Tape goes right to the edge of the cut on the banner. Once applied i pull the non stick cover off and start in the middle and work out. Fold to your fold line on the print and work about 6" at a time all the way to the end, squeegee down for good adhesion, repeat all the way around, grommet as needed. Easy Peasy.

 

[Humble PM]

What I do for banner hemming with double sided tape is cut the corners at 45 degrees (This makes it so your corners on the back meet together) and start on the right side for application of the tape. Tape goes right to the edge of the cut on the banner. Once applied i pull the non stick cover off and start in the middle and work out. Fold to your fold line on the print and work about 6" at a time all the way to the end, squeegee down for good adhesion, repeat all the way around, grommet as needed. Easy Peasy.

If there is any chance of wind load, I'll Not cut corners - three layers is stronger, and this applies to pieces against walls where wind might be an issue (so all outdoors, even against walls...)

 

[myront]

 

[Think713]

If there is any chance of wind load, I'll Not cut corners - three layers is stronger, and this applies to pieces against walls where wind might be an issue (so all outdoors, even against walls...)

I've been doing this for a decade and always put a grommet in the corners. Literally a non issue. Ever. And its a banner. 100% of the time they are temporary.

 

[Humble PM]

Grommet in the corner, yes but for additional strength, I've got banners up for four and more years, in areas of buildings that the wind howls through. I like the comfort blanket of an extra uncompromised layer.

 

[Think713]

Grommet in the corner, yes but for additional strength, I've got banners up for four and more years, in areas of buildings that the wind howls through. I like the comfort blanket of an extra uncompromised layer.

Id say thats perfectly valid. However if I was tasked with a banner for that extensive of duration, I definitely would be doing some sewn hems instead of tape. Definitely no worries of wind after that.