Large-Format Printing: Materials for Banners, Posters and Stands

In Latvia, large-format printing in practice relies on four main material types: PVC banner fabric (440–650 g/m²) for outdoor advertising, paper 150–200 g/m² for indoor posters, PVC or polypropylene film for roll-up banner stands, and textile for photo walls. Formats range from A3 up to banners several metres long, printing resolution runs at 720–1440 dpi, and the standard production time is 2–10 business days depending on the product and quantity. Urgent jobs, such as a single roll-up banner stand or a few posters, can usually be ready in 2–3 business days by separate arrangement.

What determines the choice of material

Before choosing a material, you need to answer three questions: where will the advert be placed (outdoors or indoors), how long does it need to last (a single event or a whole season), and will it need to be moved around. Outdoors, the key factors are material density and UV resistance; indoors, surface glare and colour accuracy matter more.

The second practical factor is mounting. A banner on a fence needs eyelets and grommets every 40–50 cm, a poster in a shop window needs a precise format with no trimming allowance, while a stand at an event needs a frame that sets up in 2 minutes and fits in a car boot.

PVC banners: 440, 510 and 650 g/m²

PVC banner material is a reinforced polyester fabric with a PVC coating on both sides. Density determines both durability and price.

• 440 g/m² – the lightest option, suitable for short-term advertising up to 3–6 months, events and promotions. Works well when the banner is stretched on a frame.
• 510 g/m² – the most commonly used density for seasonal advertising and facades. Withstands a Latvian winter; with proper tensioning, lasts 1–2 years.
• 650 g/m² – a thicker material for large sizes (from 6 m wide) and locations with heavy wind load.
• Mesh (perforated) banner – has small holes that let wind through. Chosen for scaffolding, building facades and tall fences.

Standard finishing: hemmed edges 2–3 cm wide and metal eyelets every 50 cm. If the banner will be stretched on a frame, we recommend ordering an extra 5 cm allowance on each side.

Posters and flyers, A3–A0

For indoor posters, we use paper 150–200 g/m². Matt paper doesn't glare under shop lighting and suits text-heavy designs, while gloss paper gives richer colours for photographs. If a poster will be displayed in a sun-facing shop window, note that colours start fading within 1–2 months without UV lamination.

The most popular formats are A1 (594×841 mm) and B1 (700×1000 mm) for display stands, and A2 and A3 for café and school notices. Sizes larger than A0 are produced at roll width, split into several segments if needed.

Stands: roll-up, pop-up and photo banners

Roll-up banner stands are the most frequently ordered mobile display. Standard size is 850×2000 mm, using film or polypropylene with an opaque base so what's behind the stand doesn't show through. The economy cassette lasts 20–30 setups, while a reinforced aluminium cassette with a wider base lasts several years.

A photo banner (press wall) is a textile or banner fabric panel on an aluminium frame, typically 2×2.4 m or 3×2.4 m. Textile is lighter, washable, and folds into a bag, while PVC is cheaper but shows crease marks. For event organisers who use a press wall regularly, we recommend textile with a silicone-edge border.

Prices are indicative and vary depending on quantity, finishing (lamination, eyelets, edge treatment) and type of construction. We include an exact amount in the quote once we've received the file and dimensions.

How to prepare the file

For large-format printing, we accept files in vector format (.ai, .eps, .pdf) in CMYK colour space. If you're using photographs, the minimum resolution is 100–150 dpi at actual size for banners and 300 dpi for posters up to A2.

• Scale 1:1 or 1:10, noted within the file.
• Trim allowance: 3 mm for posters, 30–50 mm for banners with hemmed edges.
• Text converted to outlines, or fonts supplied separately.
• Important elements kept at least 50 mm from the edge so they aren't covered by eyelets or the cassette profile.

If you don't have a file ready, we can prepare the artwork for you – for a simple banner this usually takes 1 business day. For more on file preparation requirements, see our large-format printing service page.

Turnaround times and quantities

We also work with single items – one banner or one roll-up stand is not a problem. The standard turnaround is 2–10 business days: posters usually 2–3 days, banners 3–5 days, and stands with a frame 5–10 days. For larger quantities (from 10 banners or 50 posters), the unit price drops by 15–30%.

Large-format print orders are often combined with other items – logo stickers for doors and vehicles, flyers, or printed clothing for your team. Ordering them together ensures matching colour tone and saves on delivery trips.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an outdoor banner last in Latvian weather conditions?

A 510 g/m² PVC banner printed with UV inks and properly tensioned lasts 1–2 years. Colours start changing first on banners facing south. If a banner flaps in the wind, wear at the eyelets sets in considerably faster – we recommend fastening every 50 cm.

Does a poster need lamination?

Indoors, away from direct sunlight – no. Lamination makes sense if the poster is displayed in a sun-facing shop window, gets touched frequently, or is used in a humid environment. Matt lamination adds roughly EUR 2–4/m² to the price.

What resolution does a banner file need?

For a banner viewed from 3–5 metres, 100–150 dpi at actual size is enough. For large facade prints viewed from 20 metres, even 72 dpi is sufficient. Posters held in hand or viewed up close need 300 dpi.

How quickly can a single roll-up stand be made?

If the file is ready and received by midday, we can usually produce a roll-up stand within 2–3 business days. The standard turnaround without rushing is 3–5 business days.

Can you install the banner on site?

We produce the banner with all the necessary finishing – eyelets, hemmed edges, and fastening straps if needed. On-site installation is handled separately, depending on location and height; we agree on this when the order is placed.

Send us your dimensions and file at info@attaprint.lv or message us on WhatsApp at +371 25776699 – we'll prepare a quote within one business day. We're located at Kandavas iela 29A, Riga, where you can view and collect your order in person.