Q - What is the difference between Banner Ups and PowerTabs®? Why should I use one versus the other?
A - PowerTabs® are used for virtually the same application as Banner Ups. They simply include several product innovations. For instance, PowerTabs® are made of a super strong engineered multi-ply film. This film is just as strong as the thicker plastic from which Banner Ups are made, but because it is thinner it blends more invisibly into the banner surface. Also, the shape of the PowerTabs® is different, making them more natural looking on a banner corner. Both tabs can be mounted horizontally or vertically on the banner, but the Banner Up can also be mounted at a 45 degree angle. Finally, PowerTabs® are mounted on a release sheet making them much easier and faster to peel and stick than regular Banner Ups, a factor which becomes more important on larger volume jobs.
On the other hand, regular Banner Ups have a foam adhesive system which can be an advantage when adhering to uneven surfaces. Though PowerTabs® have been embraced enthusiastically by the graphics industry, we still have many loyal customers for whom Banner Ups remain the product of choice.
Q - How long will banners made with Banner Ups and PowerTabs® last outdoors?
A - Banner Ups and PowerTabs® are designed specifically to withstand outdoor conditions. The polymer films and adhesive systems are engineered for use in the widest possible range of temperatures and environmental conditions. If you want a banner that will last for a year of continuous use, or many years of seasonal use, we would recommend that you buy a heavy duty banner material, reinforced with webbing and grommets. However, if you are creating a economical banner that will be used for between a few weeks and a few months, you can use Banner Ups and PowerTabs® with confidence. We have had customers tell us they had our products on banners that lasted over a year and were still going strong!
Q - What is the difference between PowerTape® and typical double sided banner hemming tape?
A - The first difference is that PowerTape® is not double sided. It is a single sided tape, but it is made with a super strong film so that you get the strength of a hem without the hassle. With regular double sided banner hemming tape, you must lay down tape all along the edge of the banner, then carefully fold the fabric and press it against the tape. Most people find this to be a real pain! It takes some practice to get it right, plus, if you mess up you have to start all over or the hem looks awful.
Using PowerTape® helps avoid another common problem with regular double sided tape. When banner fabric is folded, it has a "memory" and wants to unfold. If the tape adhesive softens or fails to maintain adhesion, this force will cause the hem to unfold, especially in warm weather. Since there is no fold with PowerTape®, this potential problem simply disappears.
Q - How do I use PowerTape®?
A - PowerTape® is a single sided tape that comes on a convenient self wound roll. To use it you simply lay the banner face down on a table, apply PowerTabs® and strip PowerTape® along the top and bottom edge of the unfinished banner on top of the PowerTabs®, punch a hole through the tab center hole, the tape, and banner media. Then, fasten your rope, and you are ready to go. It may seem obvious, but the tape goes on the back of the banner.
There are a few tips that will help. First, it helps if you can clamp both ends of the banner on a table with just a little tension to remove the any wrinkles. Next, you don't need to place the PowerTape® exactly along the edge. It is better to give yourself ⅛" to ¼" leeway to allow for any slight wandering as you go down the banner. You will develop your own technique, but we have always found it helpful to pull off an arms length of tape at a time and lay that down, using some tension to keep the tape straight then pull off another, etc.
Q - Do I put the PowerTape® on the banner first, or the PowerTabs®?
A - It is very important to put the PowerTape® on top of the PowerTabs®. Why? Because the tape has a silicone release coating on it to make self wound rolls possible. As a result, if you put the PowerTape® down first the tabs will not stick to the PowerTape®! Try it and see. If you discover a situation where you really want to adhere the tabs over the tape, you may dissolve the silicone release coating from the surface of the PowerTape® by gently rubbing the tape film surface with a rag soaked in nail polish remover (don't overdo it - it could melt the plastic film too!). This will quickly remove the silicone release coat and adhesive will stick to it.
Q - Should I use PowerTape® on all four sides?
A - We normally do not recommend this. PowerTape® works just fine when used only along the top and bottom edge. That said, some customers desire extreme strength for extreme conditions. They have used the above nail polish technique to allow overlapping the tape at the corners and lay PowerTape® on all four sides of the banner. You may apply tape along the top and bottom edge, then dissolve the release coating within a couple of inches of all four corners, using the nail polish remover as described above, then run a strip along both vertical edges, overlapping on the newly cleaned corners. Finally, apply the PowerTabs® at the corners over the 3-layer sandwich of banner fabric and two layers of tape, punch a hole through the center hole of the tab and the tape layers, fasten your rope through the hole and, COME ON WIND!
Q - Do I have to run PowerTape® all the way along the edge or can I just run it a foot or two from the corner and still get the same strength.
A - There is virtually no value to running PowerTape® only a short distance from the corner without going continuously to the other corner. The secret to the strength of the PowerTape® is the way it evenly distributes wind stress along the entire top and bottom edge of the banner and the ropes supporting the banner so that no one area takes too big a portion of the wind load.
Q - Should I use PowerTape® for outdoor banners only, or for indoor as well?
A - PowerTape is normally needed on outdoor banners only when the greatest strength is required. If you are not sure if the banner will be used indoors or out it may pay to use PowerTape®. PowerTape® has an added benefit even for indoor banner in that it gives some stiffness to the banner edge and helps reduce edge curl.
Q - Can I use PowerTape® by itself, without PowerTabs?
A - It is possible, for indoor banners, but definitely not recommended for outdoor banners. PowerTape has only moderate strength when used by itself, but tremendous strength when used over PowerTabs®.
Q - When should I use the Large PowerTabs and when should I use the Mini PowerTabs®?
A - See Below.
Q - When should I use neck loop to fasten the rope and when should I use the Center Hole in the PowerTabs®
A - The two questions above need to be considered together because the answers relate to the amount of strength required for your application. There are several degrees of strength that can be achieved with the Banner Ups, and PowerTabs®/ PowerTape® system. We recommend that for indoor or light duty outdoor use you may use either Mini Banner Ups or Mini PowerTabs®. In either case simply apply a mini tab directly to each corner of your banner and then use the tab's center hole to fasten the rope. Similarly, for indoor or light duty outdoor you may use the Large Banner Ups or PowerTabs® with the rope attached through the corner loop.
For the next degree of strength, use the large tabs with the rope through the center hole. This can be used for most outdoor situations with banners in the range of 8 foot length and under.
For the maximum strength, use both PowerTabs® and PowerTape® as described above. This is recommended for banners of lengths in excess of 8 feet or where maximum wind exposure is expected. Naturally no banner can be guaranteed to withstand all possible environmental conditions, but consider this strength data.
The strength of a rope when tied through the center hole of a mini tab or through the loop of a large tab will hold up to about 50 lbs of force. A rope tied through the center hole of a large Banner Ups or PowerTabs® will hold up to about triple that force -150 lbs. With the addition of PowerTape® that number goes to over 200 lbs of strength. That means when you use the PowerTabs®/ PowerTape® system on all four corners you can create super strong banners that can withstand up to 800 lbs of wind load!
Q- What are the EdgeTabs used for?
A- Banner Ups EdgeTabs® can be used along the edges of banners when additional fastening points are desired. EdgeTabs' square shape makes them look great along the edges, but also allows you to use them at the corners.
Q - How do they compare to the other PowerTabs?
A- Crystal Clear EdgeTabs are larger and stronger than the Crystal Clear Mini PowerTabs. They have the handy "neck loop" for light duty or indoor hanging, just like the Large Crystal Clear PowerTabs, but they are less expensive, so for jobs not requiring the strength of the largest tabs, they can be a great economical alternative - a one size fits all.
