By Melissa Donovan
Banners, billboards, hanging signs—the bread and butter for a print service provider offering signage to clientele from a range of backgrounds. Sustainable options are a common discussion, especially for those looking for eco-friendly alternatives to protect not only the environment but human health.
“In today’s economic climate, buyers are making more deliberate decisions about material selection. Rather than defaulting to a single substrate type, they are evaluating fit for use, total value, and long-term considerations, which continue to support steady demand for non-PVC options across a range of wide format applications,” says Julie Brannen, director, sales and sustainable solutions, Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc.
The May issue of Digital Output includes a feature article on PVC-free materials. Here we include some stand out products from vendors interviewed in the article.
Kavalan is a PVC-free banner materials brand for the large format printing industry. Products include Sunlight, a lightweight coated banner material suitable for indoor and outdoor applications including billboards, banners, and building wraps; Moonlight, a brilliant white banner material ideal for light boxes and other backlit applications; Butterfly, a double-sided blockout textile material ideal for two-way signage and hanging banners; Spiderweb, a mesh banner material ideal for sports and event banners; and Gecko, a coated wallcovering and floor mat material for interior and event applications.
Monadnock Paper Mills’ Ultrahide PC 100 blockout poster is a paper-based, non-PVC wide format substrate engineered for applications where opacity and show-through control are essential. The substrate is 100 percent opaque, blocking light and preventing artwork from showing through from behind. Its uncoated, smooth matte print surface on both sides is optimized for strong ink laydown and excellent photographic reproduction, supporting consistent image quality across a range of wide format printing technologies. Ultrahide is engineered to lay flat under varying moisture conditions, supporting reliable handling, mounting, and installation in retail and display environments. For applications where light is intended to pass through the graphic, Ultraform backlit poster offers a complementary solution. Ultraform is a paper-based C1S poster stock engineered for backlit and frontlit display applications, including transit, retail, and hospitality environments. Optimized for latex and UV inkjet printing, Ultraform is designed to deliver consistent image clarity and color performance when illuminated, making it well suited for backlit posters, light boxes, and other illuminated display programs.
Nekoosa’s SYNAPS OM Wide Format brings the proven benefits of SYNAPS OM to wide format, offering curl-free, layflat rolls designed for durable, high-impact indoor and outdoor graphics printed with either UV or latex ink. Certified by RecyClass with a minimum of 15 percent recycled polyester, it offers a more environmentally friendly and responsible print solution. SYNAPS OM Wide Format is available in thicknesses of 5-, 8-, 10-, and 14-mil.
Sycltex from ANCI Inc. is an innovative, U.S.-manufactured non-PVC banner material engineered for superior performance in hanging banners, posters, billboards, and signage applications. Fully recyclable and 30 percent lighter than traditional 13 oz. PVC scrim, it offers exceptional durability, tear resistance, and outdoor longevity. Ideal for eco-conscious brands, Sycltex supports sustainability goals without sacrificing print quality or strength. It is a versatile choice for both indoor and outdoor use in retail, events, and advertising. Available in widths up to 126 inches with custom roll lengths, it helps reduce environmental impact and operational costs for printers and brand owners alike.
Sihl Inc. offers 3275 TexBanner—a 13-mil, matte, lightweight, 100 percent synthetic non‑woven banner designed for both indoor and outdoor applications. This ultra-white, flexible fleece banner delivers high tensile strength and tear resistance, ensuring reliable performance in busy environments like trade fairs, exhibitions, sporting events, and promotional signage. Being a PVC-free banner, it eliminates harmful additives like chlorine and plastics, which offer a safer, more environmentally responsible option that doesn’t compromise durability. It’s fully recyclable with a water‑fast coating, strong opacity, and vivid print quality.
Ultraflex Systems, Inc. offers PVC-free banner solutions through its EcoVantage line, developed as alternatives to traditional PVC banner materials. These substrates are 100 percent PVC-free and phthalate-free and can be recycled according to local regulations or safely incinerated without harmful toxins. They are designed to print, finish, and install using standard equipment while delivering the durability, opacity, and print performance required for banners, displays, and signage.
Walki Print Media XXL are PVC-free recyclable billboards and banners used for advertising and events for both outdoors and indoors, available with Euroclass B-S1 and D0 DIN EN13501 flame retardancy certificate. Products are available in short or jumbo rolls in widths up to 126 inches.
XCEL Products developed EcoMedia, a non-PVC blockout banner material, more than 20 years ago as an environmentally responsible alternative to traditional PVC banner stocks. EcoMedia features recycled content, fully recyclable construction, phthalate-free formulation, and Prop 65 compliance. Available options include 8-mil thickness at 54-inch width or 13-mil thickness at 54- and 62-inch width, both supplied in rolls or sheets, depending on customer preference.
May2026, Digital Output
