Eyelets are the brass rings punched through the hem of a banner that let you fix it to a wall, railing or scaffold. Too few and the banner sags between fixings or rips in wind. Too many is a waste of time and adds nothing to durability. There is a sensible rule of thumb that we use for every banner that leaves our Putney Heath studio.
This guide covers the rule, the common sizes, and a few cases where you should add extras. It is short, practical and aimed at customers who want a banner that lasts.
Place a brass eyelet at every corner, then one every 18 to 24 inches along the top and bottom hems. A 5ft x 3ft banner typically takes 8 eyelets. For wind-exposed sites, add eyelets every 12 inches along the top edge.
The 18-to-24-Inch Rule
The standard spacing is one brass eyelet every 18 to 24 inches along the hemmed edges. That gives enough fixings to spread load evenly without weakening the hem with too many holes. We default to 20-inch spacing for most banners we print, which works for the majority of London shop fronts.
All four corners always get an eyelet. Corners take the most load when wind catches the banner, and skipping a corner is the fastest way to rip a banner in the first month.
Common Banner Sizes and Eyelet Counts
We default to the counts in the table below. If you need more for a specific installation, say wind exposure or scaffolding spacing, just tell us when ordering and we will add extras at no charge.
Why Top and Bottom Both Get Eyelets
Top eyelets carry the banner. Bottom eyelets stop it flapping. A banner fixed only along the top edge becomes a sail in moderate wind, and the corners rip before the eyelets do. Always fix top and bottom for outdoor use.
Corners always, then one eyelet every 18 to 24 inches. That is the whole rule.
When to Add More Eyelets
Three situations call for tighter spacing. First, wind-exposed sites like rooftops, scaffolding on tall buildings or river-facing fronts in places like Battersea or Greenwich. Tighten to 12-inch spacing along the top. Second, scaffolding where the existing horizontal poles are spaced unusually wide or narrow, you may want to match the pole spacing rather than the rule. Third, very long banners over 10 feet wide, where the centre of the top edge sags without an extra fixing.
Mesh banners can use the standard spacing because mesh lets wind through, so the load on each eyelet is lower than a solid PVC banner of the same size.
Eyelet Counts by Banner Size
| Banner Size | Default Eyelets | Wind-Exposed Eyelets |
|---|---|---|
| 3ft x 2ft | 6 | 8 |
| 5ft x 2ft | 8 | 10 |
| 5ft x 3ft | 8 | 12 |
| 6ft x 3ft | 10 | 14 |
| 8ft x 3ft | 12 | 16 |
| 8ft x 4ft | 12 | 18 |
Side Eyelets
Banners taller than 4 feet usually benefit from one or two eyelets on each side edge as well. This stops the side hems flapping outwards in wind. We add side eyelets by default on banners taller than 4 feet, but ask if you do not see them on a proof.
Skip a corner eyelet and the banner rips at that corner within the first windy week. Every time.
Reinforcement and Pole Pockets
For very wind-exposed installations or temporary structures, a banner with reinforced corners and a pole pocket along the top edge can be better than relying on eyelets alone. The pole pocket distributes load along the whole top edge rather than at individual fixing points. We can add this option to any banner ordered from our Putney Heath studio.
Eyelets and pole pockets are not mutually exclusive. A banner with a pole pocket at the top for hanging from a horizontal rod, plus brass eyelets at the bottom for tying off, is the most secure setup for any banner that has to handle real wind. Common on construction sites and outdoor event signage.
Brass eyelets are standard because they resist corrosion in rain better than steel or aluminium. We use brass on every banner unless a customer specifically asks for something different. The brass is set into a reinforced eyelet patch on the hem so the load is distributed rather than concentrated on the metal ring itself.
If you are unsure whether a particular installation needs standard or reinforced fixing, send us a photo of the location when you place the order. Wind exposure, fixing surface and banner size all interact, and a photo tells us more than a measurement alone.
Ready to Get Your Banner Printed?
Eyelet count is not complicated. Corners always, then 18-to-24-inch spacing along the hemmed edges. Tighten for wind-exposed sites or large banners. If in doubt, just ask us when you place the order.
Call 020 3669 9854 or WhatsApp +447376464869 if you want to talk through your installation before we print. Artwork in by 11am gets same-day printing from our Putney Heath studio.
Related Banner Services
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