It is one of the first things people ask us about outdoor signs, banners and hoardings, and it is a perfectly sensible question. You don't want to pay for a sign that looks tired in a month, or for a heavy duty panel when you only need it for a weekend.
The honest answer is: it depends. The good news is that you can control most of what it depends on.
Key takeaways
- Lifespan depends on the material, the position, the weather and whether the print is laminated.
- Correx is built for temporary signs, from a day to several months depending on sun and wind.
- ACM Dibond is our first choice for long term outdoor signs, fascias and hoardings.
- UV printing cures the ink instantly, but it does not make a print fade proof on its own.
- A laminate adds protection against scuffs, cleaning and graffiti, and sets a matt or gloss finish.
- Tell us how long the sign needs to last and which way it faces, and we'll match the spec to it.
What decides how long an outdoor print lasts?
Six things do most of the work. Some you can change, some you just need to plan for:
- Sunlight. UV light slowly breaks down colour. A sign facing strong sun all day usually fades before one in the shade.
- Wind. Solid banners act like sails. Mesh lets air through, and rigid boards need the right fixings.
- Rain and damp. Water is not a problem for PVC, Correx or ACM, but it finds any weak edge or poorly sealed joint.
- Cleaning and contact. Scrubbing, pressure washing and people brushing past all wear the surface.
- Graffiti and knocks. Street level hoardings take a beating. A laminate makes them easier to clean.
- The material underneath. Ink can only last as long as the board or banner it sits on.
Pro tip The same sign can last very differently on a shady north wall and a sunny south facing fence. Always tell us where it is going.
Which outdoor print material lasts the longest?
Match the material to the job and the lifespan follows. Here is how our most popular outdoor materials compare:
| Material | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Correx | Light, waterproof fluted plastic | Temporary outdoor signs, from a day to several months depending on sun and wind |
| Foamex | Smooth PVC foam board | Best indoors, or short term outdoors |
| PVC banner | Tough, waterproof all rounder | Outdoor banners and campaigns |
| Mesh banner | Lets the wind through | Scaffolding, fences and building wraps in exposed spots |
| ACM Dibond | Rigid aluminium composite panel | Long term outdoor signs, fascias and hoardings |
Real jobs: site safety signs printed straight onto ACM on our Fuji UV flatbed, and the Gravity Smart Campus building wrap on mesh from our 3.2m Liyu.
Not sure which is right? Our article on temporary vs permanent signage helps you decide based on how long your message needs to stay up.
Why do outdoor prints fade?
Sunlight carries ultraviolet light, and over time it breaks down the colour in ink. That is why the side of a sign that faces the sun all day usually fades first, and why some bright colours can look washed out sooner than others.
A common myth is that UV printing makes a print UV proof. It doesn't. UV printing means the ink is cured instantly by UV LED light as it prints. UV inks are made for indoor and outdoor use, but how long a print lasts outside still depends on the material, the position and whether it is laminated.
Pro tip If a sign has to match a brand colour for years, ask us about the material and finish at quote stage, not after it has been up a summer.
What does lamination do for an outdoor print?
A laminate is a clear protective film over the printed surface. It takes the scuffs, scrubbing and spray paint so the ink underneath doesn't have to, and it lets you choose the finish:
| Laminate | What it does |
|---|---|
| Matt | Cuts glare, so signs read well under lights and in sunshine |
| Gloss | Rich, punchy colour with a shine |
| Dry wipe | Write on it and wipe it clean, ideal for boards that change |
| Anti graffiti | Paint and marker clean off more easily, ideal for street level hoardings |
| Anti slip | Adds grip underfoot on floor graphics |
On our site hoardings we finish with a gloss or matt laminate, and for busy London streets we often add an anti graffiti laminate. On Foamex you can choose matt, gloss, dry wipe or anti graffiti.
Does every outdoor sign need a laminate?
Often fine without
- Direct printed ACM signs going straight to site
- Short term Correx signs
- Banners for a one off event
Worth adding one
- Street level hoardings that may be tagged
- Signs that are cleaned often
- Anything people touch, brush past or walk on
- Signs where you want a matt, glare free finish
Our article on direct to board vs print and mount explains why a direct printed board can skip the laminate, and when it still makes sense to add one.
How can you make outdoor printing last longer?
- Tell us how long it needs to last. A weekend, a season or years. It changes the material we suggest.
- Tell us which way it faces. Full sun, shade, a windy corner or a sheltered courtyard all make a difference.
- Choose the right board. Our signage page compares Foamex, Correx, ACM Dibond and acrylic.
- Add a laminate where it earns its keep. Busy streets, regular cleaning and scuffs are where it pays off.
- Clean gently. A soft cloth and mild soapy water is typically all a printed sign needs. Avoid harsh solvents and scourers.
- Plan the swap. Temporary signs are meant to be replaced. Book the next print before the old one looks tired.
Built for the British weather
From a weekend of Correx signs to a hoarding that has to look sharp for the whole build, we print outdoor work in house in Uxbridge for sites, shops and events across London. Tell us where it is going and how long it needs to last, and we'll recommend the right material and finish.
