The Pros & Cons of Polyester

There are times when printing calls for a lighter touch. Whether the requirement is for a soft feel or a material that is straightforward to transport, polyester is often the solution.

Marketed in the 1970s as ​“a miracle fibre that can be worn for 68 days straight without ironing, and still look presentable,” polyester has many great qualities:

• Wrinkle and abrasion resistant
• Strong and lightweight
• Easily printable
• Quick drying
• Easy to clean
• No need to laminate
• Reliable quality

Unlike PVC, which combines a dense coating with an even denser scrim, polyester is extremely lightweight. This makes it easy to roll up and transport, and enables hassle-free installation. As such, polyester is a perfect choice for:

• Exhibition structures
• Internal banners
• Point of sale displays

The lightweight nature of the material also means that transportation and delivery costs are reduced.

Polyester materials can be provided with or without a range of coatings. This allows for soft tactile materials in a wide variety of degrees of translucency that are ideal for:

• High definition printing
• Banners that will be viewed up-close (such as exhibition banners or point of sale displays)
• Bright colours and sharp images

Polyester is a synthetic material, so it does not biodegrade. However, polyesters can be recycled to make other plastic items such as clothes, furniture, and packaging.

All Ultraflex Europe polyester textiles are finished to B1 level fire safety.

Polyester is an excellent substrate when image quality matters. It has a highly receptive printing surface, and enables vivid and long-lasting image quality. Polyester banners will survive being repeatedly rolled and installed, without showing signs of wear and tear. 

To get a feel for the quality of polyester, request a free sample today.

If you’re after an indoor banner, this one is not a downside! However, it is worthwhile noting that polyester doesn’t survive well for long-term outdoor use. If you require a durable substrate for long term outdoor use PVC offers the widest range of options.

Polyester is more expensive than PVC. However, this cost is offset by the fact that it:

• Costs less to transport
• Is easy to install

Polyester is a popular substrate, and Ultraflex Europe keeps stock readily available. Our most popular polyesters include:

• Vortex Opaque
• Poplin PES C240
• Charisma

These are all available with timely deliveries and to a guaranteed quality level.