What is Denier? The Unit of Measurement behind Fabric Banners

If you are looking to buy a new fabric banner, you probably already know about Denier. Not all banners are alike, and the denier plays a big part in that. Did you know that if the Denier is too low, your banner can actually become torn or damaged in some situations? We’ll show you what Denier is and the right amount for a fabric banner - something our banners always has.

What is Denier?

Denier is a form of measurement used in the fabric world. One denier is equal to one gram in weight for 9,000 meters in length of the fabric. While this might not make sense to people who do not understand the terminology, it is simply used to measure the thickness of a single fiber and is important in fabric banner selection. Fabric with a smaller denier measurement is typically thinner and may even be see-through. Fabrics with a high denier tend to be heavier but they are also more durable in many cases as well. If you are looking at different fabrics, you may notice a number followed by a lowercase letter d; for example, 80d. This is informing you that the fabric has a denier of 80. This is the more common form of finding the denier of a fabric. You may also see the denier written as 60x60, which is the same as 60d. When a thread goes into the machine, it is known as a warp and the cross stitch is known as the fill - this is what creates the 60x60. They mean the same exact measurement but are just written differently.

How It Is Measured

Denier is measured in a simple way; the number portion of the measurement is equal to the single threads’ weight if it were 9,000 meters long. While this may seem complicated, it is a standard measurement that has worked for many years. The weight is computed in grams as well. Once a denier is determined for fabric, it typically can be used universally for the same fabric as well. The denier is determined by a single thread of fabric, which means each type of fabric will vary in denier. Thicker fabrics, such as materials used for backpacks, can easily reach a few hundred if not a thousand denier. Thinner fabrics, like human hair, can be as low as twenty deniers. To give you a better perspective on the denier of some different fabrics, let us share some measurements with you. A nylon flag typically has a denier of 200, while silk has a denier of 1, sometimes even less than 1. Many pop-up tents will have a denier of 600, while down jackets have a denier of about 15.

Why Does This Matter?

While it may seem like the denier of a fabric banner is unimportant, it should actually play a big role in your decision. If you plan on your banner being outdoors, you should choose a fabric that has a high denier, typically at least 100 or more. This high denier will help your banner last longer and be more durable than a thinner fabric. One thing to consider is that the banner will also be heavier and thicker, so you should ensure that it will hang easily where you would like it to. Thicker fabric banners will be able to withstand most weather conditions, so your banner should last a long time. Most tents and pop up canopies are made from a denier of at least 100. You may even be able to find fabric banners with a denier of 1,000. If you are planning on hanging your banner indoors and need something lightweight, you may want to consider a fabric that is less than 100 denier. These banners may be cheaper, but they will not be as durable and may even seem to be lower quality. Some people prefer a mesh banner, which is fine as well. If you are looking for a mesh banner, you will definitely want a fabric that has a lower denier. Overall, choosing a banner with a higher denier will be a wiser decision, even if it will only be used indoors. The higher denier will make your banner more durable and thicker as well, which will give it a higher quality look and feel as well. A vinyl banner will have a high denier and look great as well.

Conclusion

Denier is a simple measurement of weight for a single thread of fabric. This measurement is used for many different reasons, including weight, the durability of the fabric, and more. Unless you are looking for something that is lightweight, it may be a better option to always choose a fabric with a higher denier. Talk to us at Foam Core Print to learn more.