How to Install Grommets in a Banner
There are three ways to add grommets to a vinyl banner and the fastest method does not require a grommet machine at all.
Watch Video
Grommets reinforce the hole through which rope, zip ties, or bungees are threaded. Without reinforcement, the hanging hardware cuts through the banner material under load — especially in wind. Here is a complete guide to the three installation methods, with a clear-eyed look at the tradeoffs.
What Are Grommets on a Banner?
Grommets are the reinforced rings set into the edge of a banner — the round metal holes you thread rope, zip ties, or bungee cords through to hang it. Each grommet has two parts: a flat washer ring on the back and an indented ring on the face. Pressed together with a die set, they clamp around a punched hole so the banner edge won’t tear under tension or in wind. They’re also called eyelets, and the openings themselves are sometimes just called “banner holes.”
Grommets for banners are usually #2 (7/16″ OD) brass or nickel-plated steel, set in every corner and spaced every 18″–24″ around the perimeter. They’re the traditional way to finish a vinyl banner for hanging — but they require a grommet machine or a hammer-and-die kit, and because all the hanging load concentrates on one small metal ring, grommets are also the most common failure point on a windy day. That’s why many shops reinforce or replace them with adhesive tabs.
Types of Banner Grommets
- Brass grommets — the standard for outdoor vinyl banners; corrosion-resistant and the most common choice.
- Nickel-plated steel — a brighter finish for indoor or premium displays.
- Self-piercing (self-backing) grommets — combine the ring and washer so they set in a single press; faster for high-volume work.
- Plastic grommets — lightweight and rust-proof for paper or short-term signs, but weaker under load.
- Adhesive grommet tabs — no metal at all; a peel-and-stick tab that reinforces the edge and accepts a punched hole (covered next).
Whichever grommet you choose, there are three ways to install one — starting with the fastest, which skips the metal ring entirely.
The Banner Ups Method (Recommended)
BravoTabs function as adhesive grommets — a large-format tab that bonds to the banner, folds over the edge, and accepts a punched hanging hole. No hardware, no machine, no setup.
- Peel the BravoTab and apply it to the banner corner, pressing firmly for 10 seconds.
- Fold the tab over the banner edge so the adhesive bonds to both the front and back of the banner.
- Punch a hole through the center of the tab using a PowerPunch or EZ Punch.
- Hang the banner by threading rope or zip ties through the hole.
Cost: $85 for a full BravoTabs starter kit. Time: 2 minutes per banner. Wind tested to 108 mph — stronger than bare grommets because the tab spreads stress over a much larger area of banner material.
Grommet Machine Method
A hand-press grommet machine uses a matched die set to cut a hole and flare a metal grommet in one press. This is the traditional shop method and produces a durable, professional-looking grommet.
- Set up the die in the machine for your grommet size (typically #2 or #4 for banners).
- Mark and position the banner under the die at the desired grommet location.
- Press the lever to cut the hole and set the grommet in one motion.
- Inspect the set — the grommet face should be flush and the washer back should be flat with no raised edges.
Cost: $200–$800 for a press; $0.05 per grommet. Time: 7.5 minutes per banner including setup and repositioning. Machine grommets look professional and are familiar to customers, but the equipment investment is significant for low-volume shops.
Hammer & Die Method
A grommet tool kit (die punch + anvil) allows grommet installation without a press. This is the lowest-cost entry point but also the most labor-intensive and least consistent method.
- Mark the position on the banner and place the cutting die on a hard surface.
- Punch the hole by striking the die punch with a hammer — this takes several firm blows.
- Place the grommet through the hole from the front, with the washer behind.
- Set the grommet by placing the anvil tool over the grommet face and striking firmly until the washer is flared flat.
Method Comparison
FAQ
Where should grommets be placed on a banner?
All four corners, plus every 18″–24″ along each edge on banners wider than 4 feet. Corner-only placement is acceptable for short-term or indoor banners. Outdoor banners in wind need mid-edge attachment points to prevent the banner from bowing and flogging.
What size grommet is standard for vinyl banners?
#2 (7/16″ OD) is the most common banner grommet size. #4 (9/16″ OD) is used for heavier substrates or when using thicker rope. Both sizes work with standard banner hem tape and BravoTabs.
Can I add grommets to a banner that has already been printed?
Yes. Any of these three methods can be applied after printing. For Banner Ups tabs, the adhesive bonds to the printed surface without affecting print quality. For punch-based methods, mark the grommet location carefully to avoid cutting into the design.
How do banner grommets work?
A grommet reinforces a punched hole so the banner edge doesn’t tear. The two-piece ring clamps through the vinyl and spreads the load of rope or ties across the metal washer instead of the bare material. The trade-off is that all of that load still lands on one small point — which is why grommets pull out or tear in high wind, and why spreading the stress across a larger adhesive tab holds better.
What are the holes in a banner called?
The reinforced holes are called grommets (or eyelets). An un-reinforced punched hole is just a “banner hole” and will tear quickly under load — grommets or adhesive tabs are what keep the edge from ripping.
Do banners come with grommets?
Most printed vinyl banners include grommets every 18″–24″ by default, but you can order them without and finish the edges yourself with adhesive tabs — often faster and stronger than re-grommeting. See how to hang a banner without grommets for the method.
