Printable Blockout Banner: Double-Sided Impact with No Show-Through

Built for double-sided printing, high opacity, and premium outdoor durability, this substrate is ideal for hanging banners, pole signs, trade shows, and indoor/outdoor displays.

With a specialized light-blocking layer sandwiched between printable surfaces, blockout banners ensure clarity, consistency, and coverage, even under harsh backlighting or when suspended in high-traffic areas.

Let’s break down what makes blockout banners different, when to use them, and how to maximize their potential in digital print.

What Is a Printable Blockout Banner?

A blockout banner is a heavyweight PVC or polyester-based substrate with a black or opaque core layer between two white, printable faces. This construction prevents light, color, or graphics from one side from showing through to the other — making it perfect for double-sided signage.

Key features include:

• Printable front and back sides

• Internal black core or light-blocking layer

• Smooth, lay-flat finish

• Excellent tear resistance and outdoor durability

• Compatible with UV, solvent, or latex ink systems

Blockout is typically thicker than standard frontlit material — usually between 440 and 610 gsm — for enhanced opacity and structural integrity.

Where to Use Blockout Banners

• Double-sided pole banners on streets or campuses

• Hanging signs in malls, trade shows, or lobbies

• Event graphics that need visibility from both sides

• Construction site branding

• Window banners where backlighting is strong

• Indoor signs suspended in atriums or corridors

Wherever two-sided visibility and visual clarity are essential, blockout performs.

Print Compatibility

Blockout banners are made for:

• UV printing – high-density coverage, instant cure

• Solvent / Eco-solvent printing – excellent outdoor durability

• Latex printing – especially for PVC-free blockout alternatives

Print tips:

• Use correct side identification — some materials require different profiles for each face

• Print one side, then allow full cure before flipping for second pass

• Trim with care to maintain edge integrity and prevent delamination

Pro tip: For suspended installs, add grommets evenly on both sides to prevent curling or twisting.

Benefits of

Blockout Banner Material For Digital Printing

• No show-through, even with bold or dark designs

• Double-sided print capability for maximum visibility

• Lay-flat properties — perfect for hanging banners and tension displays

• Durable and tear-resistant for extended outdoor use

• Fire-rated options available for public installs

• PVC-free blockout banners increasingly available for sustainable projects

Check out Substrate Bank to search for blockout materials by ink system, and certification.