Choosing Between Dibond, Aluminum, and Banner Signage at Big Tex Banners & Flags

Updated

Choose Dibond when you need a rigid, weather-resistant sign that will stay put outdoors for the long term; choose aluminum when you want a powder-coated metal sign (often for real estate or framed mounting) in single- or double-sided versions; choose banners when the job is temporary or event-driven and speed matters, since the site advertises next-day shipping on custom banners. All three are ordered through the same online designer or the free design service, so the real decision is about material, mounting, and lifespan rather than the ordering process.

Compare the three options on the same dimensions

Factor Dibond Signs Aluminum Signs Banners & Banner Flags
Material / build 3mm (approx. 1/8") or 6mm (approx. 1/4") Dibond Powder-coated aluminum, sturdy 3/4" angle iron construction Fabric or vinyl; feather, swooper, teardrop, rectangle, and parade styles
Printing Full-color, UV-cured inks; no per-color charge or setup fees Single- or double-sided Full-color print
Weather resistance Weather resistant, made for outdoor use Powder-coated finish for outdoor use Intended for outdoor advertising; banners are the most temporary option
Custom options Rounded corners, holes Multiple sizes and frame options Shapes, pole options, and mounting style vary by product
Shipping Free shipping, including 4ft x 8ft Dibond Free shipping Custom banners advertised with next-day shipping
Best fit Permanent exterior signage, large-format signs Real estate signs, framed or double-sided displays Events, promotions, and short-term visibility

Dibond: the rigid, long-life choice

Dibond is the option to pick when the sign has to hold up outdoors and look flat and solid. Big Tex offers it in two thicknesses — 3mm (about 1/8") and 6mm (about 1/4") — and you can add rounded corners or holes for mounting. Printing is full color with UV-cured inks, and the site states there is no per-color charge or setup fee. Free shipping applies to all Dibond signs, including 4ft x 8ft panels.

Choose Dibond if:

  • The sign will be mounted on a wall, fence, or frame and left outside.
  • You want a large panel (up to 4ft x 8ft) without paying freight.
  • You need clean edges and optional holes for hanging or bolting.

The trade-off is that Dibond is a rigid panel, so you need a mounting surface or frame — it is not a temporary, portable display.

Aluminum: metal signs with framing flexibility

Aluminum signs are powder-coated and available single- or double-sided, in multiple sizes, with multiple frame options. The site lists free shipping and sturdy 3/4" angle iron construction, which points to freestanding or framed installations rather than wall-flat panels. Real estate signs are the example product category the site highlights for this material.

Choose aluminum if:

  • You need a double-sided sign (for example, a sign read from two directions).
  • You want a frame-and-post setup rather than a flat panel.
  • You are ordering real estate or similar repeated signage in standard sizes.

If your priority is a large, flat, wall-mounted panel, Dibond is the closer match; if your priority is a framed, double-sided display, aluminum is.

Banners and flags: speed and event use

Banners cover the widest product range on the site: custom banners (advertised with next-day shipping), feather flags, swooper flags, teardrop flags, rectangle flags, parade banners in fabric or vinyl with scalloped shapes, spirit/battle flags in polyester or poly-satin with PMS color matching, personalized garden flags with bulk discounts, and football yard signs with step stakes. Banner stands and sidewalk signs round out the temporary-display category.

Choose banners or flags if:

  • You need signage fast — next-day shipping is advertised for custom banners.
  • The display is for an event, promotion, or season and will be taken down.
  • You want a flag shape (feather, swooper, teardrop) to catch attention rather than a flat panel.

Banners are the least rigid option. If the sign must survive years of weather without a frame, step up to Dibond or aluminum.

How to place the order

  1. Pick the product category (Dibond, aluminum, or banners/flags) using the table above.
  2. Design it yourself in the Online Designer, or use the free design service — the site states they will design it for you at no charge.
  3. Add the options that match your mounting: rounded corners or holes for Dibond, frame choice for aluminum, pole and shape options for flags.
  4. Confirm shipping expectations: free shipping is stated for Dibond and aluminum signs; next-day shipping is advertised for custom banners.
  5. Call 830-624-5882 with questions before ordering if the mounting situation is unusual.

Common sticking points

  • Thickness on Dibond: 3mm is lighter and fine for most wall mounting; 6mm is the stiffer choice for larger panels. The site lists both but does not publish load ratings, so confirm mounting hardware separately.
  • Single vs. double-sided: only aluminum is explicitly described as available single- or double-sided. If you need two-sided readability, start there.
  • Discount claims: the site advertises savings up to $150 on select flag products. Treat that as a promotion to verify at checkout rather than a standing price.
  • Design help: the free design service is stated on the site, but turnaround time is not specified — build in time if your event date is fixed.