Knowledge Centre
Flex Grades Explained: Normal, Star, Black-Back and Backlit Flex
Which flex grade should you order? Normal, star, black-back and backlit flex compared — thickness, light, outdoor life and the right use for each.
Flex grades differ in thickness, strength and how they handle light. Normal flex is for short-term and budget jobs, star flex for longer outdoor use, black-back flex where light must not show through, and backlit flex for glow sign boards lit from behind.
The grade is the biggest reason two flex quotes for the same size can be very different — and the most common reason a banner fades, sags or tears early.
The main flex grades
- Normal (front-lit) flex — the everyday grade for banners, event branding and short campaigns. Lighter and cheaper; fine when the graphic will be replaced in weeks or a few months.
- Star flex — a heavier, stronger front-lit grade with better tear strength and a smoother print surface. The usual choice for shop-front banners and hoardings that must stay up longer.
- Black-back (blockout) flex — has a dark layer inside so light from behind does not shine through. Use it for double-sided displays, hoardings against bright backgrounds and banners hung in front of windows.
- Backlit flex — translucent, so light from tubes or LEDs behind it spreads evenly through the print. Made for glow sign boards and light boxes; printed with denser ink so colours stay rich when lit.
- Star black-back — a heavier black-back grade for long-running hoardings where both strength and blockout matter.
How to choose the grade
- How long must it last? Weeks: normal flex. Months to longer: star flex.
- Is it lit from behind? Yes: backlit flex. No: front-lit grade.
- Is there light or another print behind it? Yes: black-back flex.
- How windy and exposed is the site? Highway and rooftop hoardings need a stronger grade, a proper frame and wind cuts where required.
Grade is only half of it
A good grade still fails if it is badly finished. Hemming, eyelet spacing, frame tension and, for glow signs, even lighting behind the flex decide how a board looks after a few months. We specify grade and finishing together for every job.
See our flex and vinyl printing, or send us the size, site photo and how long it has to last on WhatsApp — we will recommend the grade before we quote.
FAQ
What is star flex?
Star flex is a heavier, stronger front-lit flex grade with better tear strength and print surface than normal flex. It is used for shop-front banners and hoardings that need to last longer outdoors.
Which flex is used for glow sign boards?
Backlit flex. It is translucent, so the light inside the box spreads evenly through the print.
When do I need black-back flex?
When light or another graphic behind the banner would show through — for double-sided displays, banners in front of windows or hoardings against a bright sky.