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NEWSLETTER
340 GSM flex is the shop-board grade of Indian signage — thick enough to stretch drum-tight over a frame, strong enough to survive monsoon wind, and coated heavily enough to stay bright for 12–18 months outdoors. It’s the material behind fascia boards, real-estate site walls, and every hoarding that still looks fresh after a year. This guide covers 340 GSM flex completely: specifications, benefits, every major application, 2026 prices across India, and how to print and finish it properly.
340 GSM Flex: Specification Snapshot
| Property | Typical 340 GSM Flex |
|---|---|
| Weight | 340 g/m² (±5%) |
| Construction | Dense polyester scrim (~20×18) + thick double PVC coating |
| Finishes available | Matte (standard) & gloss (Star Flex) |
| Roll widths | 3.2, 5, 8, 10 ft (market-dependent) |
| Outdoor life | 10–18 months (quality inks, full sun) |
| Retail printing rate | ₹16–24/sq ft (2026, Tier-2 cities) |
| Best suited for | Framed boards, windy sites, 6–18 month campaigns |
5 Benefits That Make 340 GSM the Sweet Spot
1. Frame tension without sag
Light grades stretch and sag within weeks. 340 GSM’s stiffness holds tension for a year or more — the single biggest reason sign-makers specify it for fascia boards.
2. Real wind resistance
The dense scrim resists the flap-and-tear failure cycle. Hemmed and eyeleted properly, 340 GSM banners routinely survive full monsoon seasons.
3. Slower fading
Thicker PVC coating shields pigments from UV — roughly 50% slower fading than 280 GSM, which is why 340 boards stay presentable into their second year.
4. Better print surface
Heavier media lies flat through the printer and absorbs ink evenly — richer blacks, cleaner solids, fewer banding issues at quality speeds.
5. Cost-per-year winner
At ₹20/sq ft for ~16 months of service, 340 GSM works out ~₹15/year — cheaper than 240 or 280 GSM replaced twice as often. Full lifespan science in our flex durability guide.
Applications: Where 340 GSM Flex Works Best
| Application | Why 340 GSM |
|---|---|
| Shop fascia boards (framed) | Taut, vibrant, 1–2 year service — the default board grade |
| Star Flex gloss boards | Most Star Flex rolls come in 280–340 GSM; 340 is the premium pick |
| Real estate site walls | Months-long premium branding that mustn’t sag or fade |
| Franchise signage | Uniform tension and colour behaviour across outlets |
| Medium hoardings (60–100 sq ft) | Panel strength without 440’s cost |
| Windy street locations | Scrim strength beats flapping |
| Exhibition outdoor stalls | Tight backdrops that photograph well |
For complete board construction — frame specs, glow options, and total costs — see our best flex for shop boards guide.
340 GSM Flex Price in India (2026)
| City Tier | Printing Rate (₹/sq ft) | 8×4 Board Print Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Metro (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru…) | ₹20–28 | ₹640–900 |
| Tier 2 (Lucknow, Jaipur, Indore…) | ₹16–22 | ₹510–700 |
| Tier 3 towns | ₹14–18 | ₹450–580 |
Star Flex finish adds ~₹3–5/sq ft; hemming + eyelets add ₹150–250 per banner; frame fabrication (for boards) runs ₹60–120/sq ft. City-wise rates for all materials are in our flex rate per sq ft guide.
340 GSM vs the Grades Around It
| vs Grade | When to Stay at 340 | When to Switch |
|---|---|---|
| 280 GSM | Boards, windy sites, 6+ month jobs | Switch to 280 for banners under 6 months (saves ₹4–6/sq ft) |
| 440 GSM | Panels under ~100 sq ft, durations under 2 years | Switch to 440 for big hoardings & multi-year contracts — see our full GSM comparison |
| Star Flex 340 | Standard matte for distance viewing | Star finish for close-up vibrancy (+₹3–5/sq ft) |
Printing 340 GSM: Settings That Matter
- Heaters: pre 40–45°C, mid/post 45–50°C. Under-heated 340 GSM smears on the take-up roll.
- Pass count: 4–6 pass for boards; the coating rewards quality mode with noticeably deeper colour.
- Tension: heavy rolls amplify slack — check roll loading before every long run.
- Drying: allow full drying before lamination or tight winding; thick coatings hold solvent longer.
Finishing 340 GSM Right
- Hem width: 1.5–2 inch folds; thicker material needs the wider hem for strength.
- Eyelets: 12 mm, every 2 ft (every 1 ft in windy sites).
- Framing: staple/tension at 6–8 inch spacing; wrap 6–10 inches behind the frame.
- Lamination: optional for 18+ month jobs — adds UV and scratch protection.
Buying 340 GSM: Avoid the Short-Weight Trap
- Unbranded “340 GSM” rolls frequently weigh 300–310 GSM — test with a 1 m² cut and scale.
- Branded options: Star Flex, Flexit, Uniflex, Winsome, Galaxy, Korean imports (Seungil, Hiflex).
- Check the core label for GSM, width, length, and batch — legitimate mills print all four.
- Buy 50–100 m rolls for 10–20% better pricing than cut lengths.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is 340 GSM flex used for?
Framed shop boards, real-estate walls, medium hoardings, and any signage displayed 6–18 months — anywhere stiffness, wind strength, and fade resistance matter.
Q2. What is the price of 340 GSM flex printing?
₹16–24/sq ft retail in Tier-2 cities in 2026; ₹20–28 in metros. Star Flex finish adds ₹3–5/sq ft.
Q3. Is 340 GSM good for shop boards?
It’s the standard. 340 GSM (especially Star Flex finish) holds frame tension and stays bright 12–18 months — the best balance of cost and durability for boards.
Q4. How long does 340 GSM flex last outdoors?
10–18 months in full sun with quality inks; longer in shade or with lamination.
Q5. 340 GSM vs 280 GSM — which should I pick?
340 for framed/windy/long jobs; 280 for banners under 6 months. Full breakdown in our 280 vs 340 GSM comparison.
Q6. Can 340 GSM survive monsoon?
Yes — it’s the minimum sensible grade for monsoon-exposed framed boards, provided edges are hemmed and eyelets spaced every 2 ft.
Q7. Does 340 GSM need special printer settings?
Higher heater temperatures (45–50°C) and stable tension; otherwise standard solvent/eco-solvent profiles work.
Q8. Is Star Flex available in 340 GSM?
Yes — 340 GSM Star Flex is the premium shop-board material in India, combining gloss vibrancy with board-grade stiffness.
Q9. How much does an 8×4 ft board cost in 340 GSM?
Printing: ₹450–900 depending on city. With frame fabrication and installation: ₹3,000–4,500 complete.
Q10. Should hoardings use 340 or 440 GSM?
Under ~100 sq ft and 18-month durations, 340 is fine. Bigger panels or longer contracts: 440 GSM for wind engineering and life.
Make 340 GSM Boards Your Signature Product
Board-grade printing demands stable heat and tension. UED’s solvent & eco-solvent printers are built for heavy media — with genuine inks, spares, and free training across India.
Final Word
340 GSM flex is where economy meets permanence: stiff enough for frames, strong enough for wind, coated enough for time. Specify it for every board and long campaign, buy branded rolls, print in quality mode — and your signage will out-promise and out-last the competition.
