Flags, Banners and Display Stands: A UK Guide to Large-Format Printing

Flags, banners and display stands: which to choose, how to prepare artwork and how to keep them in good condition outdoors.

What is the difference between a feather flag and a teardrop flag?

A feather flag is tall and narrow with a curved top edge, while a teardrop flag is rounded like a water droplet. Feather flags give more vertical space for longer wording, and they sway more in a breeze. Teardrop flags tend to hold their shape better in gusts but have less printing area, so short messages suit them. Both are usually printed on lightweight fabric and need a pole and base.

Can feather flags be used in strong wind?

They cope best in calm to light wind, and strong gusts make the fabric flutter so text is hard to read. In a stiff wind, a teardrop shape or a heavier base is often a better choice. Never leave any flag standing in severe weather, because a flexing pole can snap or topple over. Check the forecast on the day and take it down if conditions turn rough.

How big should my banner or flag be?

Size depends on viewing distance and the space you can actually fix it to, so measure that space first. A banner read from across a car park needs far larger lettering than one seen at a stall counter. A rough rule is that text should stay readable at the distance people will pass. Tell FabricForge the location and viewing distance when you ask for a quote and sensible options can be talked through.

What resolution does an image need for a banner?

It depends on how close people will stand. Some printers quote around 100 dpi at full size for banners viewed from a distance, while others ask for 300 dpi, so there is no single rule. Very large banners are viewed from farther away and can use lower resolution. Check what your printer needs before sending anything. Logos and text should be vector artwork wherever possible, because vectors stay sharp at any size.

How do I prepare artwork for a very large print?

Large files can become huge, so many designers build the artwork at a fraction of the final size, such as half or quarter scale. If you do this, the resolution must rise by the same factor to give the same detail at full size, so a quarter-scale file needs four times the dpi. Always note the scale in the file name. Send the files and ask if the printer can check them before printing.

Why does my logo look blurry on a banner?

Most blur comes from using a small web image or screenshot, which has too few pixels once enlarged to banner size. A bitmap logo stretched across several metres will always look soft. The fix is a vector file such as an SVG, EPS or a vector PDF, or a much larger original image. Ask whoever designed your logo for the master files. Avoid enlarging a small image in software to make it look bigger.

What are eyelets and hems on a banner?

A hem is a folded and welded border that strengthens the edge so the banner does not fray or tear. Eyelets are metal rings set into the hem so you can tie or clip the banner to a fence, wall or frame. They are usually spaced along each edge, and more points spread the load. Use every eyelet rather than just the corners, which is where most tearing starts.

Should I choose a vinyl banner or a mesh banner?

Solid vinyl suits sheltered spots, shopfronts and indoor use, and gives rich, solid colour. Mesh has tiny holes that let wind pass through, so it is often better for exposed outdoor sites such as fences or open land. The printed image can look slightly less crisp on mesh. Indoor displays may use lighter materials that are not meant for rain, so say where the banner will hang when you request a quote.

How do I hang a banner so it does not tear in the wind?

Attach it at every eyelet, not just the four corners, and use rope, bungee cord or cable ties so it can flex slightly. Fix it firmly rather than stretched drum-tight, since gusts then pull directly on each eyelet. Wind slits or holes cut by hand can create weak spots, so printers often advise against them. Where wind is likely, mesh is a better choice, and take the banner down in severe weather.

What is the difference between a pop-up stand, a roller banner and a fabric display stand?

A roller banner has the graphic wound into a base and pulled up to a pole, which makes it quick to set up. A fabric tension stand uses a frame with a stretched fabric graphic, and the graphic can often be changed while the frame stays. A pop-up stand is a larger folding frame that makes a backdrop. Which is best depends on space, budget, how often the message changes and how you will transport it.

Are printed flags and banners waterproof, and how long do they last outdoors?

Banner vinyl and flag fabric made for outdoor use are designed to shrug off normal rain, but constant sun, wind and rubbing slowly wear them down. Lifespan depends on the material, the location and how securely it is fixed, so nobody can give an honest guarantee. Colours fade over time in strong sunlight. Ask for an outdoor-suitable material, and take items down during storms to extend their life.

What do I need to display a flag at an event?

You need the printed flag, a pole and a base suited to the ground. A cross base with a water bag works well on hard surfaces in calm conditions, a ground spike suits grass or sand, and a heavier base helps where it is windy or crowded. Place flags away from walkways so nobody trips on them. Tell FabricForge where it will be used and ask what base options can be quoted.

How should I store and clean banners and fabric stands?

Let the item dry completely before packing it away, because damp storage causes mould and marks. Roll vinyl banners loosely with the print facing inward rather than folding them, which can crease the ink. Clean with mild soap, water and a soft cloth, and avoid solvent cleaners that can lift the print. For fabric stands and flags, follow any care guidance supplied and keep them in the bag or case.

Planning a banner around where it will be read

The most useful question before any artwork is who will look at it and from how far away. A banner on a shop front is read by people walking past in a few seconds, so it needs one short message and large lettering. A stand beside a seated audience can carry more detail because people have time to read. Stand back from your screen mock-up, or print it on a plain sheet at a reduced size and view it from across a room, to see what truly stays readable.

• Put the single most important word or logo in the top third, where eyes land first.
• Keep a clear margin around the edges so hems and eyelets do not swallow any lettering.
• Use strong contrast between text and background; pale grey on white disappears outdoors.
• Limit yourself to two typefaces at most and avoid thin script styles at a distance.

Common mistakes we see with large prints

• Enlarging a small web image and hoping it will hold up; start from the largest original you can find.
• Sending a design with the phone number or website tucked right against the trim edge.
• Choosing a colour on screen without remembering that screens glow and printed material does not, so ask about a proof first.
• Forgetting that a flag is seen from both sides, and deciding in advance how the reverse should look.

Should I order extras of the same banner?

If you run regular events, a spare can save you when one gets creased or marked. Say how many you want when you request a quote, and remember that FabricForge prints by DTF only, so ask us what we can do for your specific item and material before you finalise the design.

More printing guides

• DTF Printing Explained
• Custom T-Shirt Printing in the UK
• Custom Hoodie Printing in the UK
• How to Wash and Care for Printed Clothing
• Artwork and File Preparation for Printing on Clothing
• How to Order Custom Printed Clothing
• Group Orders
• Workwear, Hi-Vis and Scrubs Printing
• Sports Kit Printing
• Pet Bandanas, Pet Hoodies and Personalised Gifts
• Flyers, Business Cards and Stationery Printing
• Funeral and Memorial Printing