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Custom banners are powerful attention-grabbers that put any business in the spotlight. They’re designed to stand tall or hang high, showcasing business messages with vibrant colors and clear graphics. Banners are weather-resistant, making them equally easy to use outdoors and indoors.
This guide explains what types of banners lead the marketing industry and help businesses triumph.
Key Takeaways
- Custom banners are available with or without support bases and frames, and are typically made from durable vinyl or fabric materials.
- Banners are widely used by businesses for commercial, informational, and decorative purposes across various settings.
- Choosing the right banner involves considering factors such as the application area, longevity, material quality, maintenance needs, and other important details.
What is a Banner?
A banner is a simple, versatile marketing tool that businesses widely use to express their brand identity and highlight promotions. Banners are of various types, consisting of different materials and a number of base constructions and stands.
Companies use these displays as advertising, informative, and decorative items during promotional and celebratory events. Personalize their sizes, texts, and graphics as you like.
Let’s dive a bit deeper and discover why this product is so powerful and which type can make you stand out.
Why Banners Are Essential for Business Advertising and Events
There are numerous types of banners for events and advertising purposes. They all have similar advantages, making them irreplaceable in the marketing industry.
- Durability: Banners withstand fluctuating weather conditions, from harsh and windy winters to scorching summers.
- Versatility: Banners are easy to transport and can be set up both indoors and outdoors.
- 24/7 Brand Awareness: Banners provide continuous, around-the-clock promotion.
- High Visibility: Banners make your message easy to spot, even from a distance.
- Cost-Saving: A one-time purchase goes a long way—reuse the hardware with different banners to save more.
Types of Banner Materials
The choice of your custom banner’s face material depends on where it’ll be applied. You can use the material with or without hardware. Different types of banners come with mesh, vinyl, and fabric faces.
Mesh Banners
Mesh banners are lightweight, perforated materials that offer effective advertising campaigns for outdoor settings. You can find them near construction sites, at outdoor festivals, sports events, and concerts. Mesh banners are ideal for windy weather. Thanks to their perforation, the wind passes through the material and doesn’t rip it apart.
Vinyl Banners
Vinyl banners are resilient, weatherproof, sturdy, and lightweight. They serve all types of businesses and organizations because they can showcase bold graphics for a long time. You can use vinyl banners indoors and outdoors. This product is also commonly used with stands.
Fabric Banners
Fabric banners are woven textile materials that are much softer than mesh and vinyl. This material is wrinkle- and sun-resistant. Fabric banners are used at trade exhibitions, sports events, conferences, and other occasions. They help people create nice backdrops for photoshoots and interviews.
Different Types of Banners for Events and Advertising
The wide selection of banners helps businesses, event planners, and organizations choose a solution that best complements their campaigns. Here are the most common types of banners for advertising and events.
Retractable Banners
Retractable banners are lightweight, reusable, and portable marketing products. The banner face stays safe and undamaged during storage and transportation as it rolls into the base.
Best For
A retractable banner is ideal for interior applications. You can use them at conferences, corporate events, stores, and trade shows.
Read about the best trade show banners you can use for more ideas.
How to Use
Pull the banner out of the base, click the support pole in place, and hand the lead bar to the top of the pole. Place it near entrances and presentation tables to maximize visibility and boost interest.
X‑Stand Banners
X-stand banners are simple, affordable, and common products. The simple construction allows you to set it up within minutes without any tools. It takes up little space and is easy to reposition.
Best For
Use X-stand banners at expos, retail promotions, and community gatherings. This product is an excellent marketing tool for your seasonal deals if you place it near the entrance, where foot traffic meets storefronts.
How to Use
Assemble the frame and hang the banner on the hardware through the grommets at all four corners. Deploy them for short seasonal deals and informative purposes.
Hanging Banners
Among all the types of banners, only these displays take up no floor space and garner tons of attention from large distances. Made of durable vinyl, mesh, and fabric, hanging banners come in various sizes, ranging from small to massive.
Best For
Hanging banners are useful across industries, businesses, and organizations for informative and commercial purposes.
How to Use
Mount the banner high up off the ground to establish good visibility. Hang it with ropes, hooks, clips, or other tools that will support its weight. Make sure it’s safely reinforced to withstand changing weather conditions.
Feather Flags
Feather flags provide maximum visibility, piquing intrigue from afar. This cost-effective product is good for outdoor and indoor applications. The good news about feather flags is that they take up little space on the ground when running strong promotional campaigns.
Best For
These flags are best for trade shows, grand openings, community events, retail promotions, sports events, real estate listings, and beyond.
How to Use
Assemble the poles and slide the face over them. Support it with a base or ground stake. Place it near the entrances, sidewalks, and other busy areas.
Teardrop Flags
Teardrop flags offer clear messages and graphics with their modern design. The face material is wrinkle-resistant, doesn’t flap in the wind, and stands high. Teardrop flags are used outdoors for commercial and non-commercial needs. They’re lightweight, easy to put up, and relocate.
Best For
You can use them at construction sites, retail stores, shopping malls, restaurants, and other places.
How to Use
Assemble the hardware and pull the face material over the poles. Support the product with a base. Place it in areas where consistent promotions are important.
Pole Banners
Pole banners are one of the most common types of advertising banners used outdoors. They attract customers from a high altitude without halting the traffic. Pole banners are tear-resistant. They withstand strong winds, precipitation, and sunlight.
Best For
Use them in community areas, campuses, parks, event venues, and other areas. They’re effective promotional and wayfinding tools.
How to Use
Keep the design bold and the text short. Reinforce the banner to the pole with brackets. Ensure the banner is safely supported and clearly visible. Place them on highways, streets, and other busy locations.
Step and Repeat Banners
Step and repeat banners are professional backdrops that will effectively help you with your branding. The biggest advantage of these banners is their chic appearance. They’re large, colorful, and filled with images.
Best For
A step and repeat banner creates a crafty corner for photography, interviews, grand openings, red carpet events, award ceremonies, and other high-level events.
How to Use
Design the face material with repeating logos or premium-quality graphics. Put up the frame and reinforce the banner to it. Despite its size, this type of banner is easy to carry from place to place.
Tension Fabric Displays
Tension fabric displays have a smooth and wrinkle-resistant surface that provides sleek and flawless branding. You can relocate and assemble this product in a matter of minutes because it’s lightweight and durable.
Best For
These displays are best for trade expeditions, conferences, corporate events, and community gatherings.
How to Use
Choose vibrant images and short texts when designing your tension fabric display. Slide the face material onto the frame, ensuring it’s tight and wrinkle-free. Place it in areas where 24/7 advertising is necessary.
Comparison of Banner Types
| Type | Usage | Material | Durability | Portability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retractable Banners | Conferences, trade shows | Vinyl | Medium to high | Moderate |
| X-Stand Banners | Seasonal sales, registration, and check-in areas | Vinyl | Medium | Easy |
| Hanging Banners | Seasonal promotions, sponsor recognition | Vinyl or fabric | High | Easy |
| Feather Flags | Trade shows, sports team branding, and sponsor branding | Polyester | Medium to high | Moderate |
| Teardrop Flags | Grand openings, car dealerships, and tournaments | Polyester | Medium to high | Moderate |
| Pole Banners | Street festivals and parades, seasonal campaigns, and project announcements | Vinyl | High | Easy |
| Step and Repeat Banners | Movie premieres, conferences, award shows, corporate parties, and media events | Fabric | High | Moderate |
| Tension Fabric Displays | Trade shows, seminars, graduation ceremonies, and store openings | Tension Fabric | Medium to high | Moderate |
How to Choose the Right Banner for Your Needs
Choosing between different banner types is about defining when, where, and how you want to use them. Here are some key factors you need to consider before picking a banner.
Purpose
Set your goal and define the purpose your banner will cover.
- Advertising: Stick to bold colors and intriguing text to quickly grab attention.
- Informative: Go for longer, clearer text to communicate details effectively.
Application
Banners are used indoors and outdoors. To ensure longevity and maintenance, choose a banner that endures the surrounding environment.
- Indoor use: Lightweight and delicate materials work well.
- Outdoor use: Choose sturdy vinyl banners with reinforced edges or supporting hardware.
Duration
Consider how long you’ll use the banner.
- Short-term use: Cost-effective materials are ideal for seasonal promotions.
- Long-term use: Opt for banners made with durable materials and premium printing.
Quality
The quality of your banner defines the importance of the campaigns you’re running.
- Moderate: Best suited for short-term, small business campaigns.
- Premium: High-quality materials and printing ideal for major marketing campaigns that aim to outshine the competition.
Maintenance
Pick a material that is easy to store and maintain.
- Vinyl banners: Easy to clean and suitable for use even in heavy rain.
- Fabric banners: Can be safely transported without causing wrinkles.
FAQs
Are banners effective for business advertising?
Yes, banners are effective marketing tools for all businesses and organizations. You can use them anywhere you want, indoors or outdoors.
How much do banners cost?
The cost of banners depends on the face material, support construction, sizes, installation accessories, and printing quality of the banner. Read our blog on the top custom banners questions answered for more information.
What material is best for banners?
Vinyl and fabric are the best material options for all types of banners.
What are the best banner types for retail advertising?
All types of banners are effectively used by businesses and organizations. However, some of them are irreplaceable for retail signage.
- Retractable banners;
- Step and repeat banners;
- Hanging banners;
- Feather flags.
What makes a banner stand out?
Several factors make a banner stand out:
- Banner material;
- Printing;
- Design;
- Support construction;
- Size.
Contact us now to get the help of our professionals and make pristine banners for your business.