How to Choose the Right Outdoor Banner Stands
Outdoor banners are some of the hardest-working items in your promotional tool kit. These workhorses have to withstand wind, rain, dirt, temperature changes, and all the other challenges the great outdoors has to offer. It’s important to pick the right design, style, and material for your business so that your investment in banner stands will last.
The design of your trade show outdoor banner stands is critical to its overall effectiveness. Remember, this version of your logo or image will be seen not only by people at the event but by anyone passing by, too. That includes the walking or driving traffic near the event, plus the people at the event so it’s an added marketing bonus to have an outdoor banner.
Since it’s getting so much viewing time, your design needs to be good. This is no time to let amateurs handle things; you’ll need an experienced professional. Your design should be strong, clear, simple, and readable at a distance. People on the move in cars or on foot won’t take time to read a lot of copy so don’t cram it full of words. Graphic elements and full color printing will serve you much better than a lot of text.
Hand-in-hand with design will be the style of banner you choose. Will it be a large window covering or self-supporting flags on portable banner stands? Will it have an unusual shape? Does it need to be light and moveable? A professional can help you match the event with the right style among the many choices in outdoor banner stands.
Materials will be another element to discuss with your display professional. Vinyl is one of the most durable materials used in making banners. It is often the best choice for outdoor use since it is resistant to wind and rain, easy to clean, and unlikely to fade in the sun. However, all vinyl is not the same.
Flat vinyl is the heaviest and least likely to curl. It’s good for close-up reading and offers excellent color saturation. Scrim vinyl uses both horizontal and vertical fibers to make one of the most durable materials. It can curl but it’s also flexible in breezes. If high winds are an issue, mesh vinyl might be the answer. The holes allow both wind and light to flow through, which is great for window covering and windy locations but not good for backlighting.
As you can see, there are a number of considerations in design, style, and materials to consider. The event itself should largely dictate your decisions. Think of where your banner stands will be placed and let that knowledge guide your choices.
Visit the trade show or event site if at all possible. Get a feel for the size of the venue and the distance your outdoor banners will be from participants to help guide your design. Ask about the local weather and look up historical data to determine what you might be faced with during the event dates. Talk to organizers and previous participants to see what challenges have already been faced and perhaps conquered.
Preparation often makes the difference between a successful outdoor display and one that falls flat. Consult someone who knows how to make the most of your budget and get the results you want.