Flag banner printing

Feather, teardrop or blade

The shapes used in flag banner printing are not interchangeable. A teardrop flag holds its form, with a curved face and a compact look, but leaves less room for words. A feather flag is tall and slim, and suits a short vertical message. A rectangular or blade flag keeps the most usable area, which helps with a longer brand name. Bear in mind that a curved edge will crop or distort artwork placed too close to it, so always design on the template for the exact flag.

What people see from the wrong side

Single-sided flags are normally printed on knitted polyester, and the ink passes through so that the reverse shows a mirror image. For pictures and colours, that is fine. Words, though, read backwards from one direction. If a flag is on a road or path where people approach both ways, consider a double-sided version, which has a blockout layer or two sewn faces. It costs more and is heavier, but your name reads properly from both sides. More on the material is on our fabric banners page.

Match the base to the ground

• Ground spike: soft grass and earth, but check for buried cables and pipes
• Cross base: indoors or on hard floors, often with a water bag for weight
• Water or sand filled base: tarmac and paving
• Car wheel plate: held in place by a parked vehicle

Take flags down in strong winds, because poles have limits. Placing one on a public pavement may need permission, so check with the landowner or local council. For a static alternative at an entrance, see banner printing.

Related topics

• Ceiling hanging banners
• Eco-textile printing
• Tension fabric displays