Best Practices:
How To Display Your Banner

Rich Cruz

During our time in business I've noticed several recurring problems when it comes to marketing, advertising, and promoting a company. This series of "Best Practices" articles is aimed to tackle some of those issues by discussing some of the lessons we've learned over time.

This first article of the series is about "How To Display Your Banner." What we've come to observe is that so many people just don't know how to keep a banner safe and looking its best so it can do its job. If it doesn't look good, you don't look good. Improper hanging of an outdoor banner can be not only unsightly, but can pose a hazard when and if the wind catches it like a sail.

Here are a few techniques you can use to properly display a banner:

• Bungees: Our abosolute favorite way to hang a banner. If you have two poles, a fence, or even a trailer where you can hook the end of a bungee, you can create a taut banner that will yield to the elements. Make sure that you use bungees on the top and the bottom, and try to keep the bungees parallel with the ground (not the infamous "X" pattern we sometime see). We recommend using the black rubber bungees over the woven elastic bungees.
• Zip Ties: When you have a chain link fence, plastic zip ties can help you to hang your banner. Take your time and be careful, however. Be sure to put some tension on the banner, and use zip ties at least every two feet on the top, bottom, and sides.
• "The Great Way": If you have two posts (green u-channel works nicely), place 4 eye bolts with washers and nuts on the post at the same distance apart. Sink the posts into the ground so that they are at the same level. Using a turnbuckle, stretch aircraft cable across the top of the poles (like a clothes line). Use bungees to stretch the banner between the posts by placing one hook in the grommet of the banner, and the other in the eye hook. Be sure to crimp the hook. Finally, use caribiner hooks in the top grommets like a shower curtain.
• "The Ultimate Way": This method is the same as "The Great Way," but instead of using bungees use ratcheting tie-down straps, and use a solid pole of wood or metal. This method is especially useful for over-the-street banners.
• Banner Stands: There are a variety of outdoor banner stands. Our favorite recommendations are the "Monsoon" and the "Storm Pro" which can be found by clicking HERE.
• Banner Frames: If you have not seen a banner frame in action, you may not be looking hard enough. Used on the sides of buildings, in sports arenas, on the sides of busses and trailers, and even in some bathrooms for advertising, banner frames allow you to create a very taut banner with an extremely polished and smooth finish. Click here for more information.Screws
• Poles: Often seen on street light poles, pole banners dress up a neighborhood, ring in the holidays, and can serve as advertisement for a business with a parking lot. Many businesses also display their monthly specials on banner poles that are attached to their buildings.
• Ceiling Hooks: If you have an indoor banner, you can use acoustic ceiling hooks to hang your banner. Try a hanging rail or a pole-pocket with a pole and string to keep your banner hanging straight.
• Suction Cups: If you have a large window, suction cups can hang your banner in your window flat from the inside or the outside. They don't leave a mark, they give you great window appeal, and they attract customers from the street or sidewalk.They are also quite inexpensive and VERY easy to install.
• Velcro: Finally, hook-and-loop Velcro can hang a banner on a wall that will change frequently. Limited performance outdoors, Velcro can last and last for indoor applications, though we know a sports park that uses both Velcro and Banner Frames to display their sponsorship banners.

If you need any help displaying your banner, don't hestitate to Contact Us. We can even install your banner for you to ensure a great installation. Also, don't forget: Always roll your banner (don't fold it) with the image side out when storing it.