Does the situation sound familiar – where out of the holy trinity of fast, good quality, and cheap, you can only pick two?
Today we share a few tips with you on how to order banners efficiently.
"If you start planning your banner project in time, you won't have to compromise on either price or quality."
Before I walk you through the pitfalls and how to prevent and avoid them, I'd like to share a story.
A few years ago, my family and I set out to renovate our kitchen. Nearing the end, we ran into a problem: we had forgotten to order the countertop. We found a furniture panel cutting shop in Újpest that agreed to take on the job even on the same day.
Picture my wife and me, standing starry-eyed in the doorway of the panel shop, debating what colour to choose. She wanted white; I was thinking light beech or birch. When we walked in and told them we needed the cut-to-size panel by the next day, there was only one colour they could offer:
"Wenge"
We stared at that dark-brown panel for years afterwards, because we hadn't left enough time for production. I shared this experience because it gives us a sense of what situations we may face. We've lived through what it feels like when it's too late to choose – that's why we want to help.
1. Plan ahead
It has happened many times that clients called us on a Thursday afternoon wanting to order a banner for Saturday. Once we clarified the details, it turned out the artwork wasn't even ready. Can you imagine the answer when we asked whether they knew the exact dimensions of the installation site? Of course not.
"With a tight deadline, options are limited."
In the article below I've compiled urgent agency stories – if you're curious to find out how a quiet Friday afternoon can turn into complete bedlam, read on!
Getting back to banner planning: we started with designing the artwork, then began looking for a print shop that could deliver the order by Friday afternoon. Even so, success is not guaranteed. If there isn't enough time for the artwork, time pressure only allows for template-based solutions.
If we can spend a week on graphic design, the visual designer colleague can develop their proposal more thoroughly, and you don't have to rush your approval either. Not only will the result look better, it will sell and communicate more effectively. And that's why you're doing it, isn't it?
The same applies to production. If at least 3 days are not available for banner production, there's no time to order materials, so you have to choose from what's in stock. Want mesh fabric but only regular banner material is available? Sorry, it's that or nothing. There may not be time for eyeleting or other processes that ensure durability. And let's not even mention drying time. So you get the picture.
2. Know your exact dimensions
Everything starts with the size. Portrait or landscape format? If landscape, is it 28×1 metres or 3×2 metres? The creative also changes with the aspect ratio.
"Pro tip: the first number indicates the width of the material, the second the length – this is a common mix-up."
3. Stunning artwork is the key ingredient for success
What should go on the banner?
- A single logo and a slogan, or a photographic background made up of multiple elements?
- Would you like completely unique artwork designed for this banner?
- Everything is possible if there is enough time.
The artwork must be submitted as a print-ready file, usually in PDF format. For digital prints, including banners, no bleed is required, but no text or important graphic element should be placed within 5–10 cm of the edge, due to folding and eyeleting.
4. Listen to experts when choosing materials
The banner and the mesh fabric are the two most common banner types, but there are less frequently used ones as well, such as silk satin. Your agency or print shop can help you choose the right material if you tell them where you intend to use it.
5. Safe, disappointment-free installation
How do you want to mount the banner? The two most common methods are pole pockets and eyelets. A pole pocket means the material is folded back on two parallel sides so that a 3–5 cm thick rod can be threaded through. These rods secure the banner in place. If it is only fixed at the top and wind can blow it, a weight is placed at the bottom to prevent it from swinging. An eyelet is a small round ring pressed into the banner every 20–50 cm so that a rope can be threaded through to hold the banner in position.
These are just the two most common methods; numerous other solutions exist.
What matters is not who installs the banner, but that someone takes care of it. Think about who will do this and allow time for it. Even if no professional lifting equipment is needed, someone still has to go to the site to put the banner up.
6. Quantity? Think ahead!
Bear in mind that the larger the quantity, the longer the delivery time. However, the unit production cost decreases proportionally as the order quantity increases.
7. Deadline
Allow enough time for the entire process:
We recommend planning your banner order well in advance to avoid unexpected delays. Work backwards from your deadline.
We hope the 7 solid tips above help you place a hassle-free banner order. With advance planning and a reliable partner, a high-quality, on-time delivered banner can be more than just a dream!
The original article can be read here: 7 master tips for a smooth banner order
Written by: Hegedűs Pál / Brandventure Advertising Agency
Written by: Hegedűs Pál / Brandventure Advertising Agency
