Help.

Hopefully these hints and tips will be of some use to you when requesting a quote or ordering making sure that you get the best possible product for your requirements.

Banners and flags

When requesting a quote for banners or flags please give as much detail as possible. The main points we need to give you the best price are:

  • Size
  • Quantity
  • Number of colours (line/solid or tone/process please state)
  • Printed one side or both (if both same image is assumed unless otherwise stated)
  • Material type (See below)

We will the advise the best and most economical print method for the product/s you have described. If you require a specific material type or make up please give as much detail as possible.

Quantity

With both screen and digital printing the economy of bulk applies. While we are happy to print one of anything it's worth noting that with items such as flags it may be prudent to order more as the unit cost will be dramatically reduced. If it is not a one off promotional item any extras ordered you can keep in stock for future use.

Materials

Below is a list of the most commonly used materials and a brief description. Other materials are available.

  • PVC reinforced. Tough hard wearing flexible material used typically for single sided banners. Can be screen or digitally printed. Available in a range of colours.

Reinforced PVC

  • PVC Opaque. Tough hard wearing fabric with built in anti show through layer typically used for double sided banners. Can be screen or digitally printed.
  • PVC Mesh. Tough and hard wearing this fabric allows air to pass through reducing wind resistance. Ideal for large outdoor banners. Can be screen or digitally printed.

White mesh PVCBlack mesh PVC

  • PVC Unsupported. Light weight material used mainly for outdoor bunting. Can also be used for small banners. Can be screen or digitally printed.
  • Knitted polyester. Hard wearing flag and display fabric with a modern shiny appearance. Can be digitally or screen printed.

White knitted polyester

  • Woven polyester. Hard wearing flag and display fabric with a traditional wooly appearance. Can be screen printed or digitally printed if the flag is to be double sided.

White woven polyester

  • Canvas (Art). High quality canvas effect material. This material has many uses including fine art prints and internal display. Can be screen or digitally printed.

White art canvas

  • Nylon. Hard wearing but light fabric. Used mainly for indoor and outdoor bunting. Available in a range of colours. Can be screen printed on one side.
  • PU Coated Nylon. As above but polyurethane coated. This fabric is used mainly in the manufacture of wind cones. Can be screen printed on one side and is available in fluorescent orange or white.

Single or Double sided?

  • Single sided. In the case of banners this means the image will appear on one side only. With flags the image will appear correctly on one side and as a mirror image on the reverse.
  • Double sided. In order to print both sides of a banner we need to use opaque PVC (see materials above). This is a heavier weight material which can make very large banners hard to handle and increases the risk of material failure. One alternative is to use PVC mesh. However this can result in some "show through" of the image on the reverse. To make a double sided flag two flags are sewn back to back with interlining to "reduce" the show through. This makes the flag heavier and less likely to fly in low winds. Unless your flag is of the hanging variety we would advise against double sided unless the design will be seriously compromised.

Colours

With screen printing each colour is printed as a separate process so the more colours you have the more expensive the unit cost will be. This is true for all types of screen printed product. If you require a larger quantity it is best to keep the number of colours to a minimum to keep the unit cost down. Most multi coloured designs can be printed as four colour process which gives a good compromise between a large number of colours and cost. Please state when requesting a quote if the colours are solid/line colours, tones/graduations or process/picture images.

With digital printing all the colours are printed at the same time so you can have as many colours as you like with no cost penalty. This makes it ideal for smaller quantities and for a multi coloured design, tone and process work. However the relatively low speed of print does not make it economical on larger quantities.

We will always offer the most economical print type for your specification. If you prefer one print type to the other please specify which on your quote request.

Screen printed line colour bannerScreen printed 4 colour process with specials (Metalic silver and line colours) Screen printed line colour flagScreen printed tone flag

Make up.

There are an infinite number of options when it comes to make up. Please be as specific as possible. Some of the more standard options are listed below.

  • Banner 1. Hem all round with eyelets evenly spaced.

Hem and eyelet (back view)

  • Banner 2. Hem or cut sides with pocket top and bottom for banner arm.
  • Flag 1. Hem. Heading, line and toggle. This is the standard UK make up for most vertical flag poles.

Heading and line (base of flag)Heading and toggle (top of flag)

  • Flag 2. Angled top with heading, line and toggle + tie line.
  • Flag 3. Hem. Pocket to top for rotating arm flag pole, heading with eyelets evenly spaced to inside (pole) edge.
  • Flag 4. Double sided. Sewn back to back with interlining, heading line and toggle.

There are many other options such as pockets, cord, cable ties and wind slots that can be added to banner make up. With flags there are battens, feather flag pockets, "D" rings and anti fray among others that can be added to flag make up.

 

If you have any questions please contact us.