If you’re new in the trade show circuit, you’re probably unfamiliar with how to trade banners work. They’re an integral part of visual marketing and they help businesses get their message across during trade shows and conventions. A well-placed banner can get people interested in your business and its products straight from the get-go. You might be wondering what to look out for when buying a banner stand. Here are some of the basics.

The Base of the Banner

Every banner stand has a base. It’s the hardware component closest to the floor which helps give the banner stability. It’s basically the part that allows the banner to stand upright without spontaneously tipping over. However, the base can have a bunch of interesting functionalities that help the banner become more practical.

In some cases, the banner is hollow and it contains a rolling mechanism. This allows the graphic to be rolled inside and kept stored until it’s needed. Retractable banners with rolling mechanisms tend to be bulkier at the base, but they aren’t necessarily heavier. Bases can also be made to be like a tripod. This gives them extra stability when mounting the banner and they can be even lighter and easier to transport during trade shows.

Surprisingly, you can even have a banner stand without a base. X style stands which use tension to keep the banner up. The frame in the back supports the graphic, which is only slightly above floor height.

The Support Pole

The support pole is a pretty straightforward piece of hardware. As its name suggests, it helps provide support to the banner and it keeps it upright. It’s almost always tubular in shape and it connects the base of the banner to the very top. There are two main varieties of support poles: telescoping and shock-corded.

Shock-corded support poles work very similarly to tent poles. There are two to three tubing sections that are held together with a tension cord that runs down the middle. This allows it to instantly snap into place when deployed. One of the great benefits of a shock-corded support pole is that you don’t have to adjust the height of the banner every time you decide to set it up.

Telescoping support poles are a bit different. It’s usually exactly the same height as the length of the base. It features the main tube section with nested sections that telescope out. They usually lock into place once the tube slides out and stay put until you decide to retract it. If your stand uses one of these, you can decide the height of the banner and set it up to your preference.

The Top Bar

This is the final piece of the banner hardware. It’s like the cherry on top. However, it’s not a decorative detail, but rather a very important practical element. Its main function is to hold the top of the graphic in place, essentially stabilizing the banner.

An improperly set up top bar can cause a variety of problems. You might see wrinkles and creases on the graphic, making it look unprofessional. A cheap bar can bend after a while, causing the banner to look uneven and crooked. This can give off the impression of a very unprofessional and improperly done job. This is why it’s always recommended to strive for top quality when choosing the top bar.

The Basics of the Graphic

The main part of your banner is the graphic. By design, it’s also the most easily noticeable part. You use this element to convey a visual message and draw people in. The graphic is the material used in the banner, but what really matters is the design of the graphic itself.

When purchasing a banner, you need to figure out whether a graphic is included with the original price. It’s not uncommon for the hardware components to be sold separately from the graphic.

The Graphic Features

Since the banner’s graphic makes up most of the cost of the banner, you need to make sure that you get the right one. Graphics come in many shapes, sizes, and textures, which is why it helps to know a little bit about what they all do. Ask yourself a couple of key questions before deciding on the graphic.

What kind of finish should the graphic have? Getting banner display stands with a matte finish can increase visibility and give some nice texture to the design. A glossy finish might look nice at first, but it would make it difficult to read the message in certain lighting conditions. Do you choose paper or laminate? Paper banners are attractive, but they don’t last very long. They’re easily ripped and they tend to spontaneously tear after a while. Laminated banners last quite a bit longer and they aren’t affected by wind and rain.

You should always check if the banner has a warranty. The graphic on your banner stand tends to fade after a while, which makes it less effective over time. If it’s warrantied, you can always replace it when it loses its sharpness or the laminate starts peeling off.

The Size of the Banner

Banners come in all possible shapes and sizes to accommodate different businesses and marketing strategies. Sometimes, you only need a small banner that is strategically placed to convey your message. Other times, you’re going to want something big and eye-catching.

With the size of the banner, you have two dimensions to look out for: height and width. There are very few limitations when it comes to either of them. You can create a banner that is much taller than the average person, and make it stand out. Alternatively, you can also make tiny banners that you can place on platforms to get people to come closer. Banner stands can be made as narrow as a foot or wider than three feet. You can combine several of them to create one large banner that is the width of your choice. Huge banners can come in handy during a trade show.

Banner stands have many practical uses during trade shows and conventions and they are utilized by businesses all over the world. When you decide to get your business out there, banner stands can prove to be some of the most effective ways to market it.