This is our online guide to large format printed banners. Your main choices for large format banners are either dye sublimation printed cloth fabric banners or digitally printed PVC (vinyl) banners, but the important thing is that the inks or dyes are printed in durable and bright photographic quality.

The discussions I have shared here are not limited to just the printing itself, but also cover designing your banners, how to purchase, display, and maintain them, and how to store them.

Common Terms for Quick Screen Banner Stands

For educational purposes, I will say that the more common terms for this banner stand are 1) adjustable banner stands, 2) retractable banner stands, 3) roll-up banner stands, and 4) pull-up banner stands. These banner stands may also go by other names, which are typically brand names applied to the same stands everyone else sells in an attempt to differentiate their brand from other seller’s offerings,

Question: I am a graphics broker – or as some would say, a “middle-man” – and would like to know where to find wholesale or discounted pricing on retractable banner stands – also known as roll-up banner stands or pull-up banner stands?

There are a lot of wholesale companies in the US, Canada, and Europe that sell to brokers. We’ve found that most of them are too over-priced for us to be able to add a mark-up and still remain competitive.

Question: How much copy or how many letters can be printed on a pull-up or roll up banner?

Retractable banners, also known as roll-up and pull-up banner stands, average a floor model size (non-table top models which are shorter) is around 32 inches in width and 78 to 83 inches in height. Mind you, this is an average, and there are all manner of sizes available today as well as the ability to make custom retractable banner stands,

Question: We’re debating in the marketing department at our firm whether to use a retractable floor banner stand or a table top roll up fabric banner stand – which do you think we should use?

This question is really one of preference, and it is my opinion that the message is more important than the medium, and also will depend somewhat on other graphics and advertising you have in your trade show booth as well as the size of the booth.

Question: Why are fabric graphics, rather than vinyl graphics, used for most premium banner stands?

Generally speaking, fabric is lighter and lays better than vinyl, or PVC banners. Hence, it rolls better inside a pop up banner stand or roll up banner stand and it doesn’t tend to get permanent wrinkles like vinyl will.

Fabric is the Best Option

There are other materials available for roll up banners as well that are decent quality such as polyethylene and plasticized papers,

Question: Can I make a “wall” out of the banners? Will the pictures connect?

Sort of. And sort of. There are several styles of banner stands that can help you create a sort of wall with your banners. Some of you might be wondering why you would even want a “banner wall,” but in reality, it can be a very professional looking backdrop to your stage or tradeshow booth.

Banner Stands

There are several styles of banner stands that will accomplish your wall o’banners.

Question: What is the difference between the banner used on a wall or one used for a Banner Stand?

All banners that can be used in a stand can also be used as a wall banner, although you may want a larger banner if it’s on a wall. The main types of material that can be used in a banner stand are dye sublimate printed cloth banners and DSG-type banners.

Banner Printing Methods

Dye sublimation printed fabric banners are usually a polyester or other synthetic fabric that are printed using either a CMYO print to a transfer paper,

This week, Bob and Larry both loaded up their marketing kits, which include portable trade show booths, brochures, business cards, a multimedia kiosk, and a table top display and headed to a regional business technology trade show.

Bob’s marketing director, however, purchased a couple new double sided banner stands.

Of course, the obvious pat answerer will explain that surely Salesman A, using his retractable stands, was simply a better sales man than Salesman B.