Banner Guidelines for Customers

Banner Guidelines for Customers

A Handy Guide to Banner Fabrics, Hardware, and Accessories Banner Guidelines

Building long term relationships is important here at Downtown Decorations, Inc. We work with clients across the nation and around the world providing the finest qual- ity banners to shopping centers, municipalities, colleges, and community centers. We accentuate the strength of visual impact through our eye catching banners and un- derstand the importance of brand recognition and the value of great design. Dramatic visual elements –From bold splashes of color with Acrylic Marine Fabrics to our photo realistic banners through the use of 18 oz. Vinyl and Main Street Fabric. Whatever your needs may be, we are here for you every step of the way. DDI welcomes the op- portunity to create that “long term” relationship with you, and your team. DDI welcomes the opportunity to work with you Clients

WE LOVE OUR

Some of our clients include:

PROUD MEMBERS OF

GETTING STARTED EASY AS 1,2,3. Knowledge is power. This handy guide was created to ensure that you get the best banners unique to your city or downtown needs.

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5

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CHOOSE SIZING

CREATE DESIGN

CHOOSE FABRIC

CHOOSE HARDWARE

PLACE ORDER

FIRST THINGS FIRST WHICH BANNER FABRIC IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

THINGS TO CONSIDER

BANNER DESIGN

IMAGE QUALITY

ENVIRONMENT/ WEATHER

Banners can have both matte and glossy finishes. If you want that screenprint look, you can choose a matte look on sunbrella. If you want a photo finish, you would choose Blockout Vinyl. Mainstreet fabric still allows for a digital print, but reduces glare by creating classic canvas look.

Banner design is important when choosing banner material. Sunbrella fabric is printed using a screenprint- ing process and the amount of colors included can affect the cost of pro- duction. There are also limited fabric colors to choose from. However, if you choose to print your banner digitally on vinyl, you are not limited by your color choices.

High Wind and Severe weather conditions require a more durable banner material. If your banners are not subject to these conditions, you may consider a less durable fabric.

Quick Guide CHOOSING A FABRIC

Type of Fabric

Type of Print

Weather Conditions

Colors

Warranty

Can handle high winds & most severe weather conditions

Priced by # of colors - Limited Fabric Options

Most Durable

MARINE ACRYLIC FABRIC (Think Boat Coverings and Awnings)

Screen Print

3 years

Unlimited Colors

Normal seasonal weather conditions

Digital Print

MAINSTREET FABRIC

3 years

Not reccommended for high wind & harsh weather Low-level decorative poles.

Unlimited Colors

Screen Print or Digital Print

3 years

18 OZ BLOCKOUT VINYL

BANNER FABRIC COLOR Fabric color is only important when you are ordering a Marine Acrylic Fabric banner. Although there is a good selection, there are limited fabric colors. Once you choose your base fabric color, you can choose any color in the Pantone Coated series as an ink color. Keep in mind that since Marine Acrylic Fabric is screen printed, the price goes up for every ink color you add. It's best to incorporate the base fabric color into your design to keep costs low.

MARINE ACRYLIC FABRIC (Think Boat Coverings and Awnings)

AVAILABLE STOCK FABRIC COLORS

■ ■ Most durable, weather resitant ■ ■ Limited, but Wide Variety of Colors ■ ■ Water, mildew and fade resistant

INKS

■ ■ Permanent ■ ■ Heat dried, so won't crack and peel ■ ■ Can be printed in most PMS colors ■ ■ UV Resistant

Most durable and long lasting BEST FOR

MAINSTREET FABRIC

■ ■ Acrylic Coated Polyester ■ ■ Dual Ply ■ ■ Matte finish reduces glare to achieve classic canvas look

■ ■ 720 DPI Printing ■ ■ UV Resistant Inks ■ ■ Water, mildew and fade resistant ■ ■ UV treated commercial grade thread ■ ■ Scratch resistant

BEST FOR Screen Print or Digital Can print matte photos for canvas quality

INK COLOR When it comes to 18 oz Blockout Vinyl and Mainstreet Fabric , your color options are endless. Since the fabric color doesn't matter in these printing processes, you can print digi- tally or use Pantone Coated colors for screen- print designs. This opens you up to unlimited colors of a digital file. For best color matching, however, it is suggeste dthat you try to use Pantone colors for screen print designs.

18 OZ BLOCKOUT VINYL

■ ■ Opaque White Single Ply ■ ■ 720 dpi minimum print ■ ■ Unlimited Colors ■ ■ Scratch & UV Resistant Inks & Coating

BEST FOR Screen Print or Digital Looks like photograph

■ ■ Looks like a photograph ■ ■ Water, mildew and fade resistant ■ ■ Brass Grommets on 4 sides allow banner to be installed from either side.

INK COLOR When it comes to 18 oz Blockout Vinyl and Mainstreet Fabric , your color options are endless. Since the fabric color doesn't matter in these printing processes, you can print digitally or use Pantone Coated colors for screenprint designs. This opens you up to unlimited colors of a digital file. For best color matching, however, it is suggeste dthat you try to use Pantone colors for screen print designs.

color!

Having fun with

There are two main concerns when it comes to colors: Banner Fabric Color and Ink Colors

BANNER FABRIC COLOR Fabric color is only important when you are ordering a Marine Acrylic Fabric banner. Although there is a good selection, there

INK COLOR When it comes to 18 oz Blockout Vinyl and Mainstreet Fabric , your color options are endless. Since the fabric color doesn't matter in these printing processes, you can print digi- tally or use Pantone Coated colors for screen- print designs. This opens you up to unlimited colors of a digital file. For best color matching, however, it is suggeste dthat you try to use Pantone colors for screen print designs.

are limited fabric colors. Once you choose your base fabric color, you can choose any color in the Pantone Coated series as an ink color. Keep in mind that since Marine Acrylic Fabric is screen printed, the price goes up for every ink color you add. It's best to incorporate the base fabric color into your design to keep costs low.

Building Your Message

THINGS TO CONSIDER

YOUR BANNER DESIGN

YOUR MESSAGE

When choosing your message, be sure that it is reflective of your city's beliefs and atmosphere. It can be a holiday message, specific to a city event, or a city slogan.

IMAGE

TIPS

When choosing your image, remember that banner material matters. Is it a screen print or a photograph? The image can reflect a holiday, a season, or a town monument.

summer

Think Distance. Make sure text size is large enough and thick enough to be seen from large distances.

LOGO/BRAND

Whether you have a brand logo or just a city name, make sure your logo file is large enough to prevent pixelation on large scale banners.The best formats for images/logos: eps.,ai., png, psd.

Highlight your message. The most important information should be the largest.

High Contrast. Make sure your color scheme

POLE POCKET Be sure to leave enough room at the top and bottom of your design to make sure your message isn't distorted by the pole pocket. Note: If you are using Mainstreet Fabric or Vinyl, design can extend over pole pockets. *See our pole pocket guide to find out the width of your pockets.

provides enough contrast so that the text won't blend in to the background when viewed from a distance.

ARTWORK SPECIFICATIONS

SIZE & RESOLUTION Please send all files at the largest possible size. This reduces resolution issues. BLEEDS When creating your banner design, keep in mind that some screenprinted designs require a border around the image and to accomodate the pole pocket. Ask design team for any clarification. COLORS For closest color matching be sure to build your files in CMYK color space. For more accuracy in screen print colors, design using Pantone colors. FONTS Be sure to embed all fonts into your file. The easiet way to do this is to outline all document fonts.

Best digital formats for Images,Logos, and Final Artwork Files:

.ai

.eps

.psd

Adobe Illustrator It's all about the vectors. Outlining and creating vectors for logos/ shapes/text in Adobe Illustrator makes it easier for the printer to convert your artwork to large scale banner dimensions. Outlining your text into vector images also avoid the problem of missing fonts when transferring your artwork to another computer.

Encapsulated PostScript Exporting in eps. flattened allows for your vector file to be read across several vector-creating platforms, not just Adobe Illustrator. Just like .ai files, it also allows the printers to enlarge your banner design.

Photoshop Document If your banner includes non-vector images such as photographs, be sure your images are exported in .psd format at a high quality resolution.

BANNER WARRANTY

THREE FULL YEARS –

Exterior banners manufactured in standard sizes up to 30”x 96” and when attached with full top and bottom bracket arms, are warranted for THREE FULL YEARS under normal conditions. This warranty is in effect from the date of purchase against defects in material and craftsmanship when installed taut and maintained on FiberFlex brackets or approved bracketing. Banners are NOT warranted against defective or improperly

From date of purchase

FULL YEARS 3

installed brackets. Banners attached on hardware that allow the banner to “fly” at the bottom are NOT warranted after installation.

There's no doubt that our banner warranty is the best on the market. While competitor warranties cover manufacturers defect, they don't cover banner fading. Our warranty covers both defect and fading for 3 continuous years (not seasons). OUR WARRANTY VS. THEIR WARRANTY

Normal Conditions

5"pocket

DETERMINING POCKET SIZE IF YOU ALREADY HAVE EXISTING RODS

4"pocket

3.25"pocket

1 ¾ in

1 ¼ in

Illustrated below is an example of a pole arm diameter and the corresponding pole pocket allowance. Work with our experienced sales staff to determine the correct pole pocket size according to your pole arm diameter.

1 in

Pole Diameter

Why does pocket size matter?

Standard Pocket is 3.25 in

Making sure your pocket size is correct and aligned with your pole diameter ensures that the banners will fit correctly when installed.

pole pocket

pole diameter

3.25"pocket pocket size

< 1 in

up to 1 ¼ in

4"pocket

pole diameter

5"pocket

up to 1 ¾ in

3 ¼ in

1 in

With pole diameter 1" or less, use 3.25" pocket

BANNER-TO-POLE PROPORTION SIZE UP YOUR BANNER Illustrated below is an example of various light pole heights and styles with multiple banner dimensions. Work with our experienced sales staff to determine the correct banner size according to your pole height.

30” x 60”

30” x 84”

30” x 96”

SIZING

30” x 84”

24” x 48”

REFERENCE

30” x 60”

18” x 36”

24” x 48”

14’

18’ 15’ - 18’

12’ - 14’

19’ - 22’

25’+

POLE HEIGHT

22’

25’

12’ - 14’ Poles 18” x 36” Banner Up to 24” x 48” Banner 18” x 36” 24” x 48”

15’ - 18’ Poles 24” x 48” Banner Up to 30” x 60” Banner 24” x 48” 30” ”

19’ - 22’ Poles 30” x 60” Banner Up to 30” x 84” Banner 30” x 60” 30” x 84

25’+ Poles 30” x 84” Banner Up to 30” x 96” Banner

30” x 84” 30” x 96”

BANNER SIZE

NOTE: Trac clearance is a minimum of 14’ from bottom of banner to ground where applicable.

Banner Hardware

Brackets for your Banners

So you've got your banners designed and ordered! But wait.. don't forget you the tools you need to install them. If you don't already have banner poles and hardware, we can help you figure out exactly what kind you need! There are 5 types of brackets including:

▶ Fibreflex LL ▶ Fibreflex 2 ▶ Springloaded

▶ Fibreflex 1

▶ FF3 Adjustable Fibreflex

BRACKET WARRANTY

All Fibreflex Banner Hardware is warranted for EIGHT FULL YEARS when installed according to approved methods and under normal weather conditions.

FACTORS

The kind of brackets needed for your banners is de- pendent on many factors including

All Spring Loaded Banner Hardware is warranted for FIVE FULL YEARS when installed according to

Type of Pole Is it metal, wooden, concrete, or fiberglass?

approved methods and under normal weather conditions.

Size of Banner Brackets come in specific sizes to match pole diameters and poket sizes.

→

Read on to find out specific on each bracket & ask our professionals to make sure you're getting what you need.

Quick Guide CHOOSING HARDWARE

Banner Dimensions Features

Type of Pole

Warranty

8 years

Fibreflex LL

Low Level Decorative

18" x 45" or smaller

Can be painted.

Fibreflex I

Cantelievered arms to keep banner taut

Concrete, Metal, Fiberglass

8 years

30" x 60" or smaller

Fibreflex II

Stronger wide base design

30" x 84" or smaller

Wood, Fiberglass, Metal

8 years

Fibreflex III Adjustable

Easy to make banner change-outs

8 years

30" x 84" or smaller

Wood, Fiberglass, Metal

4 Banner Sizes 17ft 2 - 30ft 2

Springloaded

Deflects 87% of wind force

All Poles

5 years

Deflects 84%Wind

18” X 45” or smaller Brackets Fibreflex LL BANNER DIMENSIONS

Eight Full Years

BRACKET WARRANTY

■ ■ Attaches with 27” ideal bands ■ ■ Rods pinned at base for easy removal

For Low Level Decorative Poles

INCLUDES

• (2) 1 ¾” x 5” aluminum base • (2) fiberglass rod arms

• ‘D’ clips to hold rod arm to base & cable ties to hold banner to base • (4) 27” ideal bands

ATTACHMENT

TYPE OF POLE

i

■ ■ Heavy duty construction ■ ■ Channel shaped base designed to fit into grooves of fluted lamp posts ■ ■ Engineered to deflect wind from poles ■ ■ Can be painted

■ ■ ¾" Fiberglass Rods ■ ■ Non rusting solid cast

aluminum base

OTHER

MATERIALS

30” X 60” or smaller Brackets Fibreflex 1 BANNER DIMENSIONS

Not Recommended for wooden poles

■ ■ ¾" banding

■ ■ Concrete ■ ■ Fiberglass ■ ■ Metal

and buckle or 27" Ideal Bands ■ ■ Rods pinned at

base for easy removal

• (2) 2” x 6” aluminum base • (2) 13/16” removable cantilevered fiberglass rod arms • ‘D’ clips to hold rod arm to base & cable ties to hold banner to base • 10’ – ¾” stainless steel banding with buckles or 21" ideal bands INCLUDES

ATTACHMENT

TYPE OF POLE

i

■ ■ Heavy duty construction ■ ■ Cantilevered arms to keep banner taut ■ ■ Engineered to deflect wind from poles ■ ■ Can be painted

■ ■ 3/16" Fiberglass Rods ■ ■ Non rusting solid cast aluminum base

OTHER

MATERIALS

Eight Full Years

BRACKET WARRANTY

30” X 84” or smaller Brackets Fibreflex 2 BANNER DIMENSIONS

Best for wooden poles

■ ■ Attaches with ¾" banding and buckle ■ ■ Banding tool required (not included) ■ ■ Rods pinned at base for easy removal

■ ■ Wood ■ ■ Fiberglass ■ ■ Metal

INCLUDES

• (2) 3 ⅛” x 7 ⅛”” aluminum base • (2) 13/16” removable cantilevered rod arms • ‘D’ clips to hold rod in place + cable ties • 10’ of ¾” stainless steel banding with buckles (Note: Wooden poles may require more strapping)

ATTACHMENT

TYPE OF POLE

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■ ■ Heavy duty construction ■ ■ Cantilevered arms to keep banner taut ■ ■ Engineered to deflect wind from poles ■ ■ Stronger Wide Base Design ■ ■ Can be painted

■ ■ 13/16" Fiberglass Rods ■ ■ Non rusting solid cast aluminum base

OTHER

MATERIALS

Eight Full Years

BRACKET WARRANTY

Adjustable Brackets Fibreflex 3

Recommended in areas of stronger winds

Ideal for frequent banner changeouts

■ ■ Attaches with ¾" banding and buckle ■ ■ Easy to make

30” X 84” or smaller

BANNER DIMENSIONS

■ ■ Wood ■ ■ Fiberglass ■ ■ Metal

banner change outs

INCLUDES

■ ■ Rods pinned at

base for easy removal

• (2) 3 ⅛” x 7 ⅛” aluminum base plate which mounts to pole

ATTACHMENT

TYPE OF POLE

• (2) 3 ⅛” x 7 ⅛” bases which connect to rods • (2) 13/16” removable cantilevered rod arms • “D” clips to hold rod arm to base & cable ties to hold banner to base • 10’ - ¾” stainless steel banding with buckles

i

■ ■ Heavy duty construction ■ ■ Cantilevered arms to keep banner taut ■ ■ Engineered to deflect wind from poles ■ ■ Can be painted

■ ■ 13/16" Fiberglass Rods ■ ■ Non rusting solid cast aluminum base

OTHER

MATERIALS

Eight Full Years

BRACKET WARRANTY

Brackets Spring Loaded

Deflects wind, reducing light pole liabilities

17ft� - 30ft� Four Banner Sizes

■ ■ Two- piece aluminum base is easy to install with standard tools ■ ■ 27" Ideal Bands

BANNER DIMENSIONS

■ ■ Concrete ■ ■ Fiberglass

■ ■ Metal ■ ■ Wood

• (2) 3 ⅛” x 7 ⅛” aluminum bases which mount to pole • (2) 13/16” removable cantilevered rod arms • Cable ties to hold banner to base • (6) - 27” Ideal Bands INCLUDES

ATTACHMENT

TYPE OF POLE

i

■ ■ The flexible spring allows the banner to deflect 87% of the wind force ■ ■ Reduces light pole liabilities

■ ■ Powder-coated finishes available ■ ■ Non rusting solid cast aluminum base

OTHER

MATERIALS

Five Full Years

BRACKET WARRANTY

BANNER Accessories

GOLD FINIAL

FINALS & WALL MOUNT BRACKET • Finials are a great way to finish off your banner rod arms, giving a completed look • Finials are 3” in diameter, the neck has a dimension of 2 ¾” in length with a ¾” opening • Gold & Black colors are available • Wall mount bracket – perfect for indoor/outdoor banners and mounting to building façade

WALL MOUNT BRACKET

BLACK FINIAL

Holiday Decor

ALSO OFFERING

POLE DECOR

WREATHS

GIANT TREES

LIGHTING

Wreaths – a classic symbol of the holidays. Great for pole accents or building fronts.

Giant trees are the way to make state- ment. Be the talk of the town with a grand illuminated tree.

Light your way for any special occasion. Lighting is a quick and inexpensive way to bring a dramatic effect your venue.

Pole décor is the way to go when you want to accent those Eye catching banners.

CONTACT US 1.877.369.6332 | www.downtowndecorations.com |[email protected]

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