Retractable banner stands are great visual marketing materials that showcase your business during trade shows and events. There are several different types available to choose from, which can make the decision difficult for many. There are free-standing banner stands that require some effort to set up and all-in-one compact stands that can be assembled quickly and easily. The options can seem endless, and ultimately, it comes down to your personal preference.
However, if you’ve never worked with a banner stand you may not know the differences between what’s available. To help you find the perfect solution for your needs, here are three factors to consider when choosing a retractable banner stand.
1. Length of Use
It’s important to consider how long you’ll need to use your banner stand for. You should also consider whether your banner stand will only be setup once and left in place, or setup and retracted many times.
One-Time Use
If you’re only going to use the banner stand once and then toss it, an economy stand will generally work well. Economy stands usually come with a short hardware warranty of 90 days or less. Keep in mind that an economy single-use stand looks the part, so it may not be a good fit if your product is high end. Also, if your banner stand is in a high traffic area, it may not stand up well.
Short-Term Use
If your banner stand will be taken on the road to show at multiple venues then a mid-range banner stand or better will be the right fit. We often refer to mid-range banner stands as a “better” stand. Your hardware warranty is usually 1 year or more and the internal operating hardware is more durable than the cheaper economy stands. Mid-range banner stands allow for graphic change outs, so your stand can be used over and over again back to your supplier.
Long-Term Use
If you’re using your banner stand at multiple events with multiple graphic change outs, then a top-line “best” banner stand is the ideal solution. Your hardware warranty has a limited lifetime warranty and the internal hardware is best of class. If you change your graphic often you should also consider a banner stand with an interchangeable cassette. The cassette allows you to easily swap out the graphic without the expense or hassle of shipping the entire banner stand back to your supplier. With an interchangeable cassette you only buy the banner stand once, which can save you money over the long-term.
There are different options for single use vs. long-term use banner stands with variations in hardware quality. Single-use banner stands may be more economical, but
Short-term stands should have higher quality but allow for intermediary graphic changes. If you plan to use your stand for longer periods of time, it’s best to find something that’s retractable and has an interchangeable base. This allows you to switch out graphics without worrying about your stand breaking over time.
2. Preferred Material
It’s important to pair your banner stand with the right printed materials so graphics look professional. Due to the structure of the retractable banner stand, your graphics will need to be able to withstand being raised and lowered into the base, installed and removed, and should have high color saturation so that your message “pops”. Some options for graphic materials used in retractable banner stands include:
– Standard Poly-Pro Film
– Curl-Free Stay-Flat Smooth Vinyl
– HD Poly-Pro Film
– Premium Fabric
If you’re not sure which material is best for your needs, a professional printer can help you choose between your options.
3. Type of Venue
Finally, it’s important to consider the type of venue you’ll be using your retractable banner stand in. Some aspects of the venue space to consider include the general setup requirements and maximum ceiling height, the square footage of your designated venue, general floorplan, and the amount of foot traffic that you expect to receive. All of these factors can influence the type of retractable banner stand that you’ll need, which is why working with a professional is essential. There are options for telescoping poles that make it easy for one person to set up banners with various heights, but if your space is small, you may be better off with a banner stand that has a low-profile base.
Choosing a retractable banner stand is a personal preference that will be influenced by your specific trade show or event needs. Consider the three factors discussed above and contact Impact Color for high-quality, personalized retractable banner printing. If you have any questions on how to choose the best retractable banner stand, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (847) 305-5457.
