Most banner mistakes are sizing mistakes. A banner that is too small disappears against the wall behind it; one that is too large will not fit the gap you measured. Both are avoidable with a tape measure and one question: how far away will people be reading it?
Start with the space, not the design
Measure the actual gap the banner has to fill — the width between two posts, the wall above a shutter, the front of a counter. Write down the real measurement rather than an approximate one, because banner material does not stretch and a few inches short is visible.
If the space is awkward, photograph it with something in frame for scale, like a person or a chair. That single photograph tells us more than a description.
Then work out viewing distance
Text has to be big enough to read at the distance people will actually be standing. As a working rule, roughly 1 inch of letter height for every 10 feet of viewing distance is a reasonable starting point. So a banner read from 30 feet needs lettering around 3 inches tall in the main message.
This is why enlarging a business card design to banner size rarely works. The small print that was fine in the hand becomes unreadable at ten paces.
Common sizes and what they suit
| Approx. size | Typical use | Read from |
|---|---|---|
| 2 × 4 ft | Small shop notice, indoor display | A few feet |
| 3 × 6 ft | Shopfront, gate, market stall | Across a street |
| 4 × 8 ft | Large shopfront, event entrance | Across a road |
| Custom / oversized | Stage backdrops, building hoardings | Distance and beyond |
These are common sizes, not rules. If your space is 5 feet 4 inches wide, print 5 feet 4 inches — a custom size usually costs less than living with the wrong one.
How it will be fixed
Decide this before you order, because it affects how the banner is finished:
- Tied to a frame or fence — eyelets at intervals along the reinforced edges, so the ties do not tear through the material.
- Against a wall — a hemmed edge, with fixing points agreed so the banner hangs flat rather than sagging in the middle.
- Free-standing at an event — a standee rather than a plain banner, since a banner has nothing to hold it up.
- Reused frequently — heavier material and a storage tube. Roll it, never fold it; fold lines show permanently.
What to send us for a quote
Four things get you an accurate price without a back-and-forth:
- The size, or the space measurements if you want a recommendation
- Whether it is going indoors or outdoors
- How it will be fixed
- Your deadline, especially if there is a fixed event date
See large format printing for materials and starting prices, or PVC Banners & Outdoor Signage for outdoor durability.