A banner is one of the simplest ways to make an announcement hard to miss — a grand opening, a trade show booth, a school fundraiser, a church event, a sale. Getting a good result comes down to a few practical decisions: where it's going, how you plan to hang it, what size actually fits the space, and whether your artwork file is ready to print.
This guide walks through what to think about before you order a custom banner, so what shows up matches what you had in mind.
What You're Ordering
Our custom banners are printed in full color and designed for general indoor and outdoor signage use. Exact materials can change over time as we update our supply, so rather than lean on a specific spec sheet here, the short version is: tell us where the banner is going and how you plan to use it, and the custom banner builder will show you the options available for that order.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Use
Banners get ordered for both settings — an indoor trade show backdrop, an outdoor storefront announcement — and the right choice depends on where yours is actually going up. If your banner will be outdoors, keep in mind that sun, rain, wind, and general weather exposure all affect how a banner holds up over time, and those conditions are outside of what we can control once your order ships. How long any banner lasts outdoors will vary based on your local weather, how it's installed, and how it's cared for — so we'd rather be upfront that we can't promise a specific lifespan than give you a number that may not hold true for your situation.
Grommets and Hanging
Metal grommets — the reinforced holes at the edges of a banner — are a common way to hang a banner with rope, zip ties, or hooks, and they're available as an option when you order. If you're not sure whether you need them, it depends on how you plan to display the banner: hanging it freely generally calls for grommets, while mounting it flat to a wall or a stand may not. Select grommets in the builder if you plan to hang yours, and keep in mind that how a banner is installed and secured plays a real role in how well it holds up — something that ultimately comes down to the installation itself rather than anything we can guarantee from our end.
Sizing Your Banner
There's no single right size — it depends on where the banner is going and how far away people will be reading it from. As a general rule of thumb used across the sign industry, banner text should be roughly 1 inch of letter height for every 10 feet of viewing distance, so a banner meant to be read from across a parking lot needs noticeably larger text and more open space than one hanging a few feet from a trade show table.
Beyond that general guidance, the custom banner builder will show you the specific size options available for your order — start there to see exactly what you can choose from.
Common Uses for Custom Banners
· Business storefronts and grand openings
· Trade shows, conferences, and vendor booths
· School fundraisers and events
· Churches and community gatherings
· Advertising campaigns and seasonal promotions
· Birthdays, graduations, and personal celebrations
Preparing Your Artwork
Set your file up at the actual print size (or a consistent scale of it) at a high enough resolution to stay sharp at full size — low-resolution artwork that looks fine on a screen often turns soft or pixelated once it's blown up to banner size. Keep critical text and logos away from the very edges, since that's where grommets and any minor trimming happen, and make sure your background runs fully to the edge of the file rather than stopping short. The final print reflects exactly what you submit, so a quick check before uploading is worth it — if you're not sure your file is ready, our artwork and sizing FAQ covers file prep in more detail.
Ordering a Custom Banner
Ordering is done through the custom banner builder — upload your artwork, choose whether you need grommets, and place your order. Our standard production time is 24–48 business hours. Eligible orders placed before 12:00 PM may ship the same day, depending on order details and current workload. Orders over $79 ship free, and local pickup is available in Alpharetta.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my banner last outdoors?
It depends on your local weather, how the banner is installed, and how it's cared for over time — factors that are outside of what we can control once an order leaves our shop, so we're not able to promise a specific lifespan. Securing it well when you hang it and bringing it in during severe weather, if that's practical for your situation, generally helps any banner last longer.
Do I need grommets on my banner?
If you're planning to hang the banner with rope, zip ties, or hooks, grommets are the typical way to do that. If it's going into a banner stand or frame, or being mounted flat to a wall, you may not need them. Select grommets when ordering if you plan to hang it freely.
Can I get a banner turned around quickly for an event?
Our standard production time is 24–48 business hours. Eligible orders placed before 12:00 PM may ship the same day, depending on order details and current workload — but that's not guaranteed, so for anything with a hard event deadline, we'd recommend ordering as early as you can.
What file format should I upload for a banner?
A high-resolution file at your intended print size — a PNG or similar image format works well, with your design and background extending fully to the edges. If you're unsure about resolution or sizing, check the artwork and sizing FAQ or reach out before placing your order.
Get Your Banner Right the First Time
A custom banner is a straightforward product once a few things are decided up front: where it's going, how you'll hang it, what size fits the space, and whether your artwork file is ready to print. When you're ready, build your banner through the custom banner builder, or reach out through the contact page if you want a hand thinking it through for your event or space.
