The Pull Up Banner Display Blog

3 Important Tips for an Effective Banner

2011-07-26T23:06:00.000-07:00

If you want a versatile and cost effective method of catching prospective customers’ eyes, banners may be just the thing you’re looking for. As well as being fully customisable to suit your business’ needs, they can be folded up and moved around with ease.

It’s important to make sure your banner reads well, though. The below, spotted by myself on a trip to Japan, makes little sense. The creator can be forgiven considering translation is a tricky task, and not within all companies’ budgets, but it teaches us some important lessons:

1. Use Spell-check

It’s easy to miss spelling errors in a document, but luckily almost all word processing software these days has built-in spell-check capability.

2. Check Apostrophes

“Dave’s Vegetables” is correct, “Dave’s Vegetable’s” or “Daves Vegetable’s” is not. The apostrophe can be tricky to get the hang of, but it can make a banner look unprofessional if used incorrectly!

3. Have it Proofread

Have someone else read the banner text before sending it off to be printed. This will highlight spelling and grammatical errors and allow you to change them before it’s too late.

So when you're designing your next pull up banner, sure, the images are important, but be sure not to overlook the details of the written copy. After all, that's what gets your message across... Sayonara!

Presenting Your Image To The Public

2011-05-22T21:35:00.000-07:00

With any business, presentation is everything and getting business in can often depend on how you're presenting yourself. External advertising along your storefront can really catch the eye and it has the added bonus of being one of the most cost effective ways of getting people into your storefront. It's still necessary to know how to place them because if it's not properly done then you're attempts can end up being counterproductive.

Keeping your advertisings simple is important. You don't want incredibly elaborate designs that take the chance of confusing your prospective clientele as to what you're actually selling. Whether it's in a presentation meeting, tradeshow displays, or outside your store, the same rule always applies. The overall approach should never be clutter. Keep it neat and simple. Use bold images with larger than life titles and you can really catch the public's eye.

Stay current with your advertising. If you have the same billboards, signs, and displays up day-after-day and it's the same every month, you're not going to seem like you've updated your store. People will likely assume that if you haven't changed your advertising, then you likely haven't changed your selection of products either.
Try and keep it seasonal. This doesn't mean that you have to spend tons on marketing every season. You can reuse the same displays. If you don't have the room for it then consider Toronto storage units to house your displays until the next season rolls around. That way you can keep your business continually up to date and looking fresh.

Advertising is expensive and there are more cost-effective ways to advertise your wares. Some businesses might be afraid that the presentation could be adversely affected when going the, do-it-yourself route, but this isn't always the case. You can pay an artist, graphic or otherwise, to create artwork for a nominal fee. Once you have the artwork, you can then have the image/images blown up at a local copy shop. Most of these copy locations can print to very large sizes. From there you can also save a lot of money by purchasing the board yourself and mounting it. This will cut down on costs and keep you from paying a marketing or graphic design company tons of money. Which route you go is up to you.

Seeing is most definitely believing and no matter what your product or service. Using varying types of displays and ads which have a much greater impact of your overall message, as well as sales. The overall idea is to engage your customers and doing this through multiple means, such as media presentation, is one of the very basics of sales and marketing. Follow some of these useful tips towards reinforcing your communication efforts and, whether your business is large or small, getting the word out there is essential and sometimes an effective image can make a world of difference.

Effective Ways to Use Pull Up Banners

2011-03-30T16:33:00.000-07:00

One of the most effective ways to bring attention to your business is by using pull up banners. As an attractive, cost effective option which some would say is underused, pull up banners have the potential to cheaply spread your message to many customers if properly used. Below are some effective ways to use pull up banners to get the word out about your business.

1. Use pull up banners to advertise special events.
As a unique form of advertisement that really draws the eye, pull up banners should be used judiciously to avoid overshadowing the actual product or business being advertised. If a pull up banner is used to advertise something like a special event or a holiday sale, you assure that you will stand out from the crowd during these busy times without overusing the medium.

2. Use pull up banners to soft sell.
Many times, pull up banners should not have a hard sell marketing message on them. As the pull up banner will naturally draw the eye into the direction of the business, it is sometimes smart to continue to hold the attention of the potential customer by offering a quote or a humorous comment on the pull up banner itself. Many consumers are immediately turned off by hard sell marketing messages; however, a humorous comment can be just the thing to maintain top of mind consciousness in potential consumer long enough to bring them into the store and complete a purchase.

3. Use pull up banners inside of stores for clarification purposes.
Pull up banners are also effective inside of stores to help customers. Popular items that people are always trying to find can be easily pointed out with a message on a pull up banner. Help preserve your manpower by putting the answer to an oft asked question on a pull up banner to save your sales associates the trouble of having to answer it over and over.

4. Use pull up banners to notify customers of sales.
Pull up banners are quite effective in driving sales of loss leader items once a potential consumer has entered the store. Use the instant notoriety of a pull up banner to lead consumers directly to a sale item, placing complementary items strategically close by. This has the effect of encouraging the consumer to come up with his or her own ideas about the complementary sales, which will drive purchases without a hard sell.

5. Use pull up banners to give directions to your store.
People always appreciate helpful information. Help your potential consumers find you by strategically placing pull up banners around your store vicinity to guide people in. They will appreciate the customer service and the professionalism.

Catching Attention with Pop Up Displays

2011-03-17T15:39:00.000-07:00

When you are engaged in a marketing campaign, it is vital that you grab the attention of all prospective clients. One way to generate interest in your products and services, whether you are at a trade show, or trying to entice visitors to your brick and mortar location, is to make use of pop-up displays

Pop-Up Displays and Trade Shows

Trade shows are great places to use pop-up displays. These displays are usually three-dimensional, and often free standing -- although there are displays that can be attached to shelves or other structures. For the most part, these types of displays are easy to transport and set up. They are visually attractive, since they use color and images to draw the eye. This provides you a great opportunity to make new contacts and even find new business.

These types of displays are available in all shapes and sizes. There are even some pop-ups that feature lights. A back lit pop-up displays can be quite striking, and different effects can usually be created. The more unique your pop up is, the more likely you are to get attention. Your creativity can also be a perfect way to sell yourself and your product or service.

Tips for Effective Pop-Up Displays
If you want your display to be effective, you will need to make sure that it does a few things. Of course, you want it to be attractive, but there are other items to keep in mind as you plan your pop-up display:

* It should answer the questions Who? and What?: An effective pop up display provides someone else a clear idea of who you are and your services. Make sure that your business, product or service is clearly defined.

* It should be simple: Don't get too complex. While there are some neat effects that you can add to your pop-up display to make it stand out, don't get too carried away.

Keep things as simple as possible, because you don't want your viewers to feel over stimulated. Think about one aspect that you want to highlight and focus on that. Avoid clutter on your display and take advantage of white space.

* Readable font: Double check your display to make sure that the font is readable. You don't want it to fade into the background, or be the wrong size. Make sure the colors in the font don't clash with the background, and make the color tones match the mood of the display. You wouldn't want to use neon colors for a serious advertisement.

* Don't forget to include your website: Your display should include your website and any other relevant information. Make sure that your pop up display includes information about contacting you, including an physical address, if you have one.

Pop up displays are great marketing tools. When used correctly, you will draw positive attention and possibly make more sales.

Gather a Crowd at Your Next Trade Show Event

2010-08-12T20:55:00.001-07:00

In our media-saturated modern era, you really need to plan carefully to make your firm’s trade show booth stand out from the rest of your competitors. You can’t just build the same old type of display that’s worked for years. Each year, you need to have something different, something that presents your company in a different light that’s more in tune with the cultural and artistic trends of that year. But, whatever you choose to do, you’ve got to have an integrated approach that’s not simply based on having a cool-looking booth, or some fun activities. You need to combine those two elements with a well-trained staff that will serve to funnel the maximum number of attendees into your booth so that they can be exposed to your company’s message.

Good crowd-gathering can start even before people enter the convention center or trade show venue. You can establish a presence outside with advertising trucks driving around with posters or artwork on them. If you can afford it, put up a huge media backdrop or have large ads on display in the lobby. Try to create a sense of excitement in the people who are just arriving. Having a prime location is another excellent strategy. Be close to the main entrances. You’ll have a harder time attracting good crowds if you’re stuck off in a corner of the exhibit hall.

Music and sound effects are two great adjuncts to whatever visuals your booth designers have created. It should be loud enough to be heard, but not ear-splittingly loud, as that will drive people away. But, however loud you decide to make your soundtrack music, be sure that it’s some kind of high-energy music, techno, fast pop music, rock, or country. Now is not the time to be playing dreamy, contemplative music. You want to get noticed don’t you?

Then, once you have your booth ready, and you’ve chose some compelling music to draw people in, what else do you need to do to make your booth get noticed in a giant exhibition hall where dozens, maybe hundreds of other vendors are all competing for attendees’ attention? Your staff can be your secret weapon for gathering crowds.

In order to generate the kind of crowds you need to make your booth seem really exciting, you need to position some crowd-gatherers by the entrances to direct attendees to your booth. Once the crowds start appearing there, you need presenters and booth ambassadors (pretty girls are always popular for this) to move them inside the booth to experience what it has to offer. You can have product demonstrations, video displays, interactive games, or giveaways.

Having some inexpensive (yet very impressive) premium to give away is a great way to attract crowds. At the beginning of the show, be lavish in the number of items you give away. The beginning of the first day of any trade show is a great way to circulate your company’s name and logo on products like hats, T-shirts, lanyards, flash drives, coffee cups, even products that may not have anything to do with what your company actually does, like Frisbees, stress balls, or foam rubber airplanes. But, if it’s cool and fun, it’ll seem more desirable, and that will generate word of mouth. People see something neat at trade show displays and they’ll ask the other person where they got it, and Boom! You’ve got another person headed in your direction.

You need to have selected your staff very carefully for events like this. It’s best to send out a mixed team of salespeople, charismatic presenters and booth ambassadors, product experts, and perhaps one or two people who are experts in whatever field your company specializes in who can be there to educate the public about why your particular brand of widget or service is so darn special that they just have to have it.

Roller Banners UK - Easy To Use and Very Affordable Systems

2010-07-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

Business leaders are now searching for new strategies to market their products and services in a cost effective manner. The roller banners high season is off to a fantastic start as the United Kingdom shows signs of exiting The Recession. Business leaders are now looking to capitalise upon the economic uncertainty earlier than their competitors.

Roller banners are a low cost and reusable advertising platform used by marketing professionals that want to showcase a business product or service. Return on investment can easily be achieved with roller banners because they are low cost. Many businesses only need to complete one new sale to cover the cost of purchase.
Portable displays are used by professional sales people to build rapport and trust with prospects off site. Good sales people know advertising to a captive audience increases the likelihood of new business sales. Salesmen take portable display equipment with them to where their target audience to generate business enquiries which lead to profitable sales.

Roller banners can be designed with attractive artwork to persuade and attract onlookers to buy. These types advertising systems can be found at specialist exhibitions, conferences and seminars where they play the crucial role of setting the stage for a sales team.

Roller banners come in a range of sizes from 0.8m – 1.5 m wide. Bigger banners have a bigger punch because the advertising area is bigger. Single sided and double sided systems are available with various different base profiles to suit personal aesthetic requirements.

The best roller banner print quality is usually achieved using a large format UV printer whilst printing onto 230mic stop light material. UV printing seals the ink on the banner material which ensures graphics are scratch resistant and water repellent. Unlike paper, stoplight material (similar to photograph paper) is strong, durable and looks the business.

About The Author:
Ben – MD at Ultimate Banners, Roller Banners UK

Creative Trade Show Marketing Tips

2010-06-17T00:03:00.000-07:00

As an exhibitor at a trade show, you want everyone in attendance to pay attention to your booth. As an attendee, every booth starts to look the same pretty darn quickly. This is why it is so important that you go above and beyond when marketing your booth at any event. The more creative you get with your approach to getting people interested in your booth, the better your success will be at the trade show. Here are a few of our creative trade show marketing tips to help you when preparing for your next trade show.

Create a visually stunning trade show display

If your booth stops people in its tracks then they are going to notice you. Chances are they might even remember you. Do what you can to make your trade show display stand out from the crowd. Some ideas for building a display or media backdrop that will get attention include:

Take ideas from the art world instead of the world of advertising. Everyone at the trade show is advertising what they have to offer. They’re taking their cues from the advertising and marketing gurus. Be different and look at ways to show off your stuff that are inspired by art galleries and interior design magazines.
Be bold with your colors. Go for the fancy graphics done in unusual color combinations when designing your trade show displays. These will certainly attract attention.
Make use of video, lights and audio where allowed. Not all venues will let you distract trade show attendees this way but those that will are offering you a chance to demand attention.

Go high-tech to get trade show attention

In today’s world, the quickest way to get attention from your potential customers is to use today’s technology. This is true at trade shows. Some high-tech ideas for marketing at trade shows include:

Use interactive multimedia presentations when doing demos at your trade show booth. Set up a few laptops at your booth and offer people a way to use them to better understand your brand.
Use real-time technology to update people who are not at the event about what’s going on there. Live blogging and video streaming of your demos will market your trade show activities to a broader audience.
Make use of mobile technology. Use mobile apps to connect with trade show attendees and drive them to your trade show display. You can use various apps to advertise your brand, announce drawings happening at your table and just remind people to come check out what you have to offer.

Remember the value of the face-to-face connection

Despite the value of being high-tech, you don’t want to forget person-to-person marketing. Hire some cute, friendly folks to hand out fliers and direct attendees to your booth. Host an after-show event with free cocktails and do some major networking with trade show attendees. And present yourself in an upbeat but not excessively enthusiastic way to everyone who comes to the table. A good personality makes a regular trade show display memorable.

Have experience creating a visually stimulating and interesting display? What did you do, and how successful was it?

About the Author:
Dennis Nixon is the Sales Manager at Smash Hit Displays, a trade show display company for vendors throughout the United States.

Vexillology

2010-06-14T16:33:00.000-07:00

I'll bet that you've never heard that word before - "Vexillology". So what does it mean and why is it here on a pulll up banner blog?

Well vexillology is the study of flags. So I am taking the liberty to extend that to the study of flags and banners and by that means, this is a blog dedicated to vexillology and by reading it you are now an individual who has, at least to some degree, an interest in vexillology. Aren't you a clever so and so?

So what should you be doing to keep up your new found status? Well, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, "vexillologists undertake scholarly investigations of flags, producing papers with titles such as A Review of the Changing Proportions of Rectangular Flags since Medieval Times, and Some Suggestions for the Future."

Sounds rivetting! Now get to work!

Media Backdrop Banners

2010-05-31T18:45:00.000-07:00

Have you ever dreamed of a really large pull up banner but just assumed that they simply don't exist? Well, they do! Pull up banners as large as 2.4 x 2 meters are available and are often refered to as Media Backdrops due to the fact that they are often used as a backdrop to press conferences or in television interviews with sports stars or other personalities.

Large banner stands like these are often also used as backdrops for exhibitions or trade shows. They are great for this purpose as they are easily transported - the banner simply retracts back into the base of the unit which then packs away into the carry bag for transport.

Do don't dream, it's a reality. Media backdrop banners are the new big banner on the block and they're here to stay!

Big-Ass Banner Stands

2010-05-17T23:09:00.000-07:00

One of the less common form of pull up banner that are available from some suppliers are oversized banner stands. Standard banner displays are about 850 x 2000mm - and that's a great size for many banner applications, but sometimes you just need to live large!

A banner like this is sure to get you noticed at exhibitions or trade shows. Likewise, it has great impact as a central focus of a shop window display. But when even a banner like this seems a little lacking, it's time to pull out the big guns. This huge style of pull up banner is also referred to as a media backdrop or exhibition backdrop due to the fact that it creates a kind of, banner stand wall that is suitable as a backdrop for press conferences or trade shows:

Simply pull up the banner at your exhibition or press conference and you are 99% of your way to a professional presentation thanks to the huge 2400 x 2000mm surface area of this backdrop banner!

So next time you're thinking pull up banners, maybe you should think big!

L-Banners Do It Better!

2010-05-09T20:52:00.000-07:00

I just want to put this out there...

I think L-Banners are a better portable banner display system than pull up or pop up banners! Controversial I know. Particularly coming from a guy writing a blog about pull up banners, but hear me out while I state my case.

L-Banners: They are simply good!

Have you ever viewed a good quality L-Banner in the flesh? They have a simplicity and quality about them that many pull ups lack. These displays typically have a solid steel foot with a chrome finish that provides a good weighty base for the banner and adds a real feel of quality. This style of base is also very minimal in terms of its appearance. There are no awkward feet protruding out the front of the display, as there is with pull up and pop up banners and the banner itself is presented to the viewer with a little more angle which adds an element of visual stability.

It's true that there is a little more work in erecting and packing down the banner, but really we are talking only about a difference of no more than a minute, so unless you are putting the banner up and down multiple times each day, it is not really an issue. And when they are packed down, L-Banner Stands are smaller and easier to transport than pull up banners.

So there you go, the wonders of the humble L-Banner

The Undeniable Wonders of Outdoor Banner Stands - Strap Yourself In Kids!

2010-04-08T19:29:00.000-07:00

I admit, I have been struggling to successfully complete my mission of creating the most informative information hub known to man on the topic of banner stands and pull up banners. Part of the problem is the fact that there is only so much you can say about how fantastically wonderous they really are!

But we endeavour to keep the ball rolling here at the Pull Up Banner Display Blog and to do the seemingly impossible – That is to write a blog on this topic that actually is continually updated, rather than discarded and left neglected like so many of the valiant and brave banner blogs that have gone before us.

So today I will investigate that ever growing niche that is outdoor banner stands. Strap yourself in kids, this is about to get wild!

Standing close to outdoor banners makes you feel sexy, powerful and in control. You should try it.

If you’re a frequent trade show and fair visitor in the course of your promotional campaign, most probably you’re already aware of the mind-blowing advantages of having a banner display. Shit’s wild! Hold on, I just need to compose myself…

With that in mind you don’t want to limit yourself to the great indoors. Besides, to take part in a seasonal fair under the open sky, in the soft comforting breeze of capitalism can be one of life’s simple pleasures (is that going overboard? I told you I was struggling for topics). Maybe you just want to display your banner at the roadside and sell stuff – can you relate to that then?

Either way you are going to need an outdoor banner stand.

Indoor trade shows are full of losers, don't go there.

Outdoor pull up banners are different from the stands you normally use indoors you know. Like… they’re for outdoors. You’ll only make the mistake once, and let me do you the favour of preventing you from making it at all by telling you straight up – conventional banner stands don’t work outside! They will tear and crumple and along with them your dreams of being an outdoor tradeshow superstar on the road to commercial divinity!

Get the winning feeling with an outdoor banner - you're worth it!

You see, they are not at all wind or rain resistant, whereas outdoor banners are! That’s why they’re called outdoor banners! Are you with me? For example, these banners usually have a weighted base - it prevents your stand from being toppled by a breeze. Just imagine how irritating it would be if your banner stand just continually blew over - firstly, your print would be trashed and that’d be expensive. And secondly it can prove dangerous for people close by. Statistics show that 95% of injuries at outdoor trade shows and fairs are caused by inappropriately used banner stands cartwheeling through the air at the slightest gust on wind. Fact.

The Monsoon: If this baby were to go flying it could take out a whole village! Luckily it's an outdoor banner. Ha ha!

Perhaps you think that a heavy base will cost the outdoor banner stands their portability? No! You are wrong! The banner stand’s base can be hollow, and during an exhibition you can simply fill it with sand or water. Ha, ha, ha, ha…

But wind is but a walk in the park when compared to the unspeakably tragic effects of rain on a conventional pull up banner stand. Even if your stand has laminated graphics – this is not protection enough, and it will surely meet it’s fatal downfall: water will penetrate under the lamination and spoil the prints.

Therefore you should go for a waterproof banner material like PVS (polyvinyl chloride), which is top notch outdoor stuff. It will ensure the durability of your graphics, so you will not be bankrupt by your bone-headed efforts to continually use conventional banner materials outside. And, the PVS covering will also protect the outdoor banner stands from destructive effect of the sunlight. Remember, the outdoors can be a very, very dangerous place for banners.

Some quick outdoor banner stand tips for the dim-witted:

1. Remember! An outdoor banner stand should be not only eye catching, but also aesthetically designed and neatly manufactured. Yeah!

2. The outdoor banner stands are in general slightly more expensive than conventional ones. Don’t be afraid. In the long run this extra money will save you millions, maybe billions, in print cost and bring you everlasting joy as you use it over and over again, while exposing in the great outdoors to anyone who cares, at every trade show even vaguely related to your field.

3. And when I’m not using my suite of outdoor banner stands at trade shows, I set them up in my backyard, complete with realistic prints of tropical islands and other exotic locations. I place my deck chair bang in the middle of this digitally printed fantasy, fix myself a pina-colada (double rum) and drift off to my happy place where the drudgery of this blog no longer plagues me. Banner-tastic!

Good night and good luck!

To Green or Not to Green: Banner Stands is the Issue

2010-02-04T16:01:00.000-08:00

It seems like just about everybody is somewhat of a "greenie" these days. Individuals and companies are all looking for ways to reduce their environmental footprint - or at least to appear that they are. But enough of the cynicism...

The good ol' banner stand is now also becoming available in various environmentally friendly versions. A while back I posted up some info and images of some bamboo pull up banners and banner stands and now, in my wide ranging quest to bring you the latest in cutting edge banner display technology, I have stumbled across a fully recyclable banner stand, that may just be the latest thing:

The Eco Banner Stand is eco-tastic! And look it's levitating in front of a waterfall. I almost can't think of anything greener - maybe if it was smoking a joint or something.

But seriously, this baby is fully recyclable. The structure is from certified Finish pine and the banner itself is printed on Tyvek, which is a polypropylene material made from recycled plastic and, in turn, is also recyclable. Not bad at all, and if I could just put my 2 cents in, I would say it has a nicer appearance than your typical aluminium banner stand. Here's a closer look at the Eco Banner Stand's details:

Not the best photos every, but you can blame these guys for that. After all, I haven't actually seen one of these things - I'm a theorist and photo pincher.

It seems that they are a little dearer than your average stand, but here's hoping that at least a few banner stand users out there are willing to pay the premium to do their part in lowering our industry's environmental impact.

Seems Like a Bargain? A3 Pull Up Banners

2010-01-20T09:00:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen those Google ads offering pull up banners or banner stands for what seems like impossibly low prices? Maybe you've clicked one? Well, if you haven't, I'm here to tell you that the reason that they seem impossibly cheap, is that they are impractically small!

Some suppliers offer A3 banner stands that are intended for counter top use. Obviously an A3 pull up banner is significantly cheaper than regular sized banner of 2000 x 850 mm. They might be just $60.00 compared to $200.00, but for that you get roughly 7% of the advertising space. Does that seem like a good deal.

I don't want to be too negative on these things, there may well be display needs for which they'd be perfect, but I can't really see why you wouldn't just go for a regular acrylic poster holder, that would be cheaper and likely more durable. Anyway, here's a look at one so you can make your mind up for yourself. This one has been used for a menu display. What do you think?

Here's another shot that shows the rear of the banner stand:

Hmmmm... I'm still not convince that it's anything more that a marketing ploy to advertise impossibly cheap banners stands.

Pull Up Lecterns... Or is that Lecturns?

2010-01-18T14:58:00.000-08:00

Well... Lecterns or Lecturns? Regardless of how you spell it, this seems like a great little product and something a little less ordinary in the world of pull up banner displays. It's a lectern that allows the user to make a professional speech or presentation, while incorporating the convenient portability of a pull up banner.

I'd never seen a banner lecturn before, but they'd be great for executives making interstate presentations, travelling salesmen working in shopping malls or even for politicians!

The Strange Animal Magnetism of Pull Up Banners

2010-01-11T16:44:00.000-08:00

Have you ever noticed that pull up banners have a somewhat magnetic effect on women? It's undeniable:

Visible magnetism here - this shit's physical

She's stuck to another - somebody give the girl a hand!

Help! I'm stuck... Actually, I kinda like it - it feels so smooth

This one's probably a case of subliminally suggestive graphics

DIY love - just pop it up and stand around, blissfully joined at the hip

Exhibitions and Trade Shows – Cut the Ego and Boost ROI

2010-01-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

I’m hear to convince you, again, that pull up banners are the solution to all your trade show woes. Surprising isn’t it, some one promoting pull up banners on a blog named the Pull Up Banner Display Blog – the world is a crazy place. Anyway… have a read of this serious piece of objective journalism that I’ve put together for all you pull-up-banner-curious individuals before you disregard them as a possible solution for your next trade show.

Who's making the money?

Every day across the globe thousands, maybe even millions, of professional men and women travel to exhibitions and tradeshows, marketing their products and services to just about anyone who’ll listen. Staying in five star hotels, breakfast buffets and drinking in airport bars, it’s a dirty job, and sometimes I think that the ultimate aim of effectively marketing the company’s product and services gets lost amidst drive to be bigger and better than the next guy.

Don’t get me wrong some of my best clients have come from trade show leads, I just question the need for big flashy display stands – the type that are manned by five bored looking guys or girls, because the scale of the stand has actually put people off approaching.

Developing those big display stands is a huge job that requires hours of thought, professional help and some serious investment. Even if you do have the budget to develop, transport and set up a custom designed trade show display, the expense and hours involved can seriously diminish your return on investment and necessitate long hours away from you daily business duties. Sometimes all this effort is justified, but by my observation, most often it ain’t. And I can’t help but thinking that a lot of these stands are more about the company’s, or marketing manager’s ego, than actually generating leads and sales.

See... exhibition designers will send you broke

Obviously, I’m here to extol the virtues of pull up banners and to be frank, I may be a little bias, but I have used them myself to great effect in the past. And I’m not proposing they are the solution to every exhibitors needs, but they should always be an option. With a little creativity and some quality graphics they can have fantastic impact and minimise expenditure – not to mention headaches!

Simple by quality graphics make all the difference

Now for the bit where I hit you with some real spiel: Pull-up banners, roll-up banners, pop-up banners, retractables – whatever you want to call them, they’re a travelling exhibitor's best friend. A pull-up has a banner that is usually about 2 metres tall, in widths ranging from 800mm to 2.4 metres and by creatively combining a couple of different sized banners on your exhibition stand you can still achieve a unique, professional presentation with real advertising impact!

For this one they've gone to a little extra work but a similar effect could be created with pull ups

The banners are spring loaded and retract into a compact aluminium housing that serves at the banner stand base and since they weigh just a few kilos and are supplied with carrying cases with shoulder straps on person can easily carry up to four or five units. So whether it’s New York, London, Beijing or just the other side of town, they’ll keep your overheads, and headaches, to a minimum.

But the real winning feature is bang for your buck! They won’t break the bank and when compared to those big corporate exhibition stands, the return on investment often puts them to shame!

Yep, for trade shows pull up banners are where it’s at – in my humble opinion at least. But as your next trade show or exhibition approaches, stand back and make an honest assessment, is that big flashy stand all about ego? Or would you be better severed focusing on that other three letter word – ROI?

Setting Up your Pull Up Banner Artwork

2009-12-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

While I'm on the topic of pull up banner instructions, I might as well add in a link that will give you some idea of how to go about setting up the artwork for you banner stand.

One thing that I'd like to really stress at this point is the importance of the artwork proof. The most common dispute between banner stand clients and suppliers surrounds the final printed colours of the banner itself. This is the result of the differing output of computer monitors and the fact that colour matching by nature is not an exact sceince. It benefits both parties if a hardcopy proof of the artwork is mailed to the client on the exact same material that the banner is to be printed on as this is the only way to eliminate colour disputes. Despite adding a couple of extra days delay to the delivery of your banner stand, this is a critical step in ensuring you receive a pull up banner stand display with which you are 100% satisfied.

Changing the Banner on your Pull Up Stand

2009-12-17T19:06:00.001-08:00

Pull up banner stands are a great way to put in place some quick, easy and temporary advertising, but it's sometimes said that they're not a good choice if you intend on frequently changing the display banner. So, how hard is it to install or change a banner on a pull up or roll up banner stand? Read on to find out exactly what's involved.

Actually, describing the process in words alone can be quite confusing for the reader. Click on the image below to see step by step instructions applicable to the process of changing the banner on the majority of pull up banner displays on the market. Alternatively you can download the PDF file of these instructions here. These are courtesy of Slimline Warehouse's pull up banner display shop.

Effective Advertisng with Pull Up Banners

2009-12-13T16:32:00.000-08:00

If you have chosen to use Pull Up Banner Stands to increase your advertising impact, you will want to make sure that you are getting the most our of your investment. So whether you’re using your banner stands for exhibitions, for extra corporate branding or to create product awareness at retail, below I have compiled some methods to improve the effectiveness of your banner display stands and ensure you get the results you want:

1 – You should be clear on what your intended message is – a banner stand with a poorly considered message is a waste of your time and money. If the banner’s purpose is to provide extra branding then a simple logo on a solid colour background may suffice. If you are trying to promote a particular niche of your business activity quality images, illustrations and copy may be required. Likewise if you are promoting a particular product that your company manufactures or your purpose is to educate people about a service or offer.

2 – Location, location, location. A clear idea of where your stand is to be used is essential. Does it make sense to use a double sided pull up banner stand or will a single sided display suffice such as if you need a single sided banner stand or a double sided one. The visual characteristics of the surroundings are also critical. If the surrounds are very busy and packed with product a very plain graphic on your banner may be the best way to contrast the surrounds and command attention. On the other hand if you environment is minimal and plain a splash of bright colour may be just what the banner stand doctor ordered.

3 – If you pull up banner is in highly trafficked area or a shop window display, the best advice would be to regularly change the advertising message on the banner. Not only does this promote your current specials or hero product, but the frequently changing message will catch the attention of regular passers by. If you can see the value in regularly changing the graphics on your pull up banner stand you should consider a model that uses a replaceable graphics cartridge which will make this process as quick and easy as possible. This type of banner stand will be more expensive, but will save you your money back after just five or six banner changes.

4 – This may be an obvious one, but to help you choose the right pull up banner display for your needs you should consult a business that specialises in banner stands. In recent years, as the use of banner stands has really taken off, prices have dropped dramatically allowing more and more suppliers to come on to the market. Be warned that some of these suppliers are “here today, gone tomorrow” operations that are only interested in taking your money and supplying sub-standard pull up banners. Find a trusted operator that has been in the industry for some time, as they will not be willing to risk their reputation for the sake of a quick buck. There banner stands may be a touch dearer, but you will end up with a quality product and customer service.

5 – Finally be sure that you get a hardcopy artwork proof before your final banner and banner stand are assembled and delivered. Discrepancies about colour and printing are by far the most common disagreement between customers and suppliers and this is the only way to ensure that everything comes out exactly how you intended it and that you are 100% satisfied with your investment.

Getting back a prit job of this size and realising that the colours are all wrong would be no fun at all!

So that’s it – five critical points to consider when purchasing a pull up banner - I hope they help. Good luck and… happy advertising!

Illuminating Info On Pull Up Banners

2009-12-07T14:26:00.000-08:00

Something that is sometimes overlooked by advertisers looking to purchase a pull up banner display, is the light levels in the environment that the banner stand is to be used in. But this is an important consideration as many banner stands are not designed to be retro-fitted with illumination.

A feature of most retail environments is bright illumination and if you are planning on using your pull up banner in a shop window display, the existing lighting will probably suffice. But banner stands can also be used to great effect in making use of those darker corners of a retail environment that can be difficult to fully utilise - but only if you choose a model equipped with it's own light source. Just like this one:

The lighting used to illuminate pull up banner displays is low voltage and either halogen or LED. Halogen lights will usually lend a warm yellow light to your banner, while LEDs tend to be a cooler, whiter light. But this isn't the only factor in determining which light source to use on your pull up. In an increasingly environmentally aware world, power consumption is also a key issue - not to mention the cash this can save you in the long term.

LEDs use less power than halogens and do not create the same heat that halogen lights do. Heat created in illuminating a pull up banner is totally unnecessary and you might as well think of it as wasted energy. What's more LED lights are rated as having a 10,000 hour lifespan so you wont have to change the bulb for 10 years of daily use!

Here's a few examples of banner stand specific lighting:

A halogen banner stand light

A replacement LED bulb for a halogen pull up banner lighting set up

Bamboo Banner Stands?

2009-12-01T18:51:00.000-08:00

Though these bamboo pull up banner stands probably have quite a limited market, there is something undeniably attractive about the use of natural materials over the more common aluminium and plastic models.You could see a couple of these banner stands fitting very nicely into shops and retail establishments that would probably steer away from the more every day models. I'm thinking of places like high end fashion boutiques or homeware shops

I can't tell you how much these pull ups cost, but they'll definitely be of interest to businesses or individuals who are concerned with their energy use or environmental foot print - though I've got to say that unfortunately that doesn't seem to be a common selling point to the majority of customers that I come across.

Regardless, take a look - bamboo banner stands:

And if you're not really into bamboo banner stands how about some dog vector graphics. I mean really if you wanted to you could combine the two and get yourself a nice canine themed banner printed for your new bamboo banner stand. What do you think?

Banner Stand Enthusiast

2009-11-26T16:26:00.000-08:00

A blog about Pull Up Banners? Boring you say?

This is proof that there are some hard core banner stand enthusiasts out there. Tony Fanning loves banner stands and will go out of his way to be photographed with one whenever the opportunity arises. It's people like Tony that make my work at the Pull Up Banner Display Blog all worth while. So here's to Tony and all the Pull Up Banner enthusiasts out there!

Getting the Most From Your Pull Up Banner Graphics

2009-11-25T15:24:00.000-08:00

The pull up banner below, I think demonstrates how to effectively use a pull up banner for a number of reasons:

The large advertising surface of pull up banners is on of the keys to their success and this banner uses that surface to it's fullest with a strong and well designed graphic. I particularly like the contrast between the black and the orange - it's really eyecatching and the banner stand's base is also black which further increases the effect of the orange and adds a nice classy touch.

I suppose this is a good example of why good graphic design is so important - you can buy the biggest and best pull up display on the market (or any advertising display for that matter), but if the graphics on your banner are sub-standard, so too is the effect of your advertising. In fact poor graphics can reflect negatively on your business and if you're spending good money and going to great trouble to broadcast a message, the last thing you want is that the message itself is under mining your business.

I realise that this banner display obviously isn't being used in your typical retail or corporate environment, but still there are some lessons to be learnt regarding how to ensure that your pull up banner stand is making the most of it's setting. This banner really constrasts with it's environment - the crisp, clean and modern graphic design really shines against the rustic clearly "old" backdrop. I'm guessing that the environment that your pull up is to be used in won't be an old farmhouse or industrial building, but the same contrast can be achieved by creating a graphic in direct contrast with it's surroundings.

This contrast can be created by the choice of colour - if your shop fit is white opt for a black or brightly coloured banner design for maximum impact. If your shop is full of stock and a visually busy environment, it may be that an all white banner with some simple text will attract the most attention. If you are not confident with choosing the right design elements yourself, speak to a good graphic designer and they should be able to help you off in the right direction so that you get the most from your pull up banner and from your shop, retail or corporate display.

Happy advertising!

What is a Pull Up Banner... 8 Tips to Get You Started!

2009-11-22T22:03:00.000-08:00

Pull Up Banner stands are a flexible advertising and signage solution in which a spring loaded banner is un-rolled from the display base and held in place by a support pole. They have demonstrated to be a great way to display your marketing and advertising just about anyplace. But choosing the best Banner Stand can be tricky, there are scores of models to choose from, and at first look, they all give the impression of being really similar. So here’s a little info to help you get started. This is Pull Up Banners for dummies…. So read on…

1. How will the Pull Up Banner stand be used?" The answer to this question is very important and will impact all of your choices. If the Pull Up stand will be used frequently or shipped to many events, it is very important to obtain a high quality banner stand that will not break down during a show. The spring in the retracting mechanism is known to break in some of the low priced displays. When this happens the banner will not pull back into the base, which normally results in the banner getting damaged when packaged after the show is completed. If dependability is vital be sure to look for a lifetime warranty, or at least a minimum of a 1 year warranty.

2. What size is best? There are many Pull Up Banner stand sizes available. Widths ranging between 800 – 850mm are very common, easy to transport, and are frequently large enough to noticeably exhibit your graphics. Wider displays up to 1200 or 1500mm wide are also available. These larger displays are not as easy to carry and can be expensive – which defeats the advantage of Pull Ups being an affordable and quick advertising tool.

3. What type of supporting pole do I go for? The supporting pole is available in a telescopic format or in a 3 segment construction that plugs together. Both perform well, but the advantage of the telescopic pole is the ability to freely adjust the height of the retractable stand.

4. Is a graphic cassette necessary? Some manufacturers offer graphic cassettes. This feature allows the user to easily switch between multiple graphics, while getting the cost saving benefit of buying only 1 display. If you frequently switch graphics it may be worth the extra expense for the cassette.

5. Is display lighting necessary? Lighting is generally offered as an option with a good number of displays. Lights are a great way to add extra pop to your retractable banner stand, mainly in areas with minimal ambient lighting. In most cases the display area lighting is ample.

6. Should I purchase a single or double sided display? Pull Up Banner Stands are obtainable in single or double sided versions, so why not double your impact?. When your clients are approaching your display from 2 sides, the double sided display offers the benefit of 2 displays in 1. Two banners withdraw into the base of the double sided banner stand. 2 banners pull out of the base back to back and are supported by 1 pole between the banners.

7. Are outdoor banner stands available? Really Pull Up Banners aren’t the best advertising media for exterior display, though out-of-door displays are now available. The hardware and banner of these models is weather resistant and the pole is attached to the base with a heavy duty spring that allows the banner to sway in the breeze. Soil stakes are also obtainable when additional support is desirable.

8. Are there green options available? Eco-friendly or "green" pull up banner stands are now obtainable. The base and pole can be fabricated from bamboo wood. Very little metal or plastic is used in these stands. Banners can be printed on many materials such as eco-friendly paper and fabrics or biodegradable vinyl. Technology has improved the inks used on display graphics. Many new inks substantially diminish the potential harm to the environment.

Welcome...

2009-11-22T21:23:00.000-08:00

...to the Pull Up Banner blog.
I'm going to be posting up everything that you've ever wanted to know about Pull Up Banners. And quite possibly some things that you that you didn't know you wanted to know, along with some things that you don't particularly care about, and some Pull Up Display facts which are no interest to you at all. In short... this is Pull Up Banner central.

Exchange Links

2009-01-01T16:05:00.000-08:00

If you would like us to add your URL, a banner, or keyworded link to our Pull Up Banner display blogroll, just link to us from your website using the words Pull Up Banner Display Blog.

Once the link is active, let us know by emailing jeff[at]csandg.com.au and we'll put a link up to your site from our home page. Thanks for you interest and we hope to hear from you!