Selecting banners on stands for your church? We'll talk about the different banner stands, and when they're best used in which application.

Understanding Banner Stands

From trade shows to in-store promotions, banner stands are almost everywhere in businesses and churches. They provide a visually appealing and stable platform, attracting attention, and communicating a message or brand to passersby. 

Their main goal of having a banner on a stand (as opposed to one that may be mounted on a wall) is to enhance visibility and ensure the banner remains in place, especially strategic placed on high-traffic areas, on tables, or in a situation where portability and storage are necessary.

These portable display structures come in different types and are made from various materials, all aimed at meeting specific display needs. 

We'll dig into the different types of banner stands, and what materials are they made of.

Types of Banner Stands for churches

When it comes to banner stands, there’s a type for every need! Retractable or roll-up banner stands, for instance (sometimes referred to by their model number: D2 Roll Up Banners), feature a base that houses the banner, which can be pulled up and locked in place for display. 

These are perfect if you need something compact and easily transportable for your pop up church in a school of movie theater.

On the other hand, X-frame banner stands consist of a lightweight frame designed to unfold in the shape of an ‘X’, holding the banner at its corners. 

If you need something adjustable, telescopic banner stands have got you covered. 

They offer adjustable height and width, accommodating various sizes of banners.

And for a clean and contemporary look, fabric frame banner stands utilize a tension fabric system for displays with graphics.

Materials Used in Banner Stands

The secret to the strength and durability of banner stands lies in the materials used in their construction. Common materials include:

• Aluminum: the go-to material for the exterior shell of higher-quality banner stands due to its combination of durability and lightweight properties
• Plastic: a lightweight and cost-effective option, plastic is commonly used in budget-friendly banner stands

These materials ensure that your banner stand is sturdy and long-lasting.

Some manufacturers also utilize specialized materials such as composite materials, fiberglass rods, and carbon fiber to enhance performance by balancing the banner’s tension, minimizing costs, or improving strength-to-weight ratios.

Ask our design team which banner option would be best for your church's application.

Selecting the Perfect Church Banner Stand

Church banners play a significant role in enhancing the worship experience. However, their effectiveness greatly depends on their stands. Durability is essential for the longevity of church banner stands, making it an important aspect of selecting the best banner. All Church banner products are meant to be stored and used over and over again, from weekly events to yearly outreach activities.

It’s also important to consider the environmental conditions the stand will be exposed to. For example, if your church is in a region prone to high winds, your banner should be sturdy enough to withstand such conditions if they're used outdoors, but most of the time, we would recommend a permanently-fixed banner instead of a portable option for outdoors.

There’s more to choosing the perfect church banner stand. Let’s delve into:

• Size
• Height
• Portability
• Storage considerations

Size and Height Considerations

The size and height of your church banner stand can significantly impact its visibility. You need to consider the audience's size and the event location's spatial dimensions. For intimate indoor church events, small-sized banners would suffice, especially if they'll be sitting on a table top or on an elevated stage.

For busy outdoor events or events with large audiences, consider large or extra-large formats to stand above the height of the crown and make an outsized visual impact.

In the case of a standing event, recognize that in a crowd, the lower 6 feet of a banner won't be seen across the room, so you'll need to choose a banner that stands higher than 6 feet to provide information above the heads of the crowd.

The standard height of a banner stand is usually around 2 meters, ideal for indoor settings. Double-sided stands offer 360-degree visibility, making them beneficial in church foyer or hallways with 2-way traffic. 

While it’s important for your stand to be attention-grabbing, it should not obstruct walkways or access into your sanctuary, auditorium, or worship space.

Portability and Storage

When selecting a church banner stand, you should also consider its portability and storage. Some banner stands have bases made of heavy-duty molded rubber or high-density materials, which can increase their weight and impact their portability.

Single-sided banners are generally easier to roll up and store than double-sided banners, as the ability to be seen on both sides affects the type of banner available.

Church banners can come in various custom sizes, ranging from 2ft to 10ft in height and up to 30ft in width. Consider the portability and storage space that will be required to transport and store your banner.

Most banners that come with a factory-made stand will be predetermined sizes, but if it's important to have a banner with a built-in stand, you may need to use a combination of banners to get the necessary width (like a group of banners on stands) instead of a single banner that stretches the full width of your stage for instance.

These grouping of banners could all be individual designs, but work together as a common theme:

• Fruits of the spirit
• The names of God
• Core values
• Scriptures related to a series
• The Gospels

Designing Eye-Catching Banners

A well-designed banner can significantly enhance the visual impact of your church's space. Maintaining brand color consistency is critical to help your church members and guests recognize your church's style on their banners.

Seasonal color choices can align with the audience’s current mood, making campaigns more relevant and impactful. 

Contrast and strategic color combinations are essential in banner designs to ensure visibility and emphasize key elements. But what does it take to design an eye-catching banner?

• Colors
• Fonts
• Images
• Graphics

Choosing the Right Colors and Fonts

Colors and fonts play a significant role in banner design. Up to 90% of an initial impression of a banner can be based on color choices alone. If your banners have text, choose a high contrast color to make the words legible from a distance. Dark words on light backgrounds, and light words on vivid or dark backgrounds.

When it comes to fonts, limiting the number to two on a banner helps prevent visual clutter and maintains a clean, impactful design. Readability is paramount, requiring ample line spacing and letter spacing for clear communication. (don't worry if you don't know what line and letter spacing mean. Our ChurchBanners design team is happy to customize anything in our catalog for your church for free).

Establishing a single focal point for your church banner with text or imagery guides the viewer’s eye and creates a visual information hierarchy.

Incorporating Images and Graphics

Images and graphics can really bring your banner to life. Using color and contrast can enhance readability and make text stand out on a page.

Seasonal imagery can effectively convey the time of the year and create an emotionally uplifting mood among viewers. Strategically aligning text with shapes or contours present in an image and balancing the background with content ensures a cohesive and visually engaging banner design.

Stock images can work, but real images of people from your church are the best choice so people feel like they see themselves (or friends they know) in your banner designs.

Ordering Your Custom Banner

Now that we’ve covered the design elements let’s talk about the process of placing your order for a custom banner. You’ll need to submit your design files in the correct format specified by the printing company. It’s essential for design files to meet the required resolution and quality standards to ensure the final print appears crisp and clear.

You can download all of the church banner design templates here. If you're not a designer, just pick something from our catalog of banners, and we'll customize whatever you need for free!

Proofing and Production Time

Once you’ve submitted your design, the proofing process begins. Our Church Banners team will send a digital proof to you via email, which must be approved before production can begin. This ensures that the final product meets your requirements.

Once a proof is approved, typical production times for custom banners range from next day for fast printing options to 24-48 hours for most products, and as soon as your Church Banner is printed, we get it in the mail for fast shipping.

Setting Up Your Banner Display

You’ve got your custom banner printed, and it’s time to set it up! Before assembling the stand, ensure the display area is clear and the floor where the banner stand will be set up is level. Start the assembly by laying out all parts and checking their condition, ensuring no pieces are missing or damaged.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to connect the base unit to its support pole or telescopic rod. Carefully extend the support pole and lock it into place to prevent the banner from sagging or collapsing.

Maintaining and Storing Your Banner Stand

Your banner stand is an investment, and like any investment, it requires care. Regular maintenance is crucial for extending the life of your banner stand and ensuring it remains stable and functional for future use. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive tools that can damage the banner stand’s material or the printed graphics on the banner.

Proper storage is equally important. Here are some tips for storing your banner stand:

• When not in use, store the banner stand in its carrying case to protect it from dust and accidental damage.
• Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent color fading and material degradation.
• For long-term storage, make sure the banner stand is kept in a location free from extreme temperature fluctuations and humidity.

Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

When it comes to cleaning and maintenance, a gentle approach goes a long way. Banners should be carefully cleaned with a damp cloth and, when needed, mild soap and water. Avoid harsh chemicals or bleaching agents, as they can damage the printed graphics and fabrics.

Proper storage is also crucial to maintaining the condition of your banners and prolonging their use. Banners should be rolled, not folded, to prevent creases and must be completely dry before storing to avoid mold.

Summing up Banner Stands For Churches

Navigating the world of banners on stands can seem complex, but armed with the right knowledge and tips, it’s an exciting journey. From understanding the different types of stands and selecting the perfect church banner stand, to designing an eye-catching banner and ordering your custom banner, each step is crucial.

Remember to consider the assembly and disassembly process and the importance of maintaining and storing your banner stand properly. With this guide, you’re well on your way to elevating your displays and making a lasting impression!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are standing banners called?

They are known as banner stands, exhibit banner stands, or express banners. Some roll up into a base which acts as a carrying case, so that version is called a roll-up banner (sometimes referred to as D2 Rollup Banners).

How do you set up a standing banner?

To set up a standing banner, position the base on a flat surface, extend the pole, and insert it into the base. Then, pull the banner up from the base and attach it to the top of the pole for a professional display.

How do you make banners stand out?

To make your banners stand out, keep the message simple, use a high-contrast background and foreground, choose a legible font and contrasting colors for text. This will help draw attention to the most critical information on your banner.

What is the alternative to pop-up banners?

Consider using a fabric banner stand as an alternative to pop-up banners. It consists of a lightweight aluminum frame with a fabric print that slides over it, offering a sleek and portable display option.