A Guide to Choosing the Right Backdrop Banner for Your Event

 What is a Backdrop Banner?

Also known as a step-and-repeat banner, it’s typically used as a background for press releases, tradeshows, red carpet events, photo-shoots, sports events, weddings, grand openings, and school proms. These banners usually contain brand logos and event sponsors on the background image. They’re positioned with the sole purpose of capturing photos and videos with a branded and consistent backdrop. 

Buying Guide: How to Select the Best Backdrop Banner 

Before hastily choosing the first banner that catches your eye, we’ve rounded up a few factors to keep in mind that will narrow down your search and help you find the best fit for you. 

Size 

Upon determining the size of the banner to order, you need to factor in the number of people that’ll be photographed in front of it and how large your crowd will be. 

Underestimating the size could result in photographs whereby the photographs in the crowd extend beyond the banner. In turn, this leaves the photos looking disorganized. 

Furthermore, to determine the backdrop banner size that’ll pair well with your event, then consider the depth and width of the floor area, riser, or stage, and the ceiling height. 

Small Floor Space (Below 20 Feet) or Regular 12-Foot Ceiling 

If your event venue contains a 12-foot ceiling along with a 12-foot small floor space to accommodate an 8-foot panelists’ table, you have two alternatives. 

1. Partial Coverage: Opt for a banner that’s 4 to 5 feet high if you don’t mind exposing a bit of space behind seated panelists. A 10-foot wide banner is a snug fit behind a panelists’ table. A telescopic banner stand will come in handy for adjusting the space between the floor and the bottom of the banner anywhere between 4 and 6 feet.
2. Complete Coverage: To fully cover the area behind the interviewees, panelists, or speakers, we recommend a backdrop banner that stretches at least 8 feet from the floor to the ceiling.

Large 20-Foot Floor Space or Regular 12-foot Ceiling 

It’s a scenario that’s strikingly similar to having a conventional ceiling with reduced roof space but increased room to play with for your banner’s width. 

1. Partial Coverage: A banner height of 4 to 5 feet is recommended. When it comes to the width, the banner can stretch to a maximum of 16 feet to blend well into a panelists’ table.
2. Complete Coverage: We recommend using a backdrop that extends from the floor to the ceiling by a height of 8 feet. It optimizes coverage of the area behind your speakers, interviewees, panelists, or presenters while enhancing visual impact.

20-Foot Floor Space or a 16-Foot High Ceiling 

Some rooms come with high ceilings. Therefore, if you’re hosting an event in a venue whose ceiling is 16-feet high with 20-foot floor space to accommodate a 16-foot long table, then you should opt for a bigger banner to fill more of the space. 

1. Partial Coverage: The banner’s width can be anywhere between 16 and 18 feet to fit properly behind the table. And, a height of 8 to 9.5 feet will deliver a well-balanced appearance.
2. Full Coverage: If you settle for this option, you’ll need to ensure that your brand’s text and graphics are not obstructed by anyone standing or seating in front. If there’s a table, it’ll cover the banner’s bottom part during the entire event. Plan the design accordingly to avoid the essential details being hidden. 

Material 

Selecting the material for your backdrop banner seems like a walk in the park. However, upon sitting down to do it, you’ll quickly realize that it’s not as easy as you imagine. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of banner material to choose from. 

Vinyl 

This used to be the most popular type for two main reasons. Firstly, it’s affordable, and secondly, its weatherproof nature makes it ideal for the outdoors. Vinyl also offers vibrant colors that can brighten anyone’s day and doesn’t fade easily compared to other materials. It’s susceptible to wrinkles over time, more so, if the banner has been tucked away for a while. But, laying it out in the sun or ironing, it gets rid of the wrinkles. 

Mesh Vinyl 

What differentiates mesh vinyl from the conventional counterpart is that it has countless tiny holes in it that allow air to easily pass through. Thus, this makes it more breathable and durable compared to generic vinyl. 

Moreover, it is windproof. So, air quietly passes through the holes, thus preventing the banner from flapping in the wind. Keep in mind; mesh vinyl is pricier than the traditional counterpart. 

Adhesive Vinyl 

It’s a great alternative to the free-standing backdrop banners. If you have a smooth surface such as a window or wall from which you can hang the adhesive vinyl banner, then it’s the perfect alternative to consider. 

Furthermore, adhesive vinyl has excellent resistance to wrinkles, fading, and water, thus enhancing its durability. As a plus, it’s reusable and washable. One of the greatest perks of these backdrop banners that set them apart from the pack is that they easily stick to surfaces. 

So, your banner loudly flapping in the wind and drawing unnecessary attention is the least of your worries. 

Dye-Sub Printed Fabric

If your goal is professional-looking marketing, then a fabric backdrop banner is right up your alley. It delivers topnotch, crisp prints that are filled with color. Remember, these banners are printed with a dye-sublimation process that produces eye-catching photo-quality color. 

Courtesy of its fabric, a fabric banner is scratch-proof. Being a fabric, it’s not ideal for outdoor settings. However, if you’ll only use your banner outside for a couple of hours in mild weather, it’s an option to consider. Fabric backdrop banners are a little more susceptible to ripping, which means they must be handled with care. Many of these can be machine washed if soiled, adding to their longevity.

Canvas 

Designed from premium cotton duck canvas, these backdrop banners provide unmatched durability, wind-resistance, and artistic aesthetic, compared to other types. It’s for this reason that they’re the go-to option in heavy-duty applications ranging from boat sails to work-wear.

Like a fine work of art, a canvas banner provides a professional look and usually looks hand-painted, courtesy of its semi-gloss finish and woven texture. As a result, this infuses a touch of class to any event. 

Canvas ushers in the printing of images and text in high resolution, thus making these banners a great option for those who value aesthetics above all. Despite its heavy-duty nature, canvas backdrop banners are most suitable for indoor settings for the preservation of the imagery’s quality. 

Type of Banner Stand 

Selecting the ideal banner stand can have you engulfed in a wave of confusion. After all, there’s a wealth of options, and it can be challenging to know whether you’re selecting the ideal stand for your needs. 

One wrong choice could mean you can’t use your backdrop banner or that it’ll be lying flat on its back, most of the time. When choosing a stand from the types below, consider where you intend to set up your banner, how much room you have for it, and the duration you have to set it up. 

Retractable 

You can set these up in a jiffy, and they come in different sizes. A retractable banner stand comes in sizes ranging from 24 X 78 to 48 X 78. It’s best suited for indoors as it doesn’t thrive in strong winds. They’re perfect for indoor use and can be set up in a few seconds. 

L-Banner 

These stands utilize high-tension support for increased sturdiness. With a space size of 24 X 64, L-Banner stands are ideal for smaller spaces. While they’re best suited for indoor use, the tension support provides sufficient stability for the outdoors in calm weather conditions. 

X-Banner 

These make use of tripod support for enhanced stability for wider backdrop banners. With a size varying from 24 to 30 X 60 to 78, X-banner stands are great for small spaces. While they can function well outdoors when calm days roll around, these stands are better for the indoors. X-banners take longer to set up compared to other stands, but the lower cost often makes the effort worthwhile. 

Outdoor Banners

There are a group of structures used for outdoor banners. Typically, these include a heavy base or a ground spike, so they don't move, and a method of either bending or swiveling in the wind, so that they don't get blown over. 

Closing Remarks 

Backdrop banners are a simple but effective marketing solution that has proven fruitful for decades. Regardless of whether you’re trying to lure in new restaurant patrons or advertising offers at a retail store, these banners are a foolproof way of drumming up business. 

Outside the realms of sales and marketing, they are an ideal way of celebrating special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries or showing support at sports events.