Roller banners that get read: a buyer’s and designer’s guide

A roller banner has about three seconds to do its job. People walk past it at an exhibition, in a reception or at the door of a shop, and they either take in your message or they do not. Getting it right is part buying decision, part design discipline.

Choosing the stand

Roller banners come in a range of widths, typically around 85 cm wide by 200 cm tall for a standard model, with wider versions for bigger stands. Budget stands are light and ideal for occasional use; premium stands have a sturdier base and mechanism and are the better choice if the banner will be put up and taken down every week. Check the size options on the product page before you start designing — the artwork has to match the exact size.

Choosing the material

• Standard PVC — the everyday choice: robust, flat and good value.
• Polyester / fabric-style — a smoother, often less reflective finish that looks good under strong event lighting.

Design rules that make it readable

Keep the top third for your message

The top of the banner sits at eye level. Put your logo and your single most important message there. The bottom 20 cm or so is often hidden by tables, feet or the base — keep it free of anything important.

One message, not ten

A headline of five to seven words, three short supporting points at most, and one clear call to action (a web address or a QR code). A roller banner is not a brochure.

Big type, high contrast

Headlines need to be readable from several metres away, so think in centimetres, not points. Dark text on a light background (or the reverse) beats clever colour combinations every time.

High-resolution images

At this size, low-resolution photos show their pixels. Use images supplied at the resolution the size template asks for, and keep logos as vector files.

Before you order

• Download the template for your exact banner size and design inside it.
• Leave the bleed and the bottom area free of text.
• Check spelling and phone numbers twice — reprints are the expensive kind of proofreading.

Need a banner designed from scratch? Choose the design option on the product page or get in touch and we will prepare it for you.