22 Feb 2019

Pull up banners, are, without a doubt a great advertising tool for your business, product or service, they promote you in both a stylish and professional way. Nothing ruins that good impression faster than a pull up banner that has truly seen better days, it’s torn, creased, faded and just looking worse for wear.
It doesn’t matter if your banner has been designed to be used indoors at expos, conferences and trade show, our outside at fete’s, fairs or as permanent, or semi-permanent advertising for your business. It’s important to maintain your banners, so they look as good as new, for as long as possible.
If you are hanging your banner outside, you need to use the right *tools*. This could be anything from suction cups for hanging your banner inside – they are a great way to hang an indoor banner, to using strong, heavy duty cable ties in each corner when hanging a banner outside on a fence, especially if it is in a windy area. If you are hanging your banner elsewhere, banner bungees are great for windy areas as your banner will be less likely to tear and bungee cables or hanging clips should be used around columns or posts to hold your banner in place.
If you plan to hang your banner permanently inside screw a hook into the wall for each corner and use banner hanging clips or cable ties to keep the banner in place. If you plan to use a display banner permanently instore a roll up banner is a great choice as they can be moved from place to place and folded away when not in use. It also means you are not damaging the walls and the banner can be placed in the best spot where it receives maximum exposure.

If you take a few extra minutes to care for your banner, you can keep it looking good for longer.
Some other tips for caring for your banner include:

• Always roll your banners with the printed side facing out when you are storing it.
• Never fold a banner up, it will only give them fold marks
• If your banner has been mailed to you, keep the box it came in, you can store your banner in the box when it’s not in use.
• If your banner is wet, wipe it over gently with a soft cloth and wait till it is completely dry before packing it away.
• If you are traveling with your banners, avoid storing them in extreme heat, don’t leave them in a hot vehicle or place them near a car window.
• Never use a brush, paper towel, power washer, steam cleaner or other heavy-duty products or tools to clean your banner, just use some mild soapy water and a soft cotton cloth.

Also Read These:

• Start Planning Your 2019 Corporate Event With These Tips
• Banner Inspirations for 2019
• Tips for Easily Transporting Your Banners

20 Feb 2019

It’s the beginning of the new year and while you want to start planning for your next corporate event, maybe you’re not sure how to go about it. While you are used to planning trade shows and meetings, the thought of organising a corporate event is daunting – but – it doesn’t have to be!
In just a few simple steps you can be on your way to organising an event that’s not only successful, but highly enjoyable too.

• Why this event? Getting an edge is about novelty, most of your audience has been to events like this before, they want to see something different. What is the reason for the event and how can you communicate that to your audience in an exciting way?

• Why are you running this event? Keep asking yourself until you come up with a clear mission statement. This will be the presentation to your audience – what is in it for them? Corporate events are designed to entertain executives and managers, to motivate staff or to change customer perceptions. It might be all of these things it may be one thing, but what you organise has to be engaging. By defining your purpose you’ll have a clear vision of how you want the event to run, now you have to communicate that to your audience.

• What are your goals? Do you want to sign more people up? Increase sales? Make money? Or get more media coverage? Whatever your goals are, make them specific.

• Have a budget, work out how much you can spend on the venue, catering, guest speakers, decorations, advertising, pull up banners and anything else you may need.

• Organise the venue, speakers, catering and exhibitors! This can be scary, but it can also be lots of fun. It just involves getting lists in order and creating a timeline of tasks. Start from the date of the event and work backwards.

• Will you have exhibitors or a guest speaker? Getting a top-name speaker will not only draw the crowds it can mean even more publicity.

• Refreshments and catering. Buffet or a sit-down meal?

• What is your marketing strategy? Marketing should start at least 6 months before the event and is pretty straight forward. Be sure to include all the elements of your campaign, from the website to emails, social media and pull up banners.

• Collect your content and data. When the day arrives, it’s important that you collect content and data that can be used for future events. Hire a photographer who can capture snaps on the day that can be used for your newsletter, in-house training or for social media. If your event is open to the public, why not consider an event-based hashtag? Post interesting happenings online and do a feature write up after the event for a blog or trade journal.

Also Read These:

• How To Store Your Banners Between Events
• Stand out from your competitors with these display banner ideas
• Tips for Surviving Long Expos

16 Jan 2019

If you are travelling for a trade show, expo, conference or other event you want to do everything you can to ensure your banners stay intact as you move around from event to event.

Attending trade shows is a necessity, if you don’t attend trade shows, conferences, expos etc you are missing out on the chance to grow.

At these events you get to generate leads. Marketing events have thousands of people attending and this is the chance to get your business seen and to generate leads. These events also give you the chance to market your product or service to the right audiences, it’s a great learning experience and helps you discover ways to strengthen your brand and improve your marketing efforts. It’s also the biggest chance for you to sell your product.

Trade shows, expos and other events are a valuable way to make sales, generate leads and get your message out there, which is why you need to be able to easily transport your marketing materials, so they arrive safely at your next destination.

Tips for transporting your banners:

• You know you need to get your roll up banner to your event safely, so how do you ensure everything gets there safely. Your roll up banners roll down into their own protective case, so it’s important that you take care of those cases and ensure they don’t get droped or damaged when moving from the car to the event. Always place your case into the nylon travelling bag for extra safety, the bags have handles to make carrying a few at a time a breeze, don’t tuck them under you arms, you risk them falling. Other bigger items such as media walls come in their own nylon bags with wheels, that really makes transporting them easy. If you do travel a lot and really want to have your pull up banners remain secure, you can purchase a hard case. These cases are tough, and you can even stack three cases together or strap three together to make transporting a breeze. These hard cases also have built in wheels located underneath. With the wheels somewhat *hidden* underneath you don’t have the hassle of wheels getting in the way when you are loading or unloading your pull up banners in your car.

• Why not add labels to the outside of carry bags and hard cases so you know exactly which banner is inside, especially if you have a few different banners for different events. Not just when banners are in your car, but also when they are being stored at your office or business premises, there is nothing worse than turning up at an event with the wrong banner!

• Give yourself time. Know where you are going, how to get there, when to get there and allow plenty of time. Pop the right banners in your car the night before. Don’t rush and depending on the distance aim to arrive an hour early. You’ll arrive calmer and ready to go!

Also Read This: All Our Banners Are Easy To Move And Set Up

15 Jan 2019

When it comes to costs, and value for money a pull up banner is an affordable marketing tool, they are extremely durable and that’s just one reason why businesses use them for point of purchase displays, at expos and events and as *outdoor ads* in general. If your banner hasn’t been well designed or given a makeover for the new year you may have difficulty getting noticed.

Here are some tips and ideas to consider when designing your banners for 2019.

• What is your roll up banner for? A lot of business owners fail to consider the exact purpose for their roll up banner and they can be a waste of money if they fail to bring results. Ask yourself – what do I want to accomplish or achieve with my roll up banner?

• Where is the banner going to be used or displayed? Most banners are placed in high traffic areas where there are lots of people. Depending on your location, you may only have a few seconds for someone to read your message, you need an attention-grabbing banner that gets the message home quickly. Firstly, use a clear, easy to read font, and have it take up most of the area in the banner. For example, if you are having a sale – your main message should be *Huge, 50% off sale*. This is the main and most important part of your message, it needs to be something people can see and read quickly. The colour of your message is also important and the higher the contrast between your font and background the better. Good colour combinations are black on yellow, black on white or red on yellow. Avoid reds on brown, purple on black and light blues on dark blues – from a short distance your message will disappear.

• What’s the lighting like where your roll up banner is going to be displayed? If the area is poorly lit use bright contrasting colours like red on yellow.

• How far away will your audience be? If your banner is to be used at a conference, what’s the distance between the stage and the back row? Proper sizing of your banner is important, for large crowds a media wall size banner could be a better option, especially if you have more than three lines of text.

• Make sure your banner has the right *call to action*, no matter where your banner is being used, from a conference or expo to shopping centre or market having a call to action is important. It lets people know what to do next (now that they have found you). This could be as simple as *Call now* or *Hurry in today*. Make it simple, but definitely include a call to action.

Also Read This: Get Customers with These Displays

11 Jan 2019

If you are looking for a banner that is portable, look no further. Portable banners are easy and fast to set up, and they provide a *high impact* solution. Portable banners are perfect for use at press conferences exhibitions, conferences, trade shows, presentations, point of sale displays and so much more. Portable and pull up banners also do not need to be hung anywhere, no wires, ropes, need for a wall etc, they stand on their own and stay where you put them. For use at the front of a shop, inside a display or as a feature wall, all our banners are easy to move and set up and can be pulled up and popped in place by just one person. You no longer need a *team* to help you set up.

Media Wall

These portable banners are often used for exhibitions, media conferences and presentations. The large walls come in 3 sizes 1800/2400/2900 and have been designed specially to maximise your brand or advertising. If you want the professional edge a simple to set up Media Wall is the way to go. Coming in a nylon travel bag with wheels it fits into a 3m exhibition stand and is printed in high definition full colour. Without a doubt this is THE fastest and simplest form of pop-up stand available.

PiX

Available in 3 sizes – 580mm, 800mm and 1000mm wide, this portable banner is economical. Light weight and will certainly create a focal point at any event. Featuring a lot of space to print your advertising or brand, the PiX makes for a very eye-catching presentation if used in an open area. Folded in minutes these stands look great when illuminated from the inside. The perfect way to impress.

DS-X Frame

If you have a tight budget – perhaps you are just starting out, the DS-X Frame is the most economical portable banner in the range. It is very easy to set up, and is also lightweight making it easy to move, even when set up. All you have to do is attach the 4 corners of the vinyl banner to the X frame and you have a functional display stand. Fast, simple and a job one person can do on their own. The DS-X Frame comes with its own carry pouch and is available in three different sizes depending on the size of the graphic you need.

Banner Buddy

Another affordable portable banner stand, available in 3 widths, 580mm, 850mm, and 1000mm. It is non-retractable and comes as a single-sided display with a modern and sleek look. It is very lightweight, easy to use and the graphic panel can be changed any time. This is a versatile unit that is compact, perfect for in-store promotions, conferences, exhibitions or your shop, store or outlet, it takes up little space, is easy to set up and still has a very professional look.

Also Read This: How To Store Your Banners Between Events

08 Jan 2019

Banner advertising is an important part of any marketing campaign. Banners are used at numerous events from trade shows and expos to conferences, fairs, markets and shopping centre displays. Whether you are using your roll up banners as a back drop at the back of your display, on the street advertising your business, or inside your shop.

There comes a time, when you need to pack your banner away, it might be just overnight, for a few days or even a few weeks. Regular vinyl style banners are great for advertising, but they can be a nightmare to deal with when to comes time to store them. Many marketing items you use at a trade show or event look great when they are on display, but, when it comes time to store them away, there really isn’t any *safe way*. When you have been on your feet all day at a trade show or event, the last thing you need to deal with is folding banners and putting them away.

Roll up banners save you from one of the most annoying problems when it comes to display adverting. Roll up banners provide their own safe storage system, built right into the base! Many businesses end up with a cupboard filled with trade show banners AND all the accessories they need to set them up. Trying to find the right banner you need out of all that mess can be extremely frustrating.

Pull up banners change all this. The great thing about a pull up banner is that it retracts into its own base and clips into place. This gives you the safest and neatest storage solution possible. The base can also be slipped neatly into a nylon, or hard carry case for easy transportation. All the pieces you need to support the banner will also fold down or be stored inside the base, no having to search through a cupboard for the right supports.

This means you can store different pull up banners together – side by side or stacked on top of each other in the cupboard safely and securely. The bottom or side of the stand can even be labelled, so you know exactly which banner is which without having to unroll every single one to find the one you need.

Pull up banners also last longer than standard banners as the banner is stored in it’s base and is kept dust free and away from the light while it’s being stored. Pull up banners are rolled into the base, it’s not folded, so it’s not going to become creased which means it will last for years. Every time you go to set your banner up, it will be guaranteed to look great.

Not only are pull up banners convenient to store, but in storage they won’t be exposed to any additional wear and tear. Storage and transportation is no longer a problem.

Also Read This: Are your banners ready for your winter corporate events?

13 Nov 2018

When your business is participating in a trade show, expo, fete, conference or any other event, it is giving you the perfect opportunity to introduce your products and services to a new audience. However, when you are in a space that’s filled with other vendors, it’s important you stand out because you are all vying for the same people’s attention. The best way to stand out from your competitors is by using some well-designed banners.

• Use a clear, eye-catching tagline on your pull up banner
• Choose one main thing on your banner that your audience should remember
• Display your pull up banner where it will get the most views
• While it’s fine to incorporate graphics on your banner, keep your message clear
• Use QR codes to direct customers to your website
• Restrict your banner design to just one or two graphics, stay away from using too many photos
• Use only a limited number of bright colours
• Leave some empty space, don’t clutter your banner
• Make sure all the text used on your pull up banner is legible

Remember, you are only getting one shot at being memorable.

Also Read This: How many portable banners will you need for an outdoor expo?

PiX

The PiX banner is made in Australia and comes with a 24-month warranty, available in 3 sizes – 580mm, 800mm and 1000mm wide, it’s perfect to use when you want to create a focal point at any event. It has a lot of space allowing you to print your brand and advertising. Economical and weighing just 3.5kilos these banner stands can be folded in minutes. They are eye-catching when placed in an open area or when illuminated from inside.

DS-X Frame

If you are on a tight budget the DS-X Frame is lightweight, simple to set up and economical. Available in three different sizes depending on the size of the graphic you require. The DS-X Frame comes with a carry pouch and is quick to assemble with a fast graphic image changeover.

Banner Buddy

Available in 3 widths – 580mm, 850mm, and 1000mm, the Banner Buddy is a non-retractable banner stand that has a single sided display with a modern, sleek look. Affordable and lightweight, it is super easy to use, and the graphic panel can be exchanged easily and quickly at any time. If you are looking for a versatile banner, that is compact and installs quickly and easily the Banner Buddy is for you. Perfect for use at conferences, expos, seminars, exhibitions, in-store promotions, or marketing displays in shopping centres. Banner Buddy is perfect for saving space while being easy to set up.

Banner stands, and pull up banners are the perfect addition to your marketing campaign, they have so many uses, and most importantly they make your business look professional while getting your message out there to a wider audience.

13 Nov 2018

If you’re in the business of exhibitions, you are probably well aware of the long days that sometimes drag on into the evening and through the night. Meanwhile, you have to manage the exhibition and greet the public with a smile. The longs days can beat you down if you’re doing a circuit and this can have an effect of on your overall wellbeing.

Luckily, there are some things you can do to make your life easier to reduce the toll on your body, so you can survive the expo season. Staff management, equipment, and self-care are things to consider when planning your exhibition, so you don’t crash and burn in the end. This post is dedicated to providing you with tips so you can remain, happy, healthy and positive throughout your expo run.

Also Read This: Are your banners ready for your winter corporate events?

Make Life Easier

Set up and pack down are probably the most physically demanding jobs of the exhibition. If you can, try to avoid using heavy gear that is hard to transport. Pull-up banners are your best friend as they are optimal for a great display and they are easy to set up and pack down. Only take what you need and make sure you have a few spares just in case of a technical issue.

Adequate Staffing

Make sure you have enough staff so that each member can have scheduled breaks throughout the exhibition, so they can recharge their batteries and represent your business with a smile on their dial. It’s also a good idea to provide water to your staff so they can remain hydrated throughout the day. Supplying food is optional, but you will find it makes a big difference and lets your staff know that you care.

The more hands on deck the lighter the work is and having the right amount of staff will ease the load, making set up a lot faster so you can focus on the important stuff. The important stuff is putting your best foot forward for your brand and attracting new customers.

Energy levels

Try to avoid having too much caffeine or sugary drinks. These types of drinks have a tendency to cause dehydration. They may make you feel energised in the short term, although it’s short-lived and you will find yourself crashing and burning midway through the exhibition.

Regular rests

Being in front of the public eye can be physically and mentally demanding, so allow yourself and your staff a fifteen-minute break every three hours to regenerate and come back out to the floor, ready to engage with people. This will prevent everyone from getting frustrated and overwhelmed. It’s not an image you want to send out with your brand or product. The old saying about the happy staff, happy customers reigns true in the expo biz. Oh yes, sleep is very important to make sure you are adequately rested before the event. I can’t stress that enough. I know it’s hard when you’re pulling fifteen-hour days but do your best to get some rest!

Heed this advice at your next expo and you should come out on top and feeling chipper, ready for your next event. At Banner Bug, we know the exhibition display business and we know the toll It can take on your body. If you ever need some help in the display department or simply some good advice pop, onto our website or contact us directly and we will happily point you in the right direction.

23 Oct 2018

Questions like these seem simple, and we’d love to have a direct answer like two, or five. The truth is – it depends on a lot of things. Portable banners come in different styles and sizes, based on available space and function. The main types of banners are flags, pull-ups, desktops, and backdrops. Your background banner is most likely to be a media wall. It sets the tone for your booth, announcing you in bright colours and loud letters, so you definitely need one. Your set-up could be a pop-up instead of an open booth, in which case you need one comprehensive expo kit that curves around you.

For an outdoor expo, the ground is likely to be grass or earth, so we recommend the DS-X Frame. It’s the most pocket-friendly banner stand in our Banner Bug showroom. It’s also the easiest to assemble. It has an x-shaped frame that digs into the ground and supports your banners from the back (so it can only be one-sided). Each tip of the X hooks into a hole in your banner, so it doesn’t fray or run. It can simply be slid into place.

Built for the outdoors

DS-X comes in three sizes, so depending on the dimensions of your booth, you can pick a size that fits and install a pair of them. You might even opt for four pieces, one at each corner of your booth. It can be a harbinger for prospects in all directions. Because this is an outdoor event, you probably don’t have a roof, so pull-up banners are irrelevant – there’s nothing to suspend them from. Also, unless the event will extend after dark, you don’t need backlit banners. Make do with a comprehensive pop-up, or a media wall and boundary DS-X.

Also Read This: How Retractable Banners Work

Your outdoor location makes it inconvenient to use ‘flat-footed’ banner stands that are likely to tip over. You need banners with spiked feet that can dig into the ground. You will – however – have some kind of service desks or platforms you can use to attend to clients. It would be helpful if these tables were well organised with name tags, product listings, and brochures. Deskbugs are a handy tool for these functions. It’s a retractable banner that sits snug on your table-top. You need at least one per table, more if the tables are large.

Weatherproof fabric

Banner Bug stands have removable fabric advertorials that can easily be replaced once you purchase the stand. Many of our models have lighting options, so you can highlight them for night-time events, or if your expo is under a dark tent or canopy. The fabric is anti-glare, ideal for legibility on bright, sunny afternoons. Ideally, for whichever banner you select, you should have two or three as a back-up.

Having multiple pieces in multiple styles offers contingency options. It provides flexibility in booth design, so you can alter your layout if you need to. Our banners come with wheeled nylon carry cases. They ease transportation and protect the banners from damage between shows. You can order a hard case if you’d like one, especially for more massive, pricier banners.

To find the right set of banners for your corporate summer events, call Banner Bug today on +61 02 9663 5333.

19 Sep 2018

Retractable banners are crucial artillery in your display exhibition arsenal – or, on a lighter note, they can be like flowers in a garden. Regardless of the way you look at it, they are an integral piece of equipment in your event and exhibition kit. They are versatile, portable, storable and can be used indoor and outdoor.

How do they work? From a successful display design standpoint, they work well. Very well, and can be used in a range of different applications if you have a touch of creativity and some gusto for your work. Even still. Gusto and creativity are not mandatory to make good use of these little gems that are a must have display item.

How Do They Work?

Retractable banners retract using a spring-loaded system; similar to a pull-down blind mechanism, except you pull up and instead of down. They have a solid base so they are able to stand alone in pretty much all conditions. It’s so simple.

There are basically three parts. The base, the actual sign, and the support. You simply take it off the carry bag, pull up, insert the support rod, pull the sign up and clip it on. The whole process is lightning fast and 7/11 convenient.

They seriously can be carried and installed by a 10-year-old. So if you have kids, put them to work to cut down on labour costs, ha! The retraction features are optimal for storage and transportation and the carry bag makes it all the more user-friendly.

Also Read This: How Many Different Portable Banners Will You Need For An Indoor Expo?

The Design Aspect

From the display perspective, these are a hot ticket on the floor. They can be used throughout your exhibition in a number of ways and highlight the key reason they exist. To promote your brand.

Pull up banners and retractable banners are must have’s in the kit. Using multiple retractable banners of different shapes and even printing, depending on the design you have in mind, are a great tool for giving your display depth and dimension. They are usually used in conjunction with media wall and often used to frame the entire exhibition.

Having the option of multiple sizes gives you the option to get creative and create the most engaging display in the building. A good idea is to use them as support or draw attention to a media wall if you are using them indoors in an exhibition. Start with smaller banners at the front and work your way back in size to draw people to your booth and create depth and space. There’s is nothing more boring than a flat, unengaging exhibit.

Luckily if you get a decent set of these puppies in the kit in various sizes you are pretty much covered on all bases and can make a decent display at any event. Their versatility makes retractable banners a great creative display tool with unlimited potential. So use your imagination and make your display stand out with some Banner Bug pull-up banners or some retractable banners.

Retractable banners work with a simplicity and portability in mind and are a go-to item in the exhibition display industry.