Rooftop banner by Iconography. If your landlord and city code allows it, a strategically placed rooftop banner can be an excellent beacon for your business. At 8 ft tall and over 40 ft long, this stunning rooftop sign near Catalina Landing in Long Beach can’t be missed.
Banners come in all shapes and sizes, and are very easy to customize to fit any situation. Different materials include light and heavy-weight vinyls, mesh materials, and fabric options depending on your application. Here are some things to consider when planning:
1. Where will the banner be located? Indoor or outdoor? Will it be viewed close-up, or from farther away? Super-smooth, yet more expensive material is great for an indoor trade show, but not ideal for a rooftop display.
2. Will wind be an issue? Heavy winds can turn a banner into a sail, and if it is not produced and installed properly, can topple even a lightpost in a heavy wind!
3. Method of attachment. Will your sign be mounted semi-permanently to a wall? Or temporarily to a chain link fence? Perhaps a frame or other system will be required to display your sign. All of these options require a different finishing for proper mounting depending on the method.
4. How long will your sign be displayed? Very short term, single-use banners can be made from less expensive material than ones that need to look good for a year or longer. If your sign will hang outdoors for more than a year, you will want to invest in more sturdy materials.
Types of Banner Frame Systems – Which One is Right for Your Rooftop Banner?
Framing systems range from lightweight indoor stands to heavy-duty outdoor stretching frames designed to prevent wind damage. The primary purpose of these systems is to provide a taut, wrinkle-free display by applying consistent tension to the material.
Tension Stretching Frames: These frames are designed for a professional, “frameless” look, often used on building exteriors or high-traffic indoor areas.
- SwingSnap Tension Frame or Stretching Grip Snap Frame: Uses patented aluminum clamps with interlocking teeth to grip raw or hemmed banner edges without tearing.
- Outdoor Stretching Frame: Engineered with hidden clamps and a 4-inch wide edge that snaps closed to conceal mounting hardware and prevent wind from lifting the graphic.
- Media Frames: Known for a simple tensioning design that allows for quick installation and media
- Fabric & Pillowcase Systems: popular for trade shows and events because they are lightweight and easy to assemble.
- Tension Fabric Tubular Display: Features a snap-together aluminum tube frame; the graphic slides over like a pillowcase and zips shut at the bottom.
- Hopup Straight Tension Fabric Display: An “instant” setup system where the graphic remains pre-attached to the collapsible frame for rapid deployment.
- Curved Tension Fabric Frames: Utilize a curved architecture to remain upright without the need for traditional metal feet.
Portable Banner Stands: These are the most common systems for temporary displays and retail environments.
- Retractable (Roll-up) Stands: The banner is stored in a spring-loaded base and pulled up for display, offering the fastest setup time.
- X-Banner Stands: A budget-friendly, ultra-lightweight option that uses a flexible X-shaped frame to pull the banner taut at four corners.
- A-Frame Sidewalk Signs: Portable “sandwich boards” like the BannerBuzz Custom Banner Billboard Frame, which use a simple hook-and-grommet system for quick outdoor advertising.
Pole & In-Ground Systems: Designed specifically for grassy areas or street-side displays.
- In-Ground Stand Frame Kit: A lightweight steel frame that anchors into the ground using optional ground sleeves or weighted buckets.
- Pennant Pole Flags: Use a rotating yoke and tension arm system that allows the flag to rotate 360 degrees in the wind.
- Supreme Frame: A portable 8-foot aluminum frame used primarily for marching bands or parades, featuring handle grips for easy carrying.
Would you like more details on outdoor-specific frames that include wind-resistant features or a comparison of setup times for these different systems?
Whether you need a banner for an outdoor sign, an indoor trade show, or to cover a barricade the size of a city block, we can help! Give us a call today at 562-424-4353!
