A banner acts as a first impression for your brand, so getting the design and setup right is important. A good banner also improves store or kiosk interaction. The goal is to attract the attention of a passerby in need of your services. When a target customer looks at your storefront banner, they immediately know that they will find what they want. And, brownie points if the sign is attractive!

The message on your banner
Ideally, the first step in preparing a banner is to plan on the message it should deliver. This message will determine a couple of things like the size, color, pattern, and design of the banner. Think about the emotion you want to elicit in your customer. Whether it is urgency as in a discount sale or to establish a brand story with a memorable tagline. Your message plays a big role in the way your customer perceives your products. It is just like advertising, but only more direct and subtle. So consider the response you want from the audience. What is a message that will attract and stay with the onlooker? Once you have an answer to this, draft the message, make it precise, and reel in those customers!

The right banner material
The material of the banner sign needs to be apt for changing climate conditions. If your outdoor banner is up all year round, get a weatherproof one that will stay in place come rain or snow. Apart from this, also ask your banner supplier if they have curl and wrinkle-free options because the last thing you want is shabby signage on display. There are different materials to choose from, like fabric varieties and vinyl ones. So take your time and choose a material that is suitable for your store and the place where it is located. Asking your neighboring mom-and-pop stores what material they use may also help you make an informed choice.

Suitable size
For large storefronts, owners ideally pick wide prints that are eye-catching and can be seen from a distance. However, if you have a small kiosk at a tradeshow and only require a temporary banner sign, tone down on the size and try to focus more on the color or logo to draw attention. The message on your banner will always determine the size. If you have a boutique that is running sales and discounts, your banner size won’t be really big as the message is small. Having the word “sale” in big font on a medium-length banner will work. Ask your supplier how big or small they can make your banner and then decide.

Type of ink to be used
Have you noticed banners with faded ink that are just the opposite of inviting? That’s because the ink on the fabric isn’t protected to battle the harsh outdoors. It begins to peel off after extreme conditions break the pigment. So the color dulls down over a period of time, but the damage is usually lesser when the banner is printed with UV curable ink. Along with good fabric, selecting an ink that is also weather-resistant will help your banner stay intact for longer and maintain its color.

Placement of the sign
The location of the banner sign is also something to consider when setting it up. The banner should be proportionate to different elements of the store. For instance, if there are items on display that indicate what your business is about, whether it’s a cafe selling croissants or a bookstore with the latest Murakami book, the banner shouldn’t cover the items inside. The sign and the things on sale work in unison to attract customers. Think of your storefront as a poster for an upcoming movie and chalk out the placement of the banner along with everything else your customer can see at first glance. Apart from this, you also need to think about wind direction. Place the banner opposite to the direction of the wind so that it will stay put and not fray.

Choosing a banner supplier
Before choosing a local or online banner supplier, take a look at their previous work. Local suppliers may have a portfolio of their recent work, while online suppliers might have samples of the types of banners they make on their website. If their work aligns with your brands, that’s a green light. You can also customize your banner design by hiring an independent graphic artist to work on your banner and then simply upload the final design online on the suppliers’ website.

Keep the above things in mind while banner hunting for your business. You’ll certainly end up with an inviting banner sign that is durable and drives interaction.