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Banner Works / Banners / Banner Guidebook

Banner Guidebook Introduction

We have a 50-page Guidebook available to you that provides general information on vertical light pole banners, Banner Works brand banners, materials, specifications, designs, banner examples and "system" advice. Selected portions of this book are included on this site. The Guidebook is a detailed publication that gives advice and recommendations on almost every aspect of a vertical banner system and program. You may obtain a free copy by contacting us - just click Contact above for more information.

Our Banner Works product line offers products for the customer seeking complete vertical light pole products and services. These products includes banners, pole mounting hardware, portable and permanent ground mount systems and design services. Included in this site are highlights of our Guidebook publication. This site by no means covers the majority of what the actual publication contains, but it will hopefully get you started in the right direction and help you understand why Banner Works has become the leader in the vertical light pole banner industry.

Tell me about vertical banners for light poles.

We refer to these banners technically speaking as "vertical format street banners" (VFB). This means they are oriented vertically and attached to light poles using top and bottom (usually) horizontal bracket arms.

Banners are just one aspect of an age-old desire on the part of communities to enhance their surroundings for what we call "The Look of Success". The entire study of how people are affected by design, whether environmental graphics or architecture or both, has recently become known as "environmental graphic design." These banners, when used with forethought on design and structural integrity, will immediately impart positive environmental design to an area, while communicating specific, brief information about an organization, an event or a season.

What's the difference between a banner system and a banner program?

Throughout these guidelines, Banner Works refers to both a municipal banner system and a banner program. A system is defined as all items that allow the installation of both hardware and fabric banners on utility or other poles. References to a banner program cover all aspects of establishing and maintaining the ongoing use of the banner system components by a municipality, shopping center or other entity.

What do I need to get started?

Contact us! Simply click Contact above. We will get you started. Request your own free copy of our Banner Program Guidebook and ask us to include other literature that might be appropriate for your particular project. Please know that we can provide a free full-color mock-up of your proposed project, complete or assist your design, and usually within a few days.

The Banners

It's critical that the proper fabric and banner fabrication procedures are used to ensure against banner deterioration and possible damage to your investment. The following is a general discussion of materials that we recommend. For actual Banner Works banner and hardware specifications for bidding and other purposes, see Banner Works Product Specifications.

The Most Durable Banner Fabrics

For greatest durability, banners for your outdoor program should be made with synthetic, exterior fabrics that are warranted for color fastness and durability. Banner Works line of Ready to Print Banner Designs (RTP) are printed on the finest, exterior, 100% acrylic, marine fabrics. Digitally produced banners are designs printed on high-strength, block-out, vinyl fabric that is doubled to allow an image on both sides. For custom banner designs we use the same fabrics as well as some acrylic-coated, woven polyesters. Because all of these are extremely durable, a particular fabric may be recommended over another fabric simply because of fabric color options. Also, we can screen-print on both sides of the white, block-out vinyl when a less expensive, but sometimes less durable, banner is desired (note: "less durable" describes banners that are single thickness and over 30" wide by 60" tall). Vinyl fabrics of this size and smaller are generally strong enough to withstand sudden, gusty weather. Although we can use this vinyl for larger banners, we caution our customers that some maintenance may be required after very windy conditions. Larger banners, doubling the fabric is a recommended option to increase the strength.

Banner Fabric Colors

Most of our banners use the fabric color as their background color. The advantages to this include the fact that a "one ink color" banner using a colored background (in lieu of a white background) becomes a two-color presentation. Also, colored backgrounds using our Banner Works-specified fabrics are extremely fade resistant and will look good for years. However, white backgrounds are very popular with our customers and can be striking in design. Also, if you require a "four-color process" or digital image presentation white vinyl is used as the background fabric.

Banner Sizes

For simplicity, Banner Works has developed three standard banner sizes for our Ready-To-Print #(RTP) banner designs. However, other custom sizes are available upon request for little or no significant cost difference. You will notice that most of our banner examples, along with all of our RTP designs, are rectangular. We have found this to be the least expensive and most durable shape, especially when used on Banner Works BannerFlex banner brackets.

Our RTP standard sizes are:

30"W x 94"H
30"W x 60"H
18"W x 36"H

How do I decide which size banner to use?

This is a common question, especially when deciding between the two larger standard sizes. Often, we make a recommendation depending on the size and strength of light poles in the area, the physical proportions of the streets in the area and budgetary considerations. In all cases, it is your ultimate responsibility to determine whether or not a specific banner presentation is structurally feasible on the light or other poles being used. However, we do provide information that will be helpful to your engineers on these pages: Banner Works Product Specifications and Wind Tunnel Testing.

The 30" x 94" size is the most popular of the three simply because it creates greater impact with color and graphics, especially when used on larger, wider streets. A double banner installation of this size (two banners per pole) gives the greatest impact. The 30" x 60" size is the next most popular and is a wonderful alternative for smaller street areas, smaller light poles and smaller budgets. We recommend that you borrow different-sized samples from Banner Works and hold them up or install them on your poles to help you determine what size is right. The 18" x 36" size is generally used on smaller, ornamental light poles that are becoming more popular, especially in historic areas. These banners are less expensive, use smaller, less expensive hardware and put less stress on the poles.

Should we use one banner per pole or two banners per pole?

The two main factors to keep in mind are budget and the structural capabilities of your poles. See examples on this web site and Banner Works literature for graphic examples of both methods.

Banner Printing Inks and Banner Construction

With all the research and testing Banner Works has done over the years, you can be sure we use the finest inks possible. With tremendous exterior forces beating away on our products, we wouldn't use anything but the best. Inks are the least durable of the banner system materials, but we have found that for most applications our heat-set, permanent, automotive pigment inks are superior by far in this industry. Because our banners are flexible, we use inks that are fused to the fabric fibers and coatings. Once cured, our inks will not crack, peel or flake. And with our proprietary formulas, we can expect only minimal fading after two years on a year-around installation in any climate.

Our digital screen press uses UV-resistant inks on white, block-out vinyls that carry the same, excellent, fade-resistant characteristics.

The general construction of a banner includes top and bottom hems 4" for the 94" and 60" banners and 3" on the 36" banners, these hems are a double layer of fabric on the two larger sizes and a single layer on the 36" size.

Banner Design and Graphics

The most important thought to keep in mind for vertical light pole banners is that your graphics should be bold, dynamic, simple and easy to understand. See our Ready-To-Print (RTP) designs for examples. Remember, for most exterior applications, banners are meant for both vehicular and pedestrian graphic. If your customers are passing by at 30 mph, all that will impact them will be color design and moderately large type, if words are part of the design. We offer free, no-obligation assistance with banner designs and will supply free color mock-ups for use in your design approval process.

Banner Hardware - BannerFlex® Brackets

The discussion about banner hardware really should come first, because hardware is the most important part of a successful banner system. It's true, hardware often gets less attention than the colorful banners themselves. But without a strong, durable bracket, it doesn't matter how beautifully designed your banners are. Any banner will deteriorate when not properly supported.

Our patented BannerFlex Bracket features corrosion-resistant, aluminum castings and pultruded fiberglass arms for maximum durability and weather resistance. The idea behind BannerFlex is that the arms flex and spill off a significant amount of wind and then return to the original position without the need for wind holes or slots in the banners (see Wind Tunnel Testing).

With a BannerFlex bracket, the top arm is canted up and the bottom arm is canted down. When a banner is installed on these brackets, the fiberglass arms conform to the shape of the banner and create tension that draws the banner fabric taught between the top and bottom hems. When the wind blows, the force is immediately transferred to the fiberglass, which then flexes and spills off wind. The amount of wind spilled depends on the size of the banner and the force of the wind.

How to determine which size BannerFlex bracket to use

BannerFlex comes in two sizes, regular and BannerFlex Junior for banners that are 20"W x 48"H or smaller (ideal for our 18" x 36" RTP banners). The regular size can be mounted by either bolts or by heavy-duty, stainless steel banding, using a special tool that conforms to virtually any size and shape of pole (see Installation Instructions). The Junior model is banded to the pole either with the same or narrower stainless steel banding (using the special tool) or by "screw gear" banding, which only requires a screwdriver. The Junior model is a straight-arm system and is not "canted" like the larger BannerFlex bracket.

Exterior Ground Level Display of Banners - Messenger® PT and Messenger® GMS

The Messenger Sign System allows the easy display of a single banner or graphic at floor- or ground-level . The Messengers will accommodate the same 30" x 94" or 30" x 60" banner that you are using for your exterior poles.

Our portable model, the Messenger PT, has been designed for special outdoor events, such as festivals, fairs and sporting venues. This unit is made of fiberglass tubing and is assembled into a tall unit that will flex and spill wind. The unit is supplied with four tent stakes. Sandbags are also available.

The Messenger GMS (for ground mounted system) is designed with fiberglass uprights and a powder-coated steel base that may be bolted to exterior surfaces. It also flexes in the wind, similar to the portable model. The most common use for this model is on bank drive-in islands, within parks and zoos, and at shopping plazas.

Banner Works Product Line Bidding Specifications

The following specifications should be used in bid documents when specifying the large version of BannerFlex Brackets (for banners from 30"W x 94"H to approximately 20" X 48"). For 20" x 48" and smaller, see BannerFlex Junior Specifications.

The exterior banner brackets shall have an upper arm assembly to support the top hem of the banner and a lower arm assembly for the bottom hem of the banner. Each top and bottom bracket shall be composed of two components: the main casting and the arm assembly.

The main bracket shall be cast 535 almag or 356T6 aluminum with a facing plate 7-1/4"L x 3"W (weight: 1.3 ounces) that will accommodate square, round or fluted pole shapes. This main casting shall be manufactured in a "U" shape to allow a smaller, arm casting of a "T" shape to slide into the main casting. The arm casting shall also be cast 535 almag or 356T6 aluminum with a 13/16" diameter pultruded fiberglass rod inserted 1-3/4" into the arm casting and secured with two-part epoxy with 31" of the rod exposed (arm casting and rod weight: 1.6 pounds). There shall be approximately 1-1/2" in adjustment built into each main casting to allow for variable banner length prior to final tightening. With a top and bottom installation, the total possible adjustment shall be approximately 3". The arm casting shall have a cast buttress with a 1/4" hole to accommodate banner to bracket tie-down wire, cable or cable tie.

The arm casting shall have a 4-degree cant or angle to it that will apply upward force when used at the top of the banner and downward force when used at the bottom of the banner. This will allow the banner to be stretched tightly, creating tension between the two arms. There shall be four Dacromet-coated, steel-set screws with hex heads (for allen wrench) per main casting to secure after the arm casting is in place to keep arm casting in place before set screws are tightened.

The main casting shall have two 9/16" bolt holes (one at each end) and shall have ridges at the ends that will accommodate 3/4" stainless steel bands. These bands may be placed over the bracket at each end to secure the main casting to a utility pole or other object.

BannerFlex Junior Bracket Specifications

The exterior banner brackets shall have an upper arm assembly to support the top hem of the banner and a lower arm assembly for the bottom hem of the banner. Each top and bottom bracket shall be comprised of one component that includes an aluminum casting and a fiberglass rod.

The aluminum casting shall be cast 535 almag or 356T6 aluminum and measure 4-3/4"L x 2-1/4"W x 1-3/4"H from the bottom of the casting to the top of the rod stub. The back of the casting shall be concave with a 1/8" relief to allow the casting to fit against various light pole or utility pole shapes, such as round, fluted or square. It shall have two horizontal indentations, one each along the top and the bottom face to accommodate 9/16" wide, stainless steel, screw gear banding or 1/2" or 3/4" stainless steel solid banding, which is used to hold the casting firmly to the light pole. These indentations shall be approximately 1/8" deep.

The fiberglass arm shall be 13/16" in diameter with an exposed length of 20" and shall be comprised of pultruded fiberglass. It shall be secured into the aluminum casting at a 90-degree angle to the casting face with either a two-part epoxy or a cotter pin through the casting stub sides and the fiberglass rod.

Banner Works Banners Specifications

Exterior light pole banners must be manufactured with high quality; synthetic fabrics that have been proven to withstand the wind forces of local sign codes, as well as exposure to sun, rain, ice and snow. The following specifications are for fabrics used by Banner Works on a regular basis for light pole banners.

100% Woven Acrylic Banner Fabric Specifications

The fabric shall be woven with 100% acrylic, solution-dyed fiber. Weight of the finished fabric, prior to fabrication as a banner, is to be approximately 9.25 ounces per square yard. It shall be water-resistant and repellant, UV-resistant and mildew-resistant. Breaking strength shall be 282 lbs/5cm Warp; 6 lbs/5cm Fill (Test Method 191A 5100). Tear strength shall be 9 lbs/5cm Warp; 6 lbs/5cm Fill (Test Method 191A 5134). The manufacturer of the fabric must warranty the fabric under a 5-year limited "awning warranty."

100% Woven Polyester Fabric Specifications

The fabric shall be an acrylic-coated, 100% polyester fabric weighing 9.6 ounces per square yard. It shall be water-resistant and repellant, UV-resistant and mildew-resistant. It shall be flame retardant to the specifications of the California State Fire Marshall, F-121.8 UL-214, classified: NFPA-701; ASTM-E-84, Class A. The manufacturer of the fabric must warranty the fabric under a 5-year limited "awning warranty."

White Block-out Vinyl Banner Fabric Specifications

Fabric shall be 13-ounce, 3-ply laminated construction. Two layers of inherently flame retardant PVC film surfacings are to be reinforced by an open-mesh, base cloth, woven from high-strength, synthetic fibers. The outer two layers are to be white and the inner layer is to be opaque black. The outer layers are to have a smooth, matte finish, and the completed banner fabric is to appear the same on both front and back.

Banner Ink Specifications

Banner inks shall be UV-resistant, permanent pigment inks that will bond totally to the fabrics. They must not crack or peel or otherwise come off under exterior exposure. The UV properties must allow at least one full year of exposure with no more than 10% fade. These inks shall be formulated for utmost compatibility with the fabrics to be used. They are to be comprised of raw materials that contain less than 0.66% lead. All screen-print inks for use on woven textile fabrics are to be opaque and non-bleeding.

Banner Fabrication Specifications

Banner is measured while laying flat and includes the finished hems. The top and bottom hems are to be 3-1/2"W (2-1/2"W for banners less than 50"L) and open at both ends. The hem stitching is to be double-needle stitching at both the top and bottom hems, using #138 polyester or nylon-bonded threads in colors that match the fabric color, unless otherwise specified. If side hems are needed, they are to be 1/2" rolled hems with single-needle stitching.

A solid brass, number two (#2) spur grommet is to be placed at the inner edges of the banner at both the top and bottom with the center of the grommet within 1" of the side edge. The top grommet is to be positioned above and immediately adjacent to the double-needle stitching.

Banner Graphics and Artwork

For information on artwork submission, click Art Requirements (near the top of this page). The printed version of our Banner Guidebook has detailed information and advice on designing vertical light pole banners based on our many years of designing in this format and media. Please ask us to send you a copy. For specifics regarding our computer design programs, the transferring of files, banner "printable area" and other related information, see the information below.

Design Specifications

Banner design(s) should be proportional to final size and include representations of hemlines. For screen-printed banners, the stock sizes and their printable areas are as follows:

30" x 94" with a printable area of 28" x 84"
30" x 60" with a printable area of 28" x 50"
18" x 36" with a printable area of 16" x 29"

For Color Digital Output Banners, the printable area is generally the entire banner size as the image is usually overprinted and the fabric trimmed to create bleeds. However, on double-sided banners, because top and bottom hems are generally rolled over from one side of the banner to another, there may be design conflicts at the hems. Call or e-mail for advice.

Banner Products Warranty

Banner Works exterior banners, manufactured with 100% woven acrylic and 100% woven polyester fabric in standard sizes of 30" x 94" and smaller*, and when attached with full top and bottom bracket arms, are warranted for two (2) calendar years** from the date of Banner Works invoice, against defects in material and workmanship when installed on Banner Works BannerFlex® brackets and properly maintained. Banner Works banners installed on other hardware with full top and bottom bracket arms are warranted for one (1) year, from the date of purchase, against defects in material and workmanship (when banners and brackets are properly installed and maintained). Banner Works banners attached on hardware that allow the banner to "fly" at the bottom (with or without a grommet attachment) are not warranted after installation.

During normal use, inks are covered against cracking, peeling or chipping. A minimal amount of ink color fade can be expected with some ink colors due to UV exposure over extended periods (10% after year one and a total of 15% after year two). Ink colors containing fluorescent pigments carry no fade warranty. Contact your Banner Works Sales Representative if these colors are requested.

Banner Warranty Remedy: If, during the warranty period, any banner has failed to perform for reasons associated with the printing and sewing of the banners, Banner Works will, on a pro-rata basis, repair or replace at its discretion any banners determined to be defective. Failure due to improper installation is not covered by this warranty. Customer should send the banners in question, postage-paid, to Banner Works for inspection (Contact Banner Works for a Return Authorization Number prior to returning product). Banner Works will immediately respond to the customer with the findings and proposed plan of action. Return shipping (via UPS Regular Ground Service) will be at Banner Works expense. Labor to remove and reinstall banners is not covered under Banner Works warranty.

Banner Works BannerFlex brackets are warranted for five (5) years, from the date of Banner Works invoice against defects in material and workmanship when installed according to Banner Works installation instructions and when used to support banners in the standard Banner Works size of 30" x 94" or smaller*.

REMEMBER: Use Band-It® stainless steel banding (# C206) or equivalent and wrap the banding around the pole and casting assembly TWICE (2x) before clamping the buckle. Also, bracket installation should be inspected 30 days after the initial installation and every 60 days thereafter, making any necessary adjustments immediately.

This warranty does not apply where equipment is used, or installation performed, in any manner contrary to Banner Works specifications and instructions, nor where equipment is altered or modified. Excessive force (hammering, etc.) is not necessary and will damage the castings and void the warranty. Nor does this warranty cover installation or removal costs incurred by customer. BannerFlex Brackets have survived extreme windstorm conditions but are not warranted for catastrophic storms with gusts of 70 mph and above.Banner Works BannerFlex Junior brackets and screw gear banding are warranted for a period of five (5) years from the date of Banner Works invoice against defects in material and workmanship when installed according to Banner Works installation instructions and when used to support banners 2" x 48" or smaller.

*Banner and Bracket size Note: Custom products that are manufactured larger than or standard sizes may be subject to the above or to different warranties depending upon specifications. Contact Banner Works Customer Service for information regarding special applications.

**Fabric Note: The fabric mills warrant the above banner fabrics for a period of five years against loss of fabric color from normal exposure conditions.

Wind Tunnel Testing

The original Banner Works BannerFlex® banner bracket was tested in the fall of 1984 to determine the effectiveness of the fiberglass arms as banner supports compared to steel supports. Two styles of Banner Works banners were tested at the same time to determine the effectiveness of wind holes in the banners.

The test was conducted on November 13, 1984 in a private testing facility owned by a Banner Works customer who was intending on placing banners on light poles outside their facility. The banners and brackets were to be subjected to street-level winds, which were reported to be "quite gusty" around their building. The test's purpose was to establish structural integrity of the banners and brackets in those windy conditions. The testing laboratory released the following information for Banner Works use:

"A 10'L x 6"D steel pipe was used to represent the light pole to which the banner supports were mounted. The cloth banners were erected per Banner Works instructions and tested in a uniform wind up to 60 mph perpendicular to the banners. The banners were yawed up to 30? to simulate a partial-side wind condition of 60 mph.

The banners and supports did not tear or fail under these test conditions. However, the flexible fiberglass banner supports appear to be a better alternative than the steel supports, since fiberglass flexes under load and returns to the no-load position. The steel supports assumed a set after loading which is not a desirable condition for this application."

Furthermore, the banners without the wind holes (three 5" half-moons) did not appear to spill away a measurably higher degree of wind than the banners with the holes. Also, the banners with the wind holes vibrated significantly.

According to aeronautical engineers, a direct, 90-mph wind exerts a force of approximately 20 pounds per square foot. Thus, two 7'10" x 30" banners placed on a pole represent approximately 20 square feet per banner or 40 square feet for the set. With a direct 90-mph wind, we have assumed that 25% of the wind will spill off due to the deflection of the BannerFlex fiberglass arms and the flexibility of the fabric. The theoretical load on the pole, therefore, is 40 SF x .75 x 20 lbs. /SF = 600 lbs. A single banner per pole would be 300 lbs.

The ultimate breaking load, as we understand it, for a typical reinforced concrete utility pole is 900 lbs at 25' above the ground (these numbers are used for example only and must be verified in each, individual instance). The 600-lb banner load (at 90 mph) is applied normally at an effective height of 16' (using brackets at 12' and 20'). The pole is significantly stronger at this height then at the 25' height. The above calculations do not take into account the cantilever or weight of the lighting fixture, which could increase or decrease the effective load on the pole depending on the direction of the wind. At most, our figures show the maximum increase to be about 165 lbs at 90 mph. Therefore, with more typical winds at 0 to 40 mph the loads are less than half of the above.

This information is provided only as an example of how a customer's engineers might begin structural analysis of their own utility poles. We analyze these numbers for our own use and do not make any direct or implied guarantee to a customer's individual use. It is the customer's responsibility to ensure that the poles in use are able to withstand any increased load put upon a pole by the installation of one or more banners of any specific size on that pole using a top and bottom arm BannerFlex banner bracket installation.

Note: If the bottom arm(s) is/are deleted, and the banner is attached at the bottom only with a grommet and a cable tie to the pole, the wind force is cut virtually in half but the banner life is reduced significantly.

Banner Works • 800.438.0351 • 407.322.9327 • cindy@bannerworksfl.com