Colorful, vibrant, versatile, and attention-grabbing, vinyl banners are a great and economical way to spread your message. On top of looking beautiful, a well-designed banner embodies your vision and your values.
Moreover, it can influence the behavior of your target audience. If you really want to make the most of it, here is what you need to know.
What Should a Branded Banner Include?
Your branded banner should incorporate the following elements:
Large Text and Easy to Read Font
When designing a branded banner, you must pay special attention to the typography. First and foremost, you need to make sure the text is large and easy to read.
And, not any font will do. Poorly chosen typography can distract from your message. When choosing fonts, you need to assume that your audience won’t be so captive.
So, even though you found a gorgeous, delicate font that perfectly matches your logotype, it may not be the best choice. For outdoor typography, it is best to stick with sans serif fonts, such as Helvetica. PT sans and Georgia can also work great.
Message
Your message/copy should be as simple as it can be. Less is more. Well-designed branded banners can vary in style, size, purpose, etc., but all of them have one thing in common—they are very simplistic in terms of messaging.
Let’s take Apple’s copy for example. Their copy uses short and broken sentences to promote readability. Remember, you don’t have much time to grab the attention of your audience.
To get your point across, all you need is one strong line. The message should focus on one main goal. Conclude it with a simple CTA (Call to Action).
Colors and Images
You can influence observers by utilizing color psychology. Generally, contrasting colors and bright hues work best. Colors that are opposites on the color palette complement each other well.
Don’t be afraid to go with bold, attention-grabbing colors. If you want to draw attention to your logo or people in the banner, it is best to use a solid color background.
If your event revolves around a more abstract concept, you can use pictures and graphics. Human-led photos can help you tell your story. But, make sure to use high-resolution images.
If you want to isolate focal points, you can use white space. No matter what colors or images you choose, try to keep things simple. People will have a hard time making sense of your banner if the space is cluttered.
Placement
The place you will put your banner is just as important as the elements on your banner. In fact, the location determines what is the best size and material for your banner.
If you plan on placing your banner outdoors, it’s best to invest in more durable materials. PVC banners are usually the best choice because they can survive tough weather conditions and they don’t fade when they are under direct sunlight for a longer period of time.
Consider the distance between your target audience and your banner. The further they are, the larger the banner you need. You need to make sure everyone will be able to read your message from afar.
Intricate design elements such as decorative borders won’t work if the banner is a couple hundred feet away from your audience. Work out the average viewing distance before you start designing your banner.
For every 100 feet of visibility, add 10 inches of letter height. You can check out standard PVC banner sizes at Printroom.
Layout
For all elements to work, they need to work in unison. To achieve this, you need a well-balanced layout. Prioritize the placement and spacing of the main idea (in a line or two of text), your organization’s or event’s logo, and the call to action.
Steps to Designing a Branded Banner for Outdoor Events
- Step 1: Find out exactly where and how you can display the banner. For instance, if you will be using a dark-colored booth at the event, make sure to choose colors for your banner that will make it stand out.
- Step 2: Determine what you are trying to achieve with your banner. Your banner vision should be aligned with the event goals and/or your campaign. For instance, if your goal is to get more people to subscribe to your email list, make sure to offer them an incentive to join.
- Step 3: Place your main copy, your logo, and a call to action. All of these elements combined should take up more than half of the total banner space.
- Step 4: If you need to expand on your message, add limited text detail. Another option is to use an image that communicates the same message.
- Step 5: Add contact information, social media pages, or relevant website links.
