Common Artwork Mistakes On Custom Flags (And How To Avoid Them)

Even experienced marketers sometimes get caught out when designing for large scale print on fabric. Flags and banners behave differently to leaflets or web graphics, and a few common mistakes keep showing up.

This guide runs through the most frequent artwork errors we see on custom flags and banners and how to avoid them.

Using low resolution images

The classic problem is trying to enlarge a small web image to fill a large flag or banner.

Symptoms:

• Blurry or pixelated logos. 
  
• Jagged edges on text and shapes. 
  
• Muddy, indistinct photos. 

Solution:

• Always start with vector artwork for logos where possible. 
  
• For photos, supply files at 150 dpi or higher at final size.
• If the original image is tiny, it needs to be replaced, not enlarged. 

Too much text

A flag or banner is not a brochure. People usually see it from a distance and have only a second or two to read it.

Symptoms:

• Lines and lines of text crammed into the design. 
  
• Important information lost in the clutter.  

Solution:

• Focus on one key message plus your brand. 
  
• Use short phrases, not paragraphs. 
  
• Save detailed information for your website or printed literature.  

Poor contrast

Text needs to stand out clearly from the background.

Symptoms:

• Dark text on a slightly darker background. 
  
• Light text on a nearly white image. 
  
• Patterned backgrounds making text hard to read.  

Solution:

• Ensure strong contrast between text and background. 
  
• Use solid colour panels behind key text if necessary. 
  
• Keep backgrounds simple where you need readability.  

Ignoring safe areas and bleed

Large prints are trimmed after production. If you place key elements right on the edge, they can be cut off.

Symptoms:

• Logos and text dangerously close to the edge. 
  
• White lines at the edge where there was no bleed.  

Solution:

• Use the supplied template. 
  
• Keep logos and important text within the safe area. 
  
• Extend background colours and images to the bleed edge.  

Overcomplicated designs

Just because you have space does not mean you should fill it with every possible graphic.

Symptoms:

• Collages of images, multiple messages and clashing fonts. 
  
• Design looks busy and messy from a distance.  

Solution:

• Keep it simple: one strong image or logo, one key message. 
  
• Stick to your brand typefaces and colour palette. 
  
• Think about how it will look from 10 m or 20 m away, not on a computer screen. 

Incorrect aspect ratios

Trying to force a design built for a square or portrait format into a long, narrow banner or vice versa rarely works.

Symptoms:

• Stretched or squashed logos. 
  
• Design that looks cramped in one direction and empty in another. 

Solution:

• Design with the correct aspect ratio from the start. 
  Create separate versions for portrait flags, landscape banners and feather flags. 
• Not allowing for hardware
  Poles, sleeves, eyelets and hems all affect the final visual area.

Symptoms:

• Important text disappearing into a sleeve or wrapped around a pole. 
  
• Elements obscured by clips or hardware. 

Solution:

• Use product specific templates that show sleeve areas, pockets and hardware positions. 
  Keep critical information away from edges that will be hidden or wrapped. 

Summary

Most artwork mistakes on flags and banners are easy to avoid with a bit of planning.

• Start with proper high quality files. 
  
• Design with viewing distance, aspect ratio and hardware in mind. 
  
• Use templates, respect safe areas and keep text clear and concise.  

Do that and your finished flags and banners will look as sharp and professional in real life as they did in your head.