General FAQ
This page contains answers to general frequently asked questions. There are product specific FAQ on most of the pages throughout this site, but these are the most common general questions we are asked. As always, if you have a question and don't see the answer here, you can use the Live Support chat link, visit the Contact Us page to send an e-mail or call us for assistance.
What is your turnaround time?
Our normal production time is 2-3 business days after the proof has been approved, or from the receipt of usable files for orders that don't require a proof. That means orders with printing generally ship within 4 business days. Orders for displays without banners ship the same day for most products, and within 1-2 days for the remaining products. A few banner stands require extra lead time, and some printing takes a few days longer, such as feather and teardrop banners. Large orders can take a few extra days as well, depending on the size of the order. Rush service is available that allows must orders to ship within 2 days.
Are there any hidden costs?
We don't have any hidden costs such as RIP fees or setup costs, so long as you submit files that are ready to print. That means they must be set up at the correct size using the template for the appropriate model. If we find that's not the case, we'll give you the option to have us set up your file on the proper template and/or size it to the correct size for $15, or give you the information so you can do this yourself and avoid the charge. Any options and shipping costs are clearly shown on the order, as is the estimated delivery date based on the products and options you've selected. We try to make everything as clear as possible so you'll know exactly what you're getting, what the cost is, and when you'll receive it.
Do you offer quantity discounts?
Yes, quantity discounts are available on most products and will be shown in the shopping cart. Quantity discounts on printing are based on the overall square footage you are ordering of a particular material. A single large print can have a lower price per square foot than a larger quantity of small prints, since the discount is based on the total amount of square footage being printed. The price per print will update on the product page to reflect the correct price based on the dimensions, quantity and options you have selected.
On display hardware, quantity prices are shown at the top of the product detail page for reference, and will also be applied when the item is added to your shopping cart.
Why do you have so many different models of banner stands?
Because we are distributors of many top brands, as well as offering exclusive models manufactured specifically for us, it's like being able to shop for car at a dealer that carries every major brand of vehicle. So whether you are in the market for a Ford or a Lexus, a Kia or a Saab, we have you covered. While there is some overlap between the models, each brand and style has unique characteristics that will appeal to different customers. So, rather than choose one or two brands like most companies, we offer them all to you at discount prices so that you can choose the features and price range that works for you.
What are retractable banner stands?
Retractable banner stands, sometimes called roll up banner stands, are a type of banner stand that has a roller mechanism that retracts the graphic into the base when it's not in use. They are very popular because they are simple to use, easy to set up, and protect the graphic inside the base when traveling or shipping the stand. We sell more retractable banner stands than any other style because of these convenient features.
What other types of banner stands are available?
Besides retractable banner stands, we also sell various styles of non retractable banner stands as well as retail banner stands, outdoor banner stands, and banner stand accessories for all these types of banner stands. Most non retractable banner stands have a top and bottom rail that attaches to the graphic, a foot of some kind that attaches to the bottom rail which provides weight and stability, and a pole that attaches to the top rail and inserts into the foot. Depending on the type of support pole used, they are also called spring back banner stands, tension back banner stands, or telescopic banner stands. This design is simple, lightweight and relatively inexpensive. They are very reliable and difficult to damage because there are no moving parts. The only down sides to non retractable banner stands is that they must be assembled and disassembled with each use, and the banner must be rolled up by hand. This takes a little more time and effort, and it increases the chance of the banner getting damaged during all this handling, as well as during transit compared with retractable banner stands. Non retractable banner stands also tend to be lighter weight, which can be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on your needs.
Retail banner stands are generally designed with larger, heavier bases for increased stability in high traffic areas. The base usually has a straight pole with some kind of attachment to hold the graphic at the top and bottom, and with many of these, the graphic attachments can adjust up and down to vary the size of the graphic and it's distance from the floor. Since they are not designed to be packed up and moved, they don't tend to come with carry bags or cases. Many of the retail banner stands we carry can optionally be configured with a different base to that they can be used for trade shows and exhibits, and have optional carry bags that can be purchased when the stand is configured for travel.
What are your shipping costs?
Shipping costs are based on the size and weight of each item, your location, and the shipping method you select. You can view the shipping costs in your cart prior to checkout.
How long will it take to receive my order?
All orders that include banners typically take 3-4 days to produce and ship. If you need your order by a particular date, be sure to choose that option during checkout and our system will calculate the least expensive way to receive your order by that date. Rush orders are available for an extra charge, and our system will take those options into account if necessary. If the system indicates there isn't a service available to get your order in time, contact us to see if there is anything we can do to make your deadline. Banner stand hardware only orders will generally ship within one business day, but in some cases it may take longer so if you need a banner stand by a particular date, be sure to use that option as well. Shipping time is dependent on the shipping method you choose and will be shown during checkout. For hardware only banner stand orders, we will have the stands shipped directly from the closest location to you in order to save on shipping time and cost, so they may come from us, or directly from the manufacturer if they are closer.
What types of files can I send?
Our preference is to have bitmap images submitted in TIFF format, vector images as Illustrator, PDF or EPS files, and layouts in InDesign 2 or later or QuarkXPress 4 or later, but we can accept documents created in almost any popular Mac graphics or layout program and most PC graphics programs as well. When sending CorelDraw files, be sure to convert all fonts to curves and send an eps version as well, if possible. In all cases, be sure to include any placed images that are part of your layout along with the main file to give us as much ability as possible to troubleshoot your files, if necessary. If saved properly, PDF files are also a great way to submit your layouts. We have a great deal of expertise in converting and trouble-shooting files, so there is little we can't handle. Files from office programs such as Word, Publisher and PowerPoint can be difficult to output properly, so we recommend against them. If you can, convert them to pdf files. If not, there is a $25 charge for us to work with these files.
We require that you include your document fonts, convert them to outlines, or embed them in your file. If you send us a PDF file be sure you save the file properly because we may have limited ability to change what you give us. In general, you want to save a pdf file that contains all the resolution of your original and doesn't downsample the images. If available, choose the format PDF/X-1a:2001 or later. Contact us for questions regarding how to properly create these types of files.
Should my files be in RGB or CMYK format and should I use a particular color profile?
Since all printing is done in the CMYK format, it's best if your files are in this format as well. This will give you a better idea of how your banners will look printed. However, either format should print well so it's not necessary for your files to be in CMYK. There are some colors that will shift when printed in RGB since the RGB color space contains colors that cannot be printed in CMYK. A pure RGB blue tends to print somewhat purple if no adjustment is made, so keep that in mind if you leave your files in RGB. We will match any PMS colors as closely as possible, but only if they are left as spot colors. Keep in mind that if you edit the color formulate of a PMS color, but don't change the name, we will match it to the original PMS color.
Will use any color profile assigned to your file for output in order to match the colors as closely as possible to what you created. For the best color, we recommend Adobe RGB for RGB images, and U.S. Sheetfed Coated for CMYK images.
What resolution files should I send
We print at very high resolutions, 720 to 1440 dpi, so we can take advantage of higher resolution files if you have them. In general, we find that files of 150 dpi at the actual print size will look excellent when viewed up close. For viewing from further away, lower resolution files are fine and we find that 72 dpi images will look very good when viewed from 5 feet away. Since the image size and resolution are interdependant, you can also save files that are half the print size and double the resolution. For example, if you are creating a file for a banner that is 31.5x84, your could make your file that size at 150 dpi, or you could make your file 15.75x42 at 300 dpi. This will have no effect on the file size or the print quality, but we get asked this all the time so we thought we would explain it in case anyone prefers to work at a scaled size.
What is the color of the printing material, can I choose a different color of material?
All printing materials themselves are generally white, so any color other than white needs to be created as part of the design that is printed. If you want a banner with a red background and white letters, we are basically printing the red background and leaving the letters unprinted so the white of the banner material shows through. Just like printing on paper with a desktop printer. Some materials are clear, so unprinted areas can be left clear or printed with some density of white to create different effects.
Can you design my banners for me?
Yes, we have designers who can create your designs for you, or take your idea and clean it up and make it look professional. We also have predesigned banners available at small cost that can be used as is or customized if required. Obviously there is an extra charge for this service, so contact us and we can discuss what you want and give you an estimate on the design work.
Why do you offer multiple banner options with each stand?
For the same reason we offer such a large selection of banner stands. We have selected 3-4 different banner materials for each stand so that our customers have a choice of price ranges and features in the banners themselves. Be assured that every option is printed at a high quality on quality banner materials. because when it comes down to it, the banner is actually more important than the stand, since that's what your customers are looking at. But some materials are more expensive than others, so we offer different options so you can decide what price point is most appropriate for your needs.
How can I get a sample of a particular material to see how it prints before I order?
We have printed samples of most every material we offer. Go to the Contact Us page and fill out the form with your shipping address, and tell us which samples you would like. The samples will ship via US Mail, but if you need them in a hurry, you can also provide a UPS account and we will ship them to you however quickly you like.
What banner material should I choose?
Every material we offer is very high quality and will look outstanding. All of our materials are waterproof, tear resistant, and depending on the material you choose, either scratch resistant or scratch proof. None of our materials are made with paper, which does not hold up over time in this type of use. The particular material you should select is a personal preference, but the most popular option is the Curl Free banner because it looks great and hangs flat. Unlike what our competitors call curl free, stay flat, so flat, or some other description to make you think the banner doesn't curl, ours really does hang perfectly flat in most circumstances.
Do you offer other banner materials?
Yes, we offer a wide range of materials, but the vast majority of our customers choose one of the options we have listed, so we chose not to show more choices so as not to overwhelm our customers. Many customers are on a budget and are looking for a less expensive option that the default choices we have. They will often order just the stand and have the banners printed locally to save money. We can offer any banner material that other printers offer, usually at a better price, and by having us print the banners, they come already installed in the stand when they arrive. On many stands, we offer a Budget Banner option to provide an inexpensive option that still works well, as we've had to fix many stands over the years because a local printer used an inappropriate material or installed it incorrectly and caused a problem with the hardware.
Can I use or print my own banner or do I have to purchase the banner from you?
You can purchase all of our products with or without the banners. While we offer great prices on state-of-the-art printed banners on a wide range of material options to cover any need, we realize that some customers will want to purchase their banners elsewhere, so for each stand there is an option to order the stand without any banner. Keep in mind that all the banner options we offer have been thoroughly tested to be sure they perform well and work with every stand we sell. In cases where a particular material doesn't work with a particular stand for some reason, we don't offer that material, or we offer an alternate material. We are not responsible for the performance of the stand when used with inappropriate materials, so be sure to choose a banner material that is designed to be used with the type of stand you are purchasing. In general, outdoor banner materials are typically not appropriate for indoor banner displays, although many will work even if they don't look good and curl badly. Banners finished for outdoor use, such as those with hems and grommets, cannot be used in retractable stands. Paper banners can be used, but can easily tear and spring the mechanism, which for most models would require the stand to be sent back for repair, so those are not recommended either.
How thick can the banner material be for a banner stand?
That would depend on the particular model, and while we have tested all the materials we offer to make sure they work correctly, we haven't tested every model to see what other materials would work. Also, the thickness and the stiffness of the material are two different things, and for some retractable stands, having a material that is too stiff can make it so the roller mechanism can't fully retract the banner, so that is something to pay attention to when choosing your own materials. The heaviest material we offer is 13 mil thick, and it's a fabric so it's not stiff at all. The most rigid material we offer is our premium banner, and it is 11 mil thick. Because it's more rigid, we found it can't be any thicker before it starts to cause problems, so if you plan to use your own banner, we recommend a thickness no greater than 11 mil unless you plan to test the material first.
Do you offer reseller discounts or wholesale prices?
We do offer reseller discounts on most of our products. Contact us for details on setting up a reseller account.
What is included in the price of your banner stands?
Each banner stand is different, but all of them can be ordered with or without the banner. Most stands come with some kind of case or travel bag, and those that don't generally have one available as an option.
Can I make a back wall or mural out of portable banner stands or retractable banner stands? Will they connect?
You can make a wall or mural from most of our banner stands, but the ones that are best suited to making a banner wall are shown in the Banner Walls section of our website.
