What exactly is a banner stand?

Roller Banner Stands

These are probably the most popular type of banner stand on the market today. The principle of operation is very simple, in fact they work rather like a rollerblind.

Operation is simple, just assemble the pole, pull-up the graphic and hook it over at the top.

There are a variety of different roller banner stands on the market today. They all perform a similar job to one another and the cost tends to reflect the overall weight and durability of the base. Lightweight or budget roller banner stands typically have a small, compact base with twist-out foot/feet to aid stability (below/left) wheras more expensive stands generally have more substantial, wider bases which do not require these fold-out feet (below/right).

Roller Banner Stands - Benefits & Buying Tips

We have been supplying roller banner stands since 1999 and have seen most of the stands on offer from the major banner stand wholesalers in this time.

The great thing about all roller banner stands is that the print itself is protected inside the case of the stand when it is rolled away. This means it is protected against accidental damage whilst in transit.

Assembly time does not vary much from one model to another they all take a minute or so.

Many suppliers source their banner stands by purchasing from a distributor such as Ultima or Plex Displays. We have seen the same stand double in price from one company to another so be sure to shop around. Some suppliers have more of a discount with the manufacturer than others, also some suppliers are greedier than others and make high mark-ups on hardware.

Be sure that the supplier is printing the banner stand in-house and not sub-contracting the work out. Only by producing the print in-house can the supplier keep any kind of control over quality.

The printed material is often the first area where corners are cut by suppliers. Ideally your roller banner graphic should be produced using either a laminated Opal Jet material or onto a textured PVC material. Opal Jet is the best possible material for roller banner stands as it is specifically designed for this purpose but please be sure that the supplier laminates the print. Opal Jet is a photographic coated material and should never be supplied unlaminated otherwise it is easily damaged by fingermarks and scuffs. Some banner stand suppliers don't bother - they are either trying to cut-corners or in some cases do not even own a laminating machine!

We sell roller banners from £50 each ex vat with no min order

Tensioned Banner Stands

Tensioned banner stands use carbon rods or a telescopic pole in order to brace the printed graphic from top to bottom.

These banner stands are far less popular than roller banners due to the longer assembly time. Also the print has to be stored away and rolled up seperately to the stand itself when not in use.

The style of tensioned banner stand varies enormously and there are some very distinctive, modern looking shapes available which are ideal for reception areas etc.

Tensioned Banner Stands - Benefits & Buying Tips

The great thing about tensioned banners is the range of modern, stylish bases that are available. These 'designer' banner stand bases are often popular with customers who wish to use the display in an environment such as a reception area or showroom.

The graphic on a tensioned banner stand can be produced onto either Opal Jet polyester or textured PVC material. As is the case with a roller banner stand graphic make sure the print is laminated if the suppier is using Opal Jet. This is ultra-important as the print will require more handling than a roller banner print when assembling it and as such will be more pront to accidental marking or damage.

Because the print on a tensioned banner stand is seperate to the stand itself, many suppliers will try to sell these stands on the basis that you can change the print yourself and save money in the future. This is true to a point but not always the case depending on the supplier.

When buying any banner stand we suggest you ask the supplier how much a replacement print will cost and what is involved in replacing it.

Cassette Banner Stands

A cassette banner stand is nothing more than a roller banner stand with the facility to remove and replace the mechanism inside

The idea is that when you want to changeover the graphics you can do so by simply removing the mechansim with the print pre-loaded onto it and replacing it with a new one.

Changing the graphic takes usually around a minute and in many cases involves no tools at all. Cassette banner stands are usually at the upper price bracket of the banner stand market and typically have wide, heavyweight bases making them stable when assembled.

Cassette Banner Stands - Benefits & Buying Tips

The idea behind the casstte banner stand is great. It combines the benefits of the regular roller banner stand with simple graphic changeover. Unfortunately they are widely mis-sold by some unscrupulous suppliers who do not provide the cost of the replacement cassette and graphic at the time of order.

Depending on the manufacturer the cost of a replacement roller can vary from as little as £10 but can be as high as around £60. Add the cost of the print itself and you can pay more for a replacement cassette and graphic to fit this type of stand than you can for a complete lightweight roller banner.

Our budget roller banner is available at only £50 plus vat for the whole system (including the print). With this in mind it is sometimes more economical to buy a cheaper stand and simply replace it as and when the print is outdated.

We advise that wherever you buy your cassette banner from that you confirm the cost of a new cassette and graphic at time of order. By doing this you will avoid making a costly mistake.