Nobori Flags UK | Custom Printed Japanese Flags

Customer Nobori Flags

Nobori Flags are traditional Japanese-style vertical advertising flags, designed to create movement, colour and atmosphere. They are commonly used outside restaurants, food stalls, shops, festivals, cultural events and retail spaces to attract attention, guide visitors and create a distinctive sense of place.

Unlike standard promotional flags, Nobori Flags have a tall, slim shape and are displayed using a vertical pole with a horizontal support arm. This gives them their recognisable upright appearance while still allowing the fabric to move naturally in the breeze.

Our Nobori Flags are custom printed in full colour and made using authentic Japanese Nobori poles with lightweight pongee fabric. Pongee has a smooth, silk-like feel with a refined finish, making it ideal for this style of flag. It drapes beautifully, catches movement easily and helps create the soft, flowing effect associated with traditional Nobori displays.

The fabric’s lightweight nature allows the flag to move gracefully, even in lighter airflow, while the smooth surface provides an excellent base for vibrant printed artwork, bold branding, Japanese-inspired designs, logos and promotional messaging.

They are ideal for:

Japanese restaurants and sushi bars
Food stalls and street food events
Cultural festivals and community events
Martial arts clubs and dojos
Retail displays and shop fronts
Exhibitions and trade shows
Visitor attractions and themed venues
Entrances, walkways and queue areas
Product launches and promotional displays

Used individually or in a row, Nobori Flags are a brilliant way to make a space feel more engaging and memorable.

Your custom Nobori Flag package can include:

Custom-printed Nobori Flag
Authentic Pongee fabric
Authentic Japanese Nobori pole
Horizontal support arm
Full-colour print
Free artwork proof before production
Free design support if required
Advice on suitable base options

Base options can be discussed depending on how and where your Nobori Flags will be used. Indoor, outdoor, hard-standing and temporary event setups may require different base solutions, and our team can help recommend the most suitable option.

Our Nobori Flags are available in two practical standard sizes, with both standard single-sided and double-sided print options available. We can also produce custom Nobori Flag sizes for larger projects, events and bespoke installations.

The Medium Nobori Flag uses a 2.0m flag fabric, supplied with an authentic adjustable Japanese-style pole system. When assembled, the total display height is adjustable up to approximately 3.0m, allowing small height adjustments to suit your display space. This size is ideal for restaurants, indoor displays, food stalls, shop fronts, exhibitions and smaller event spaces.

The XL Nobori Flag uses a 3.0m flag fabric, supplied with an authentic adjustable Japanese-style pole system. When assembled, the total display height is adjustable up to approximately 4.0m, giving extra visibility for outdoor displays, entrances, festivals, events, forecourts and larger promotional areas.

Available standard options include:

Nobori Flag M — 2.0m flag fabric, approx. 3.0m total display height, standard single-sided print
Nobori Flag M Double-Sided — 2.0m flag fabric, approx. 3.0m total display height, double-sided print
Nobori Flag XL — 3.0m flag fabric, approx. 4.0m total display height, standard single-sided print
Nobori Flag XL Double-Sided — 3.0m flag fabric, approx. 4.0m total display height, double-sided print

Standard single-sided Nobori Flags provide vibrant print on the front with excellent mirrored show-through on the reverse. Double-sided Nobori Flags are printed with artwork on both sides, allowing your design to read correctly from either direction.

For customers looking for something larger or more bespoke, Sailflags has experience creating large-scale Nobori Flags for events, festivals, venues and promotional displays. If you need a custom size, unusual display setup or a run of large Nobori Flags for an event, please contact us for a quote and our team will be happy to advise.

Nobori Flags are usually printed single-sided, which gives a strong, vibrant print on the front with a mirrored show-through effect on the reverse.

This is part of the traditional lightweight flag style and helps the flag retain its natural movement. The authentic Pongee fabric allows the print to show through well, so the flag remains visually effective from both sides while keeping the material light and flowing.

Single-sided Nobori Flags are ideal when:

The flag is mainly viewed from one direction
The flags are displayed in a row
Lightweight movement is important
You want the traditional Nobori appearance
You want a cost-effective printed flag display

For customers who need artwork to read correctly from both sides, please contact us and we can discuss the most suitable option.

Explore some of our most popular flag base options and usage cases. To view our full range of bases, click here.

Water Fill Base

Our most popular flag base option. Simply fill with water or sand to create a stable base, even on soft ground. Filled weight of around 25kg.

Ground Spike

For soft ground or longer-term installs, a ground spike makes a great secure base. Simply hammer into the ground and place your flag onto the spiggot.

Large Water Fill Base

For taller flags (4.2m and taller) and windy locations, our heaviest base option has a rotating spigot. Especially good with double-sided flags, which are heavier.

Large flat Metal Base

For hard surfaces and larger, double-sided flags, our large flat metal flag base features a rotating spigot and weighs 10kg. With a larger footprint, it ensures stability. Great for indoor exhibitions. Has a convenient carry handle.

Drive Over Folding Base

When you need a flag base which can be attached to a vehicle, we offer a drive-over base. This base folds when not in use and fixes securely under the wheel of a vehicle. Great for mobile catering and vehicle sales. Features a rotating spiggot to ensure your flag remains untwisted.

30° wall bracket

Our 30° wall bracket is great for shopfronts and can be used as a fast, reliable flag-mounting option. The 30° angle makes smaller flags create an attractive, eye-catching shop front display by leaning outwards to catch passing footfall. Simply mount onto a solid surface and pop your flags on – easy!

Download the assembly guides for your Sailflags Nobori flag system using the links provided.

These instructions explain how to assemble the pole system, attach the flag correctly, and set up the base safely for display.

Download Instructions

To ensure your design fits perfectly, we provide ready-to-use artwork templates for every flag size and print type. Download the relevant PDF below:

Nobori Flag Size	Standard Print Template (.PDF)	Double-Sided Print Template (.PDF)
Medium – 3m Flag Height	Download	Download
XL – 4m Flag Height	Download	Download

We aim to keep production straightforward and reliable so you receive your nobori flags when you need them.

Production Time

Once your artwork has been approved, most nobori flag orders are printed and prepared within 3–5 working days. Larger orders or more complex jobs may take slightly longer, but we will always confirm expected timings when your order is placed.

Artwork Approval

Production begins once your artwork proof has been approved. If changes are required, our team will update the design and send a revised proof before printing.

UK Delivery

Orders are shipped using a tracked courier service. Delivery is typically the next working day within mainland UK once production is complete.

Express Orders

If you need your flags for an upcoming event or deadline, please contact the Sailflags team before ordering. In many cases, we can arrange priority production and delivery to help meet tighter timescales.

Eco-Conscious Packaging

Where possible, packaging materials are recycled or repurposed to reduce waste and minimise environmental impact, helping us do our bit to protect the planet.

Nobori Flags are traditional Japanese-style vertical flags, often used outside restaurants, shops, events and exhibitions to attract attention. Their tall rectangular shape gives plenty of space for branding, artwork, messages and bold visual designs.

Our Nobori Flags are printed on pongee flag fabric, a lightweight woven polyester material known for its smooth, silk-like feel and excellent movement. Pongee is widely used for Japanese-style flags because it has a softer, more premium drape than heavier banner fabrics, allowing the flag to hang naturally while still moving gently in airflow.

The fabric has a fine, slightly translucent quality, which gives standard single-sided Nobori Flags natural show-through on the reverse side. This helps the flag feel light, authentic and traditional, rather than stiff or heavy.

Pongee is ideal for Nobori Flags because it combines a premium feel, vibrant print finish and graceful movement. The fabric is light enough to respond to a breeze, but smooth enough to display detailed artwork, Japanese-inspired designs, logos and bold colours clearly.

Compared with heavier flag or banner materials, pongee gives Nobori Flags a more refined appearance, making them especially well suited to restaurants, sushi bars, takeaways, retail displays, events and exhibitions where presentation matters.

Yes. On a standard print Nobori Flag, the design is printed on one side and naturally shows through to the reverse in a lighter, mirrored form. This is one of the reasons pongee works so well for traditional-style Nobori Flags, as the material allows colour and shape to remain visible without making the flag feel thick or rigid.

Yes. Nobori Flags can be custom printed with your own artwork, branding, logo, message or design. They are ideal for restaurants, sushi bars, takeaways, car clubs, exhibitions, retail promotions and themed events.

Yes. Nobori Flags can be used indoors or outdoors. They are especially effective outside restaurants, cafés, takeaways and retail premises, but they also work well for exhibitions, events and point-of-sale displays.

The flag has fabric loops sewn directly to the flag. The vertical pole is pushed through the side loops, and the top arm is pushed through the top loops. The clip on the end of the top arm should then be clipped onto the final loop to hold the flag in place.

Yes. Alongside standard Nobori Flag sizes, Sailflags can produce custom sizes, bespoke designs and larger-volume orders for businesses, events, venues and organisations that need something more specific.

Whether you need a small run of branded Nobori Flags for a restaurant opening, a large promotional order for multiple locations, or oversized flags for an event or arena setting, our team can advise on the most suitable fabric, print option, pole system and finishing method.

We are also proud to have supplied flags for some of the most prestigious Japanese sumo events around the globe, where strong visual impact, authentic presentation and high-quality production are essential. This experience means we understand the importance of colour, movement, durability and attention to detail when producing Japanese-style flags at scale.

Why Sailflags is better than Others

Sailflags

All products designed and manufactured in-house by a dedicated team.
Fully customisable flags tailored to your exact specifications.
Fast productions and delivery, with express options available.
Personal, attentive customer service from start to finish.
High print show-through ensuring colours can be seen from both sides.
Durable, vibrant flags that are built to last.
Eco Friendly, premium materials made from 100% recycled fabrics.

Others

Outsourced production with inconsistent quality control.
Limited customisation options and generic templates.
Long lead times and slow production processes.
Limited, impersonal customer support with long response times.
Poor colour show through leading to a blank looking flag.
Cheaper flags that fade quickly and wear fast with exposure.
Standard, non-recycled materials that are not environmentally conscious.

10,000+ Satisfied Customers

More Reasons to Choose Sailflags?

Sailflags is a UK manufacturer of custom flags, banners, printed gazebos and display products, proudly made in Cornwall since 1999. As an employee-owned business (EOT), the same team that designs your products also manufactures them, ensuring real pride in quality. Everything is produced in our own factory using modern dye-sublimation printing, delivering vibrant colours, durable products and factory-direct pricing. From feather flags and teardrop flags to banners, gazebos and exhibition displays, we handle everything in-house from design through to dispatch for a smooth, hassle-free experience.