Feather Flag Printing

The Impact of Quality Dye Sublimation on Feather Flags and Show-Through

When it comes to promoting your brand or event, feather flags are one of the most effective tools. Their high visibility and ease of setup make them popular for outdoor and indoor events. But to get the most out of your feather flags, the printing quality is crucial. At Sailflags, we use advanced dye sublimation printing to ensure your feather flags stand out, with vibrant colours and excellent show-through that truly makes an impact.

What Makes Feather Flags So Effective?

Feather flags are designed to be lightweight, easy to assemble, and highly visible from a distance. They are perfect for attracting attention at trade shows, outdoor events, festivals, and even storefronts. However, the effectiveness of your feather flag is directly tied to how well the design and colours show up, especially in varying weather conditions.

The Role of Dye Sublimation Printing in Feather Flags

Dye sublimation printing is a specialised process that embeds ink directly into the fabric of your feather flags. This ensures that the colours are bold, fade-resistant, and long-lasting, even after exposure to outdoor elements like wind and rain.

Unlike other printing methods that might just print on the surface of the fabric, dye sublimation penetrates the material, creating a more durable and professional finish. This is especially important for feather flags, which are often viewed from both sides.

Why Show-Through is Essential for Feather Flags

When you choose feather flags, they are typically positioned so that they can be viewed from multiple angles. This is where the show-through effect becomes crucial. Show-through refers to how well the design on the front of the flag is visible from the reverse side.

With high-quality dye sublimation printing, the design on your feather flag remains visible and vibrant, no matter which side people are viewing from. This ensures that your message is clear, whether someone is walking past your display from the left or the right.

Why Show-Through is Essential for Feather Flags

With high-quality dye sublimation printing, the design on your feather flag remains visible and vibrant, no matter which side people are viewing from. This ensures that your message is clear, whether someone is walking past your display from the left or the right.

The Benefits of High-Quality Feather Flags for Your Business

Investing in feather flags printed using dye sublimation not only improves your brand visibility but also ensures the longevity of your promotional materials. Poorly printed flags can fade quickly, lose their impact, and even wear out in adverse weather conditions. High-quality dye sublimation printing, on the other hand, gives you vibrant, durable feather flags that continue to work hard for your business, long after they’ve been installed.

At Sailflags, we specialise in creating feather flags that stand up to the rigours of outdoor use while maintaining a professional appearance. Each flag is crafted with precision and care, ensuring that your design shines brightly in any environment.

Why Choose Sailflags for Your Feather Flags?

At Sailflags, we believe in producing high-quality feather flags that help your brand stand out. Our in-house production process uses state-of-the-art dye sublimation printing to ensure that your flags look their best and last as long as possible. Whether you need flags for a one-time event or ongoing promotion, our flags are designed to perform and impress.

For businesses looking to make an impact, feather flags are an ideal solution. However, the key to making the most out of your feather flags is ensuring they are printed using high-quality dye sublimation techniques. At Sailflags, we ensure vibrant colours, excellent show-through, and durability in every feather flag we produce.

If you're ready to invest in high-quality feather flags that deliver results, contact our team today. We’ll help you create feather flags that not only attract attention but last through multiple uses and seasons.

Hardware Delays and Import Issues

We have noticed in recent weeks that a lot of printers are running out of hardware on portable flags and free-standing banners.

The types of hardware include pole systems, bases, and cartridges.

This issue is not going away at the moment and the main causes appear to be rising manufacturing costs overseas, landing costs, import duties, and freight.

It's also been a busy summer, with many printers reporting sales in excess of pre covid levels, which in turn has resulted in a shortage of certain supplies.

We have been fortunate enough to keep stock levels at a healthy level, but have had a lot of customers asking for kit they cannot buy from existing suppliers.

The pole sets, for example, are not made to a single standard industry size, which can result in customers not being able to source their normal flags.

If it helps, we can custom make the flags if we have either an old flag, or an existing pole system.

Failing that, we would recommend ordering our flags and pole sets, so you know everything will fit just right.

Preparation is key when planning for events

With events still not confirming before a week or just a few days, it's little wonder exhibitors are not taking account of their itinerary until the last minute.

This is leading to pressure within the printing industry, especially when new flags, banners, and other stand equipment are required at short notice.

The print industry is still experiencing supply chain issues, particularly with ink and paper. The recent national shortage of ink is still on a knife-edge.

Another issue in the area of flag printing is the shortage of base options for portable flag systems. There is still a great deal of stock still on the water, days, weeks away from UK ports. Most of the supplies have already been sold before they arrive.

If you are an exhibitor or you have booked up to have a presence at a show or event, it really pays to dust off the kit you have already, so you can see what needs to be replaced.

The sooner you do this, the better prepared you are for sourcing new supplies.

For some though, spending money on new items is not very appealing, at least until you know whether your next show or event is going ahead.

Whilst this is understandable, it is well worth investing in the minimum you need, using a generic design that can be re-used for future events.

There is nothing worse than not receiving important items in time, simply because you missed out by a few day's notice to your print partners.

Another issue that is causing problems is delivery services, which are also being overwhelmed with the increase in timed services, where pre 9, 10, and 12 delivery slots are being used for urgent items.

By planning what you need as a minimum in advance makes a massive difference in the long run, ensuring you don't get caught out if your printer is really too busy to get any items out well before your next show or event.

Dressing up food and drink trailer units

When you are selling food and drink at outdoor events, it pays to dress up your trailer or unit as best as you can, especially if there's competition.

At larger events, for example, it does pay to make your unit stand out from the rest. By doing this, you obviously maximise the amount of money and return on investment you've made to have the space.

There is nothing worse than turning up for a show or event, where you are a little way away from the main footfall.

Having large flags with you to help you stand out in the crowds, can really save the event for you, so they are well worth having in your itinerary.

The size of flags available, will vary from 2m up to 5.2m. Some customers we deal with secure them up as high as possible, so they can be seen from every conceivable area of the showground or event ground.

Another nice feature regarding using promotional flags at events is, they break down into small sections and can be easily stored away in the back of a van or boot of a car.

Don't get caught out at shows and buy a couple for your next event - you won't regret it!

Why we value your customers too

At Sailflags, as well as looking after your needs, we also think about how your customers will view your flags and banners too. After all, we want you to look good in front of your customers and we want your customers to feel positive about them also.

The basics we generally cover are:

Will the design highlight your premises or show stand well?
Are they easy to read?
Do they look good?
Will your customers find them helpful?
Will your customers feel positive towards your organisation / business or brand?

When we design or proof artwork, occasionally, we do pick up certain issues that may reduce the effectiveness of your display. When this is the case, we will feed this back to you in writing (or over the phone if necessary)

In some cases we may adjust the artwork or provide you with an alternative design. Either way, you are under no obligation to accept our recommendations.

Whether we have guided you to this page or not, please rest assured, Sailflags will always put you and your customers at the forefront of our thinking. We do however, respect that creative differences can sometimes occur.

We are always on hand to speak to you about any concerns you have in respect of design, artwork submitted, so please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sailflags achieve Plastic Free Status

Sailflags have recently achieved Plastic Free Approved Status through The Plastic Free Communities Scheme run by Surfers Against Sewage.

The company have gone to great lengths to reduce single use plastics within the business by embracing a number of initiatives, including:

Packaging products in cardboard, paper (new and salvaged) and recycled or salvaged plastic
Using used or salvaged bubble wrap for delicate items
Sealing packages for dispatch with paper packing tape
Stopped printing on PVC and use a water-based printed fabric
Instructed a key German supplier to stop wrapping in plastic bags, saving 4000 bags per year.
Expanded and discounted plastic free products
Launched a unique “ECOTEX” range of banners & flags, made from recycled materials
Trialling a new wooden base for flags

In addition:

8/10 of Sailflags staff cycle or walk to work

Carbon Neutral for over ten years

Most local deliveries are done using an electric vehicle

Peter Williams, Managing Director commented

“We need to reduce the amount of plastic in the environment and we’ve got to start somewhere. It just seems like a completely natural thing to do. Why put more plastic into the environment? There are plenty of other options available.

“It hasn’t been hard at all, in fact it’s been quite easy. Luckily we had already been very conscious of it and we’ve slowly been asking our suppliers to stop sending plastic. If they want to keep our custom they’ve got to do it, so we’ve got slightly the upper hand because we can dictate what we want as a business.

“The only plastic we were generating was goods that came in from other suppliers and it’s down to us to put that pressure on. That pressure is passed to us from our customers, so it works its way back through the chain and eventually the manufacturers will start thinking about how they package things and how to start reducing plastic”

Feather Flags vs Sailflags

What's the difference?
None. Both are advertising flags. The shape of a feather or sailflag can be the same.

Why do different flag makers call them different names?
There is no current standardisation of advertising flags in place, which has led to flag makers adopting a number of different descriptions for the same product.

Is one shape better than another?
It is true to say that the most popular advertising flags tend to use a curved top, with either a scooped or square edged bottom.

What other shapes are available?
Banner shaped flags, rectangular in style (referenced as feather flags with some flag makers) Teardrop Flags, traditionally shaped like a tear.

How do you choose the right shape?
Curved shaped flags work well for modern or progressive brands, especially for outdoor use. Banner shaped flags work well for traditional brands. Teardrop shaped flags are ideal for sports and outdoor adventure brands.

Sailflags Production Process

Why use promotional flags for business?

Why use promotional flags for business and what are the key benefits or drawbacks?

Promotional flags have grown in popularity over the last 10 years, especially in the retail, public service, charity and event sectors. This article explores why the demand for promotional flags continues to grow and the key benefits or drawbacks of introducing them into a business.

Impact

+ Attract the eye
+ Highlight a business premises
- Flags need to be cared for to prolong impact
- Text heavy flags can lose impact

Subtle

+ Natural movement displays messages and POS in a subtle way
+ Flags look less invasive than A Boards
- Washed out flags can blend into environment too easily

Versatile

+ Can be used for any type of business
+ No restrictions on colour
+ S, M, L, XL flag sizes available
- Flag shapes tend to come in a small range of shapes

Portable

+ Can be moved around a business premises easily
+ Can be transported to shows easily
+ Portable flags bypass local restrictions on the use of signage
- Flags need to be brought in each day
- Light systems are not suitable in high winds (over 30mph)

Cost Effective

+ Sizes to suit all budgets
+ Cheaper than local newspaper advertising
+ Flags can be replaced at a reduced cost
- Expensive if not cared for properly

10 Things You Should Know About Promotional Flags

Promotional flags have become a cost effective way to attract attention to business premises and show stands across the country. Available in all kinds of shapes and sizes, promo flags are a blank canvas for you to maximise your own brand identity and unique message.
Here is the top 10 Things You Should Know about them:

They are designed to be light and portable
Flags and flag systems can be used indoors or outdoors
Flags are normally double sided to read correct one side and reverse the other
2 flags can be sewn back to back to ensure both sides read correctly if required
Flags are designed to move in a light breeze to attract attention
Digital colour is normally available
Flags and flagpoles are secured to a portable base or ground spike (for using on grass)
Product life varies according to outdoor weather conditions and hours per day exposed to wind and rain. Will last up to six months exposed 24/7 to elements or up to 3 years if stored away each day
There is no limitation to what designs you can have on a flag
Flags come in many shapes and sizes, from banner shapes, to feathers, sails and teardrops

Promotional flags offer an attractive alternative to traditional static signage, such as A Boards. Demand in promotional flags continues to grow in the UK, particularly from the B2B community.