What size banner do I need?
Work out the right banner size from the space, the reading distance and your message.
The right banner size depends on where it will hang, how far away people will read it, and how much you want to say. Here is a simple way to work it out before you order.
Step 1: measure the space
Measure the fence panel, railing, wall or window where the banner will go, and leave room for fixings. On a fence, measure between the posts or rails you will tie to. On a wall, check the height you can reach safely. A banner that is slightly smaller than the space looks neater than one that has to be folded or overlaps a gap.
Step 2: think about reading distance
A banner has to be read from where people actually are: across a road, from a car, or from the back of a hall. A common sign-trade rule of thumb is about 25 mm of capital letter height for every 3 metres of viewing distance if you want the words to stand out, and never less than half that. So a headline that needs to be read from 15 metres away should have capital letters of roughly 125 mm. The more words you use, the smaller each one gets, so keep the message short.
| Where it hangs | Typical reading distance | Sizes that often work |
|---|---|---|
| Inside a reception, hall or stand | 2 to 5 m | 4ft x 2ft, 1.5m x 1m, or a roller banner |
| Shop front or railings on a pavement | 3 to 10 m | 6ft x 3ft, 8ft x 3ft, 2m x 1m |
| Fence facing a road | 10 to 30 m | 10ft x 3ft, 3m x 1m, 4m x 1m |
| Building site or large event | 20 m or more | 3m x 1.5m, 3m x 2m, Heras size, or custom |
These are starting points, not rules. If in doubt, go one size up: a banner that is too big is rarely a problem, but one that nobody can read is wasted.
Step 3: pick a stock size or a custom size
Our PVC banners and mesh banners come in stock sizes from 4ft x 2ft to 3m x 2m. You can go straight to a size page, for example 6ft x 3ft, 8ft x 4ft, 3m x 1.5m or 3m x 2m. If your space is an odd shape, use custom size banners and type in your width and height. The price updates as you type, and every size includes free standard UK mainland delivery.
Feet or metres?
Banners are sold in both. As a guide, 6ft is about 1.83 m, 8ft is about 2.44 m and 10ft is about 3.05 m. So a 10ft x 3ft banner and a 3m x 1m banner are close but not identical. If the banner has to fit an exact frame, give us the size in millimetres.
Setting up your artwork
Design at the finished size, or to scale (for example 1:10). For large banners, 100 to 150 dpi at full size is enough because people read them from a distance. Keep text at least 5 cm in from the edge so hems and eyelets do not cut into it. Full details are in our artwork guidelines, and if you are choosing between materials read PVC or mesh banner.
Need a hand?
Send us a photo of the space and the message you want, and we will suggest a size. Call 0161 315 1151 or use the contact form.