A portable and convenient way to promote your business is the cost-effective banner stand. And they're not just for trade shows - you can now find them in offices, restaurants and stores. Choosing the right banner stand and creating the best design can be overwhelming, so here are some tips to help:

Work with a Designer
You will usually get the best results if you work with a designer who has had experience with creating banner stand art. Local printers and brokers often have designers on staff who can give your banner stand an eye-catching and professional look that also integrates with your other marketing materials.

Less is Best
Companies often make the mistake of trying to cram too much information and/or images into one stand. They should be used to attract attention to one concept or brand or offer, much like a billboard. Use them to bring potential customers in to your booth, store or office to get additional information from your staff and your materials.

Text on Top
Many banner stands are taller than the average person, so have your designer place your text near the top at eye level.  And remember that "less is best" when using text. If you can't capture your message or offer into a few words, you need to rethink your approach.  You may want to work with someone who has branding/marketing experience to create a targeted and impactful message.

Consider putting several stands together to make a mural backdrop
A very cool backdrop for a trade show booth or display area can be several banner stands that are grouped together to make a mural.  Or, work with a designer to create a flexible design where you can take 2 stands to one show and maybe 5 to another, for instance, depending on how much room you have.Â

Determine if your stand will be traveling a lot or remain fairly stationary.
If you are planning to keep your banner stand in your office or restaurant, you can get away with purchasing a stand that does not have a heavy duty traveling case or more durable hardware. On the other hand, if your stand will be in a high traffic area, you may need to upgrade the banner material and a choose a heavy-duty bottom.  Your printer or broker can advise you on the best materials for each situation you plan to use your stand.

Determine if your stand will be used indoors or outdoors or next to a window.
If your banner stand will be outdoors at all, you will want to choose one that has a more weighted bottom to withstand breezes as well as other features designed for outdoor use. Also, the banner material should have UV-resistant ink to avoid fading.

Banner stands can make a big impact at a relatively reasonable price. The hardware (bottom and frame) can be re-used with new banners instead of replacing the entire unit, so talk to your printer about all of the available options for today's banner stands.