Retractable Banner Stand
The setup is slightly different from standard print collateral because these displays are viewed from a distance and involve mechanical hardware at the top and bottom.
Here are the design instructions to ensure your banner looks professional and functions perfectly within the stand.
🛠 Technical Specifications
Banners are large-format prints. To balance file size with visual clarity, use the following settings:
Document Size:
Desk Top: 15"x31" (at 100% scale)
Standard And Premium: 33" x 80" (at 100% scale)
Resolution: 100 DPI at full size. (While 300 DPI is standard for handheld items, 100 DPI is the "sweet spot" for large-format banners to keep file sizes manageable without losing quality).
Color Mode: CMYK is preferred for the most predictable color results. However, RGB is supported if your design relies on ultra-vibrant digital effects.
Bleed Allowance: 0.25" on all four sides.
📐 Layout & Margin Rules
Because the banner attaches to a spring-loaded roller at the bottom and a metal rail at the top, you must respect specific "Safe Zones" to prevent your design from being hidden by the hardware.
1. The "Safe Zone" (Live Area)
To ensure your message is perfectly legible and centered, follow these margin constraints:
Sides: Keep all text and logos at least 1" inside the side trim lines.
Top & Bottom: Keep all important content at least 2" away from the top and bottom edges.
⚠️ Warning: Any text placed within 2" of the bottom is at high risk of being obscured by the base of the stand or "curling" into the roller mechanism. Keep your URLs and logos well above this line.
2. Full Bleed Instructions
Even though you have a safe zone for text, your background colors or images must extend all the way through the 0.25" bleed area. This ensures that if the material sits slightly crooked in the stand, there won't be a white gap visible along the edges.
🏗 Setup Summary Table
Feature Specification
Final Trim Size
Desk Top: 15"x31" (at 100% scale)
Full Document Size (with Bleeds) 15.5" x 31.5"
Standard And Premium: 33" x 80" (at 100% scale)
Full Document Size (with Bleeds) 33.5" x 80.5"
Resolution 100 DPI
Top/Bottom Safe Margin 2.0" (No text/logos)
Side Safe Margin 1.0" (No text/logos)
Preferred Profile CMYK
💡 Design Pro-Tips
Eye Level: Place your most important information (Company Name/Headline) in the top third of the banner.
Simplify: Banners are often read by people walking by. Use high-contrast colors and avoid long paragraphs; use bullet points or short, punchy taglines instead.
Vector is King: Whenever possible, use vector-based logos and convert text to outlines (.PDF format prefered) to ensure your branding remains crisp even when scaled up to 80 inches.
