Single Reverse – The image on the custom flag or banner is printed on the front and bleeds close to 100% through to the back of the flag. The image on the back is the mirror image of the front of the flag. “But my flag has text, won’t it read backwards?” is a common response to this description. Believe it or not, all but one state flag, all international flags and about 80% of all custom flags are made using this method. When you look at a flag or banner from a distance or 25-30′ in the air , your eye sees the writing and recognizes what it says. Products usually made single reverse: Flagpole flags, garden flags, miniature stick flags and golf flags.
Double Sided – A double sided custom flag or banner is made by printing two flags or banners and sewing them together with a block out inner liner. The result is a flag or banner that is three times as heavy. Most flags will not fly well when double sided. Generally, the price for a double sided flag or banner is at least twice as expensive and it will not last any longer than a single reverse flag. The one flag type that is usually made double sided is the boat flag as there is generally more wind on the water. A double sided vinyl avenue banner is made by printing on both sides of the vinyl as the image does not bleed through the vinyl. Products usually made double sided: Boat flags, banners that need to be seen from both sides and avenue banners.
One Sided – A one sided custom flag or banner is printed using a method that does not allow the image to bleed through to the back of the flag or banner. This is ideal for products that do not need to be seen from the back. Products usually made one sided: Banners that do not need to be seen from the back, retractable banner sets, backdrop banners, table drapes and table runners.
A wave banner or a table top banner can be made either using the single reverse or double sided method depending on the customer’s preference and how they are going to be used.
Heading and grommets – Most custom flags are finished using a white canvas heading on the left side of the flag with a brass grommet top and bottom to attach to a flagpole.
Pole hem or sleeve – A custom flag for indoor or parade use will generally be finished with a sleeve that slides over the pole with a tab to attach to the pole. Some sleeves are closed at the top and others are open depending on the pole being used and the customer’s needs.
Pole Hem & Fringe – Indoor and parade custom flags are often finished with a pole sleeve as described above as well as gold fringe on the other three sides of the flag. Some banners are also finished with fringe for processions or parade use.
Special finishing – A wave banner is finished with a closed sleeve specifically made to slide over the wave pole. Avenue banners are finished with a sleeve at the top and bottom of the banner to slide over the poles on the brackets. Avenue banners also have a grommet in the corner. Miniature stick flags are stapled to a black staff with a gold spear.
Digital Printing – Our high-resolution digital print process forces the color to penetrate completely into and through the core of the fabric. The combination of this process and our exclusive color-lock dye formulas insures maximum color retention and durability. The digital process is great for designs with multiple colors, gradients and full bleeds. Our digital process gives full penetration of the image to the reverse side of the flag or banner. Products usually printed with our digital process: Flagpole flags, garden flags, miniature stick flags and golf flags, single reverse wave banners, single reverse table top banners.
Dye Sublimation Printing – The dye sublimation process transfers ink directly onto the fabric using a heat process. This process prints at a higher resolution than the digital process and is better for photographic images. The image does not fully penetrate to the back of the fabric. Products usually made using dye sublimation process: custom boat flags, fabric banners, double sided wave banners, double sided table top banners backdrop banners, table drapes and table runners.
Direct Print Vinyl – The direct print vinyl prints ink directly onto vinyl material. The direct print process uses UV protected inks and can print multiple colors, gradients and full bleeds. The image is printed on one side of the vinyl. Products usually printed with our direct print vinyl process: Vinyl banners, avenue banners, and retractable banners.
Silk Screen – Custom screen printed custom flags are made by forcing ink through one screen for each color of the image onto the background material. Our silk screen process gives full penetration of the image to the reverse side of the banner. Products usually printed with our silk screen process: Flagpole flags with images of one or two colors printed on a white background.
Appliquéd – Custom appliqué flags are made using the process of layering of fabrics onto the background and sewing them into place. Our appliquéd process gives full penetration of the image to the reverse side of the banner. Products usually made with our appliquéd process: Flagpole flags with very simple images or a few letters or numbers of one or two colors.