With how often you can use a banner stand in your business, from trade shows to floor displays, it is vital that you get the “right” banner stand for your business. Otherwise, you may find that your stand spends more time collecting dust in a closet than attracting customers.

Like pretty much everything else in business, what works for others may not work for you. The same goes for banner stands – there are many different sizes and types to choose from, and in the end only you can decide which will work best. With that in mind, here are a few things to think about:

Retracting vs. Non-retracting

A traditional, non-retracting banner stand is lightweight, but you need to take the time to attach the banner to the stand when you initially set it up. This also means that you have to carefully store your graphic banner when it’s not in use. Non-retracting banner stands tend to last longer as they have no moving parts that can wear out, but the banner itself may wear out more quickly.

For convenience of set up the retracting banner stand may be a better choice. Most come with one or two banners that retract into the stand, all you do is pull the banner up and attach it to the top. Since the graphic is pulled into the base when not in use it can be stored safely, however all the extra mechanics make these types of stands heavier, so they may not be the best for extensive travelling.

Banner Stand Types

The non-retractable banner stands come in several configurations; the most popular are referred to as X banner stands and L banner stands. The X stand features three aluminum legs and two arms that create the base and hold each corner of the graphic banner. These types of stands are easy to set up and very lightweight, however may not give your display as professional of a look as you would like.

The L banner stand tends to look more professional, and uses an L-shaped stand that clamps onto tracks at the top and bottom of your graphic banner. This types also takes up less space than the X type stand.

More Sophisticated Types

As always, you can always choose more sophisticated options for your custom stand, such as two-sided displays or stands and banners that are designed to withstand the elements for outdoor exhibits. No matter what type of stand you choose, ensure it suits both your company’s style and where / when / how often you are planning to use it.