The process of designing and printing a large banner, unbeknownst to most people, is a process that requires many details to be taken into consideration. It will take more time than you’d think for your banner to be deemed “perfect.” When it comes to getting things right for a large banner, experience in logo design may not necessarily apply.
Regardless of whether you’re experienced in sticker or leaflet design, achieving an effective and aesthetically pleasing banner design is a different field of knowledge on its own. Designers, more often than not, make the mistake of looking over significant details that are crucial for the effectiveness of a large banner. As opposed to other types of printed marketing materials, large banners must be quickly readable and viewable from a distance without compromising appeal or intrigue.
Fortunately, designing a large banner isn’t as hard as one may expect it to be—even if it’s your first time! To ensure that everything is on track and little-to-no mistakes are made along the way, here are a few large banner design tips you should keep in mind:
Large banner design tip #1: Consider the placement
Creating a large banner entails having to reverse-engineer various samples of successful iterations before the one that you’re about to put out. During the reverse-engineering process, a few details may come up here and there. That said, every great banner that has helped business achieve success has one thing in common: they all have good placement.
Before you even open your laptop and get to work, it is important to study the probable placement of your finished product to ensure that things go smoothly as expected. For example, if you’re in a tight convention area with nearly a hundred booths around you fighting for attention, you may want to go for a contrasting design in comparison to the placement.
Large banner design tip #2: Large banners mean large text
Although this may seem rather obvious, it’s something that many designers miss. A large banner requires a large font size to be truly effective. The main objective of every large banner is to grab the attention of prospects and draw them in. This won’t be possible if the words of your banner can’t be read.
Large banner design tip #3: Choose an easy-to-read typeface
While we’re on the topic of text, another important large banner design tip to keep in mind is that your message has to be written in an easy-to-read typeface. After all, what’s the use of having a gargantuan text if your viewers can’t even make anything of it?
When picking a typeface to go with, here are three rules to keep into mind: No scripts, all plain, and easy to read from 20- to 30-meters away.
Large banner design tip #4: Convey a simple message
At the end of the day, the secret to ensuring an effective large banner is conveying a simple message that people can understand even from across the room. When writing the copy or message for your large banner, make sure to follow the rule of threes:
- Nothing more than three lines
- Must have a grade three level of readability
- No more than three seconds to understand
Large banner design tip #5: Use high-quality images and photos
One of the biggest turn-offs you could have in your large banner is a pixelated photo slapped right in the middle for all passersby to see (and eventually be repulsed by). A high-quality image can do wonders for your banner’s ability to generate intrigue, acting as a focal point for your banner that works no matter where you put it.
Crafting an effective large banner design is a skill that can be easily cultivated with the right knowledge and keen attention to detail. Whether you’re a first-timer designing in hope of attracting more people to your business or a trade show regular that needs the reminder, keep these five tips in mind for success!
If you’re looking for high-quality banner designs for your business, get in touch with Digital Panther to see how we can help.