Two of the most popular banner stands are retractable and pop-up banners, and these can be great additions to your next trade show booth display. Each can be used to display a bright, eye-catching banner that will showcase your company logo and marketing message. Depending on the size of your booth exhibit and the event setting, one of these two types of banner stands is usually the better choice. Both come in several different sizes and can be fitted with durable, high quality custom banners.

Factors to Consider

Both retractable and pop-up banner stands can display top quality banners made with dye sublimation printing processes that create vibrant colors and fade-resistant fabric surfaces. Getting a custom designed banner for your business or organization is an effective way to grab potential customers’ interest and drive more traffic to your display booth at your next trade show.

What Are The Differences?

Retractable Banners

Retractable banner stands come in two types: wide-base and narrow-base. Wide-base stands are among the most durable while still taking up minimal space. They’re great for booth displays where you only have a certain amount of space and don’t want to worry about your banner being knocked over by accident. The wide base also stores the rolled-up banner securely once you’re ready to store and transport it. Narrow-base retractable stands work in much the same way, except they have two small metal “feet” that raise the banner stand itself a couple of inches off the floor. Picking one type of retractable banner stand over the other is often a matter of design choice, though narrow-base banner stands are best kept to indoor exhibits so that gusts of wind won’t blow them over at outdoor events.

Retractable Banners: Benefits and Drawbacks

Easy, one-person set-up is one of the best advantages of a retractable banner stand. All you need to do is pull the top of the banner out of the base and attach it to the top of the frame. Modern retractable banner stands are usually spring-loaded, meaning they should lock into place once fully extended. The main disadvantage of retractable stands is that they’re often available in only one or two size options.

Pop-up Banners

Pop-up banner stands come attached to a stand that stretches the fabric banner over a frame so the bottom of it appears to rest fully on the floor, without a base. The frame is collapsible and can be set up easily by tightening screws in the framework. This part of the set-up usually doesn’t require any tools, though a small pair of pliers can make the task faster with some pop-up banner frames.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Pop-Up Banners

Pop-up banners usually come in a variety of dimensions, giving you a few more staging options for your next display. Some pop-up banners are available in sizes as large as 119” by 88”, which can look great on a large sales floor, office lobby or similar space. Depending on the desired dimensions and fabric printing process, pop-up banners and their stands can carry a higher price tag. The upside is that a high quality pop-up banner stand is made from sturdy yet lightweight material that should last for years if properly stored and maintained.

Either Way, You’re Making A Great Choice

When deciding between a pop-up banner stand and a retractable stand, consider your budget, allotted display space, booth staff and whether you’ll be in an outdoor or indoor venue. Pop-up banner stands tend to be quicker and easier to set up with two people rather than one, though some are more expensive. Retractable banner stands are often more budget-friendly, depending on the print process, but you usually have fewer dimensions to choose from. With either type of banner stand, we at Post-Up Stand will help you put together a custom banner design and give you pointers on how to best store and transport your new banner and its stand.