Standard Banner Sizes Explained: How to Pick the Perfect Size for Your Needs

Share this article

Banners have seen their share of innovation, including different shapes
and sizes. Once designed to catch the eye and convey a message
effectively, they’re now widely used for business promotions,
directions for places, and decor at trade shows and events. Many people may think that “bigger is always better” when it comes
to banners, but there’s a strategic approach to maximizing
promotional impact through different banner sizes. Sometimes, the
choice of banner size is part of a creative decision, while other
times, the environment dictates their dimensions. Understanding
and choosing the correct sizes for the different locations ensures
that your banner fits perfectly, grabs attention, and delivers
your message effectively.

What are the Standard Banner Sizes?

Standard Banner Sizes (Width x Height in Feet) Equivalent in Inches Best for Design Tips and Additional Information
2′ x 5′ 24” x 60”
  • Classroom banners
Keep the message short and simple for smaller banners. A popular guideline suggests using 3-5 lines of text with 3-5 words.
2′ x 6′ 24” x 72”
  • Directional banner for restaurants
Smaller banners usually require just four grommets.
3′ x 4′ 36” x 48”
  • Parking pole banners
For most drivers, they only have 3-4 seconds to read signs. Use bold, big, and simple text that is easy to view from a distance.
3′ x 5′ 36” x 60”
  • Store entrance and corridor banners,
  • Outdoor restaurant banners
High color contrast is particularly important for outdoor banners to ensure they are visible on a bright, sunny day. Use dark text on a light background (or vice versa) for excellent readability.
3′ x 6′ 36” x 72”
  • Hallway banners,
  • Indoor restaurant banners
Vertical banners typically follow this visual hierarchy: logos on top and core message at eye level.
4’ x 2’ 48” x 24”
  • Trade show booths and tables,
  • Construction directional banners
Horizontal banners are perfect for spacious walls, wide pedestrian aisles, and wide or main entrances.
4′ x 6′ 48” x 72”
  • Hanging banners for malls,
  • Promotional banners for parking areas,
  • Promotional real estate banners,
  • Motivational sports banners
Hanging vertical banners are often viewed from a distance, making it important to use simple fonts like Verdana, Helvetica, and other sans serif fonts that offer excellent legibility.

Gymnasium and Basketball Court

Sports championship banners are usually hung in gyms and
stadiums to commemorate victories in tournaments and
competitions. Safety banners and motivational banners are also
displayed on public gyms and basketball courts, reminding people
to play safe and be the best.

Banner Sizes: 4’x6′, 4’x7′, and 4’x8′
Ideal Uses: Motivational Sports Banners

Conferences and Trade Shows

Trade Show Banners

This is a standard banner size for public events and trade shows.
They can also serve as backdrops for your booth.

Banner Size: 6’ x 3’
Ideal Uses: Promotional Banners for Trade Shows

Trade Show Booth Banners

If you need a smaller display for directions or want a banner despite
a smaller space, this size is just right. Similar banner sizes can also be installed in banner stands and frames.

Banner Size: 4’ x 2’
Ideal Uses: Trade Show Booths and Tables

Large Trade Show Banners

Possibly one of the larger banners you can display at a trade show.
This type will attract attention from any distance and could be used as a stage backdrop or a backdrop for photoshoots!

Banner Size: 8’ x 4’
Ideal Uses: Photoshoots and Stage Backdrops

Retail Stores and Shopping Centers/Malls

Retail Stores and Shopping Centers/Malls

Malls are one of the many areas where banner size may matter since many people walk and stroll around. Slimmer and sleeker banners that store entrances can display are welcome, though they shouldn’t restrict or block people’s movements.

Banner Size: 3′ x 5′

Ideal Uses: Store Entrance and Corridor Banners

Banner Size: 4′ x 6′ or 4′ x 8′

Ideal Uses: Hanging Banners for Malls

Schools and Universities

School and Universities Banners

School and campus banners are smaller inside the hallways and
larger outside the building. This banner size is just right —
with it hanging from the ceiling, students can see its message
on their way to their classrooms. Banner designs usually range
from school achievements to campus announcements.

Banner Size: 3′ x 6′
Ideal Uses: Hallway Banners

School Banners

This banner size is where quantity beats quality in a school
setting. Printing these school banners is excellent when you
want multiple banners displayed side-by-side.

Banner Size: 2′ x 4′
Ideal Uses: Classroom Banners

Welcome Banners

If you want to put up a large banner welcoming students back
or congratulating recent graduates, this size is ideal. This
large banner is also usually placed outside the school
building, where many people, students, and parents alike,
would see it.

Banner Size: 4′ x 8′ / 8′ x 4′
Ideal Uses: Welcoming Banners

Restaurants

Restaurant Banners

Some restaurants use indoor banners to display their menus,
specials, and other promotions. Some are even easy to set up and
take down, so customers would immediately know if their menu
changed.

Banner Size: 3′ x 6′
Ideal Uses: Indoor Restaurant Banners

Restaurant Banners

The smaller but sleeker vertical banners can be hung outside to
attract passersby and communicate daily specials or other food
promotions. Like the indoor banners, they tend to be easier to
set up and take down!

Banner Size: 3′ x 5′
Ideal Uses: Outdoor Restaurant Banners

Restaurant Banners

The slimmer and taller restaurant banners are commonly displayed
outside near the door or the sidewalk as directions to your
restaurant. They can also be used as window banners for added
decoration.

Banner Size: 2′ x 6′
Ideal Uses: Directional Banner for Restaurants

Construction Sites

Construction Sites Banners

This is a great banner size for promoting upcoming buildings.
It also offers plenty of room to display logos, graphics, and
critical information about the “Soon to Open” establishments
within the construction site.

Banner Size: 6′ x 4′
Ideal Uses: Soon to Open Banners

Construction Banners

Display several of these construction banners around the area
to promote the upcoming establishment and direct people to the
location once it is open.

Banner Size: 4′ x 2′
Ideal Uses: Construction Directional Banners

Construction Directional Banners

The larger banners go directly to the construction area. While
promotions and “Soon to Open” signs can be amazing, your
banners should also indicate safety and security practices,
especially toward people passing by the vicinity.

Banner Size: 8′ x 4′
Ideal Uses: Safety Banners for Passersby

Field and Parking Lots

Field and Parking Lots

Some parking lot businesses install these banners on tall poles,
so they can’t affect traffic. As such, the taller, sleeker
banner variants are mass-produced to cover the promotions in the
entire parking field.

Banner Size: 3′ x 4′
Ideal Uses: Parking Pole Banners

Real Estate Listings

Real Estate Banners

This banner size is like the restaurant and school banners since
these are made to promote new real estate listings. You can
display these banners indoors, and guests can see them welcoming
them when they view the property.

Banner Size: 4’ x 6′

Ideal Uses: Promotional Real Estate Banners

Real Estate Banners

Real estate teams also attend trade shows and events to the
public, enticing potential clients with their real property.
These banner sizes can fit the indoor trade show setting while
keeping them unique and eye-catching.

Banner Size: 4’ x 7′

Ideal Uses: Real Estate Trade Show Banners

Real Estate Banners

Aside from the other banner sizes, most real estate banners are
quite like construction banners, focusing on “Opening Soon”
establishments and brand-new real estate. You can
order custom-size banners not just to promote the house but also
to inform clients of your business.

Custom Banner Sizes

Ideal Uses: Promotional Tools for Brand New
Establishments

 

Some Final Thoughts

The ideal or standard banner size you should choose depends largely on its intended location. However, you also need to consider other factors, such as your budget, lighting conditions, use of other promotional tools, and banner design.

If you need help with the design, simply fill out this request form and within 1-2 days one of our graphic designers will contact you.

The time it takes to create your finished design will depend on the level of help you need. However, most of our customers only need to collaborate with a designer for 1-2 days to receive their finished work.


Share this article

Your trusted, custom signage provider

Accepted Cards

*Next Day Production excludes large orders, business cards, post cards, door hangers, rack cards, bumper stickers, brochures, table tents, flyers, metal photo prints, wood prints and orders placed on weekends and the day before observed holidays (upcoming holidays: 05/27/2019, 07/04/2019, 09/02/2019)

*Free ground shipping to contiguous United States. Excludes rigid materials over 36″

©2019 Signs.com. All rights reserved.