Pole pockets on banners are something that can cause a bit of confusion. This is compounded by the fact that some companies do things differently when producing banners with pole pockets.
![[object Object]](/auto_image/resize=w:800,f:max/https://media-library.co.uk/account/VB-BLG-R2NVV25G9GX5H/library/l/macys-banner-with-pole-pocket.jpg)
Pole pockets on banners are something that can cause a bit of confusion. This is compounded by the fact that some companies do things differently when producing banners with pole pockets.
A pole pocket is, as you would imagine, a pocket to slide a pole through. These can be on any side of the banner but is most commonly on the top and bottom so that it can be suspended between two horizontal poles.A typical use for banners with pole pockets would be for lamp post banners or banners used on scaffolding.
The most common problem with pole pockets arises when ordering. Some people think that the pole pocket is going to be ‘added on’ to the size of the banner. However, this is not the case as the pole pockets needs to be included with the finished size of the banner – this makes things easier from the customer’s point of view if a banner is to bridge two poles.
As you can see by this example the final size of the banner includes the pole pockets. The pole pockets are inclusive of the banner's size and not an addition to.
One thing that you have to bear in mind is that there may be minor fluctuations in the dimensions of the banner. This is due to the pole pocket being able to 'squash' its shape from circle to oval and even flat – this isn' usually a problem on 99% of banners but if you think this may cause an issue please do speak to us.
We will calculate the size of a pole pocket, required for each banner, all we require from you when ordering is the diameter of the pole going into the pocket. From this measurement we can then calculate the size of the pole pocket required.
The pole pocket should always have a bit of 'wiggle' (the very technical term we like to use), so that the pole can move freely within the pocket. This not only allows for easy fitting, but more importantly it distributes the stresses of the banner more evenly across the pocket and does not focus them on the join, increasing the life span of your banner.
Because of the un-flat nature of pole pockets it is best not to include any important information on the artwork where a pole pocket will be. Flat colour and imagery are fine, but you should steer clear of using any logos or text that you want readable in this area.
Another element to take into consideration is the ‘weld line’. This is the transparent line that welds the banner to itself to produce the pocket. Although the weld line is transparent it does have a different appearance to the rest of the banner and if text crosses into this area it can hinder legibility.
The width of the weld line is typically 30mm in thickness.
Below are some example pole pocket sizes (based on the diameter of the pole) and how much clearance you need to give the text on your artwork. Please remember that plain colour and background imagery are fine within the clearance area.
These values work no matter which edge of the banner the pole pocket is situated.
The SummaryWhen ordering banners with pole pockets remember the following:
This is only meant as a guide to help you when ordering banners with pole pockets and we are always at the end of a phone should you have any issues, on 0845 604 1030.
Venture Banners are the UK's leading supplier of large-format print to the trade.
As a true TRADE ONLY supplier, they are dedicated to helping the print industry profit from large-format print without the overheads. To find out more, visit venturebanners.co.uk