Custom Flag Frequently Asked Questions
What is a standard flag with grommets?
What is a standard flag with pole hem?
Are other types available?
What sizes are available for custom flags?
What sizes are appropriate for display outdoors?
What is an appliqué flag?
What is a printed flag?
Why the quantity is important?
Why knowing where the flag will be used is important?
What is the best material and construction for flags flown year round outdoors?
What is the best material and construction for flags used indoors?
Why is a vector image required to produce a custom flag?
What is a vector image?
What is a bitmap image?
A: The standard flag with grommets is the most commonly displayed flag and is typically flown horizontally on a vertical freestanding outdoor flagpole. The hoist edge is reinforced canvas with brass grommets designed to attach the flag to the halyard of the pole.
Back to Top
A: A standard flag with pole hem is a flag that has a sewn sleeve (pole hem) instead of grommets. A pole can be inserted into the pole hem to keep the flag attached. The pole hem can be either on the top of the flag so it can be hung on a horizontal pole like a banner or the pole hem can be created along a side of the flag so it can be hung on a vertical pole. This type of flag is typically hung on smaller poles either outside a home, indoors on smaller freestanding flagpoles or carried in parades.
Back to Top
A: In addition to the flag mentioned above we can create other custom shapes and methods for display based on your unique needs.
Back to Top
A: The following list below represents the most popular sizes but Flags Unlimited can custom create any size you desire. Prices will vary based on the size of the flag.
Standard Stick Flag sizes are 4 x 6 inches, 8 x 12 inches and 12 x 18 inches
Standard flag sizes are 2 x 3 feet, 3 x 5 feet, 4 x 6 feet, 5 x 8 feet and 6 x 10 feet
Back to Top
A: The type of flagpole, the length of the flagpole, and the number of flags being flown simultaneously on that pole determine the appropriate flag size for display outdoors in a business setting. When flying multiple flags on the same flagpole, the lower flag(s) should generally be one size smaller than the main flag. Use the chart below to determine which flag size is appropriate for your flagpole.
Back to Top
A: Appliqué flags are produced by sewing cut fabric shapes onto a flag background to produce the desired image.
Back to Top
A: Printed flags can be produced a number of ways. There are different methods that work best for different designs and usage. Flags Unlimited prefers to select the best method based on the customer’s design and usage. The most common flag printing method is digital printing, which allows for any number of colors in the design.
Back to Top
A: Quantity is important in determining methods of production and meeting potential minimum production quantities. For example: There is no minimum required for an appliqué style flag. Size 4 x 6” minimum order quantity 125. Size 8 x 12” minimum order quantity 50. Car Flags size 11 x 12.5”minimum order quantity 12. Size 2 x 3’ and above minimum order quantity 1.
Back to Top
A: Knowing how and where the flag is to be used will aid in recommending the correct material and construction.
Back to Top
A: Outdoor year round flag material and construction: Nylon and polyester are the most suitable materials for outdoor use. Due to its fade resistant characteristics, nylon is especially preferred in environments where there is constant exposure to bright sunlight. Polyester, a heavier material, is ideal for extreme weather conditions. Although not as fade-resistant as nylon, it is more likely to withstand frequent exposure to rain, freezing temperatures, and high winds. The most common construction for a flag designed for year round usage outside would be a printed single reverse flag. The design is printed on only one side of the flag and the reverse image can be seen through the opposite side of the flag. This product usually flies on a large freestanding flagpole so it is finished with a reinforced canvas heading and grommets. It is recommended that if an item is to be flown outside year round that multiples of a flag are purchased. Depending on the weather conditions a years worth of flags may be 3+ flags.
Back to Top
A: Indoor flag material and construction: For items designed to be displayed indoors the weather no longer becomes an issue and more choices are available. Nylon, cotton, satin, and polyester are among the materials available. Indoor construction can include additional features such as fringe and gold tassels. Depending on the how the flag is to be displayed grommets or a pole hem may work best. Indoor flags can also be printed or appliquéd depending on the design, quantity and usage.
Back to Top
A: A vector image is required to produce a custom flag, but a bitmap or jpeg image will usually be enough to establish what the best method of creating a flag is and what the cost will be to produce a flag.
Back to Top
A: A vector image is an image created in a vector-drawing program and is based on postscript code. A designer "plots" vector points and the points are connected with straight or curved lines. The shapes can be filled with a color, a gradient, a pattern or nothing at all. If a designer prepares a logo or drawing in Illustrator or Freehand, then the image is probably a vector image. The reason why a vector images are required for creating a flag is that matter if the image is 1" wide, 1 mile wide the image will not lose any clarity. Because a vector image uses PostScript code, the image scales perfectly. If a vector image is not available one can be created from a bitmap image, but art fees will be assigned based on an hourly rate. To create a vector image from a jpeg the entire design will have to be manually recreated in a vector drawing program and the time may vary based on the complexity of the design.
Back to Top
A: A bitmap image is either scanned or created in an image-editing program like Photoshop. If someone gives a designer a photo file, it's a bitmap image. A bitmap image can’t be used to create a flag because the small little pixels, which fool the eye into seeing one continuous tone when enlarged, will become large pixel squares that look blotchy. A bitmap will usually be adequate to determine the cost and best method for creating a flag.
Back to Top
