To promote an event, whether it’s an open house, fair, or charity gala, you need to get the word out. One way to do that is with an event banner. But creating an eye-catching banner that conveys your message takes more than just slapping on a catchy graphic—there are design principles and colors to consider as well. And even if you opt for an indoor banner, you must be aware of all applicable design principles; failure to comply could spell disaster not only for your brand or event but also for your efforts.
Here are some quick tips to keep in mind when making an event banner from scratch:
1) Gather All the Supplies
Chances are, you’ve already got everything you need for your event banner. You can either start with a blank banner or purchase a ready-made one. One popular option is banners made of plastic material printed on both sides and easy to put together. Before setting out any money, think about what your needs will be and which materials will best fit those needs. For example, if you plan on adding in fabric or paper decorations that aren’t included with your pre-made banner, plan accordingly by purchasing specialty glue or fabric clips when possible.
2) Create Your Event Banner Template
The best event banners look a little more polished than a piece of crumpled notebook paper that was hastily taped above your head in homeroom. The good news is that event banners don’t have to be high-tech or expensive—and you can actually make a really nice one with just a little time and creativity.
There are lots of free template options online, or you can use GIMP or another graphic editing program to create your own design. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s large enough for everyone in attendance to see from any angle. A well-designed banner will always come in handy and can help set up and tear down quicker than anything else, especially if your volunteers are inexperienced.
3) Align Your Banner Vision with Your Campaign
If you’re not sure what type of banner you need, think about your overall marketing and advertising strategy. What campaign are you running? Is it for an event? A sale? An announcement? Is it meant to drive foot traffic into a retail location or drive traffic to a website? The answer will help guide your design choices because different options appeal to certain audiences.
For example, if you want people to visit a brick-and-mortar store after they see an event banner on social media, don’t use QR codes; instead, print text that directs people there directly. Similarly, if you want people to take action online (like purchasing a product), make sure your banner includes clear calls to action with room for site URLs and contact information. Learn more Green Hat Files
4) Strategically Place Your Logo, Main Copy, and CTA
One of the most important things you can do when creating your event banner is deciding where each piece will go. Logos are essential, but if they’re too large or placed in a bad spot, they could detract attention from your main call-to-action (CTA).
The title of your event should be bigger than any other copy on your banner because it’s what people will read first; avoid using all caps for titles as it makes them harder to read. Lastly, some colors attract more attention than others, so find out which colors work best for your audience and use them strategically on each element of your design.
5) Add Relatable Text
To make your banner eye-catching, try using a phrase that relates to your industry or event theme. If you’re hosting a 5K fundraiser for breast cancer awareness, for example, try writing Find Your Pink in Every Color and add some pinks and reds to your design. This is a clever and unique way of drawing attention.
There you have it! As you can see, it’s really not that hard to create an event banner. All you need is proper planning and a little bit of creativity. And as long as you stick to the basic principles of design and photography, you’ll be good to go. So, take your time and create a banner that will be remembered!
