The Definitive Guide To Paper Flags
Introduction
When you think of the term advertising flags do you think of the crowds of people standing at the roadside while the Queen goes by waving little flags like crazy? Well believe it or not, today paper flags are big business! Can you believe our company makes millions of them every year for all kinds of organisations such as theatres, building societies, councils, garages, and estate agents not to mention charities and supporters clubs.
These paper flags, also called advertising flags have become synonymous with traditional British celebrations such as the Jubilees and other Royal events. However, paper flags are used all over the world to celebrate a wide and varied range of different special occasions.
Printerd flags can be printed on one or both sides and are attached to a plastic stick so they can be held in the hand for waving in a crowd. These paper flags are colourful, attractive, and economical. They have become very popular, particularly over last few years, just try not to wave one as soon as it is given to you! I bet you won’t be able to help yourself!
Some of the great advantages of these printed paper flags as promotional items is that they are environmentally friendly, really cost effective to create, and everyone loves waving them. Compared to other much more costly branded products, gifts or marketing giveaways they are always a great success.
History of Paper Flags
Paper did not appear in the western world until the early 1300s so it would have been some time later that the earliest know form of small flags were cut out of paper. These were usually religious in depiction and today, thousands of colourful cut-paper flags which depict various mythological and religious legends are produced in China for annual festivals. Can you remember when you were a child cutting rows of patterns, sometimes figures of girls or boys from folded paper? This is the handed down tradition of Scherenschnitte which is the German for “scissors” cutting, which is often translated as “silhouette” a practise which became popular in Austria in the seventeenth century. From this time a whole tradition of cut paper art has evolved around the world, such as the shadow puppets of Indonesia and the common tissue-paper flags of Mexico known as Papel Picado.
Current Usage
Youngsters particularly enjoy waving flags during festivals, shows or exhibitions. Printed flags however are most often used today to advertise and promote sporting events, fund raising projects or special occasions. Promotional printed flags are a wonderful way of catching the eye and can be a successful way of advertising for any exhibition. Colourful paper flags are attractive, economical to produce and ever popular.
One of the most popular times for hand wavers was during the last football world cup, where it appeared as though every person (and car, and house!) had a St Georges Cross flag.
Whether it’s the World Championship, the Premier League, or a local cup final, supporters with their printed flags, show their true team spirit. That is why paper flags for supporters are the top choice of some of the biggest clubs and soccer leagues in the world.
Paper flags are cheap to manufacture and can be ordered at incredibly low give-away prices. A huge range of samples of printed flags are available as printers of paper flags will generally hold back a few items from each print run as samples of the kind of products available. These will all relate to real world, fund raising campaigns, promotions, product launches, and sports teams events.
There is an amazing selection of artworkto choose from for custom made paper flags because the print area is flat and a set size. The only limitations are an individual’s imagination (and the size of the flag too of course).
They can be purchased in various quantities required as they are usually quick to manufacture and easy to deliver.
Obviously paper flags are great for other events, such as VIP visits, sales events and advertising. You can get printed flags with your own promotional message or custom printed logo on one or both sides and they can also be used as promotional giveaways. One of the values of using small hand held flags for different promotional events, is that they are very easy to produce in both large and small quantities at a very low cost. Because they are digitally printed there will be the best possible quality finish to the flags and reordering is a breeze.
In Conclusion
I am sure very few people will have given any thought to small hand held flags until there is an event when they want to make use of them. Then what happens? At one time people would have to go to a specialist store that stocked such things. Today, with the Internet all these things are so much easier as you just do a quick Google search.. Such has our world changed. Purchasers no longer have to make do with standard designs. They can choose from a large range of pre designed flags, into which their personal messages can be incorporated.
Environmentally friendly flags are an excellent low cost option to ensure that even this aspect of your marketing is good for the environment.
So do not be restricted by the images of small children waving little flags while royalty go by, and see what exciting and differing promotional flag ideas you can come up with for your next promotional campaign.