A few months ago, a client ordered three 85cm rollup banners for a big presentation at JW Marriott. They looked great in the design file. But when she set them up in the conference room with 4-meter ceilings, they looked tiny. Like presentation aids for ants.
She had to rush order 200cm banners overnight. Not cheap.
Size matters with rollup banners. But it's not just about "bigger is better" - it's about matching the banner to the space and purpose. Here's what you need to know to get it right the first time.
Standard Rollup Banner Sizes
Let's start with the sizes you'll find at most printing companies in Dubai:
The Most Popular Size
This is what most people mean when they say "rollup banner." Fits through standard doors, easy to transport, and visible from a reasonable distance. About 90% of our orders are this size.
Best for: Office receptions, small exhibition booths, retail stores, presentations
Slightly Narrower Option
Just 5cm narrower than standard. Some clients prefer this for tighter spaces or when placing multiple banners side by side. The visual difference is minimal.
Best for: When 85cm is just too wide, multiple banner setups
Wide Format
Gives you more horizontal space for designs with wide logos or landscape images. Popular for real estate companies showing property photos.
Best for: Property displays, wide logos, landscape photography
Extra Wide
When you need serious presence. Often used as alternatives to backdrops in smaller spaces. Makes a statement but harder to transport.
Best for: Feature displays, backdrop alternatives, premium locations
Table-Top / Desktop
Shorter banner designed to sit on tables at reception desks, trade show tables, or countertops. Same base mechanism, just shorter print.
Best for: Registration desks, trade show tables, point-of-sale displays
Quick Size Comparison
| Size (cm) | Visibility Distance | Transport | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85 - 200 | Up to 5 meters | Easy | contact us for pricing |
| 100 - 200 | Up to 6 meters | Easy | contact us for pricing |
| 120 - 200 | Up to 8 meters | Medium | contact us for pricing |
| 150 - 200 | Up to 10 meters | Difficult | contact us for pricing |
How to Choose the Right Size
Consider Your Space
This is the number one factor. Before ordering, answer these questions:
- What's the ceiling height? A 200cm banner in a 250cm ceiling looks proportional. In a 400cm ceiling, it looks lost.
- How much floor space do you have? A 120cm banner needs more floor space and might block walkways.
- Is there competing signage? If you're at an exhibition, bigger often wins the attention battle.
Consider Your Purpose
- Brand awareness at events: Go bigger (100-120cm wide)
- Office/reception display: Standard 85cm works fine
- Trade show table: 150cm height tabletop version
- Photo background: Consider multiple banners or a proper backdrop instead
Consider Transport
Standard 85cm banners fit in most car boots and come with carrying bags. Once you go above 120cm, you're looking at larger vehicles for transport. For frequent travel, stick with standard sizes.
Design Tips for Different Sizes
The Eye-Level Rule
Most rollup banners are 200cm tall, but the bottom 40-50cm is often blocked by furniture, people, or the banner base itself. Design your key message and logo in the top half.
Text Size Guidelines
- Headlines: Minimum 150pt (readable from 5+ meters)
- Subheadings: Minimum 70pt
- Body text: Minimum 30pt (people rarely read this anyway)
- Contact details: 40-50pt at minimum
Keep It Simple
The biggest design mistake? Treating a rollup banner like a brochure. People see banners for seconds, not minutes. You need:
- One main message or headline
- One strong image
- Your logo
- Contact info or call-to-action
That's it. Everything else is clutter.
Types of Rollup Banner Stands
The size is only half the equation. The stand quality matters too:
Economy Stands
Cheapest option. Plastic components, basic mechanism. Good for one-time events. Typically last 10-20 uses before the mechanism starts struggling.
Standard Stands
Aluminum construction, better mechanism. What most businesses use. Last 50+ uses with proper care. Worth the extra contact us for pricing.
Premium Stands
Heavy-duty aluminum, tension adjustment, replaceable graphics. For businesses that use banners weekly. Can last years with replaceable prints.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Not Accounting for Bleed
About 5mm of your design disappears into the banner base at the bottom. Don't put important elements there.
Mistake #2: Low-Resolution Images
A pixelated logo on a 2-meter banner is brutal. You need 150 DPI at actual print size, minimum. We recommend 300 DPI to be safe.
Mistake #3: Dark Backgrounds at the Bottom
Dust, scratches, and scuffs show up more on dark backgrounds. Keep the bottom portion lighter if possible.
Mistake #4: Too Many Banners
Two quality banners beat five cheap ones. People's eyes don't know where to look when there's too much signage.
Pricing in UAE ()
What to expect for rollup banners including print and stand:
- 85 - 200cm (economy stand): contact us for pricing
- 85 - 200cm (standard stand): contact us for pricing
- 100 - 200cm: contact us for pricing
- 120 - 200cm: contact us for pricing
- Replacement graphics only: contact us for pricing depending on size
Prices drop significantly for bulk orders. If you need 5+ banners, always ask for a quantity discount.
My Recommendation
For most businesses, here's what I suggest:
- Start with one 85 - 200cm standard quality banner
- See how it looks in your actual space
- If it feels too small, go wider next time
- Keep the stand and just replace graphics for different campaigns
The 85cm standard exists for a reason - it works for 90% of situations. Only go bigger if you have a specific need.
Here's the deal
We keep things simple. You tell us what you need, we give you a quote, and if it works, we get it done. No hidden fees, no surprise charges at the end.
We've built our reputation on doing good work at fair prices. That's it. If you want to see what we can do for you, reach out.
Need Rollup Banners for Your Next Event?
All sizes available with 2-3 day turnaround. Free design templates included.
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