What Are Retractable Banners?

A retractable banner stand is a portable display where a printed banner rolls up into a weighted base for easy transport and setup. They are also called roll-up or pull-up banners. The most common size is about 33 inches wide by 80 inches tall, but stands range from compact tabletop units to wide, double-width models. Setup takes under a minute. Signarama prints and supplies retractable banner stands for events, lobbies, and trade shows. 

Standard retractable banner stand sizes 

Most stands fall into a few common sizes, measured by the printed banner area. 

• Standard: about 33 by 80 inches, the most popular size for events and lobbies. 

• Compact: roughly 24 by 60 inches, easier to carry and place on smaller floors. 

• Tabletop: around 8 to 24 inches wide, for counters and registration desks. 

• Wide or double: about 47 to 60 inches wide, for a broader, more visible display. 

How to choose the right size 

Match the stand to the space and the message. A stand that is too large crowds a small booth, while one that is too small gets lost in a big room. 

• The floor space and ceiling height available at the venue. 

• How far away people will read it, since bigger reads from farther. 

• How much content the design needs to hold comfortably. 

• How often it travels, where a lighter, compact stand is easier. 

How to set up a retractable banner stand 

Setup is quick and takes no tools. 

• Set the base on a flat, level surface. 

• Raise the support pole and lock its sections together. 

• Pull the banner up by the top rail from inside the base. 

• Hook the top rail onto the top of the support pole. 

• Check that the banner is straight and the base is stable. 

Taking it down and storing it 

Breaking the stand down is the reverse of setup, and doing it gently protects the print. 

• Unhook the top rail and guide the banner as it retracts, do not let it snap back. 

• Collapse the support pole and cap the base. 

• Store the whole unit in its padded carry bag for transport. 

Design tips for retractable banners 

A good design accounts for how the banner is seen in a room, not just how it looks flat on a screen. People read it from several feet away, often while walking, so clarity beats detail. 

• Keep the logo and headline in the top third, above people's heads and furniture. 

• Leave a bottom margin, since the lowest few inches can be blocked or sit at the base. 

• Use high-resolution artwork so it stays sharp at full size. 

• Keep the message simple, since most people read it while walking by. 

Getting your retractable banner right 

A retractable banner is one of the most reusable, portable displays you can own. Signarama prints retractable banner stands and full trade show signage, and can size and design the banner for where you plan to use it.