See us at EuroShop
We are exhibiting in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Visit our stand at - Hall 4 / C65
Trusted by leading brands & retailers...
What our resellers say
Links Signs and Graphics
All first class service. Enquiries are answered quickly and clearly, products always delivered on time and if there has ever been a problem, it is always resolved quickly.
Tones Media
I was impressed by the performance. Whoever designed this product is brilliant. Concerning the Canadian market, most people admired the quality of your products. Several sign shops have ordered demo units to place in their stores to show to customers.
3 Tier Print Management Ltd
That is brilliant service. Thank you so much. It's always difficult when something goes wrong but the real measure of a supplier is how they react and I can't praise you high enough. Thanks again.
Nitro Branding
I find the combination of product range, price and convenience unbeatable. Always a great service and high quality products from Signwaves, thank you.
Mirage Signs
Signwaves are a very professional company and have professional staff that sells quality products at excellent prices.
Signs Express
Swift responses, informative and detailed quotes and our Account Manager at Signwaves is very patient, with endless variations to quote for.
Discount Displays
Brilliant service, detailed information and great performance. The quality of products is superb and consistent. If there are ever any
issues, they’re dealt with quickly and professionally.
Recent News
Roller Banners vs Feather Flags: Which Works Best?
High streets, trade shows and forecourts all have to win attention in seconds. Brands want displays that travel easily and can be set up fast. It also needs to stay looking smart after lots of full days of passing traffic. Roller units and feather flags both promise height and colour in a compact footprint, yet they behave very differently once they are in place. Choosing between them starts with the way people move past each site. Indoor aisles and exhibition walkways feel very different to open car parks or roadside verges. Think about how far away the viewer stands and how quickly they pass. Also factor in what already competes for attention nearby. From there, it becomes easier to pick the format that gives the message the best chance to land. How do Banner Units Compare With Flags? Both banner units and feather flags use height to bring messages into a busy field of view. They take up less floor space than many other fixture types and present a flat panel that reads like a page, while feather flags have a curved profile that sways in the breeze. Set-up also differs. A banner unit pulls up from a weighted base and attaches to a support pole, so most of the print stays taut. Feather flags thread onto a vertical mast and either fix via a ground stake or alternative mounting solution, depending on the location. That movement helps catch the eye outside, yet it can be distracting indoors. Where Should Banner Stands Work Indoors? Indoor venues share some patterns. Traffic usually flows along predictable routes, past entrances and through key decision points such as checkouts or service counters. Banner units can sit just off those paths, so they guide people without getting in the way. Typical placements for roller banners indoors include: Near store or venue entrances where people slow briefly as they cross the threshold Along the edge of main aisles so messages stay in the line of sight without blocking shelves Beside reception desks or service counters where visitors wait for attention Because bases stay close to the floor and the print rises vertically, these units can share space without crowding people. Staff still have room to move stock and trolleys around. Where to Position Feather Flags Outdoors Open air sites often favour motion. On forecourts, pavements near car parks and approaches to leisure venues, a fixed board can disappear into background signage. Many brands use flags to mark entrances on wider sites such as retail parks or drive-through lanes, pairing them with roller banners for detailed messages. A line of masts creates an avenue that leads drivers toward an access road. Seen from a distance, the repeated shapes build recognition for a location before detailed messages come into view. Used well alongside static boards and fascia signage, feather flags give a helpful cue that something is happening. In these layouts, roller banners stay close to the point of entry while flags carry the same colours further out along approach roads. How Should You Plan Roller Banner Artwork? Narrow banners behave more like tall posters than street furniture. The copy sits in a single column, so hierarchy matters. A headline needs to sit in the top third, where it can be read across a room. Sub-headings, concise bullet points and a clear call-to-action can then follow in stages down the panel. Designers working on roller banners often divide the print into zones. The top carries the main message and brand identity. The mid-section holds a product shot or supporting statement, while the lower area has contact details or a web address. That structure helps people who only catch a glance to still take away something useful. It also helps to think about how stands will line up. A set of three or four banners can act like a mini backdrop behind a reception desk or tasting table. Repeating the same headline across each unit, then varying imagery, gives a joined-up feel without demanding complex artwork. What Artwork Works For Feather Flags? Flag layouts often need a different approach to banner artwork. Campaigns that already use roller banners indoors can often share the same themes, with flag artwork rewritten in a shorter format. The canvas narrows toward the bottom and curves at the top, so messages that work on straight rectangles are unlikely to behave the same way. Useful guidelines when planning artwork for feather units include: Keep main words in the upper half where they stay in view for longer Keep phrases brief so lines do not disappear Place logos high and tight so they read cleanly even when the flag moves Use high contrast between the background and typeface so messages stand out on bright days It also helps to check how the reverse looks on site. Some feather flags have double sided print options which may be a consideration in locations where they are approached from either direction. What Factors Affect Storage and Transport? Roller units and flag kits pack down in different ways. A banner stand usually travels in rigid housing. A soft carry case keeps the parts together in transit. Masts break down into shorter lengths that strap with the folded fabric. Teams buying roller banners for multi-site campaigns often value how fast they stack into vans or onto pallets. The rigid housings make them easier to count and scan. Flag hardware fits into slimmer bags and can be carried further by hand across fields or event sites. Water-filled bases and ground pegs suit outdoor jobs, yet they must be matched carefully to the surface and wind exposure at each site. Heavier banner units sit happily on hard floors indoors, with adjusters to help keep it upright on slightly uneven surfaces. Which Campaigns Suit Each Format? Different campaigns lean toward different hardware. Static panels give time for longer messages, while moving graphics tend to work better for quick prompts near faster traffic. Examples that often suit roller banners include: Store guides that help visitors understand where departments and services are located Brand introductions that set out who you are at exhibitions, open days or roadshows Event schedules near registration desks or seminar rooms Feather flags frequently support: Brief bursts of activity during launches or open days, including match promotions in sports club grounds Site entrances Footpath approaches Framing campaigns like this makes mixed kits easier to brief. Roller units handle the detailed reading near the point of decision, while flags help catch the first glance at distance. How Can You Test on Site? Trials help teams pick the right mix for each location. A simple way to begin is to select two or three priority sites and plan a brief rotation. One month might focus on roller banners placed near the door, the next might swap those for flags at the same positions. During each phase, teams can note how many enquiries or sales link back to the promoted message. Asking customers where they first saw an offer, even in a quick informal way, can reveal how far each format has worked. Where budgets allow, some brands run both formats at once in small clusters, using roller banners for fuller messages and flags for quick prompts. A banner stand near the entrance carries the full details and call to action. A flag at the edge of a site picks up the headline only. Together, they form a path from first sighting through to the point where someone steps inside to act. Get Support for Your Next Banner Project We design and make signage hardware for trade buyers across the UK. If you are planning new activity built around roller banners and feather flags, contact us.
The Best Materials for Weatherproof Outdoor Signs
A smart choice of material helps graphics stay readable for longer and cuts the number of replacements needed over a campaign.
Why Advertising Signs Still Work in the Digital Age
Screens dominate modern life, yet physical displays still command attention. People move through streets filled with visual prompts that guide them toward an action. Well‑placed advertising signs meet audiences in those real moments, connecting online awareness to offline decisions. What Captures Attention on a Busy Street? Movement and contrast influence what the eye catches first. Pavement signs and swing boards intercept footfall naturally. A concise headline with a clear font makes messages easy to register at a glance. Placement near an entrance or a crossing magnifies the chance of engagement. Good advertising signs simplify the journey. They give direction, highlight a reason to enter and invite an immediate response. How Can Windows Turn Curiosity into Action? A shopfront is like its own stage. Posters and lightboxes draw the eye where traffic slows down. Short headlines paired with a visible product image help people connect interest with availability. Store teams can rotate offers to reflect seasons and events without needing a full redesign. At eye level, small adjustments to lighting and spacing improve legibility for passers‑by at different speeds. Where Are Moveable Signs Most Useful? A‑boards and swing signs allow quick repositioning when weather or footfall changes. On the street they invite walk‑ins from pedestrians, while in car parks they guide visitors from vehicle to doorway. Teams can replace panels for time‑sensitive deals or event schedules in minutes, keeping the content relevant throughout the day. These adaptable advertising signs work best on wide pavements with steady flow and good clearance for wheelchairs and prams. Local rules may apply on the public footway. Check pavement licence requirements, minimum clear widths and sightline guidance before setting out positions. Safety comes first, so agree placements that protect access and visibility, then brief teams to return units indoors when trading ends. How Can Landmarks Affect Line of Sight? Buildings, parked cars and street furniture all shape what people see first. Walk the approach routes at average eye-level and note where sightlines are clear. Corners and crossings often create strong visibility zones, while bins or planters can hide lower units. Adjust the height and angle until the message stays clear from every key direction. Basic checks like this keep advertising signs visible all year, even as the streetscape changes. How do Eco Choices Shape Sign Projects? Sustainable options now cover many sign formats. Recyclable boards, aluminium with a long service life and PVC‑free banner materials reduce waste across a campaign. LED illumination with timed controls cuts power after hours. Small choices add up so choose frames that allow replacements rather than full refits, and group collections for recycling. Why Does Reading Speed Matter so Much? The faster the environment, the shorter the message window. Commuters may give it a second or two. Shoppers moving slower may offer four or five. Read your headline aloud while walking past a printout to gauge timing. Short phrasing wins on busy routes, while longer areas where people pause can hold an extra line for context. Testing on site prevents wasted prints and helps messages land as intended. Where Should Calls to Action be Placed? Calls to action belong wherever gets the most attention. High placement works for drivers. Mid‑height suits pedestrians. Low placement can guide hands toward doors or counters. Keep the wording brief and active. Adding a short URL or phone number gives an optional next step without cluttering the layout. That setup makes advertising signs easy to act on at the point of decision. What Layouts Keep Sites Organised? Plan the sequence from the arrival and taking people’s movement and then decision into account. Have one sign that welcomes people and another to explain where to go, then prompt an action at the point of choice. Keep fonts and colour consistent to connect the sequence. Avoid overcrowding by giving each message its own space. Mapping the route like this turns a collection of boards and posters into a coordinated system. How Can Results be Measured Without Heavy Analytics? Run some tests. Compare a week with signage against a week without while keeping pricing and staffing constant. Track one metric such as footfall, sales or enquiries, and repeat over two or three cycles to confirm a pattern. Record the weather and other potentially impacting events for context. A short trial reveals how advertising signs influence behaviour without special tools. What do People Read First on a Display? Readers follow a common order. The headline leads, the image follows, and the action comes last. One clear idea per board is usually enough. Keep typography consistent and avoid unnecessary decoration. Generous spacing makes reading comfortable even in glare or rain. Headline: five words or fewer to keep it sharp Action: use an active verb for clarity Image: show the outcome customers can expect Clear structure helps advertising signs perform in every condition. How Can Printed Signs Support Online Campaigns? Physical and digital media reinforce each other. A pavement sign can mirror a social headline, a poster can feature a QR code for offers, and a forecourt panel can advertise the business URL for quick searches. Aligning visual language across channels builds familiarity and shortens recall time. When visitors recognise online advert imagery to an on‑site display, the brand message feels unified and trustworthy. You can also track performance directly. Use unique QR codes per site and test two headline variants on different weeks at the same location. What Hidden Costs Should You Check Before Printing? Budgets often miss smaller line items. Watch for: Access equipment for high installs or narrow pavements Night or weekend fitting fees Artwork adjustments where files differ from spec Removal of outdated panels before fitting new ones Allowing for these costs early keeps advertising signs on schedule and within plan. How Can Teams Keep Signage Current? Modular systems make updates straightforward. Replaceable inserts and standardised frame sizes cut turnaround time. Scheduled rotations stop displays feeling stale and tie promotions into calendar events. Regular refreshes keep advertising signs aligned with live campaigns and customer habits. Where is the Smartest Place to Begin? Start with one location that attracts consistent traffic. Define the single message you want people to remember, match the material to its surroundings and test the headline for quick comprehension. Gradual rollouts reveal what style fits each setting best. For guidance on planning and production of advertising signs, contact us.
