Flag Printing – why is the market continuing to grow?

Flag printing has been in existence for many, many years and there is evidence of this dating back hundreds of years. The reasons then for a printed flag is probably very different today although, of course there will be some similarities. In particular in military flags have deep-rooted heritage associated to different regiments the world over.

Of course the way in which flag printing is executed today is different to what it was when flag printing was in its infancy. Even in the last 100 years there have been significant changes as technologies have evolved. Probably up until the 60’s and 70’s the preferred method to print flags would have been using flat screens. The screens are expensive to engrave and time consuming to produce. Every flag whether national or corporate, needs to be a unique set of screens for each colour in the flag.

That has all changed with the advent of digital printing and particularly so in the last 20-years as digital printing speeds have increased. Digital printing now compliments traditional screen-printing but has the huge advantage in that it can cater for one offs unlike screen-printing. Traditional screen-printing flag makers have almost universally adopted this technology, as they have recognised the advantages.

The fact that one offs can be printed economically and effectively now means that flags can be printed for individuals and huge corporate organisations at the other end of the scale. With printing companies existing that can cater for both ends of the scale means that the appetite for printed flags will continue to grow.

The definition of a flag is now perhaps far wider than what it was many years ago. Even marketing media is now printed on knitted flag fabric. Examples of this can be seen in airport terminals, retail outlets, shop and garages. The reason why flags have now become such a vital visual marketing tool is because they are relatively inexpensive to produce. Also the fact that they can be produced far quicker using digital technology, particular those for brand product advertising purposes, means campaigns can run for a short period of time if required.

Major corporate giants and SME’s are aware of the benefits of using flags to promote their businesses. The objective is the same whether a company is large or small, to get a clear visual message across. This is especially the case for corporate flags that can be seen outside an increasing number of companies head offices and even at divisional offices of larger concerns.

Flag printing provides an excellent opportunity to make a highly colourful visual impact. The flags that can be seen on the major petrol retailers’ forecourts across the UK are just one very good example. These petrol retailers also use printed flags to aid particular product launches. In doing so it increases the visual impact and goes alongside the corporate branded flags.

So the question why is the market for flag printing continuing to grow is simple to answer. It is because there is greater awareness of corporate identity coupled with the fact flags can be printed relatively inexpensively thus satisfying the demand.

Article by Chris Drury