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NEW PRODUCT – Takeout Banners

QSD / March 25, 2020March 27, 2020 / Featured Posts

3x5-Takeout-Banners
Vinyl banners are an effective way to display a message to potential customers at a low cost. These banners are ideal for businesses looking to attract customers to their restaurant for takeout orders. Because they are made from durable vinyl, these banners can be displayed outdoors for extended periods of time. Available in three eye-catching colors.

Banners are 3’x5’ and are finished with brass grommets in each corner so you can easily secure your banner at your restaurant.

Purchase your Takeout Banner here!

Want to create a banner with your own message? Upload your own artwork and more with our custom design tool.

Interesting American Flag Facts

qsd / November 20, 2019March 11, 2020 / Featured Posts, Flags

If you live in the United States, you probably see an American Flag displayed prominently every day. American Flags are a great source of pride for many Americans and are even required at some organizations. Unfortunately, the United States imports many American Flags from foreign countries for lower prices. At Quality Sign Designer, we stitch all of our American Flags at our production facility in Florida. If you’re looking for an American Flag that is made in America, you’ve come to the right place.

Grommets on American Flag
Grommets being added to an American Flag at our Florida production facility

Who created the first American Flag?

The short answer is that no one truly knows.

The first American Flag from 1776 (or 1777) is often referred to as the “Betsy Ross Flag.” Legend has it that Betsy Ross stitched together a design that George Washington sketched at his request. Ross’ grandson, William J. Canby, brought this theory to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in a paper in 1870. However, there is no documented evidence that proves, or disproves, Canby’s claim.

The “Betsy Ross Flag”

How many times has the American Flag been modified?

The American Flag has been modified 26 times! On June 14th 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted the first official guidelines for the national flag: “Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” Within the United States, citizens celebrate Flag Day on June 14th because of this. It is unclear whether the “Betsy Ross Flag” was created prior to this act as legend has it, or if it was created afterwards.

In 1795, the Second Continental Congress established a new 15-star, 15-stripe design, after Vermont and Kentucky became states. Known as the Star-Spangled Banner, this was the flag that inspired the Francis Scott Key song by the same name that became the National Anthem of the United States.

15 Star, 15 Stripe Star-Spangled Banner
The 15-star, 15-stripe Star-Spangled Banner

In 1818, the American Flag went back to thirteen alternating stripes. The 1818 Flag Act set forth that there be 13 alternating red and white stripes to represent the 13 original colonies, and one star for every state.

The remaining alterations to the flag were to add stars in the upper left corner as more states were added. The U.S. Government adopted the current 50-star version in 1960 and it has not changed since.

Why is the American Flag called “Old Glory?”

Old Glory was a nickname given to a 10’ x 17’ American Flag by William Driver, a sea captain from Massachusetts. Driver was the owner of the flag which has said to have survived many attempts to deface it during the Civil War.

Driver was a master mariner, sailing his own ship at the age of 21. In his 20-year career as a merchant seaman, Driver sailed to China, India, and Gibraltar. Driver would later move from Massachusetts to Nashville, Tennessee where Confederate soldiers tried confiscate his American Flag. However, Driver consistently resisted, even hiding his flag with his neighbors to prevent soldiers from taking it.

Historic American Flag
Willaim Driver’s flag, nicknamed “Old Glory”

Regarding his 10’ x 17’ American Flag, Driver wrote, “It has ever been my staunch companion and protection. Savages and heathens, lowly and oppressed, hailed and welcomed it at the far end of the wide world. Then, why should it not be called Old Glory?” Driver was a respected unionist and others noticed his devotion to protect the flag, causing to the nickname “Old Glory” to stick.

Interesting Regulations Under the U.S. Flag Code

Flying your own American Flag can be a great source of pride and honor, however it is important to understand the regulations under the U.S. Flag Code so you can display your flag respectfully. Below we will highlight some regulations for when and how you should fly Old Glory.

The American Flag should not be publicly displayed in darkness. Owners should raise the Flag at sunrise and lower it at sunset, unless a light illuminates the flag when it is dark.
Main administration buildings of all public institutions should display the American Flag daily.
If flown alongside a national flag of another country, the two flags should be flown on separate staffs, at equal height.
When hung horizontally or vertically, the American Flag should be hung with the union (stars) on the upper left from the observer’s perspective, or the flag’s own right side.
When owners fly the flag at half-staff, they should first raise the flag to the peak of the flagpole for an instant, then lowered to half-staff. When lowering the flag, owners should raise the flag once more to the peak and then lowered.
The American Flag should not be flown in adverse weather unless it is an all-weather flag. Flying the flag in adverse weather (snow, rain, heavy wind) increases its chances of being damaged and is against U.S. Code.
On Memorial Day, the American Flag should only remain at half-staff until noon.
The American Flag should never be displayed with the union (stars) at the bottom (upside down), except as a signal of dire distress.
People should never use an American Flag as a costume, clothing, or drapery.
American Flags owners should destroy them in a dignified way, like burning, when the flag is in poor enough condition that is no longer suitable for display.
The American Flag should never touch anything below it.
People should never carry the American Flag horizontally or flat, but always aloft and freely.

American Flag Sewn Stripes

The next time you hear someone mention “Old Glory” or the “Betsy Ross Flag,” you will know the history behind it. At Quality Sign Designer, we are proud to produce American Flags here in America. If you are looking for an American Flag or any type of signage, we have the solution for you.

Everything You Wanted To Know About Horizontal Flags

qsd / November 20, 2019March 11, 2020 / Custom Flags, Featured Posts

What is a Horizontal Flag?

When most people imagine a flag, they are probably picturing a horizontal flag. On their most basic level, flags are a means to communicate a message or sentiment. They are typically made from cloth and feature some type of symbol or emblem. Horizontal Flags are customizable and can be used anywhere, making them a versatile signage option. Custom printed Horizontal Flags create a positive first impression on visitors when approaching facilities of any kind. They can be used to promote corporate or organization identity with a company slogan, bolster team spirit with a team logo, and much more. Horizontal Flags can come in a myriad of different sizes. The most popular is the 3×5 custom flag, but other sizes include a 4×6, 5×8 and 6×10.

The History of the Horizontal Flag

Where and when the flag originated is unknown, however, the oldest known horizontal flag was made of metal and dates back to 2400 B.C. in Iran. Early on, flags represented coats of arms in battle. Later, in the 17th century, it was common to see national flags flown aboard ships to indicate their homeland. Maritime ships also used horizontal flags for communication. A system of communication called “flag semaphore” was commonly used for ships to communicate with each other.

Signal Flags

To communicate using flag semaphore, a crewman holds a flag in each hand and signals different formations that symbolize numbers or letters to another ship.

Did you know: The peace sign ☮ was created in 1958 by artist Gerald Holtom to protest the use of nuclear weapons. Holtom combined the semaphore symbols for N and D, which stood for “nuclear disarmament,” to create the iconic shape known to many as the peace sign.

American Flag

One of the most common types of horizontal flags are national flags. It is believed that Denmark’s flag, which was created in 1625, is the oldest continuously used flag for a nation. The American flag was adopted in 1777 with 13 stripes and 13 stars. Since then, the American Flag has been modified 26 times to create the flag we know now with 50 stars and 13 stripes.

How to use Horizontal Flags for Effective Marketing

Custom printed horizontal flags are a smart way to complement existing branding. In a recent study on business signage, 86% of respondents agreed that business signage can convey the personality or character of the business. With this in mind, using a custom flag is a great way to impart an organization’s core values.

Digitally printed custom flags are a very effective way to promote an event, strengthen branding, and generate organizational pride. Horizontal flags are a recognizable form of signage and are a fantastic way to display a company logo to denote your location to customers. For retail businesses, horizontal flags are a great way to feature brands carried both on the interior and exterior of your building.

Common uses for Horizontal Flags:

Denote location
Feature company logo
Organization pride
Strengthen branding
Feature brands carried
Recognize sponsors
General décor

Where do you put a Horizontal Flag?

Displaying a flag in a prominent area makes it more noticeable and effective. Fortunately, horizontal flags are one of the most versatile types of signage and can be used in a variety of ways, indoors or out. For businesses that receive a lot of wind, a dedicated flagpole is a prominent and noticeable way to display your flag. For businesses that receive less wind, a wall bracket attached to your building is an excellent way to display your flag’s message or graphics even when the wind isn’t blowing.

Interior Use:

Hung with an angled wall bracket in prominent area of building
Pinned to a wall
Hung from the rafters or ceiling

Exterior use:

Hung from a dedicated flagpole in open area
Hung from angled wall bracket near entrance or
Pinned to a building near entrance or prominent area

Horizontal Flag Design

Attention to detail when designing a horizontal flag is essential. You want your horizontal flag to stand out for the right reasons. We recommend keeping your custom printed flag design as simple as possible, while still getting your message across. Flags are typically viewed from a distance, so a simple, recognizable design will make it easier for people to comprehend your message from a distance. Determining the proper color scheme for your flag can carry a simple design a long way.

Colors to Make Your Horizontal Flag Come Alive

Choosing the right colors can make the difference between your horizontal printed flag standing out as a unique marketing tool or going unnoticed. If you are trying to strengthen branding, then it is important that your flag include your logo as well as the colors associated with your brand. No matter what the purpose of the flag is, selecting contrasting colors that will make it stand out is vital. Let’s take a look at some of the colors you might use.

Red – Red is a strong color that is associated with love, importance, danger, and violence. Red has also been proven to potentially raise a person’s blood pressure and heart rate. Using red strategically can create an impactful visual on a flag.
Blue – Darker shades of blue can represent trustworthiness and strength, while lighter blues can be refreshing and indicate friendliness and calmness.
Green – Similar to blue, green can represent calmness. It also symbolizes growth, nature, and rejuvenation. Green is the earthliest color and the darker the shade, the more closely associated with nature it is. As green gets lighter, the more it exudes vibrance and energy.

The Pros & Cons of the Horizontal Flag

There are pros and cons to advertising with horizontal flags. Placement needs to be optimal for horizontal flags to get the visibility your advertising needs require. If you do buy a large horizontal flag, you may need a flag pole to display it high enough to be seen. A pro is that horizontal flags can be single or double-sided, thus allowing the advertising message printed on it to be different per side or the same.

Regardless of your application, customizing a horizontal flag at any size can serve your business well through visual advertising and increasing brand awareness on a daily basis. Half the battle of visual advertising is maximizing the number of eyeballs seeing your brand in their day-to-day routine.

What are some other types of custom flags?

Vertical Flags

Swooper Flags

Feather Flags

Conclusion

As you go about your day in the world, look around at how many different types of horizontal flags you see at various organizations. You might be surprised at how frequently you see them. Whether your organization is strengthening a brand, building organizational pride, or needing décor to beautify a building, a horizontal flag could be the answer for you.

Questions Answered in this Article

This article contains answers to the following questions:

What is a horizontal flag?

Why use horizontal flags?

What are some pros and cons of horizontal flags?

What are some important designs and colors for custom printed flags?

Where do you put a horizontal flag?

Contact Quality Sign Designer today to order your custom horizontal advertising flags!