A Marching Band Parade banners allow a marching band to identify themselves to the audience as they march down the street. A custom parade banner is like the business card for the marching band. The Parade Banner announces the school or organization they represent. Also included, any other pertinent information such as awards or credits.
The Marching Band and Parades
In the USA everyone loves a parade! A parade would not be a parade without Marching Bands. We love their colorful uniforms and the upbeat music they play while marching in unison through the parade route. Crowds of spectators line each side of the road enjoying the sights and sounds as the marching band passes by.
These sights and sounds have become essential for any local parade. Local schools or group fielding marching bands of various sizes and makeup. One thing in common for all these marching bands is a custom parade banner identifying the school or group they represent.
History of the Marching Band and Parade Banners
History of the Marching Band
Marching Bands have a military beginning that reaches back centuries. The Marching Band could play a very important roles at times. A marching band could be used to direct army on long journeys, buoy moral, and in some cases relay orders on the battlefield.
Early Military Parade Banners
Military parades made use of banners to present or identify units, groups, or base they represent. These early banners were ornately decorated and displayed unit colors and identification.
Military Footprints in Today’s Marching Bands
You can find many of the influences of early military marching bands in today’s modern school marching bands. This is especially true with the uniforms and the custom parade banners of today’s marching bands.
Marching Band Ranks and Commands
Another military tradition that has remained for the modern marching band is ranks and commands. Commands such as “Forward March” and “About Face” are still used by today’s marching bands.
Gold Fringe and Custom Shaped Parade Banners
Ornate parade options like fringe and tassels started with military parade banners. These options have expanded to include many shapes and color options for the fringe lining the edge of the banner.
Types of Marching Bands
There are basically four types of Marching Bands. These include
- The Military Band
- School Marching Band
- Drum and Bugle Corps
- Party Band
All these bands use a banner to display information about the group or school they are associated with. The parade banner is the introduces your band to the public. A custom Parade Banner can be essential in identifying your school or group, so they stand out above the rest.
Below we will start discussing the process of getting a custom parade banner for your marching band.
Party Band Performing Jazz in New Orleans
Choosing a Marching Parade Banner Type
No matter what type of marching band you have, you need a custom parade banner that represents club or school with pride at your next event. There are three areas that you should focus on when choosing a custom parade banner.
Parade Banner Material
Banners used by Marching Bands are usually made of either vinyl or fabric. These materials each offer a set of pros and cons.
Vinyl Banner Material – Marching Band Parade banners made of a PVC banner material are the most common type of banner used by school bands. These banners are easy to source and design. One drawback to using a vinyl sign is the weight can be heavier than that of a fabric parade banner signs.
Polyester Banner Material – Most fabric parade banners are made with a polyester material that allows for digital and sublimation printing. These printing methods allow for crisp images for your band sign.
Big Tex Banners offers both fabric and PVC parade banners for your band that will provide inspiration and pride at your next event. Simply choose the option that best fits your project.
Marching Band Banner Size
There is no real standard size for the width of a parade banner, but the height usually works best at a size of 30″ or 36″ tall. Big Tex Banners can produce any size parade banner for your band needs.
Parade Banner Design
The design of your marching band sign should display all the information about your club or school. It should display images and logos that represent your band. While some will decide to design their own parade banner, many will decide to have their banner professionally designed by graphic designers.
Tools Available for Designing Custom Parade Banners
If you choose to not have a professional design your banner, Big Tex Banners offers several tools that can assist your organization in designing custom parade banners. These tools are available on our website and can be easily used to create a parade sign that will pop.
Online Designer – Big Tex Banners offers a free online designer that allows you to use tools and methods used by graphic designers. Upload your custom artwork, choose custom colors to create a personalized banner design. Represent your school, group, or company.
Text Visibility Chart – Use our Text visibility chart to establish the size of the text on your banner for best results.
Pre-designed Banner Template – Big Tex Banners offers pre-designed banner templates that allow you change and customize the artwork to your liking.
Downloadable Banner Template – Download a template that allows you to work on your artwork on your computer with your favorite design software like AI or Photoshop.
FREE Parade Banner Design Service – If you would prefer not to design your banner, you can request to use our free design service. Let our company create professional artwork free of charge using your artwork and logos.
How does your free design service work? You tell us what your vision is for your custom parade banner, supply your images, and we will put together and personalize a custom parade banner for you free of charge. You will be able to review and request changes until you are happy. In reality, your custom parade banner will not go into production until you have approved the design.
Hardware Options and Accessories for Custom Parade Banners
A marching Band Parade Banner is displayed by hanging on a horizontal pole. This pole is inserted in a pole pocket that runs the full width of the parade banner. Standard size for pole pockets is usually 3″. On a standard rectangle parade banners, there is a second pole pocket along the bottom width of the banner. This pocket is for inserting a counterweight to stabilize the parade banner. This is helpful when you have to carry it in windy conditions.
Grommets – We offer the option to install grommets on your banner to secure it to the pole while carrying
Choosing a Pole for your Marching Banner
When choosing your pole and accessories there are many options available. You will find that there are DIY options, discount options and then high-end options.
DIY Pole Option – This option includes using wood dowel and PVC pipe for poles. These options can be found at your local hardware store for a reasonable price.
Discount Pole Option – This option includes using wood poles or lightweight Aluminum poles. These can be found that are available in the lower price range. Very basic poles with no upgrades available.
High-end Pole Option – This option includes poles with polished silver and gold finishes. Also, you can add decorative end caps to highlight your band parade banner.
Choose a pole that allows at least 8-12″ of the pole to extend past the edge of the banner to allow for being carried.
These pole options usually come in 1″ and 1 1/8″ diameters. Both diameters are good with a standard 3″ pole pocket. Big Tex Banners can provide custom hardware and pole pockets depending on your project. Please contact us if you have questions about hardware or pole pocket sizing.
Why You Should Buy a Marching Band Parade Banner from Big Tex Banners
- FREE Shipping on orders over $100 – Flat Rate Shipping Charge of $17.00 for under $100
- Fast Production Time – Our Standard Turnaround for a vinyl parade banner is 24 Hours! Production time for a Fabric banner is 2 Days. Big Tex Banners offers an expedited shipping option that allows your vinyl banner to be shipped same day!
- Don’t forget that you will be able to review your design before it goes into production. Our free proofing service means your order does not print until you are happy with the proof.
- Personalized Service, if you read our reviews, you will see that people talk of the personal service they receive when working with Big Tex Banners.
Get Started on Customizing your Marching Band Parade Banner!