If you pay attention to high-profile events, you may have noticed banners where the logos of sponsors are repeated serially. They are called step and repeat banners, and are one of the most effective ways to promote your brand. From a basic definition to some visual tips, in this blog post, we take a look at what you need to know to design a step and repeat banner for your event.
What Is a Step and Repeat Banner?
A step and repeat banner is a large format graphic with logos repeated all over its surface.
The name “step and repeat” is an indication of how these banners work. Step and repeats are placed in high-traffic areas (such as the red carpet zone of an event) so that people step in front of the banner and are photographed with it as the background when they walk by.
Step and repeat banners have become a staple of press conferences and glamorous galas. However, they are being used in a growing number of events nowadays, including:
- Trade shows
- Weddings
- Conferences
- Fundraisers
- Concerts
- Conventions
- Festivals
- Fairs
- Sports tournaments
- Grand openings
Benefits of Step and Repeat Banners
Step and repeat banners are gaining popularity and with good reason. This is a low-cost solution that delivers many benefits, ensuring a great return on investment.
Here are some of the advantages you get when you use a step and repeat banner for your event:
- Raise brand awareness. Straightforward and impossible to ignore, these banners are sure to put your brand (and those of your sponsors) in the spotlight.
- Engage your audience. Walking in front of a step and repeat banner makes you feel like a celebrity, and who doesn’t like that? A step and repeat adds a touch of fun sophistication that your audience will find impossible to resist.
- Elevate the profile of your event. Using a step and repeat banner to brand your event creates a polished image that people associate with some of the world’s most anticipated events.
- Generate social media buzz. In an era where everyone is posting photos of themselves on Facebook and Instagram, step and repeat banners are a smart way to give your brand some welcome (and free!) social media exposure
- Cost-effective: A step and repeat banner gives you more advertising for your dollars because you can use it multiple times. These graphics are easy to maintain and can last for years as long as they are stored properly in a dry place away from the sunlight.
- Take advantage of sponsorship opportunities. If you are organizing a sponsored event, a step and repeat banner can be part of the package that helps you strike win-win deals with other companies.
How to Design a Step and Repeat Banner for Your Event
Step and repeat banners are straightforward and easy to use. However, that doesn’t mean they are easy to design. Here are the considerations that go into creating one of these graphics.
1. Create Good Contrast
Good contrast is the basic factor that helps ensure that all the logos in your step and repeat banner can be seen clearly.
Contrast refers to the difference between dark and light colors. The best contrast is obtained when dark elements (such as letters or symbols) are placed on a light background or vice versa.
In the next point, we’ll explain why you need to be careful with light colors and give you some tips on how to use them in your banner.
2. Prefer Matte Finishes; Be Careful With Bright Colors
If the finish of your banner is too glossy, it may create glare in photographs and video, affecting the visibility of the logos.
Matte finishes tend to be more photo-friendly because they limit glare. This makes for better photos where both the people and the banner can be seen clearly.
For the same reason, dark colors may be preferable for the background of your banner. Dark colors absorb light and reduce glare. Lighter colors, on the other hand, reflect light and may be uncomfortable to look at under strong sources of illumination, such as direct sunlight.
If you want to choose a light color for the background of your banner, consider using a slightly darker shade. For example, while the difference between white and light gray is so subtle that almost no one notices it, it’s often enough to reduce glare.
3. Select a Banner Size That Makes Sense for Your Event
The dimensions of your step and repeat banner will depend upon the size of your event.
A banner that’s too small may go unnoticed in a big crowd. At the same time, you don’t want to invest in a banner that is larger than necessary if you are holding an event with just a handful of people.
An 8’ x 8’ banner is enough for one to four attendees to take a pic together and is usually the best option for small events. For larger gatherings, an 8’ X 20’ banner can accommodate comfortably a group of up to 10 people.
4. Pay Attention to the Size of Your Logos
Remember: the goal of a step and repeat banner is to give your brand some well-deserved exposure. That’s why you want to make sure that the logos in your banner are clearly visible both in person and when they appear in photos.
If the logos are too small, people won’t be able to see them, which defeats the purpose of your banner.
Luckily, getting your logos noticed without being intrusive is really simple — you just have to make them the right size. Logos that are 9-11 inches wide and 5-7 inches tall photograph nicely and give your brand the exposure it deserves.
5. Use High-Quality Files
The last thing you want is a step and repeat banner with blurry logos. Not only won’t people be able to see the design, but you will be hurting your brand instead of elevating it.
When a digitally printed image looks fuzzy, we say that it is pixelated. Pixelation occurs when the files used to create a graphic don’t have the appropriate quality.
The quality of digital files for impression is measured in dots per inch, or “dpi” for short. Logos that are 300 dpi guarantee the best results, although lower resolutions may work in some cases.
Check with your designer to verify that your files are fit to print. This will help you avoid mishaps and ensure that your logos appear clear and crisp.
CR&A Custom: High-Quality Signs for Your Event
If what you need are graphics that impress attendees and sponsors, look no further than CR&A Custom. We are a large format printing company known for our drive to excel and our cutting-edge digital printing technology.
Contact us today by email (info@cracustom.com), telephone (213-749-4440), social media (Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn), or through the live chat on our home page.
