5 Essential Banner Design Guidelines to Follow

Banners are great for grabbing attention, especially if you're promoting a sale, launching a product, or announcing an event. However, it all depends on the banner’s design. 

A cluttered or confusing design can easily be ignored, but a clear and eye-catching one is more likely to make people stop and take notice. That’s why getting the design right is important. 

In this blog, we’ll walk you through some essential banner design guidelines that can help you create banners that not only look good but also deliver your message effectively. 

From choosing the right colours and fonts to keeping your message short and sweet, these tips will help ensure your banner stands out for the right reasons. 

Let’s talk about banner design ideas and how to get them just right.

1. Keep the Message Short, Clear, and Impactful

When it comes to banner designs, less is more. Your message needs to be short, clear, and easy to understand at a glance. Most people only spend a few seconds looking at a banner, so avoid long sentences or too much detail. 

You can focus on one key message, like a discount, event date, or call to action, and make it stand out. You’ll also have to use simple language and strong, active words that grab attention. 

A clear headline with some supporting words is often enough. Remember, your goal is to catch the viewer’s eye and get your message across quickly and effectively.

2. Use Bold Colours and Fonts for Maximum Visibility

To make your banner stand out, you can use bold colours and fonts that are easy to read. Bright, high-contrast colours can help grab attention, especially from a distance. 

It’s also important to stick to strong colours that match your brand or theme. Plus, when it comes to fonts, you’ll need to choose bold and clear styles and avoid fancy or thin fonts that are hard to read quickly. 

Your text should pop against the background and be large enough to see at a glance. The right colour and font choices can make your banner more eye-catching and effective at getting your message across.

3. Always Include a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)

One of the most important banner design guidelines is that it should have a clear call-to-action (CTA) that tells people exactly what you want them to do next. Without it, even a great banner can fall flat. 

Your CTA could be something simple like “Visit Our Store,” “Call Now,” or “Limited Offer Inside.” However, you have to make sure it stands out on the banner, guiding people in the right direction.

Additionally, keep the wording direct and action-focused, and place it where it’s easy to see, usually near the bottom or centre of the banner. Overall, a strong CTA can turn a passing glance into action, whether it’s a visit, a phone call, or a purchase.

4. Make Sure Your Brand Logo Is Easily Recognisable

Your banner should always include your brand logo, and it needs to be easy to recognise. This helps people connect the message to your business right away. 

That’s why you need to place the logo in a spot where it’s clearly visible; usually, the top or bottom corner works well. Plus, make sure it’s large enough to be seen from a distance but not so big that it overpowers the main message.

It’s also best to avoid placing it over busy backgrounds that make it hard to read. With a clear, well-placed logo, you can build brand awareness and help people remember who you are, even after they’ve walked past the banner.

5. Optimise Banner Size and Placement for Your Setting

Choosing the right banner size and placement is the key to making sure people see your message. A banner that’s too small might go unnoticed, while one that’s too big for the space can look awkward.

You’ll need to think about where your banner will be displayed, like indoors, outdoors, on a wall, or hanging above a booth, and pick a size that suits the setting. Additionally, try to place it where people naturally look, like near entrances, walkways, or eye-level spots. 

You should also make sure there’s good lighting so it’s easy to read. Ultimately, the right size and placement can make your banner more effective and help it attract more attention.

For the Best Custom Banner Designs, Call House of Flags

Now that you’ve read through the essential banner design guidelines, do you need help creating these marketing tools for your brand? If so, we’ve got you covered.

At House of Flags, we have decades of experience in manufacturing and supplying a wide variety of effective promotional products. From banners, display stands and signage to branded flags and more, we’ve got it all!

With our expertise and high-quality products, you can rest assured that your brand will make an impact on your customers.

Explore our incredible products and get in touch with us to learn more about our services.