Design of Flags
A flag should be designed to be as bold and uncomplicated as possible. As a flag's function is to "fly" or flutter in the wind (thereby in constant movement), the design should be easily recognisable.
Colour
If a design lends itself to being appliqued, the most economical method of manufacture is use pre-dyed materials. It should be noted that slight differences in shades are not as noticeable 20 feet in the air as they are on a letterheading. Where specific shades are required for the design, generally it is produced digitally or by dyeprinting.
NOTE OF CAUTION
Screenprinting of flags is often mentioned, but unless this is carried out by a specialist company like ourselves, the end results can be disappointing, as the flag is often less flexible than anticipated. The correct choice of colours is vital to achieve the best possible results for your corporate flag.
Methods of Manufacture
Flags can be manufactured in many ways. The method is governed by several factors:
make up of required design - line or tonal colours and the detail of the design
size of the flag
quantity
speed of required delivery
Applique work, digital printing and hand painting will apply mainly to small quantity orders. Where a larger quantity is required, flags are normally dyeprinted. There are occasions when the design can lend itself to the opposite method, i.e. a very simple logo on standard colours can prove more economical by applique than dyeprinting.
Applique
Traditional method of sewing the design on to the flag by drawing out the design to full required size and tracing on cloth. Marked material is then tacked to the field material with matching material on the back. The machinist follows the marked lines in suitably coloured thread and excess material is then cut away to leave the required design only. The restriction of appliqué is that the materials used will be stock shades. Pieces of material can be dyed to special shades but this can add to the cost.
Handpaint
Traditional method of portraying a detailed crest onto a flag. Handpainting woven polyester is an art which takes years to learn. The artists uses their experience to bring out the detail and shading to appear in the right balance when flying from a flagpole.
Dyeprint
Full sized screens are made to suit the design, dye is mixed to recipes to match Pantone shades, and flags dyeprinted - NOT screenprinted. Dyeprinting is when the dye penetrates the cloth so that the design appears as strongly on the back. The quantity required is the main governing factor in choosing this method - on occasions, the special shades and use of flag can demand dyeprinting.
Digital
This very modern method has changed flagmaking considerably and, in many instances, has allowed printers without any experience of traditional standards to supply flags. It is very important that the customer understands the variation of quality that can be supplied.
Single/Double Thickness
It is a popular misconception that flags should be read from both sides. It must be remembered that flags should fly in as light a breeze as possible and do not always extend in the same direction. 
Reverse view - please see right hand side
If a flag must read correctly from both sides, you should consider the additional weight and the cost involved in manufacturing and sewing together of a double thickness flag. Most double flags require interlining, to reduce showthrough, which adds further weight.
All shapes of corporate flag are available in order to complement the style of your company symbol or logo.
Antifray netting
Whereas the traditional rules of flag-flying suggest that flags should be hoisted at dawn and lowered at dusk, general use is to leave the flag flying 24/7. Alternatively, some flagpoles are sited in positions that suffer from adverse weather conditions. In order to add life to your flag, we recommend the addition of a strip of antifray to the fly edge. This will take the damage and wear in place of the actual flag. When the strip has been worn away, your flag should be returned for cleaning and the renewal of the antifray strip.