How to make custom pennants (2023)

Pennants are triangular or pennant-shaped flags that are typically used for decorative or promotional purposes. They are often made of fabric or paper and feature a variety of designs, including logos, slogans, or other types of graphics.

Pennants are an attention-grabbing and versatile way to convey a message and create a sense of pride and loyalty. They can also be relatively low cost, which makes them an affordable way for small businesses and organizations to promote themselves.

Here’s how easy it is to create them:

Get your design ready

Ai or PNG works best for us to make sure we have a high-quality version of your artwork when creating your mockup. We also accept PDF, PNG, and JPEG files.

What if I can’t design my own artwork or I can’t afford to pay for someone to design for me?

We’re here to help. For FREE! Here’s how: Get a pen and paper and sketch your idea for us. It doesn’t have to be perfectly drawn, the purpose of the sketch is for us to get a good understanding of how you want your design to turn out instead of blindly guessing what you want, and would save us time going back and forth with revisions.

Here’s a sample sketch from one of our clients that we turned into a digital artwork

If you want to know more about our free design conversion service, you may read this blog.

Decide on the printing method

Silk printing

Silk printing, also known as screen printing, is a method of printing in which ink is pushed through a stencil or screen onto the fabric. A stencil or screen is created for each color in the design, and ink is pushed through the stencil or screen onto the fabric using a squeegee.

Silk printing is a versatile and cost-effective method of printing, also it can be used to create large designs and multi-colored designs, it can create a 3-dimensional or raised look, it is also durable and long-lasting, but it can be more labor-intensive than thermal transfer.

Thermal Transfer

Thermal transfer is a method of printing in which heat is used to transfer dye onto a material. A design is first printed onto a special type of paper, called thermal transfer paper, using a thermal transfer printer. The paper is then placed in contact with the pennant fabric and heat is applied, which causes the dye to transfer from the paper onto the fabric.

Thermal transfer is a relatively fast and efficient method of printing, it can print with multiple colors, gradations and detailed designs, also the colors can be bright and vibrant. However, the quality of the final print depends on the quality of the thermal transfer paper and the printer used.

Embroidery

Embroidery on pennants typically involves the use of a computerized embroidery machine, which allows for the precise and efficient stitching of designs. A design is first digitized, meaning it's converted into a format that the embroidery machine can read, then it's loaded into the machine and stitched onto the pennant fabric using a series of different colored threads.

Embroidery can be used to create a variety of designs on pennants, including team logos, mascots, slogans, or other graphics. It can also be used to add text, such as the name of a team or a player.

Embroidery on pennants has many advantages, it is long-lasting, durable, and it can be washed without losing its quality, embroidery on pennants also has a high perceived value, making it an ideal choice for promotional or commemorative pennants.

Additionally, as embroidery is needlework it can create a 3-dimensional design and can be a very detailed work, making it a perfect option for complex and intricate designs.

It is important to note that embroidery can be more expensive than other types of decoration, due to the time and skill required to create the designs

Single-sided or double-sided printing?

It's important to consider the intended use of the pennant and the viewing angle when deciding between single-sided or double-sided printing. For example, if the pennant will be hung on a wall, single-sided printing may be sufficient, but if it will be used in a parade or other event where it will be seen from multiple angles, double-sided printing may be a better option.

Single-sided printing is the most common option and is typically the most cost-effective since it only involves printing on one side of the fabric. This is ideal for pennants that will be hung on a wall or suspended from a pole, as the design can only be viewed from one side.

Double-sided printing allows the design to be viewed from either side and can be a great option for pennants that will be used in parades or other events where they will be seen from multiple angles.