1. Are outdoor display products able to withstand typical weather conditions like thunderstorms?

   Outdoor weather conditions vary greatly from minor inconveniences to serious storms. Common sense needs to apply. Outdoor Pole Banners are left out for months at a time in all kinds of weather; on the other hand an outdoor tent provides shelter from rain and sun but needs to be weighted down in windy weather and collapsed and stored in heavy thunderstorms storms or high winds.

   Outdoor products carry the following warning: Do not install your outdoor display products in extreme winds (24-31mpg or 6bt and higher) and / or thunderstorms. Do not use near overhead wires. Displaying in high winds or near overhead wires may result in property damage, injury or death and void any and all warranties.

2. Will my graphics fade outdoor?

   The sun is a very powerful UV force! Outdoor graphics are designed to be used outdoors and do a very good job of holding their color. The standard outdoor fabric or vinyl graphic will show signs of fading around three months of constant exposure.

   The gradual fading of a graphic is not drastic and some outdoor graphics are displayed for 6 months or even a year.

   If you have more questions about graphics for Outdoor Displays, please give us a call or send an email.

3. Can my outdoor fabric graphics be cleaned?

   Yes. Dye sublimated graphics are permanent and the graphics can be spot washed with mild detergent and water or thrown in a washing machine if size permits.

   Tents can be sponged off with water and a mild detergent and then hosed off.

   Vinyls can be sponged clean with water and a mild detergent.

4. For outdoor banners, do I need one-sided or two-sided graphics?

   The simple answer is that if your display is designed to turn with the direction of the wind like a tear drop banshee than one-sided is lighter and looks great. Banshees use a pennant fabric that allows the image to bleed through to both sides.

   With a turning graphic the correct side is seen often enough. A double-sided graphic on these displays will be heavy and impact the performance and placement of the display.

   Pole Banners that are stationary and seen from both sides are best presented as double-sided.

5. Any special considerations when designing for an Outdoor Display?

   Yes. The first thing one can do is to assess where the audience is going to be located. If you are using Ridgeline or BaseLine A-Frames to control the direction of a crowd and want that same audience to recognize a brand from the event bleacher seats, a designer would create graphics with large recognizable branding from above and at a distance.

   If you are designing a Valet that is to be seen from a vehicle passing by then the design must be large with few words.

   If that same Valet A-frame is used for a menu board outside a cafe, it can include copy that can be read from a pedestrian at three feet. Simple rules are to consider
   your audience, the distance they are viewing your display and the time they have to see it as they move along.

6. Do outdoor graphics require wind slits?

   The short answer is no. Wind slits are often unnecessary and detract from your visual impact. The exception are large banners installed in windy conditions.

   Small Boulevard Pole Banners, for example, are typically displayed without wind slits and due to their size (small in width) they hold up well. Depending on the area you live in, the size of the banner and the method of display, your graphics may need wind slits.

   Consult your representative for specific advice on your outdoor graphics.

7. I searched "banner stands" on the Internet and found some really inexpensive ones and some really expensive ones. I also noticed many different features and options. How do I choose?

   The old adages are true – “You get what you pay for” and "If it's too good to be true, well, then it probably is."

   If you plan to use a stand once and throw it away then consider a "hot deal." But if you need something more permanent, then your decision should be based on graphic quality, style, activity, travel considerations, environmental impact, graphic changes, and durability. If you are looking for a high-quality product with a lifetime warranty and graphic quality, then select the banner stands in our gallery.

   The stand you choose will represent your brand. It should look good with straight and vibrant graphics and an attractive, stable, and undamaged base.

8. Why are fabric graphics, instead of vinyl graphics, suggested for most mid-grade and premium banner stands?

   Why spend good money on a banner stand and then put a low-end graphic on it? Vinyl graphics are fine for some uses, especially long-term outdoor situations (such as an outdoor pole-mounted application), but they are usually not the highest quality. Even if the printing is top-notch, a vinyl banner has a tendency to curl. In contrast, a fabric banner will hold its shape even under tension.

   Fabric banners also look better with warm colors, textures, and no glare. Several choices, including recycled fabric, make it the most versatile option anddepending on the banner stand, photo graphic using the Lambda process may be the best option. Lambda offers photographic continuous tones.
    

9. Which one of the banner stands can I use on a table?

   Depending on height limits, any banner stand could be placed on a table. For most trade shows and recruiting events full height banners are inappropriate.

   The Pronto retractable banner stand includes a three-segmented bungee attached mast. When the banner is attached to the mast at one-segment or two-segment height, this stand makes a perfect companion to your table throw.

   Combine two or three units for full backwall. The available graphic templates help your designer layout the graphic to the proper heights.
    

10. What kind of light can I use on a banner stand?

    All our banner stands accept a light. These can be found in the product accessories section or give us a call. 

    

11. My last banner stand graphic had a lot of glare. Is this normal?

    (See the question regarding fabric banners)

    Not if you use fabric banners. Fabric banners are much better at eliminating glare, showing warm colors, and revealing textures especially in well lit environments.
     

12. What is the warranty on banner stands?

    All banner stands have a lifetime warranty on all hardware products. The policy applies to original purchaser. No product registration is required. We will replace or repair all hardware supplied to our customers purchased after 7/7/09. However, we reserve the right to inspect hardware and exclude warranty claims that have resulted from vandalism, theft, negligence, fire, natural disasters, modifications, or losses in shipment that may be covered by your insurance and/or freight carrier.

    The lifetime hardware warranty does not apply to graphics or to electrical components.
    
    All shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer.
     

13. What is Perma Logo?

    Perma logo is a heavy-duty vinyl similar to the traditional vinyl you may have seen used for numbers on sports jerseys.

    The vinyl is computer cut and heat transferred to pre-dyed twill throw fabric.

    Many colors are available for the vinyl (and the twill).
     

14. The live area for a Dye Sub Applique is a 45" W x 25" H rectangle, and the visual representation of the throw is a circle. Are free-form shapes possible?

    Yes. The real benefit of Dye Sub Applique is that complex gradients and photos or complex images like government or university seals can be represented accurately. An additional benefit is that these images can be any shape under the sun.

    Circles, rectangles, custom free-forms that outline images like frogs and horse heads have all been created.

    Have more questions? Give us a call or send us an email.
     

15. Exhibit Design Search lists 6 and 8 ft. standard table throws. How can I order a throw for a different sized table?

    Tables don't just come in 6 ft. or 8 ft. lengths. Neither do our table throws.

    Need a custom throw (or anything else you don't see for that matter)? Just ask us.

    It's that easy!!
     

Optima Graphics, Inc. offers a lifetime warranty on our hardware products. The policy applies to original purchaser. No product registration is required. We will replace or repair all hardware supplied to our customers purchased after 7/7/09. However, we reserve the right to inspect hardware and exclude warranty claims that have resulted from vandalism, theft, negligence, fire, natural disasters, modifications, or losses in shipment that may be covered by your insurance and/or freight carrier. The lifetime hardware warranty does not apply to graphics or electrical components.

Warranty repairs will follow general turnaround times and will need to be coordinated and processed through the Optima Graphics distributor. All shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer.

We will also make available, for all reasonable requests, appropriate replacement parts our distributors have the option to make necessary repairs themselves. Items such as scissors and hubs can be requested from and shipped at no cost as ground shipment. If receipt of replacement parts requires expedited shipping, we will bill our distributor for those expedited shipping costs.

Optima Graphics is strictly a wholesale supplier to trade show exhibit houses and event producers.

• Production lead times are based on business days and DO NOT include any shipping days.
• Production-ready artwork (when applicable) must accompany the order confirmation. Delays in uploading artwork may lead to expedited charges or shipping changes.
• No order will be released to Production without a signed order confirmation.
• Shipping is based on the availability of materials and graphics. Additional charges may apply if materials or graphics must be expedited.
• Shorter lead times may be available based on schedule openings in Customer Service and Production. Rush charges may apply.
• Standard lead times do not apply to orders of multiple quantities.
• Please check for product availability on ALL RENTAL exhibits.

Exhibit Weight varies depending on the packaging and the shipping method. Variables include but are not limited to:

• Dimensional Weight vs. Actual Weight: Dimensional weight is defined as crate or case size. On most air shipments, the dimensional weight exceeds the actual weight
• Portable Cases vs. Wood Crates or Molded Tubs (where applicable): Exhibit designs that require one wood crate would require multiple portable cases. Selecting one vs. the other affects the total weight (dimensional or actual).
• Freight Carrier: LTL carriers (Less than Truckload) quote freight based on space used. UPS, FedEx, and air freight carriers quote freight based on either the dimensional or the actual weight of the shipment.
• Freight Service Level (number of days): Service levels range from Same Day Delivery to Two Week Delivery.

For more information about exhibit weights and freight options, please contact your local exhibit representative.

Electrical, Cord, and Wire Management varies depending on the display and each exhibitor's requirements. When ordering your trade show display, consider the following electrical/wire management issues and discuss your options with an exhibit professional:

• Inline vs. Island Displays
• Lead Retrieval Devices
• Computer and Monitor Cables
• Demo Equipment
• Overhead Lighting
• Grommets and Grommet Placement in Counters
• Overhead vs. Floor Power Supply
• Flooring and Electrical Wiring
• Options for Hiding Cords and Cables
• Flat vs. Round Electrical Cords
• Multi-Plug Outlets and Extension Cords

By reviewing your wiring options BEFORE you order your display, you'll save TIME and MONEY and ensure your exhibit exceeds your expectations and your installation is trouble-free.