1. Feather Flag Buying Guide: Sizes, Bases and Setup Tips

    Feather flags are one of the most effective and versatile outdoor display products available — highly visible from a distance, quick to install, lightweight and available in a range of sizes to suit any display environment. Whether you're marking a business entrance, branding an event site or attracting attention at a trade show, feather flags deliver visual impact that static signage simply cannot match.

    In this guide, we cover everything you need to know to choose the right feather flag for your specific situation — size, base type, single or double-sided, and practical setup tips.

    Understanding Feather Flag Sizes

    Feather flags are available in four sizes at Dipol Print. The right size depends on your display environment, viewing distance and the visual impact you need:

    • Small — 2210mm standing height, 720×1800mm graphic. Ideal for indoor use, compact outdoor spaces and environments where a taller flag would be impractical or out of proportion
    • Medium — 2820mm standing height, 960×2400mm graphic. The most popular all-round size. Versatile for most outdoor retail and event applications. Visible from 30–50 metres in good conditions
    • Large — 3490mm standing height, 1160×2900mm graphic. For higher-visibility applications — forecourts, open outdoor spaces and events where the flag needs to be seen from further away
    • Extra Large — 4350mm standing height, 1440×3600mm graphic. Maximum visual impact for large open spaces, dual carriageway frontage and major events where flags need to be visible from 100+ metres

    As a general guide, choose the largest size your display location allows. A flag that looks large in a design file often looks modest in an open outdoor environment. When in doubt, go bigger.

    Single-Sided vs Double-Sided

    Feather flags are available in single-sided and double-sided configurations:

    • Single-sided — printed on one layer of 110gsm knitted polyester. Your design shows through at 80–90% on the reverse — visible but slightly faded. The most popular and cost-effective option for most applications. The pole runs behind the front face of the flag
    • Double-sided — two printed layers with a blockout membrane sandwiched between them. Provides a fully opaque, identical design on both sides. The right choice for locations where the flag will be viewed equally from both directions — but note that flag bases are not covered by warranty when used with double-sided flags due to the additional weight

    For most outdoor advertising applications, single-sided is the right choice — the 80–90% show-through on the reverse is perfectly acceptable and the cost saving over double-sided is significant.

    Choosing the Right Base

    Choosing the correct base for your ground surface is one of the most important decisions in feather flag setup. The wrong base will result in an unstable flag that won't stay upright — or a flag that can't be installed at all. See our full range of flag accessories.

    Ground Spike

    A ground spike is driven directly into grass or soft ground. It is the most stable base option for grass surfaces and the most commonly used base at outdoor events. Not suitable for hard surfaces.

    Best for: Grass verges, parks, playing fields, garden events, any soft ground surface.

    Cross Base

    A flat cross-shaped base that sits on the ground surface without any fixing. Provides reasonable stability on flat indoor or outdoor hard surfaces in calm conditions. Can be weighted with water or sand bags for increased stability outdoors.

    Best for: Indoor use, exhibition halls, hard outdoor surfaces in calm conditions.

    Parasol Base

    A heavy, weighted base designed to sit on hard surfaces. More stable than a cross base in outdoor conditions.

    Best for: Hard outdoor surfaces — car parks, pavements, forecourts — where ground spike installation is not possible.

    Square Base

    A flat square base for hard surfaces. Can be filled with water or sand for additional stability.

    Best for: Hard indoor and outdoor surfaces where a flatter, lower-profile base is preferred.

    Car Foot

    A base designed to fit under a vehicle tyre, holding the flag pole in position using the vehicle's weight.

    Best for: Car boot sales, markets and any situation where a vehicle is parked adjacent to the flag position.

    Wind Rating and Weather Considerations

    All our feather flags are rated to Beaufort scale 4 — winds of 13–18mph. This covers most typical outdoor conditions in the UK, but the British weather is unpredictable. Key guidelines:

    • Always dismantle flags in adverse weather — winds exceeding Beaufort 4, heavy rain combined with wind, or stormy conditions
    • Heavy rain increases the weight of the flag fabric and puts additional strain on the pole — dismantle in prolonged heavy rain even if wind speeds are within rating
    • Don't position flags where they could catch on buildings, trees, overhead cables or other structures
    • Don't place flag poles too close together — allow adequate clearance between flags

    Caring for Your Feather Flag

    • Machine washable at 30°C without detergent
    • Allow to dry completely before storing or refitting
    • Store the graphic loosely rolled or folded — avoid tight compression which can cause permanent creasing
    • The realistic maximum lifespan for a regularly used outdoor flag is approximately six months — UV exposure and weather will cause gradual fading and fabric degradation over time
    • Air pollution will cause white areas to grey over time — this is a characteristic of outdoor fabric display products rather than a print defect

    Other Flag Formats

    If a feather flag isn't quite the right shape for your application, we also offer:

    • Teardrop flags — a structured teardrop shape that sits taut against the pole in all conditions
    • Crest flags — traditional rectangular format on a straight pole
    • Fin flags — a slim, modern rectangular format
    • Flamingo economy flag — a cost-effective single-sided flag option
    • Wind dancer flags — a freestanding flag system with a water-fill base requiring no ground fixing

    Artwork Setup

    Feather Flags in Brighton & Hove

    Dipol Print produces feather flags in all four sizes, single and double-sided, for businesses and events across Brighton & Hove and the wider UK. Collect from our print shop at 97 St James's Street, Brighton BN2 1TP or order online for UK-wide delivery. Need advice on size or base selection? Get in touch with our team.