How to Design a Roller Banner: A Complete Guide

Roller banners are one of the easiest and most affordable ways to make your brand stand out. Whether you’re setting up at a trade show, dressing up your shop floor, or creating a welcome point in reception, a roller banner instantly makes you look more professionalS.

A poorly designed banner does the opposite. If the text is too small, colours clash, or the layout feels cluttered, people will simply walk past without reading a word.

So how do you design a roller banner that actually works? In this guide, 1 stop signs, the most efficient roller banner printing company in London, takes you through everything you need to know — from choosing the right size and setting up your file, to picking fonts and colours that grab attention. By the end, you’ll be ready to design a roller banner that not only looks great but also delivers results.

 

Why Roller Banners Are Still So Popular

Before we dive into the “how-to”, let’s take a moment to appreciate why roller banners remain one of the most popular print marketing tools in the UK.

• Affordable impact – You don’t need a huge budget. Even small businesses can afford a roller banner that looks impressive.
• Portable and easy to set up – They roll into a lightweight cassette. One person can carry and set them up in minutes.
• Reusable – Once printed, you can use your banner multiple times at events, shows, or in your store.
• Professional appearance – They instantly give your business a polished, established look.

In other words, they tick the boxes for cost, convenience, and credibility. But to get the most out of yours, design is key.

 

Step 1: Pick the Right Size

Roller banners come in a few standard sizes in the UK. The most common ones are:

• 800 × 2000 mm – The compact classic. Perfect if space is tight.
• 850 × 2000 mm – Slightly wider, giving you a bit more breathing room in your design.
• 1000 × 2000 mm – Large and eye-catching. Great for high-traffic areas or when you want to make a bold statement.

So which size should you go for? Think about where your banner will live. A small stall at a market? Stick with 800 mm. A big exhibition hall where competitors are shouting for attention? Go for 1000 mm so you’re not overshadowed.

Not all of your artwork will be visible once the banner is set up. The bottom 80–100 mm usually sits inside the cassette. This means you should avoid placing your logo, website, or any call-to-action down there. Keep it for background colours or graphics instead.

 

Step 2: Set Up Your File Correctly

This is the technical part — but don’t worry, it’s straightforward once you know the rules.

• Work at full size: If your banner is 850 × 2000 mm, set your document to that exact size.
• Bleed: Add at least 3 mm of bleed on all edges. This ensures there are no white borders if the trimming isn’t exact.
• Safe area: Keep important text and logos at least 5–10 mm inside the edge. Nothing looks worse than a phone number cut in half!
• Resolution: Unlike small flyers that need 300 DPI, roller banners are viewed from a distance. 100–150 DPI at full size is usually more than enough.
• Colour mode: Always design in CMYK. If you create in RGB and convert later, colours may print duller than expected.
• File type: PDF is best. Make sure fonts are embedded or converted to outlines.

When in doubt, ask your printer for a template. At 1 Stop Signs, we provide ready-to-use templates so you don’t have to guess.

 

Step 3: Plan the Layout

Here’s where creativity meets strategy. A roller banner isn’t just a big poster — it needs a clear visual hierarchy so people know what to read first.

Think of it as a journey:

• Top section – Start with your logo or brand name. This is the first thing people see from a distance.
• Headline – A short, bold statement that tells people why they should care. For example: “Coffee That Fuels Your Day” or “Accounting Made Simple”.
• Main content – 2–3 bullet points or icons that highlight your benefits. Keep them short and punchy.
• Call-to-action (CTA) – Tell people what to do next. “Visit our website”, “Book a demo”, “Follow us on Instagram”.
• Bottom section – Contact details, social handles, or QR codes.

Less is more. If you try to cram everything onto your banner, nothing stands out.

 

Step 4: Choose Fonts That Work

Fonts are often overlooked, but they can make or break your design.

• Keep it simple – Sans-serif fonts like Helvetica, Arial, or Source Sans are easier to read from a distance.
• Size matters – Your headline should be big and bold (think 100 pt+). Body text can be smaller, but still large enough to read from 2–3 metres away.
• Limit yourself – Use no more than two fonts (one for headlines, one for body). Too many typefaces look messy.
• Avoid italics and script – They may look stylish up close, but they’re almost impossible to read on a banner.

 

Step 5: Use Colour Wisely

Colour is one of the fastest ways to attract attention. But the wrong choices can ruin your design.

• High contrast is key – Dark text on a light background or light text on a dark background works best.
• Stick to your brand palette – Consistency builds trust and recognition.
• Don’t overdo it – 2–3 main colours are enough. More than that and the design feels chaotic.
• Rich black for backgrounds – If you want a deep black, use a mix (e.g., C60 M40 Y40 K100) instead of 100% black. This avoids patchy printing.

 

Step 6: Add Images and Graphics

Good visuals can make your roller banner pop. But low-quality images will make it look amateurish.

• Resolution – Photos should be at least 100 DPI at final size.
• Relevance – Choose images that support your message. If you’re selling fitness equipment, don’t use stock photos of people drinking coffee.
• Positioning – Place images where they balance the text, not where they compete with it.
• Vector graphics – Logos and icons should always be vector files so they scale without losing quality.

 

Step 7: Keep Your Message Clear

A roller banner isn’t the place for long descriptions or detailed product lists. People glance at it for just a few seconds.

That means:

• One headline (your main message)
• Three quick supporting points (your benefits)
• One clear CTA (what you want them to do)

For example:

Headline: “Save Time on Your Tax Returns”

Supporting points: Fast • Affordable • Trusted by 1,000+ clients

CTA: “Visit us at Stand B12”

Simple, sharp, memorable.

 

Step 8: Export for Print

Once your design is ready:

• Save as PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 (these are print-friendly standards).
• Embed or outline fonts so nothing changes at the printer’s end.
• Flatten transparencies if your design software suggests it.
• Double-check bleed, safe zone, and file size.

At 1 Stop Signs, we always preflight your files before printing. If something looks off, we’ll let you know.

 

5 Pitfalls Every Banner Designer Should Dodge

 

1. Writing a novel on your banner

A roller banner is not your company brochure. If people have to stop and squint to read a paragraph, they’ll move on. Stick to one headline, a few benefits, and a call-to-action. Less text = more impact.

 

2. Forgetting print colours aren’t the same as screen colours

Designing in RGB might look vibrant on your laptop, but when printed in CMYK it can look dull or completely different. Always set up in CMYK from the start — it saves you nasty surprises.

 

3. Shrinking your logo into a corner

Your logo is your identity. If it’s too small to recognise, you lose that instant brand recall. Give it space to breathe and make sure it can be spotted from a distance.

 

4. Turning the background into wallpaper

Busy, patterned backgrounds might feel creative, but they fight with your message. A clean backdrop makes your text pop and ensures the headline is the star.

 

5. Hiding the good stuff at the bottom

Remember, the base of your banner eats up around 100 mm. If you place your phone number or QR code there, it’ll vanish into the cassette. Keep critical details higher up where everyone can see them.

 

Why Choose 1 Stop Signs UK?

Designing a roller banner is one thing — printing it right is another. At 1 Stop Signs, we don’t just print what you send. We check every file to make sure it’s set up correctly, colours will print true, and nothing important is sitting in the hidden cassette zone.

Here’s why businesses across the UK trust us:

• Free templates to set up your artwork
• File checks included with every order
• High-quality, durable roller banners built to last
• Fast turnaround and delivery nationwide

So if you’re ready to design a roller banner that makes your brand stand out, we’re here to help from concept to print.

 

Final Thoughts

Designing a roller banner doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on size, layout, fonts, colours, and one clear message, and you’ll already be ahead of most exhibitors.

Get those basics right, and your banner won’t just look professional — it will work.

And if you’d like expert support, you know where to find us. At 1 Stop Signs, we’re here to turn your design into a banner that gets noticed.

Image credit : Gemini