When many businesses consider the production of a free-standing display then the first product that is offered by the supplier is a banner stand. Banner stands are the traditional way of creating a portable marketing display thanks to the relatively low cost and ease of portability.

Unfortunately, it is the success and great popularity of the banner stand which sometimes means that they are overlooked in favour of more innovative types of display stand which are capable of grabbing the customers attention more so than a relatively common roller banner which houses a basic rectangular print.

When formulating strategy regarding your next promotion, it is worth discussing options with potential suppliers with a view to finding non-standard solutions that could well yield more ‘bang for buck’ than off the shelf products.

Children In Need are one of the highest profile charities in the UK, raising many Millions of Pounds each year for worthwhile causes through nationwide events and a television appeal. In 2010, a series of free-standing cut-out standees were manufactured and used on display at BBC Television Centre prior to the event and at various locations during the filming of the event.

The utlisation of shaped cut-outs when compared to standard banner stand display is quite noticeable and the standees were uses to great effect to raise awareness and assist fundraising for the charity.

For those interested in cut-out standees in place of roller banners, the costs are broadly similar with a 6′ tall x 3′ wide standee being available for around the same cost. In terms of the material the standee if printed onto, there is a variety of choice that can be tailored to the environment in which the display stand is to be positioned. For example, the Pudsey standees seen in this example were manufactured using a fire rated, foam centred board which made then extremely lightweight in order to comply with stringent safety requirements at the venue concerned. Other standees were produced using a more rigid PVC Foamex board which is capable of undergoing transport to and from events without being so susceptible to damage caused by occasional knocks and bumps.

If you are considering using a standee for your event, exhibition, trade show or retail display then it is worth selecting an image which will provide a smooth, slowing cutting path. It is worthwhile avoiding cutting-around very small objects such as fingers which can be broken-off when the standee is transported.