How to Maintain Your Custom Flags

How to Properly Install Your Custom Flags

This section is broken into four separate parts, one for every flag category. Every one of these custom flag categories abides by the same principles for maintenance, but they are installed in very different ways.

Standard 3' x 5' Custom Flags

When properly installed and maintained, these standard 3' x 5' custom flags have an estimated lifespan of 3 to 6 months. Your custom 3' x 5' flag comes with two metal grommets (top and bottom of the left side) for easy hanging. You also have the option to add hanging clips to your order. The optimal installation setup, mounted on the side of a building, includes your custom flag, 2 hanging clips, a 6' aluminum pole, 2 rotating mounting rings, a 2-position metal bracket, 3 screws for the bracket, a ladder, and a drill. Most flag mounting kits come with all these items, excluding the ladder and drill.

To start, gather all the materials and hang your flag somewhere pointed downward to straighten it out and get rid of any wrinkles it may have acquired during storage. To attach your custom flag to its pole, take both rotating mounting rings and attach one hanging clip to each hole. Then place them at the appropriate distance for your flag, attach the hanging clips to both grommets, and pull the mounting rings apart to tighten the flag.

Then finalize where to place your custom flag. The more natural cover from the wind, the better. Also make sure your flag has plenty of space on both sides to flap in the wind without hitting anything, which will help it last much longer. After you have decided on a location, use your drill, screws, and mounting bracket to position your flagpole bracket as desired and drill in the screws, then place your completed flagpole into the bracket.

Feather Flags

When properly installed and maintained, feather flags have an estimated lifespan of 3 to 6 months of continuous outdoor use. The optimal setup uses the Heavy-Duty Cross base, suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Materials needed include your custom polyester knit flag, the carbon composite flag rods, a bungee hook, the base connector, and the cross base itself.

Begin by laying the cross-shaped base bars out perpendicularly, then screw the base connector into the cross-section. Insert the thin metal flag rods in ascending order from smallest to largest to form the bendable spine, then carefully insert them into the flag's sleeve, smallest end first. Insert the rubber tip into the protective cap at the end of the sleeve to help prevent ripping. Connect the bungee hook to the grommet at the bottom of the flag, connect the flag rods to the stand, then hook the bungee to the bottom of the pole and place the flag portion around the base connector.

Teardrop Flags

When properly installed and maintained, teardrop flags have an estimated lifespan of 3 to 6 months of continuous outdoor use. Since teardrop and feather flag installation is so similar, this section covers the spike base setup, which allows the flag to be inserted into soft ground outdoors. Materials needed include your custom teardrop flag, a ball bungee, the metal spike base, and the metal flag rods.

Assemble the flag by inserting the thin metal flag rods in ascending order, then carefully insert them into the flag's sleeve, smallest end first, and cap the rubber tip to prevent ripping. Connect the bungee hook to the grommet at the bottom of the flag, pound the metal stake into the ground where you want the flag, and fit the adjoined flag rod around the spike base holder.

Rectangle Flags

Rectangle flags are set up similarly to teardrop and feather flags, but they use an L-shaped rod inserted into the flag sleeve instead of the same bendable rods.

All you will need is your polyester knit rectangle flag, the flag rods, and a ball bungee. Insert the flag rods, excluding the L-shaped one, into one another in ascending order. Insert the L-shaped rod into the top sleeve of the flag with the top of the "L" first, then insert the shorter side into the side sleeve perpendicular to the top sleeve. Take the longer, adjoined flag rods and insert and connect them within the side flag sleeve. Insert the ball bungee into the grommet at the bottom of the flag and thread it around the hook near the base of the pole.

Flag Type Comparison

How to Properly Care for Your Custom Flags After Installation

When it comes to your custom flag's lifespan, the best way to extend it is to take the necessary precautions to prevent rips or damage. A lot of your flag's maintenance comes down to things to avoid.

First, the best way to extend your flag's lifespan is to reduce violent wind flapping as much as possible. A little wind is what makes your flag eye-catching and visible, but too much will only end up damaging it, so a healthy balance is key.

The second-best way to extend your flag's lifespan is to reduce any amount of time the flag spends wet. A flag will rip much easier when it is wet, and high winds will damage any flag over time, but this happens much faster if the flag is heavier and wet.

Cleaning Your Custom Flags

Since all our flags are heat cured, the ink is set into the fabric, which means they are machine washable. But there are several things to watch out for before you throw them into the washer.

We recommend washing your custom flags on a light cycle with cold water. You can use detergent if you would like, but make sure it does not contain bleach, since bleach will ruin your flag. To further reduce shredding or tearing, we recommend letting your flag air dry instead of putting it in the dryer.

Repairing a Ripped Custom Flag

For this example, we will be repairing a standard 3' x 5' flag. First, determine if your flag needs to be repaired or retired. You need enough extra material on the edge of your flag for it to be folded and hemmed without ruining the flag's design.

To repair the flag, you will need a sewing machine with a darning stitch, a glue stick, heavy-duty fabric, coordinating thread, scissors, a seam ripper, and straight pins.

Use the seam ripper to remove the seam at the top of the flag and enough of the side seam to lay the damaged fabric area flat. Cut a piece of heavy-duty fabric to cover the backside of the damaged area, then use the glue stick to attach this backing stabilizer inside the flag sleeve. Set up your sewing machine to darn according to your flag's design, working in small overlapping sections starting from the stronger fabric away from the damaged area. Once the darning is complete, use straight pins to fold the flag sleeve back into its original place and sew it with a straight stitch.

Storing Your Custom Flags

In times of turbulent weather or during the off-season, how you store your custom flag is integral to extending its lifespan. Depending on how it is stored, you could have your flag for another couple months or another couple years.

Never fold a wet flag. This can cause even more damage than leaving it out unfolded. Folding your flag wet can lead to discoloration, increased tearing, or even mold if left for too long. If your flag was caught in a storm or just washed, let it air dry before folding it for storage.

Conclusion

There are many ways to extend the life of your custom flags with just a little more precaution and maintenance. By going with Banners.com, you are giving yourself much better chances to avoid rips and tears, and with the tips above, you can get the most out of your custom flags for much longer.