Banner Stands

Case Study

 

Four Generations of Roller Banners:

Barracuda, Imagine, Excaliber

Reflex Exhibitions market-defining banner range Banner stands are pretty ubiquitous these days;

there is a huge range of designs and prices to choose from, for all types of application. This was

not always the case, when Ultima first developed its mid-market banner range in 2001, it defined

the standard by which many others are judged. And to keep the range at the forefront of 

innovation, the range has been constantly updated and improved ever since.

 

Banners are a very easy and cost-effective way of displaying a message. They are very portable

and flexible and once thegraphic is applied they are extremely easy for the uninitiated to use. But

what happens when the shelf-life of the graphic expires? Many banners these days are designed

for one-use-only, other more robust banners are designed for multiple-use – which is great if it’s

easy to change the graphic.  Ultima’s signature banners are all heavy-duty, yet with refined 

styling and quality finish, and importantly, they have all been designed to be re-used with new

graphics time and time again, with minimum effort!

 

The Evolution

The three banner designs serve different purposes; Barracuda: single-sided, Excaliber: double-sided and Imagine: interchangeable cassette banner – but are built and developed on the same

principle:Benchmark high, by taking the best features available and building them into a ‘best-of-

breed’ product that delivers the optimum valuefor-money solution.

 

The Solution

Features of the four key development stages are

summarised below:

Version 1 New features:

• Integral pole storage – neat and convenient

• Grippa rail - secure

• Steel end-plates - robust

• Imagine – easy-change drop-in graphic cassette system

Version 2 New features:

• ‘Twist & lock’ telescopic pole – allows the user to adjust the

banner to any height.

• Universal clamp/self-adhesive top-rail to offer a choice of

graphic fixing.

Version 3 New features:

• Ratchet self-tensioner – a new innovation in graphic tensioning

• Quick-change slide-on base graphic attachment

• Magnetic Polycarbonate changeable end-caps for the more

refined look and to conceal the tensioner and graphic pin.

 

 

 

Stealth Modular Tension Banner System

Case Study

 

What is a Banner Stand?

Simply, a base with a supporting pole and top-rail to support a graphic message.

There are many different types of banner stand for different display applications

and most are individual stand-alone banners. Tension banners are always

popular as they are simple and lightweight, making them very convenient

for portable promotions.

 

The Challenge

The idea of linking banners is not new, but traditionally this has

been restricted to creating straight graphic walls as banner rails

are rigid.

The challenge was to take this concept a step further to create a

modular banner system that can curve to different shapes using a

tension banner as the basic component; to make the system robust

enough to create a display stand, flexible enough to use in different

configurations, easy enough for anyone to use and more costeffective

than other display systems on the market.

The Solution

Flexible curves: Ultima created unique flexible panels that join the

banner units together, allowing flexible positioning. Joining strips for

these panels had to be developed that were flexible enough to

position the banners at any angle, whilst being robust enough to

hold the graphic in place without risk of sagging. After trialling a

variety of materials, Ultima came up with a specialist joining

extrusion that did just that.

Stable design: A number of different style bases were trialled;

formed steel, incorporating wood thermoform and even moulded.

The final design is made from extruded aluminium, which has a

stylish and clean look; it also allows us to integrate existing

accessories into the solution, making it more modular. The banner

base and supporting pole were developed to be robust and stable;

the base is weighted, and has a wide footprint for extra stability.

Simple no-tools construction: The system is designed to slot

together without the use of tools. The supporting poles are joined

together using the sturdy ‘Twist & Lock’ extrusion and fixing, which

had already been developed for Linear systems, again, making

it compatible.

Helpful features: lining up graphics is always important to create a

seamless display. This has to be done at the display venue so it

has to be as easy as possible. Stealth’s unique spring graphic

fixing automatically tensions the graphic without the fiddle;

magnetic joining bars secure the open edges for a perfect

result, first time.

Added value built-in: Stealth is made from universal components

that are compatible with other Ultima display components such as

literature holders and LCD brackets that finish off the display.

Transport: consideration for portability is always an important

consideration when designing a modular graphic display and

Stealth is no exception. The whole system breaks down and can

be stored in specially designed blow-moulded hard cases.

 

 

Impact Pop-up Banner Stand

Case Study

 

What is a pop-up banner stand?

Pop-up systems have been available for nearly 30 years and all work on the same

basic principle, consisting of an expandable magnetic frame that holds a seamless

wall of graphic drops; using a combination magnetic bars and hooks that attach the

graphic to the frame.

 

Pop-ups have always been popular, cost-effective portable kits,

as they are very lightweight and ‘pop-up’ to provide a large

display area, complete with counter, out of one portable case -

that’s why they’ve endured so long.

The Challenge

Pop-ups are commonly purchased for temporary displays such as

exhibitions, seminars, product launches and road shows.

Consequently, they are typically assembled by the staff manning

the display, so need to be very easy to assemble, yet look

seamless.

Ultima has been developing and improving pop-ups over the last

10 years and the latest enhancements help to ensure that seamless

finish can be more easily achieved.

The hooks that attach the graphic to the top of the frame need to

allow for adjustment to move graphic into place to create a perfect

join. These hooks and the ‘pips’ they attach to are at a depth that

makes this easy. However, the downside to this is that the thicker

clip may allow the top of the graphic to tip forward, making it kink

at the top.

The Solution

Ultima has designed a new attachment system that reduces depth

of the clip and ‘pip’ to avoid the graphic kinking, but remains just as

easy to use. This is one of many small enhancements that really

make the difference to the final look of your display, and it is this

attention to detail that we know is important to our customers.

Added Value

Wherever possible, Ultima will design products and accessories

that are compatible across the range to enhance the product and

extend its usage and Impact is no exception.

Accessories include an internal shelving unit and another new

product developed by Ultima, the pop-up LCD mount, which very

simply attaches to the pop-up frame, allowing you to add a

multimedia element to your display.