Clan Banner Question

[LadyGriffin]

Hello all!

I hope it is ok to post this here. Mods please move it if needed.

I thought that with the diversity of Kilties here someone could direct me to the right person/company.
We are trying to get a banner created for our local Scottish Fair. We have a budged of around $200. What we are looking for is a banner that would hang on a T-pole, and be carried in a parade. ( think medieval banner )
Any suggestions? Is $200+ or - a good price? They were thinking sgetting one screen printed to start and having something fancier, like embroidered, later on.

I can do any sewing, like fringe and such. but screening and/or embroidery is beyond me.

I am sure someone out there has had one made by someone before.
Thanks in advance!

Julie

[Standard]

Does the banner need to be on cloth? We have a printing company in town that will make banners on a vinyl type material, perhapse this will work for you? If not is there a printshop that can do the silkscreening for you? Good luck.

[LadyGriffin]

We were hoping to get it printed on cloth. We thought vinyl would be to modern for a Scottish fair.
There are local print shops here, but I was hoping to get one that someone had used before and could recommend as reliable and experienced.


Julie

[HeathBar]

The Tartan Lady does banners of that style. Prices look to be between $250 to $275 so its a little above your budget. Is it a clan banner you are making? She does sell the pieces to make one out of your own tartan.

[Mael Coluim]

I concur with HeathBar. Click here, to go to her web site. Zellna, the Tartan Lady is a member of the forum. She has made two banners for me which I am very pleased with.

[Phogfan86]

They may or may not have your clan, however. I know they don't carry Macduff.

[The Wizard of BC]

You can try Caberdancer Graphic Design. They are friends of Hank, the owner of X Marks, and the ones who came up with the original name X Marks the Scot.

http://caberdancer.com/macbubba/inde...mid=30&catid=3

They are also the folks behind Clan McBubba.

[Big Mikey]

Try this link. They're prices are very reasonable and though I haven't used them, if I remember right, others on theforum have.

http://www.highlandline.com/index.php

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I'd second the Caber Dancer advice. Absolutely FIRST CLASS service and product. The type of "banner" you want is called a GONFALLON, aka gonfannon, which traces its roots back to the cavalry standards of the Roman Empire.

[Deil the Yin]

I concur with HeathBar. Click here, to go to her web site. Zellna, the Tartan Lady is a member of the forum. She has made two banners for me which I am very pleased with.

Holy crap! I didn't realise Zellna was on here? Go figure...

Well, for what it's worth, I've worked "indirectly"- production wise- with Ms Zellna, and have a casual acquaintance with her through the Valdosta St Andrews Society. My impression is that she could readily do custom work (I'm not familiar with the extent of her repertoire of products), and I would vouch for her credibility as an honest business person. I believe she's doing some work for our Clan Gregor Society- a shrewder bunch you'll ne'er meet, that crew o' M'Gregors! Of course when it comes to "custom" stuff, the price tends to jump considerabley, but I think it would be worth your while to look into what Ms Shaw could do for you.

There was an article in SCOTS magazine recently about that Caberdancer fella. While I would certainly vouch for his craftsmanship, my impression is that he would be pretty pricey? It seems also that his designs are produced digitally which might not truck with an "auld world" look? I would also note that he is a designer versus being a printer or having a production shop. Thus being a middleman, so to speak, he would likely add to your cost etc.

Being in the sign and print business myself, mainly as a designer, I can tell you that having your banner printed digitally is probably going to be the least expensive (Screen printing is only cost effective in volume due to the set up charges). Most over sized format printers will print on a canvas or banner material. The cost for this type of digitally printing will run you most likely between $7-10/sqft, depending on what substrate you are printing on.

A really inexpensive way to get your banner produced-if you have more time than money- would be to hand paint it like a "floor cloth" by someone in your group with artistic skill or find a student artist! I've dabbled in painting floor cloths, and they can be very durable, and require really only craft quality materials. I know that you can get floor cloth canvas at places like Michael's or order it online. And I generally use craft quality acrylic paints- about $2/bottle. The canvas is easily sewn to the shape you need, and then slap on a couple coats of clear.... dang, whats that stuff called? Not shilac...? You know what I mean- for weather proofing. Sealant. Yeah, that's what I mean, I think... Anyway. A lot more work for yourself, but more likely to be cost effective and probably more personally gratifying. I would advise that you leave yourself LOTS of time to finish such a product, especially if you have to shrink your canvas etc.

Well, that's more than I thought I had to say on the subject. Hope it is more helpful than confusing.

Cheers.