Roller Banner Sizes for the NEC
The standard UK roller banner is 850mm wide and 2000mm tall. That’s the right size for most small exhibition stands, receptions and shop floors. Wider 1000mm and 1200mm banners suit bigger stands and stages. Height stays at about 2 metres whatever width you pick, so the real decision is width.
If you’re exhibiting at the NEC or an event in Birmingham, this guide covers which size to choose, how to set up artwork so nothing gets lost in the base, and what else your stand needs.
Standard roller banner sizes
| Width × height | Best for |
| 600mm × 2000mm | Tight spaces, beside a door or counter |
| 800mm or 850mm × 2000mm | Small stands, receptions, shop floors. The UK standard |
| 1000mm × 2000mm | Medium stands, conference foyers, bigger images |
| 1200mm × 2000mm | Large open stands, stages, photo backdrops |
| 1500mm to 2400mm × 2000mm | Media walls and full backdrops |
The graphic is 2000mm tall on most stands. Once it’s up, the whole unit usually stands 2050mm to 2150mm tall with the base and top rail.
Which width is right for your stand?
Small shell-scheme stand. Two 850mm banners, one each side of your table, usually frame the stand better than one wide banner in the middle. They’re easier to carry, and if one gets damaged you still have the other.
Larger open stand. 1000mm or 1200mm banners fill the space better. Three matching banners in a row can work as a backdrop for much less than a custom build.
Reception or shop floor. 800mm or 850mm. It fits beside a desk or counter without blocking anything.
Travelling to lots of events. Stick to 850mm. It fits in a car boot, it’s the cheapest to reprint, and it works in almost any space.
Low ceilings or venue limits. Check the venue’s height rules before you order. Standard stands top out around 2.1 metres.
Artwork: the specs that matter
| Setting | What to use |
| Artwork size | The finished graphic size, such as 850mm × 2000mm |
| Resolution | At least 150dpi at full size |
| Bleed | 3–5mm on every edge |
| Safe zone | Keep text and logos at least 10mm in from the trimmed edge |
| Hidden area at the bottom | Often 150mm or more sits inside the base. Check your stand’s template |
| Colour mode | CMYK |
| File type | Print-ready PDF |
The hidden area at the bottom is the one that catches people out. It’s an easy mistake to put your phone number or web address so low it disappears into the base.
Where people actually look
A roller banner is read in about the time it takes someone to walk past your stand. Lay it out in zones:
- Top third: your logo and one short line that says what you do. This is what people read from across the hall, so make it big.
- Middle: two or three services or benefits, no more. Short phrases, not sentences.
- Lower-middle: your website, phone number or a QR code, at a height people can scan without bending.
- Bottom: keep it clear. It’s either hidden in the base or below eye level.
If you’re printing two banners for the same stand, design them as a pair. Put your logo at the same height on both, with different messages underneath.
Everything else your stand needs
A roller banner rarely works on its own. A typical small stand kit looks like this:
- ☐ 1–2 roller banners
- ☐ A backdrop or pop-up display for the back wall
- ☐ A printed table cover
- ☐ Flyers or leaflets to hand out
- ☐ A brochure if you’re selling something people need to think about
- ☐ Business cards
- ☐ A small table sign for show offers, so your banners don’t date
Our exhibition and event signage page covers the full range, and everything else we print is on our printing services page.
If the event is outdoors, a roller banner will blow over. Use a PVC or mesh banner on a frame or fence instead. Not sure which? Read PVC banner vs mesh banner.
Standard or premium stand?
Budget stands are fine for one or two events. If you’ll use the banner at a dozen shows, a sturdier stand with a heavier base and a better graphic material stands straighter, curls less at the edges and rolls up more smoothly. Heavier grey-backed film also stops lights behind the banner showing through.
Reusing your banners
A good stand lasts for years. If the graphic is out of date but the stand still rolls smoothly, you may only need a new print. Some stands take a replacement graphic and some need a new cassette. Bring yours in and we’ll check which.
Three ways to make a banner last longer:
- Keep dates, prices and one-off offers off the banner. Put them on a table sign instead.
- Roll it up slowly and keep hold of the top rail. Letting it snap back is what damages the graphic.
- Store it indoors in its bag, not in a hot car boot.
Turnaround
We print roller banners and exhibition graphics in 2 to 5 working days once you’ve approved the artwork, with a 48-hour option when the show is next week. We’re in Bordesley Green, on the same side of Birmingham as the NEC.
Don’t have artwork? We can design it for you. Send us your logo and what you want to say through our contact page or on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard roller banner size in the UK?
850mm wide by 2000mm tall. 800mm, 1000mm and 1200mm widths are also common.
What size roller banner do I need for an exhibition?
For a small shell-scheme stand, two 850mm banners. For a larger open stand, 1000mm or 1200mm.
What resolution should roller banner artwork be?
At least 150dpi at the full printed size, in CMYK, with 3–5mm bleed.
How much of a roller banner is hidden in the base?
It varies by stand, but often 150mm or more. Always check your stand’s template and keep important information well above the bottom.
Can I just replace the graphic on my roller banner?
Often, yes, if the stand is in good condition. Some stands take a replacement print and some need a new cassette.
Can roller banners be used outdoors?
Not really. They catch the wind. Use a PVC or mesh banner outdoors.
How quickly can you print a roller banner in Birmingham?
Usually 2 to 5 working days after artwork approval, with a 48-hour rush option.
