Roller Banner Size Guide: Which Pull-Up Banner Size Do You Need?

What Sizes Do Roller Banners Come In?

In the UK, roller banners — sometimes called pull-up banners or retractable banners — are available in a range of standard widths. The most common sizes you’ll come across are:

800mm x 2000mm — the most popular general-purpose size, sometimes called an 80cm roller banner

850mm x 2000mm — a small step up in width, suitable for slightly busier designs

1000mm x 2000mm — often called a 1m or 100cm roller banner, widely used for exhibition stands

1200mm x 2000mm — a wider option used when you need more visual impact in a large space

1500mm x 2000mm — best suited to large open venues or when used in a side-by-side display setup

Heights typically stay fixed at 2000mm, which is roughly two metres. This keeps the display at a comfortable viewing height for most indoor environments. Some variations exist — you may see 2100mm or 2200mm tall banners — but 2000mm is the standard most suppliers, including us, work with.

The 800mm vs 1000mm Question

This is the most common sizing decision people face when ordering roller banners, and the answer depends more on your venue than your design.

Choose 800mm if:

You’re using the banner in a corridor, hallway or tight exhibition space

You need it to fit behind a reception desk or at the end of a display unit

You’re placing it next to a doorway or inside a small meeting room

You want something easy to carry and set up solo

Choose 1000mm if:

You’re at a trade show or exhibition with a dedicated stand area

You want the banner to be the main focal point of your display

Your design includes a large photograph or wide graphic that would feel cramped at 800mm

You’re using multiple banners side by side and want them to fill the space

In practice, 800mm is the right choice for most small businesses. It’s versatile, easy to move between venues, and the print area is generous enough to include a clear headline, logo, and bullet points without anything feeling squeezed. The 1000mm version is worth the upgrade when you’re committing to regular exhibition use or want a flagship display piece.

What About the Height? Can I Change It?

Most standard roller banner cassettes are designed for a 2000mm tall graphic. This is fine for almost all indoor use — it puts your message at eye level and gives enough vertical space for a proper hierarchy of text and imagery.

Some cassettes do support variable heights, meaning you can pull the banner out to different positions to create a shorter display if needed. This can be useful in venues with low ceilings or when you want the banner to sit lower, for example on a table or next to a product display. If you think you might need this flexibility, mention it when you order so we can match you with the right cassette.

If you’re ordering specifically for events where low ceilings are common — community halls, marquees, pop-up spaces — a 1500mm or 1600mm tall option may serve you better. It’s worth checking the ceiling height at your target venue before you commit to 2000mm.

Single-Sided vs Double-Sided Roller Banners

Standard roller banners are printed on one side only. The cassette mechanism sits at the bottom and the graphic pulls up from it, so the back of the banner faces away from your audience.

Double-sided roller banners use a more substantial cassette that holds two separate graphics, one facing each way. These work well in open-plan spaces, shopping centres, or anywhere that foot traffic passes from both directions. They cost more and are heavier than single-sided banners, but they double your display impact without taking up extra floor space.

If you’re not sure whether you need double-sided, think about where people will be standing when they look at your display. If the back of the banner is always against a wall or booth, single-sided is the right choice. If people approach from multiple directions, double-sided is worth considering.

Fabric vs PVC Print — Does It Affect Which Size I Should Choose?

The material used for your banner graphic doesn’t usually affect which size you should order, but it does affect how the finished display looks and how long it lasts.

PVC is the most common choice. It’s durable, easy to wipe clean, and holds colour well. It’s what most standard roller banner packages include and works for the majority of uses.

Fabric banners are growing in popularity, especially at premium events and exhibitions. The print has a softer, less reflective finish that tends to look more high-end. Fabric is also lighter, which matters if you’re carrying the banner to multiple events. The trade-off is that fabric can crease more easily if the banner is left rolled up for long periods.

For most standard business use — networking events, local exhibitions, retail promotions — PVC is the practical choice. If you’re attending a major industry event or want the banner to represent a premium brand, it’s worth asking about fabric options when you enquire.

How Much Space Do Roller Banners Need?

This is easy to overlook when ordering, but important to get right. A roller banner needs floor space equal to its width, plus a small amount of depth for the cassette feet to sit flat and the banner to remain stable.

For an 800mm banner, plan for roughly 800mm of width and around 450–500mm of depth from the wall or surface it’s positioned against. For a 1000mm banner, the depth requirement is similar but the footprint is slightly larger.

If you’re planning to use several banners in a row, allow a small gap between them — around 50–100mm — to avoid them looking cramped or interfering with each other. Three 800mm banners side by side, for example, will cover around 2.6 metres of space including gaps.

Quick-Reference Size Selector

What Artwork Size Do I Need to Provide?

Your artwork file should match the final print size exactly, with a bleed of at least 5mm on each edge. For an 800 x 2000mm banner, your file should be set up at 810 x 2010mm (adding 5mm bleed on each side), saved at 100–150 DPI at final size.

The bottom 100–150mm of the banner is usually hidden inside or behind the cassette when the banner is in use. Keep important content — your headline, logo and contact details — well clear of this area. Most design templates for roller banners include a safe-zone guide that shows you exactly where this cutoff sits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common roller banner size in the UK?

The 800mm x 2000mm size is the most popular. It works well in most venues, travels easily and suits the majority of small business uses from retail displays to networking events.

Can I order a custom size roller banner?

Custom sizes are possible in some cases, but the standard sizes are usually the right choice. They’re designed around the cassette mechanisms available, so custom sizes can affect how the banner rolls and retracts. Speak to us if you have a specific size requirement and we’ll advise on what’s achievable.

How do I set up a roller banner?

Roller banners are designed to be quick to assemble. You attach the graphic to the upright pole, extend the pole to its full height, and the cassette’s feet provide stability. Most can be set up by one person in under two minutes with no tools required.

How long do roller banners last?

With proper storage — keeping the banner rolled inside the cassette when not in use — a PVC roller banner can last several years. Fabric banners are similarly durable but should be stored flat or gently rolled to avoid creasing.

Can I reprint the graphic without buying a new cassette?

Yes. Most cassettes are designed to accept replacement graphics, so if your branding changes or your banner graphic gets damaged, you can order a new print without replacing the hardware. Let us know whether you already have a cassette when you enquire.