What is a beachflag?

What are beach flags? The word beachflag is an English loanword, literally meaning "beach banner" (beach = beach, flag = banner). The beachflag, also called bowflag, beachbanner or advertising sail, is the mobile version of the classic flag.

A beachflag consists of a flag and a flagpole, which is usually made up of several parts. The poles are made of elastic fibreglass, aluminium or similar, while the flags are made of lightweight flag fabric, perforated fillet (Polymesh) or another wind-permeable material. Beachflags are available with or without a header tape.

Unlike traditional flags, beachflags do not need to be permanently installed on a flagpole in a specific location. A special design ensures that beachflags can be transported and used on the move.

Beachflag: origin as a beach flag

Beachflags were originally used on the beach: as advertising sails in front of cafés or as beach flags in the area of lifeguards. As rescue flags, beach flags (without printing) in the colours yellow and red are displayed as a warning to bathers.

Today, beach flags are no longer found only on the beach, but almost everywhere, in cities, shopping malls, at events, on the mountain and much more. Beach flags are now used as advertising media, customer stoppers and signage in retail, at events and trade fairs.

Beach flags as a discipline in lifesaving

Incidentally, in lifesaving sports, the term "beach flags" refers to a discipline in which the aim is to be the fastest to grab flags stuck in the sand.

Beachflags – a wide range of sizes and shapes

Beach flags are available in different sizes and shapes. The heights of a beachflag range from about 50 cm to more than 5 m. Whether straight block shape or sail shape, rounded at the top and convex or sloping at the bottom – there are many shapes. Popular variants are the curvy dropflag, a flag in the shape of a drop, or the squareflag, a rectangular flag with a straight advertising space.

In addition to beach flags in the shape of wings or feathers, there are also table beach flags / mini beach flags, which are used as small displays on exhibition counters or sales tables as an advertising medium.

Beachflags – areas of application

Beach banners can be used flexibly both indoors and outdoors:

• at events: Beachflags are particularly suitable for temporary advertising at festivals and events. They can be quickly set up and offer maximum advertising impact for sponsors or as information flags.

• at trade fairs: at trade fairs in indoor and outdoor areas, the flags are also ideal as an advertising medium

• in retail: As a customer stopper, beachflags with advertising messages, information or references in front of shopsin retail, in shopping centres or at sales stands attract increased attention.

• for companies: Not only are the flags used for product presentations, they are also used in front of or in the entrance areas of offices as advertising flags

• in gastronomy: as a display and customer stopper ingastronomy, beach flags serve as signage and advertising for promotions, whether in front of restaurants, snack bars, ice cream parlours or hotels.

Beachflags – easy to use and assemble

Setting up a beachflag is easy and can be done in a few simple steps.

Generally, beach flags consist of a flagpole and a flag. A ground fixture is also required for setting them up. The beachflag mast usually consists of a multi-part pole that is put together and pushed through the hollow seam of the flag fabric and then inserted into a base (cross foot, metal plate foot, etc.).

Depending on the location (indoor/outdoor, strong winds, etc.), the bases are additionally secured with a weight (e.g. hose weight, water tank, etc.). If the location is on sand or other loose ground, the pole of the beachflag is anchored in the ground using pegs or floor dowels.

Accessories for beachflag mounting and transport

Various accessories are available for quickly and securely setting up the advertising sails, tailored to the respective location:

• Metal base plate – flat, heavy plate that stands securely on flat surfaces, not suitable for uneven ground

• Crossbase for beach flags – a foldable cross base for outdoor and indoor use, available in different sizes

• Car base for beach flags – suitable as a base for mounting under a car or lorry tyre

• Beachflag wall bracket – for sloping attachment of the beach banner to a wall or facade

• Beachflag water tank – can be filled with sand or water to serve as a floor bracket for the flagpole; equipped with casters, it can be moved easily

• Beachflag water hose / water bag – can be used as a weight, especially for the cross bases or base plates

• – for screwing into soft ground, gives beach flags a high degree of stability on grass, soil, sand, etc.

• Ground spike/ground nails – for a stable ground mounting of the beach flags on grass or soil

• Beachflag bag or hardcase trolley – for storing and transporting the drop flag including stand and flag

have beachflag printed

Beach banners can be printed individually. The beach flag is usually printed on one side, on flag fabric with a high-resolution thermosublimation print (6c digital printing). However, the permeable material offers a print-through, in the case of flag fabric approx. 60%. This means that the advertising message on the beach flag, which turns in the wind, is visible on both sides, but mirror-inverted on the back.

Some printers can also print on both sides of the beachflag. To do this, an opaque layer is incorporated between two layers of flag fabric. However, such three-layer beachflags are heavier and do not blow in the wind as easily.

Beachflag material – how to clean and store it properly

Beach flags are usually made of polyester flag fabric or of wind-permeable perforated netting, polymesh or airtricot. The material is not only washable if necessary, but can also be ironed at a low temperature. Dirt that occurs over time when used outdoors due to weather conditions, dust or exhaust fumes should be removed from the beachflag fabric as soon as possible. However, we do not recommend dry cleaning or the use of bleach. It is best to wash the beachflags gently and with mild detergent, following the care instructions. This will help the colours to retain their intense brightness for a long time.

To ensure that your beachflag continues to fly smoothly, it is important not only to maintain it regularly but also to store it correctly. To avoid unsightly stains, the beachflag banner should never be stored in a damp state.

The wet fabric can be hung on the flagpole to dry.

Please note: For use at trade fairs, public events and in public buildings, flags are usually required to be flame retardant (B1 ). The flame retardancy can be lost through washing and ironing, but can be renewed with flame retardants.