Business Cards and Pull-Up Banners for Manchester Networking Events: What to Order
Table of Contents
Networking in Manchester is busy. There's a business group in Spinningfields that runs regular events, and TheBusinessDesk events listing already shows a networking event at a Spinningfields venue in March 2027.
If you're a founder or a consultant, you know how these evenings go. A name badge. A glass of something. Lots of quick chats. And then the moment someone says, "Have you got a card?"
That's the moment that counts. This guide covers business cards for networking events, plus the other bits worth ordering if you've got a table or a speaking slot.
What to bring to a networking event
It depends on how you're taking part.
Just attending?
- Business cards. Plenty of them.
- A short line ready about what you do.
- A pen, so you can jot a note on the back of cards you're given.
Got a table or a stand?
- Business cards in a holder on the table.
- A pull-up banner so people can spot you across the room.
- A handout that explains what you offer.
Speaking or sponsoring?
- All of the above, plus a poster or board showing your name and topic.
The rest of this guide goes through each of these, one by one.
Business card basics
A business card has one job: help someone remember you tomorrow.
What to put on it
- Your name and job title.
- Your business name and logo.
- One phone number and one email. Not three of each.
- Your website.
- A line about what you do, if your business name doesn't make it obvious.
What to leave off
- Long lists of services.
- Tiny text. If people have to squint, they won't bother.
Make it easy to write on
Lots of people scribble a note on the back of a card, like "met at Spinningfields, wants a quote". Leaving some white space on the back helps them remember why they kept yours.
Ordering is simple with business card printing online. Upload your design, pick your options and we'll print them.
One card or two?
If you run two quite different services, it can make sense to have two card designs. A clear card for each beats one crowded card that tries to say everything. Just keep the same look so people know they come from the same person.
How many to take
Count the people you expect to meet, then double it. Cards get bent, lost and handed on. Running out halfway through is worse than going home with spares.
A pull-up banner for your table
If you've got a table, a banner is the easiest way to be seen. People scan the room as they walk in. A tall banner catches their eye before they've even got a drink.
- A pull-up roller banner (800 x 2000 mm) stands about two metres tall, so it's seen over people's heads.
- It rolls down into its own base. One person can put it up in a minute and carry it home after.
Make your networking event banner work hard
- Put your name and what you do in the top half. The bottom is often hidden by the table.
- Keep the words short. People should get it in three seconds.
- Leave the date off. A pull-up banner for events gets used again and again, so keep the message timeless.
Handouts and posters
A4 flyers for the table
- An A4 flyer gives you room to explain your services, show a case study or share an offer.
- Keep a neat stack on the table and hand one over at the end of a good chat.
- Add a QR code that goes to a page made just for people from the event.
Posters and boards for speakers and sponsors
- An A2 poster (420 x 594 mm) works by a door or on a wall to show who's speaking.
- An A1 foam board (594 x 841 mm) is rigid and looks smart next to a stage or lectern. It's best for indoor use.
Check with the organiser
Ask what you're allowed to put up and where. Some venues have rules about banners and boards, and it's better to know before you arrive.
Ordering timeline
Standard UK shipping is 2 to 3 working days of production, then about 2 days for delivery. Working days are Monday to Friday. Same-day delivery is only for London and inside the M25, so plan for standard shipping to Manchester.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 3 weeks before | Book your table or slot. Ask the organiser about display rules. |
| 2 weeks before | Finish your designs. Get a second person to check spelling and details. |
| 8 to 10 working days before | Order your cards, banner, flyers and boards together. |
| The day before | Pack everything. Put cards in your pocket, not just your bag. |
Treat these dates as a guide, not a promise. If you network often, keep a spare box of cards in your desk so you're never caught out.
Build a networking kit bag
If you go to events often, keep everything together so you can grab it and go.
- Cards, plus a small holder for the table.
- Your banner in its bag.
- A stack of flyers in a folder so they stay flat.
- A pen and a few spare name badges.
- A small cloth to wipe the table before you set up.
It sounds fussy. But when you're rushing out of the office at five, you'll be glad it's all in one place.
Walk in ready
Good business cards for networking events, plus a banner that's easy to spot, mean you can stop worrying about the kit and focus on the people.
Choose what you need, upload your designs and we'll print and send them to you in Manchester. Questions? Call us on 020 7701 2515. You can also read more about our banner printing in Manchester City Centre.
