Posters and PVC Banners for Community Events: A Planning Guide for Chorlton Traders
Table of Contents
Chorlton has a proper community spirit. Traders, churches, pubs and neighbours work together on things like a Christmas lights switch-on, street fairs and fundraisers. Walk along Beech Road or Wilbraham Road on one of those days and you'll feel it.
But here's what people don't see. Behind every good community event, there's someone with a to-do list, a small budget and not much time. Often it's a shop owner squeezing it in between serving customers.
If that's you, this guide is here to help. It covers community event posters, banners, flyers and when to order the lot, so the only thing you're worrying about on the day is the weather.
What community events need printed
Most local events need the same few things. Here's the list we'd start with.
- Posters in shop windows, so people walking past know what's coming.
- A big banner, so people can find the event on the day.
- Flyers, to hand out, leave on counters and post through doors.
- A few weatherproof signs, for anything outside.
Start with a simple plan
Before you design anything, answer these three questions as a group.
- What's the event, when is it, and where?
- Who are we trying to reach? Families, regulars, people from nearby areas?
- Who's in charge of print? One person, so nothing gets missed.
Share the load
If several traders are involved, split the job. One person designs. One collects the details. One handles the order. Trader event print is much easier when it isn't all landing on one desk.
Posters for shop windows
Shop windows are the best free advertising a high street has. In Chorlton, with so many independents side by side, a poster in every window along a street gets seen by almost everyone who walks through.
Pick a size
- An A3 poster (297 x 420 mm) fits most shop windows and door panels. Most shops will happily take one.
- An A2 poster (420 x 594 mm) is better for bigger windows, cafes and community noticeboards.
What to put on it
- The event name, big.
- Day, date and time.
- Where it's happening.
- One line that says why people should come. "Free family fun." "Live music on the green." "Lights, mulled wine and late opening."
- Who's behind it. "Brought to you by Chorlton's independent traders" tells people it's local.
Make it easy for everyone to read
- Use a clear, plain font. Fancy scripts are hard to read from a distance.
- Keep the text big and the background simple.
- If there's step-free access or quiet times for families, say so. Small details like that help more people feel welcome.
Make it easy for other shops to say yes
- Ask nicely and give them the poster, ready to go.
- Offer to put it up yourself.
- Promise to take it down after the event. Then do.
PVC banners for outdoor use
On the day, people need to find you. That's where a banner comes in.
- A PVC banner is made for outdoor use and can be printed much bigger than a poster.
- Hang it on railings, a stage front, a gazebo or a fence.
- Check the product page for sizes and finishing options before you design.
Event banner planning tips
- Measure the spot first. A banner that's too big for the railings is a headache on the day.
- Keep the words short. Event name and maybe a logo. People read it from across the road.
- Leave the date off if you can. Then the same PVC banner for events works every year. "Chorlton Christmas Lights" can go up again next December.
- Get permission. If it's going on council railings or someone else's property, ask first. Check with Manchester City Council if you're not sure.
Weatherproof posters for the day
For signs outside, like "Stalls this way" or "Toilets", a normal paper poster won't last a wet afternoon. An A2 waterproof poster is a better choice for anything that might get rained on. Check the product page for details on the material.
Flyers for handouts
Posters reach people who walk past. Flyers reach people at home.
- A5 flyers are pocket-sized and easy to hand out.
- Leave a stack on every shop counter taking part.
- Post them through doors on nearby streets.
- Hand them out at the school gates, if the school is happy for you to.
Use the back
The front sells the event. The back can do more.
- A simple map of where everything is.
- A list of the traders taking part, so people can thank them with their custom.
- Times for different activities.
- A "follow us" line for your community page.
Order timeline
Here's how timing works when you order community event print to Chorlton.
- Standard UK shipping is 2 to 3 working days of production, then about 2 days for delivery.
- Working days are Monday to Friday. Bank holidays don't count.
- Same-day delivery is only for London and inside the M25.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 8 weeks before | Agree the plan. Pick a print lead. |
| 6 weeks before | Finish your designs. Get everyone involved to check the details. |
| 5 weeks before | Order posters and flyers. |
| 4 weeks before | Posters up, flyers out. |
| 2 to 3 weeks before | Order the banner and weatherproof signs. |
| Event day | Banner up, signs out, enjoy it. |
For a Christmas event
Late November and December get busy for everyone. If your event is in December, get your print ordered in early November so you're not caught out.
Treat these dates as a guide, not a promise. A bit of extra time costs nothing and saves a lot of stress.
Bring the community together
Good community event posters and a banner people can spot from down the road help turn a small idea into something the whole area talks about.
Choose your posters, banners and flyers, upload your designs and we'll print and send them to you. Want help planning? Call us on 020 7701 2515. You can also read more about our poster printing in Manchester City Centre, or see our page on poster printing in Chorlton.
