Gazebo branding and printing

What can be printed

• The canopy, with your name or logo on the roof valance and top.
• Side walls and half walls, which give you large, flat surfaces.
• Banners and flags for the front of the pitch.
• Table covers and runners.
• Signs and price boards.

Plan the design

Decide what customers need to know in two seconds: your name and what you sell. Use a short name, strong colours and clear lettering. Keep the design simple, because it will be seen at a distance and from the side as people walk past. Test the design by shrinking it to the size of a postcard. If you can still read the name and see the main colours, it should work at the event. The guide to branding your market stall covers colours and names.

Choose where to put the message

The valance and the front wall are the most visible parts of a gazebo, so put your name there. Keep important text away from seams, corners and the edges where fabric folds. Side walls suit a larger logo, a product photo or a list of what you sell. Leave space around the logo, because crowded designs are harder to read in a crowd and look cluttered in photographs. A canopy is seen from below and at an angle, so avoid fine detail on the roof.

Prepare your artwork

1. Ask the printer for a template that shows the exact print area.
2. Supply a vector logo if you have one, or the largest, sharpest version available.
3. Check spelling, phone numbers and web addresses twice.
4. Keep text inside the safe area on the template.
5. Approve a proof before printing, and keep a copy of the approved file for reorders.

Match the print to the gazebo

Printed gazebo parts are made to fit particular frames and sizes, so buy the print for the model you own. Check that the canopy fabric is waterproof and flame retardant, because many organisers ask for it. Gala Tent prints canopies, side walls and banners for its gazebos, and the guide to choosing a gazebo for a market stall explains how to pick the frame.

Order at the right time

Allow time for design, proof approval and delivery, and place the order well before your first event with the new print. If you trade in several seasons, ask the printer about a design that can be updated, such as a changeable banner, so the gazebo can show a new message without a full reprint.

Look after your print

Let the canopy dry before you pack it, fold it as the maker advises and store it somewhere dry. Clean marks gently, following the care instructions that come with the product. A well-kept canopy keeps your stall looking fresh for longer. Check seams and fixings before each season, and ask the supplier about replacement parts or a reprint if a panel becomes worn or you change your branding.