For people who have their flags in a location with a lot of intense sun, we sometimes use Sunbrella(tm) instead of nylon. Sunbrella(tm) has advantages and disadvantages. The big advantage is that it takes three or four times as long to fade as nylon. However it is not translucent, and it doesn't come in as many colors as nylon. It's also a somewhat coarser fabric. Sunbrella adds about 50% to the cost of a flag. We have a lot of customers with sunny locations who find Sunbrella(tm) to be just what they need.

For rectangular flags to be used on an upright pole and flown in a lot of wind, we sometimes use a polyester fabric for the background. This is a 2-ply, 100% woven, spun polyester fabric with an open weave and with a look similar to cotton. It was developed for U.S. flags and stands up to wind better than any other fabric. It's a somewhat coarse fabric (compared to nylon), so it's not great for an image with fine detail. Unfortunately, it only comes in red, white, and blue. But for a flag in a lot of wind on an upright pole, this polyester can't be beat.

2.) High wind (especially high wind combined with the increased weight of a wet flag) strains your flag. You don't need to bring it in every time it gets windy or rainy, but if there's very high wind or high wind combined with rain, you'll increase the life of your flag by bringing it in. Cold, snow, and rain alone do not hurt flags.

3.) Be sure your flag doesn't rub or scrape against anything when it blows. Blowing against something sharp will tear your flag, and then it will fray apart very quickly. Rubbing against a rough surface will wear out fabric and stitching in a short time. Be sure your pole is long enough. A Large Angle Flag^tm needs a six-foot pole—it will fit on a five-foot pole but will be too close to the building and will rub against it. A Small Angle Flag^tm needs a four-foot pole.

4.) The colors in our flags do not run, but some colors (especially reds) can bleed if a wet flag is folded with a light and a dark area touching. Also, storing a flag wet will cause it to mildew. So if you bring your flag in wet, dry it flat before putting it away.

5.) Washing your flag occasionally will make it look nicer and will remove damaging chemicals from acid rain and pollution. You can wash your flag in the washing machine. In order to avoid having colors bleed, be sure to remove it promptly and to dry it flat. It's OK to iron with medium heat to get out wrinkles.

6.) Check your flag often for wear. Usually the hem in the corner that flaps will be the first spot to need repair. If your flag needs repair, fix it immediately. The longer you wait and allow the fabric to fray, the harder the repair will be to do. We repair flags. Fixing a hem that hasn't gotten bad usually costs about $15. The thing to do is send us the flag, and we'll give you a price quote before we do anything.

Standard Sizes & Price Comparisons for our Design Collections

In order to have lettering read correctly on both sides, we have to sew it on a block of fabric for each side of the flag and then sew the blocks back-to-back on the two sides of the flag. Opaque material is put inside the block to prevent the letters from showing through from one side to the other. Blocks can be different sizes and shapes, but by far the most common kind is a rectangle at the bottom of the flag. A dark color block on the bottom of the flag with light color lettering seems to "ground" the flag. If most of the flag contains lettering, we can double-up the entire flag instead of using a block.

We heat cut letters and then zig-zag them on. This process gives a much sharper, cleaner letter than the usual applique-and-cut-away method.

Usually a rectangular block costs $37, and letters cost $8.50 each. (You only count the letters on one side of the flag.) This can vary though. We give you an exact price for lettering when you place your order.

BISGROVE DESIGNS • Master Flagmakers(tm) • 800-338-0359 • Fax 978-465-0309
http://www.bisgrove.com  •  bisgrove@bisgrove.com

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