How to Print an Advertising Banner in Step by Step.

Putting in time to create an advertising banner for your shop, organization or business can be a creative effort, but the main goal is to get that banner off your computer and into the window, onto the street or hung in a place to capture potential customer attention. There are two main ways to print an advertising banner -- doing it yourself or sending it to a printer. While doing it yourself is instant and far less costly, the main problem is that the majority of printers don't handle banner-sized paper or materials. Determine whether you want to have a taped-up piecework banner or a professionally printed one and then start recruiting new business.

DIY

Step 1

Open the software program you used to design the banner, such as Microsoft Word, Adobe InDesign or Microsoft Publisher. Browse to the banner file and double-click to open it.

Step 2

Load 8.5-inch by 11-inch paper into the printer and turn it on -- take care not to jam or overload the printer.

Step 3

Click the "File" menu or tab in the software program. Select "Print." When the "Print" window opens, review the settings and choose your printer if it is not defaulted.

Step 4

Click up the "Copies" or "Number of copies" box to the number of banners to print and click the "Print" button.

Step 5

Lay the pieces of the banner face down in order. Apply clear tape to their edges to connect the pages together.

Print Shop

Step 1

Contact a print shop to inquire about file-saving formats. Some printers may wish you to convert files, save images separately and bundle fonts so there are no problems with banner printing.

Step 2

Discuss pricing and options for the banner, including materials you wouldn't be able to get into an office printer such as vinyl and metallic. Keep in mind your banner ink colors when planning for the banner background color, as you do not want your text or logos to fade into the banner background.

Step 3

Request a quote or pricing on the banner. Deliver the files on a flash drive, CD-ROM or in person to get the advertising banner printed, or to save a trip, inquire whether the printer accepts files over email.