So, you want to buy a customized canopy.
Why not? It’s the perfect branding tool. You can emblazon it with awesome graphics, add your social media handles, and may be print a deal or two.
It…seems simple, doesn’t it?
Well, hold your horses right there. Purchasing a customized canopy might not be that easy. Why?
For starters, there are nearly 10 million options – starting from custom canopy sizes to features of a custom canopy tent. This brings us to my next question.
Do you have enough time to choose a customized canopy to your liking from so many options?
No?
I thought so.
Make your life easier with this detailed guide on buying the right customized canopy for your event.
Different types of custom canopies
The first road block for you to clear is to choose the right kind of canopy from so many options available in the market by custom canopy providers.
There is one thing that makes this selection easier.
Buying a customized canopy is all about making a strong brand impression. Different types of custom canopies exist, so as to meet the diverse needs of participants.
Let me share an example: the kind of canopy that a start-up might use at an exhibition to network will vary greatly from that of a global MNC’s booth who’s participating in the same event. Both will have the same branding principles, but will differ greatly in their approach to attract customers.
The customized canopy of the start-up will focus on the value they bring to customers as compared to their competitors, while the MNC will focus on leveraging their brand name to draw in more traffic.
The most common types of branded canopies used today are:
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Custom pop-up tents that are square and rectangular with a branded fabric over an aluminum or steel frame. A custom pop-up canopy is usually available in 10’x10’, 10’x15’, and 10’x20’ sizes.
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Inflatable dome tents that are shaped like igloos with a metal framework beneath. These canopies are very easy to transport and offer a unique, impactful view against the sea of regular canopies.
- Star-shaped customized canopy that dynamically stands out from the rest of the exhibits. As their name suggests, star canopies appear like stars and are usually supported with single or double poles in their center. A star-shaped customized canopy is the best option for a large-scale event where a lot of footfall is expected.
How do I choose from these different types of custom canopies?
Traditional customized canopy tents are the most commonly bought promotional outdoor shelters. They also have the most options with their custom canopy sizes, materials, qualities, and strengths. The dome or star-shaped canopies, on the other hand, are often manufactured-to-order with custom printing. they are mostly used for outdoor exhibits.
Printing and branding options for a customized canopy
As I mentioned in the beginning of the article, the main function of a customized canopy is to promote your brand. This is an important factor that should be kept in mind when sorting through custom canopy sizes. Too small a size might not get across your branding clearly. On the flip side, you might struggle in coming up with printing ideas for a bigger tent.
The solution? Go with custom canopy providers who offer you greater flexibility for printing – such as different printing packages that come with bundled printing. Extreme Canopy offers several amazing custom canopy printing options: like our Print Package 5 that gives you a completely printed front valence, front roof panel printing, and a fully-printed wall, within $850.
Why are such customization options better?
#1 Because you don’t have to individually pay for every single thing that you get printed.
#2 You are saved from sharing your artwork over and over for every item you order.
#3 The costs in combos are usually lesser than what you’d have paid for individual purchases.
Some clients also go for minimalistic branding, with just their logos and business name on their tents. However, speaking from experience, getting a fully customized canopy is the best bang for your buck.
Another thing that you should keep in mind is to double check with your supplier on recreation of your branding color scheme. While there will be some changes while printing on fabric, the color should not deviate too far off the brand colors. Good custom canopy providers like the experts at Extreme Canopy always run the final artwork by customers before printing it on the canopy’s fabric.
Features of a custom canopy tent
Every tent that you come across has three pivotal factors that assist you in making an informed buying decision. These are:
- Custom canopy sizes
- Denier, and
- Frame material
Custom canopy sizes
Size is a critical factor in deciding the overall price of your customized canopy. Smaller tents are obviously cheaper than their bigger counterparts. Smaller sizes like the 10×10 are the least expensive while the 13×26 tent prices are as hefty as their weight.
How to select from so many custom canopy sizes?
Determining the right size for buying a customized canopy depends on:
- How much space you need to showcase your products effectively?
- How much space will be allotted to you at the event?
- How many people are you hoping to accommodate inside your canopy?
- What is your budget?
Bigger tents will cost more, but they’re a one-time investment and will pay for themselves in the long run.
Denier of your customized canopy
Denier determines the thickness and strength of fibers in the tent fabric. Denier is a unit of density – a single strand of silk is taken as 1 denier. It is denoted with ‘D’. The higher the denier, the more resilient your tent fabric will be.
At Extreme Canopy, we use PVC-coated polyester of 500D as the fabric for our plain canopies. Our PU-coated polyester of 600D is Belgium-imported and used for printing branded canopies.
Frame material of a canopy
Most canopies are made with plastic, fiberglass, stainless steel, or aluminum. The plastic or fiberglass frames are not suitable for high grounds with strong winds or places with chances of heavy downpour, since they can bend or even break. Stainless steel or aluminum frames are more popular.
While both steel and aluminum are widely used for making frames, aluminum has a higher lifespan. That’s because it is rust-resistant. Aluminum oxide coating on top of the metal prevents it from rusting further. Steel is often coated or galvanized – and the layer usually starts flaking after a few years.
What feature of a custom canopy tent should I consider?
This totally depends on your budget. Entry-level custom canopy sizes have a lower denier count, thin walls, and are less expensive. They are well-suited to occasional barbeque parties in your backyard or a bake sale at your kid’s school. However, if you are a regular participant in tradeshows and exhibitions, these tents will not do justice to your business. A fully customized canopy is the best bang for your buck.
Hopefully, through this article, you’ve learnt that a customized canopy is more than just a frame and fabric. For further questions, feel free to get in touch with the Extreme Experts at 844 243 6981.
