Case Study: 216 m2 flag towed by a helicopter - how we delivered a unique large-format printing
What does it take to produce a 216 m² flag measuring 18 × 12 metres and designed to be towed by a helicopter? In a project like this, printing is only part of the solution.
We took on this unusual challenge for a sporting event in the Netherlands.
18 × 12 metres. 216 m². One exceptional flag.
The project involved producing a single flag measuring 1,800 × 1,200 cm, or 18 × 12 metres.
That is an impressive 216 m² of surface area.
The finished flag weighed approximately 25 kg. It was produced using 110 g flag fabric, B1, with dye-sublimation printing.
But the biggest challenge was not simply its size.
The flag was designed to be towed by a helicopter during a sporting event in the Netherlands.
This meant that its intended use had to be taken into account from the very beginning, particularly when planning the finishing and attachment points.
Why standard finishing was not enough
With a project of this scale and such a specific application, standard flag finishing was not enough.
The flag required additional reinforcement and specially prepared attachment points.
We finished the flag with reinforcement tape around the entire perimeter. Special cords were added along the top and bottom edges, while a 9 cm wide sleeve was created along the left edge and divided according to the horizontal panels.
We also incorporated:
- special reinforcement points,
- dedicated positions for weights,
- a special triangular attachment at the points where the flag was connected to the helicopter tow rope.
Each of these elements formed part of a solution developed specifically for the intended application.
Dye-sublimation printing for a large-format flag
The flag was produced using 110 g B1-rated flag fabric and dye-sublimation printing.
For a project like this, the key was to combine the right material with the appropriate printing technology and finishing method. With such a large surface area and an unconventional application, these elements could not be considered separately.
The product had to be planned as a whole – from the material and printing process, through panel construction, to the finishing and attachment points.
Four days from production to finished flag
Despite the unusual nature of the project, production took just four days.
The result was a single, individually prepared flag covering 216 m².
Before the event, the client also tested the flag, after which it was used during the sporting event in the Netherlands.
Not every project starts with a ready-made solution
This project is a good example of why unusual large-format projects cannot always be approached with an off-the-shelf product.
Sometimes the first step is to understand how the product will be used. Only then can the right material, production technology and finishing method be selected.
In this case, the solution came from combining:
large format + the right material + dye-sublimation printing + custom finishing + specialised attachment points.
Together, these elements created a solution tailored to the specific application.
From standard flags to bespoke large-format solutions
Large-format flags can be used in many different ways – from traditional event branding and venue decoration to highly unconventional applications that require an individual approach to production.
When a project goes beyond standard solutions, it is worth discussing it with the manufacturer before production begins.
Have an unusual idea for a flag or another large-format project? Tell us about it. Together, we can find a solution that fits the intended application.
