How In‑House Banner Printing Elevates Campus Events

How In‑House Banner Printing Elevates Campus Events

At school events, clear and attractive signage guides families, promotes key activities, and creates a welcoming atmosphere. Banners, in particular, are helpful in shaping the identity of various activities on campus. They give visitors a sense of structure and project professionalism for the school. But many schools outsource their campus banner printing. This approach often causes long lead times, rushed approvals, and limited ability for last-minute changes.

By bringing campus banner printing in-house, schools are able to respond more quickly, keep branding consistent, and reduce some of the stress associated with event planning. A large format printer allows marketing and events teams to update signage whenever they need. Ultimately, it provides a smoother experience for everyone involved.

Why Schools Benefit From Producing Event Banners On Site

A big reason for moving banner printing in-house is to save money. By cutting out the middleman, campus banner printing becomes more affordable, which allows for more frequent usage of signage and a better visitor experience.

But money isn't the only benefit of bringing printing in-house. Consider these additional advantages of in-house campus banner printing:

More Control Over Branding and Messaging

A considerable amount of time is spent developing the visual identity of a school. Logos, colour palettes, typography, and tone are all carefully considered. When school banner printing is handled externally, maintaining consistency in this branding can become a challenge. Different suppliers may interpret brand guidelines differently, resulting in minor variations in colour matching, logo placement, or overall presentation. But schools can avoid this variability by managing campus banner printing internally. Last-minute messaging updates are also easier to incorporate.

Fast Access to New or Updated Signage

The timelines for event planning in educational settings are tight. Weather may delay a sports carnival, a guest speaker may confirm at the last minute, or a venue change may occur on short notice. All of these require changes to signage that would be impractical with outsourced printing. However, with campus banner printing capabilities on site, schools can produce updated signage almost immediately rather than waiting days or weeks for suppliers.

Reducing the Pressure of Outsourced Event Printing

Event planning is always stressful, with many moving parts all needing to coordinate perfectly. The added stress of dealing with coordination between print suppliers only adds to this stress. In-house campus banner printing reduces this stress in several ways:

Avoiding Delays During Busy School Periods

Schools have predictable peaks in signage demand. At the start of each term, sporting events and parent-teacher conferences converge within concentrated periods. As multiple schools across the area send print jobs to external suppliers, the result is extended lead times. College banner printing requirements during university open days are particularly challenging, with institutions across entire regions competing for the same production slots. In-house college banner printing eliminates this bottleneck entirely.

Lower Costs for Frequent Events and Activities

Schools host a lot of events throughout the academic year. Each one often needs its own set of banners for wayfinding, promotions, and the display of information. Schools must choose between spending significantly on outsourced banners or reducing the amount of useful information available to visitors. While the initial investment in printing equipment requires consideration, the long-term savings often justify the expense within the first year or two.

Supporting Open Days, Orientation, and Community Events

The ability to print more signage on demand can bring a new level of professionalism to campus events. The flexibility to print more signage for the same cost opens up the door for:

Clear Signage That Improves Visitor Experience

Families attending open days form lasting impressions about a campus based on how easily they navigate the space and how professionally the information is presented. Strategic banner placement in key areas guides these prospective students seamlessly from car parks to registration desks, from general sessions to department-specific displays, and from academic facilities to social spaces. Schools that manage their own campus banner printing are able to create comprehensive signage systems more affordably than their counterparts who outsource the jobs.

Consistent Visual Presentation Across the Entire Campus

Some events span multiple venues on the campus. These events benefit a great deal from coordinated visual presentation. At each venue, banners should share consistent design elements. When they do, visitors perceive the institution as more organised and professional. With outsourced providers, it's not uncommon for different venues on campus to rely on different suppliers, especially during busy times when the full load of a campus might overwhelm a single supplier, who is also dealing with other customers. In-house school banner printing solves this problem.

How HP DesignJet Helps Schools Deliver Better Event Signage

HP is a leader in printing technology, with the HP DesignJet being a standout in the large format space. These printers provide a number of features to help schools with their signage needs:

Easy to Use Printing for Marketing and Events Teams

In the past, large format printers were complex, specialist equipment that required complex, specialised skills to use. This is no longer the case. HP DesignJet printers prioritise user-friendly operation that allows marketing coordinators and event staff to produce professional banners for their campus without extensive training beforehand. This is especially beneficial during busy events when multiple staff members need to contribute to the production of signage.

Reliable Output Suitable for Indoor and Short-Term Outdoor Use

Not all banners have the benefit of being used in climate-controlled indoor spaces. Many of them are used outdoors, where they're exposed to the sun, wind, and occasional moisture. DesignJet printers produce vibrant and durable output that will maintain its appearance throughout the duration of an event. The printers also handle various media types, allowing schools to select the best material for a specific application.

Help School Events Look Their Best With In-House Banner Printing

Educational institutions can transform how they manage campus banner printing by moving the production in-house. This gives them control over branding consistency while eliminating delays and reducing long-term costs. If you're considering this transition for your school, we invite you to learn more about how HP DesignJet can empower it. These machines provide the quality and ease of use needed to maximise ROI and quality.