Canopy tents are not just your average shelter solution. They have been a revelation for the outdoor event scene, ever since they first came into production. But why are they such a hit among users? The answer to this question can be summarised as follows:
- Custom canopy tents serve their fundamental function as a safe shelter solution with aplomb. PVC and polyester are mostly used to manufacture tent canopies these days, and they are very good in blocking UV radiations and rain.
- Modern tents are lightweight and durable, meaning they can be carried anywhere and used for many years. Couple that with their affordable price tags, and you have an incredibly cost effective product in your hands.
- Business owners, serious about promoting their brands, are choosing the branded pop up tent as their go-to accessory more and more these days. It’s easy to customise these tents according to user preferences. This means brands can have their brand logos, slogans and other graphics easily printed on them, turning the humble tent into an extremely effective brand promotion tool.
- Commercial canopy tents have now become a mainstay for outdoor events, functioning as brand pavilions in tradeshows and exhibitions, and classy venues for corporate parties and fundraisers.
Needless to say, graphics play an important role in customising tents. But how to go about designing stunning graphics for your canopy tent? We answer that question in this article. Read on!
Graphics as a medium of expression
Few mediums are as effective as graphics in expressing what’s on your mind. A properly designed artwork acts as a conversation starter between the artist and the audience. As a brand owner, this is what you need to pay heed to, before going about designing the graphics for your tent. We have listed a few Dos and Don’ts to help you decide what’s best for your brand.
Things to watch out for
Yes, the choice of design elements is subjective. What you like in graphic design may be a turn-off for your friend. However, research suggests that certain design elements tend to appeal to a broader audience compared to others. And, likewise, some design elements can turn out to be confusing and not-so-well-received among the masses.
Limit the variety of typefaces
Assuming that you are going to print your brand slogan and other messages on your custom canopy, here’s our advice on the use of typefaces. Don’t use too many different typefaces. It only serves to confuse viewers as the human eye finds it hard to run through the text smoothly.
Use Fonts to your advantage
Ever wondered why there are so many different fonts in the first place? Well, fonts aren’t just a means to piece together letters and form meaningful texts. They convey actual human emotions. You might have felt that yourself while going through the slogans of different brands.
Businesses choose their official fonts strategically to appeal to their target audience. For instance, real estate brands tend to choose bold and upright fonts. Such fonts enable them to work on the subconscious of their target customers and instil a sense of confidence in them.
What’s your brand and who is your target audience? Ask yourself these questions before choosing your official font.
Font size and letter spacing
Reserve the largest font size for your brand name for obvious reasons. Choose the second largest font size for the slogan. Space the letters so as not to leave a lot of dead space on your tent canopy. But don’t squeeze them tight. This will lead to cluttering and thus viewer disengagement. Ideate with the graphics team of your tent manufacturer to understand the nuances of printing text on your tent canopy.
Text Alignment
This is crucial to the aesthetics of your graphics’ text. Yes, you can play around with text alignment as much as you want, because it is your choice after all. But keeping in mind one simple rule will help – for serious messages, stick to left or centre aligned texts. For fun messages, or if you want to break monotony, go for a more free-flowing text alignment. Or, none at all!
Colour scheme
This is an extremely important aspect of graphics design. Remember not to go overboard with your colour scheme. Stick to a mix of 1-3 shades of primary colours, with highlights in 1-3 shades of secondary colours. Using too many colours will ruin your canvas. Bold colours are welcome. But it has a lot to do with the product or service you are selling. How? Let’s understand.
If you are selling a fun product – say, a package tour to the Caribbean, the ideal choice of colour would be vibrant shades of blue and green, with white as a blender. Why? Look at the pictures of the Caribbean beaches and islands! You’ll have your answer. Similarly, if you are selling financial services, funky colours won’t cut the mustard with a serious audience. You need to stick to darker shades to promote your brand successfully.
Colours have a profound influence in shaping our perception towards a brand. Keep this in mind before deciding on your brand colours.
Simple is better
Don’t go for cluttered graphics. That will serve only to distract your target audience and shift their focus elsewhere. Elegant design themes serve brands better.
Be Original
Our opinions and choices are always influenced or shaped by things that inspire us. The same is true for our creative choices. Saying so, the graphics that you design for your brand need to be able to express your vision and mission. When designing the graphics for your canopy tent, try to be as original as possible. That helps to create a unique brand experience for your target audience and ultimately wins over more customers.
Conclusion
Reputable custom canopy tent manufacturers let you tailor almost every aspect of your tent, from colour schemes to dimensions. Use this to your advantage, plan with the in-house design team of your tent manufacturer, and come up with a design that strikes the right chord with your target audience. And yes, use this guide as a reference!