Crepe Paper vs Printed Banners: Why Clubs Are Switching
- Gadget
- Apr 17
- 4 min read
Picture this: You've spent three hours the night before cutting, taping, and carefully crafting a crepe paper banner for your child's 50-game milestone. Saturday morning arrives with wind and drizzle, and before your little legend even reaches the banner, it's sagging, tearing, and looking nothing like the celebration moment you imagined. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. The choice between crepe paper banners vs printed banners is transforming how Australian footy clubs celebrate milestones – and once you see the difference, there's no going back.
Crepe Paper Banners vs Printed Banners: Why Printed Footy Banners Win
Let's talk honestly about the crepe paper tradition. For decades, dedicated footy parents have been making the pilgrimage to Spotlight, armed with lists of supplies: crepe paper rolls, sticky tape, scissors, and hope. What follows is typically 4-6 hours of cutting individual letters, battling with tape that won't stick properly, and crossing fingers that everything holds together until game day.
Even when the weather cooperates, crepe paper has its limitations. The colors are muted, logos look hand-drawn (because they are), and if there's even a hint of moisture in the air, your masterpiece becomes a soggy mess before the first photo.
Why 400+ Clubs Have Made the Switch to Printed Banners
Professional Quality Without the Professional Price Tag
Our printed banners use the same premium paper and professional-grade equipment that creates signage for major retailers. We're talking about a 10-color Epson printer that produces colors so vibrant they practically glow on the field. Your club logo appears crisp and sharp, not like a photocopy of a photocopy.
Weatherproof and Game-Ready
Rain, hail, or shine – printed banners stay strong and vibrant. The premium paper is designed to withstand outdoor conditions while remaining perfectly tearable when your player runs through. No more checking the weather forecast with dread or having backup plans for your milestone celebration.
Same-Day Production, Australia-Wide Delivery
Most banners are printed the same day they're ordered. We send you photo proofs via text message, show you photos of your banner coming off the printer, and have it ready for pickup or express delivery across Australia. Compare that to the all-nighter crafting session with questionable results.
Individual Club Pages, Not Generic Forms
Unlike competitors who make you fill out bland forms, we've created individual pages for each of our 400+ clubs. You can see exactly what your banner will look like before ordering, with your club's colors, logo, and styling perfectly represented.
The Numbers Don't Lie: A Real Comparison
Factor | Crepe Paper Banners | Printed Banners |
Preparation Time | 4-6 hours over 2-3 nights | 5 minutes to place order online |
Weather Resistance | Falls apart in wind/rain | Weatherproof until run-through |
Photo Quality | Often blurry, amateur appearance | Professional, social media ready |
Total Cost | $80+ (materials + time value) | From $150 (delivered ready-to-use) |
Beyond the Banner: Keepsakes That Last
Here's something you can't do with crepe paper – preserve the memory. We offer wall banner keepsakes in three sizes that can be hung in bedrooms or games rooms. Imagine your child looking at their milestone banner on the wall years later, remembering that special day when the whole club celebrated their achievement.
Real Stories from Real Parents
"I used to dread milestone games because of the banner stress. Now I actually look forward to celebrating my kids' achievements without the all-night craft sessions." – Sarah, Glenelg Football Club
"The photo we got of our son running through his 100-game banner is framed in our lounge room. You'd never get that quality with crepe paper." – Michael, Modbury Hawks
The Environmental Angle You Might Not Have Considered
Surprisingly, printed banners often create less waste than their crepe paper counterparts. No plastic-wrapped rolls, no excessive sticky tape, no failed attempts ending up in the bin. Our banners arrive in a recyclable tube, ready to use, and can be cleanly torn and taped back together for keeping. Whether you're ordering AFL banners or local club celebrations, the environmental impact is significantly reduced.
Making the Switch: What You Need to Know
If your club isn't among our 400+ already in the system, we'll create your custom design at no extra cost. The first banner is offered at half price to get you started. After that, every order is simple – just select your size, enter the player details, and we handle the rest.
For clubs already in our system, ordering takes minutes. Choose your banner size, enter the player's name and milestone number, and you're done. We'll send photo proofs for approval and keep you updated throughout the printing and delivery process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do printed banners take to arrive?
Most banners are printed the same day they're ordered. We offer tube delivery (about a week, $40 Australia-wide) or Express Post delivery (2-3 days, $55 Australia-wide). For local SA customers, pickup is available from Angle Vale.
Will printed banners tear properly when players run through them?
Absolutely. Our premium paper is specifically chosen to be strong enough to withstand weather but tearable when needed. We provide instructions on how to make small cuts just before the run-through to ensure perfect tearing for photos.
What if my club isn't in your system yet?
We'll create your club's custom design at no extra cost. Your first footy banner is offered at half price, and we'll have your design ready for all future orders. Just provide your club name, logo, and colors.
How do your prices compare to making crepe paper banners?
When you factor in materials (crepe paper, tape, printing costs for logos) plus the 4-6 hours of work involved, crepe paper banners often cost more than you think. Our printed banners start at $150 delivered, with no time investment required from you.
