Flags for events and National Day: types, sizes and respectful use

For event branding and National Day décor, use your own flags with a logo and greeting in green and white, and keep the Saudi national flag for proper display on a pole. The Saudi flag carries the Shahada, which is why it is treated differently from other flags. It should not be printed on promotional or disposable items, or used for advertising. Then choose the flag type by where it stands, and the size by how far away people will see it.

Respectful use of the Saudi flag

The flag has legal protection and strong religious meaning, so check the current official rules before you plan any use, and take advice if in doubt. As generally understood:

• It should not be used in advertising or as part of a trademark.
• It should not be allowed to touch the ground or water.
• It is not lowered to half-mast.
• Nothing should be added to it, including logos or greetings.
• Worn or damaged flags should be retired respectfully, not left on a pole or thrown away with the waste.

Do not put the Shahada or the flag itself on items such as T-shirts, paper flags, stickers, balloons, bags, tissues, disposable cups or giveaways. These can easily end up crumpled, on the floor or in the bin. Use the national colours, a greeting and your own logo instead. A proper flag also needs to be double-sided, so that the Shahada reads correctly from both sides, and it should use accurate official artwork rather than redrawn lettering. We make this on request.

The flag is generally described as having a width two-thirds of its length, which matches the 2:3 sizes below. Check the official specification for formal use. For events with flags of several countries, ask the organiser or the relevant protocol office about order and placement.

Types of flag and where they suit

• Pole flag: for entrances, forecourts and formal display. Choose it for the national flag and company flags that stay up for a while.
• Feather or teardrop flag: a portable shape on a base, good for roadsides, car parks and event perimeters. It holds its shape and stays readable even in a light breeze.
• Beach flag: similar in use, and popular for open-air activations and sports days.
• Table flag: small, for receptions, meeting rooms and signing ceremonies.
• Indoor flag: for halls, stages and lobbies, often on a finished stand with a smart fabric such as satin.
• Bunting: strings of small flags in national colours or your brand, quick to put up at entrances, corridors and school halls.
• Mirror-effect flag: a single printed layer where colour passes through, so the back shows a mirror image. Light and good for symbols and colour blocks, but text reads reversed.
• Double-sided flag: two layers so that wording reads correctly on both sides. The right choice where text matters, particularly Arabic.

Choosing a size

There is no single correct size, and it comes down to viewing distance and the pole. These are common examples at the 2:3 proportion, not fixed limits:

• 20 x 30 cm: table and desk display
• 100 x 150 cm: indoor stands and smaller poles
• 200 x 300 cm: taller poles at larger entrances

As a rule of thumb, the flag's shorter side is often around a quarter to a third of the pole height. A flag that is too large can overload a pole in wind, so check the pole's rating and fixings. Feather and beach flags are sold by overall height, so measure any ceiling or overhead obstruction. Other sizes are on request.

Fabric, finishing and wind

Knitted polyester is the usual outdoor choice, as it is light, flies well and takes dye strongly. Satin looks elegant indoors but does not suit outdoor wind. Single-sided printing shows the design through to the back as a mirror image, which is fine for a logo and graphic but reversed for text.

The fly end, furthest from the pole, wears first, so a reinforced hem helps. Outdoor flags in strong sun and dust will fade and fray over time, so treat them as replaceable, and inspect them regularly. Bases need enough weight for the site, and feather flags should be taken in during strong wind.

Planning for National Day

National Day falls on 23 September, and demand for green and white print rises ahead of it, so order early. Founding Day on 22 February and Flag Day on 11 March are related occasions, with their own character and identity.

• An official National Day identity is usually published ahead of the date. If you want to use it, check its usage guidance first.
• For the design, use your logo and a greeting, in Arabic first if your audience is local, and leave the year out if you want to reuse the flags.
• Take flags and bunting down soon after the occasion, store them clean and dry, and handle any national flag with care.

Tell us where the flag will stand, how long it will stay up and what it should say. We will suggest a type and size, and we can design a green and white alternative to anything that should not carry the Shahada. Standard orders typically take 2-5 business days plus delivery, though it is wise to order well before the date.