--- title: Light Pole Banners date: 2026-08-21T17:32:00-04:00 author: Tierra Collins canonical_url: "https://brand.umd.edu/applying-the-brand/environmental/light-pole-banners" section: Pages --- # Light Pole Banners *Environmental Signage* **Light Pole Banner Guidelines** The following light pole banner guidelines aim to create a visually appealing campus experience, strengthen brand unification and uphold university brand standards. To best support these goals, light pole banner usage is limited. **Why light pole banners?** Banners should achieve one of the following goals in a unit’s marketing plan: - Signal arrival or brand a physical location; - Communicate a priority campus message; - Commemorate an anniversary, achievement or special initiative. Banners must be displayed for a minimum of four weeks and not to exceed one year. **Who can request light pole banners?** Any school, college or unit seeking to install light pole banners must request approval from the Office of Marketing and Communications (OMC). Student groups are not permitted to place light pole banners on campus. **Where can light pole banners be installed?** Schools, colleges and units may request permission to install light pole banners, provided the banners will be located in a contained footprint on campus, such as plazas and quads, or immediately adjacent to the building or facility represented by the requesting unit. Banners on main campus roadways and parking lots are managed by OMC and are not available for requests ([highlighted in red on the light pole banner map](https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1aQIrdXJsV8pU6zA4wsA_u9tE1n-UzxY&usp=sharing)). # Process 1. Unit requester submits [the request form](https://form.asana.com/?k=KgwpoKQkZhV43WMGS2dnbw&d=942681546434599) at least six weeks in advance of the desired installation date. 2. OMC reviews the request and follows up with a decision within one week. 3. Requester connects directly with the university’s preferred vendor on pricing, timing, etc. following OMC approval for placement. Requests must use the provided design template. 4. Requester provides designs and a proposed placement pattern to OMC for review. 5. OMC provides feedback/approval on designs within one week. 6. Pending final artwork approval by OMC, requester completes the installation process and payment with vendor. # Banner Management - Permitted banner locations are at the discretion of OMC. - Banners must be removed within one year. A timeframe for takedown must be provided in the initial request. - Payment for light pole banner printing, installation, maintenance and removal is the responsibility of the requester. To execute your project with the vendor, you will need to: - Count the number of poles in your requested location. - Determine which pole(s) need hardware; take photos if necessary. - Create an installation map with a key that shows which designs should be installed on which poles. - Be on campus the day of installation to review the completed project and provide feedback to the vendor. # Artwork Use options from the approved design system to create your banner sequence. - [Download Templates](https://umd.box.com/s/5ctzwz3amntgk0fw943hsjlw46yak2dq) *A preview of the light pole banner templates that are available in the brand marketing toolkit.* **Specifications** - 24” width x 48” height - Be mindful of the “safety area” where banner pockets and grommets are sewn: 4-inch pole pockets are at the top and bottom of the banner. - Artwork must be printed on both sides. - Full bleed is not necessary. - All fonts must be outlines. - Images should be at least 150 dpi. - Use Pantone 186 when printing banners with red backgrounds. - Acceptable file types: PDF (multipage is acceptable), TIFF or JPEG.