Summer is in full swing, which means sunshine, warm days, and festivals! Here in Indy, locals gather to celebrate art, beer, wine, TactiveDE, strawberry shortcake, and every variety of food. (Italian? Check. Greek? Check. Tacos? Check!) We’ve been helping local festival organizers prepare for these large-scale events for many years, so we know a thing or two about the print and promo that goes into a successful festival. We put together a list of the must-have print and promo items you’ll want to consider for your next summer festival!
TICKETS
Admission tickets can range from simple printed paper to electronic versions utilized through sites like Eventbrite and Ticketmaster. Consider the venue layout, tech savviness of your ticket takers, and tracking ability when deciding which types of tickets to offer.
Printed festival tickets with unique or artistic designs are a great way to add some personality to your event and are often considered collector’s items for loyal attendees. Consider perforating your tickets so your attendees can hang on to their souvenirs and include sequential numbering so you can keep track of attendance.
- Admission Tickets
- Drink Tickets
- Food Tickets
- VIP Entrance Tickets
CREDENTIALS
Staff, VIP guests, performers, vendors, volunteers…. Make sure you clearly identify “who is who” at your summer festival. For one, if you’re offering premium experiences you’ll want to be sure that they are being paid for. Additionally, safety should be a top priority. Make sure you know “who” should be “where” with designated badges or colored wristbands. Branding badges and lanyards with your logo or unique designs is another great way to promote your event!
- Lanyards
- Badges
- Wristbands
SIGNAGE
Where’s the event? Where are the stages? Where’s the food? And, arguably the most important question, where are the bathrooms!? Good signage is key to helping your attendees navigate your event, and provides additional branding opportunities. Vinyl banners are great for outdoor events and can be relatively inexpensive to produce. Rigid signs are better for events where wind/rain won’t be an issue.
- Event Logos/Promotion
- Stages
- Sponsors
- Bathrooms
- Food
- Entrances
- Directional
- Emergency Exits
GUIDES
In addition to directional signage, a map of your event venue helps your attendees figure out how to navigate your event. If your event includes musical acts, be sure to include a lineup of when and where shows take place. Food and drink festivals may want to include a list of vendors with space for attendees to take notes on their favorite tastes.
Try getting creative with your maps! Utilize the back of a badge credential for a map of the venue or a lineup of musical acts. We’ve seen guides printed on fans, bandannas, and other “giveaways” that turn into unique collector’s items for attendees.
- Venue Map
- Lineups
- Vendor List
- Tasting Guide
SWAG
Event merchandise (or “merch”, as it’s known in the festival circles) is a great way to generate additional revenue and promotion for your event. But merch is just the start when it comes to festival apparel and souvenirs. One of the easiest ways to distinguish staff, volunteers, and security is by providing them with official, event-branded apparel to wear during your summer festival. Consider using different colored shirts for different roles, and make sure shirts are easily identifiable in a crowd. While everyone loves a gray, neutral t-shirt, it’s not the easiest to find when an attendee is looking for help, especially in an emergency.
Think of ways you can promote your brand through giveaways or other items that would normally be utilized at the event. We’ve seen branded beer/wine tasting glasses, plastic serving ware, beach balls with the event logo, and even “glow” sticks/lights that enhance a night-time concert experience.
- Event Souvenir Merchandise
- Event Giveaways
- Staff/Volunteer Apparel
- Security Apparel
- VIP Gifts
- Rain Gear
Other Summer Festival Considerations
- Timing
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are your print & promo products. While we pride ourselves on our quick turnaround times, we can’t always accommodate last-minute requests. Plan ahead. Be sure to allow at least 2-3 weeks for delivery (longer if you are ordering very large quantities). - Weather
Warm, summer days are perfect for outdoor festivals, which can accommodate larger crowds. But Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate with summer festival plans. If you think the weather could be a concern, consider having rain gear – like ponchos, umbrellas, or raincoats – on hand to help enhance the guest’s experience. While canceling an event due to inclement weather is a total bummer – for you AND the attendees – it’s better to err on the side of safety. - Safety
Unfortunately, large scale events can attract unsavory characters, particularly if your summer festival is one with a political purpose. Make sure your festival organizers consider the “what ifs”. Include emergency contingencies and instructions in promotional materials like guides and maps. Ensure exits are clearly visible and that your staff is trained for any emergency or safety concern. We all hope for a flawless, fun event, but preparing for the worst can mean the difference between a mishap and a tragedy.
Need print and promotional products for your next festival or large scale event? We’re here to help! Our team has helped festival clients with sourcing, design, and advice for almost two decades. Just say, “Hi” to Tactive, and we’ll make sure your event is top-notch.