Flag Selection

GUIDE FOR U.S. FLAG SELECTION

It is important to select the correct material and size American flag for your particular use. We’ve prepared the guidelines below to help make your choice an easy one.

Material:

Nyl-Glo® — Made from 100% SolarMax nylon, Annin’s Nyl-Glo is by far the most popular choice for commercial or home use. It features sewn stripes and embroidered stars. A good all-weather flag, it flies in the lightest breeze. Available in sizes 12 X 18 in. through 30 X 60 ft, Nyl-Glo U.S. flags carry a One-Year Colorfast Guarantee.

Tough-Tex® — Made from 100% heavyweight spun polyester. This flag is extremely durable and is best for high-wind areas and large sized flags flown daily. Tough-Tex is ideal for commercial or institutional use. Available in sizes 3 x 5 ft. through 30 x 60 ft., Tough-Tex U.S. flags carry a One-Year Colorfast Guarantee.

Signature® — Made from 100% SolarMax nylon, Annin’s Signature flag has all the same features as our Nyl-Glo flag but sets itself apart by the extra-large, ultra- bright embroidered stars and the attractive presentation packaging. Available in sizes 2½ x4 ft., 3 x 5 ft. and 4 x 6 ft. Signature flags make a great gift and carry a One-Year Colorfast Guarantee.

Heavyweight Cotton — 100% domestic cotton gives this classic flag a traditional look and feel. The stripes are sewn and the stars are embroidered. Available in sizes 2 x 3 ft. through 8 x 12 ft., these cotton bunting flags are popular with owners of Colonial and Georgian style homes.

Sun-Glo® — Made from the same Solar Max nylon material as our Nyl-Glo flag, this less expensive brand has an all-dyed U.S. flag design. It is suitable for commercial or residential use. The stars glow bright white when flying in the sun. Sun-Glo American flags are available in sizes 8 x 12 in. through 4 x 6 ft.

Lightweight Cotton Sheeting — Constructed with sewn stripes and a dyed star field. Made from 100% domestic cotton, this flag has good color fastness and is designed for the homeowner who displays his or her flag seasonally. It is available in 3 x 5 ft. size only.

Poly-Cotton — The flag design is all dyed and the base fabric is the same 70% polyester and 30% cotton blend that Annin uses to make many of its patriotic decorations and bunting. It has the look and feel of cotton and is suitable for seasonal, residential use. This flag has good color fastness.

Size:

It is important to use the correct sized flag for your application. Flags can be displayed either indoors or outdoors and on a variety of poles.

For Indoor Display or Parades:	3ft. x 5ft. or 4ft. x 6ft. flags
Military & Color Guards:	3ft. x 5ft. or 4 1/3ft. x 5 1/2ft. flags
Angled Home Flagpoles:	3ft. x 5ft. flags for 6ft. poles or 4ft. x 6ft. flags for 8ft. poles on larger homes

Flags for Outdoor Flagpoles vary depending on the height of the pole. The length of the flag should be from one-quarter to one-third the height of the flagpole. See the chart below for appropriate flagpole and flag size combinations.

Flagpole and Flag Size Chart
Exposed Pole Height	20'	25'	30'	35'	40'
Suggested Flag Size	3' x 5'	4' x 6'	5' x 8'	6' x 10'	8' x 12'

Flag Etiquette

General Display It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. 1. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag’s own right, that is, to the observer’s left. When displayed in a window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America, except during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea or for personnel of the Navy, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag. No person shall display the flag of the United Nations or any other national or international flag equal, above, or in a position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the United States at any place within the United States or any Territory or possession thereof; provided, that nothing in this section shall make unlawful the continuance of the practice heretofore followed of displaying the flag of the United Nations in a position of superior prominence or honor, and other national flag in positions of equal prominence or honor, with that of the flag of the United States at the headquarters of the United Nations. 2. When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak. 3. When flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United States flag’s right. 4. The flag of the United States of America, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flag’s own right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.

5. The flag of the Unites States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of State or localities or pennants or societies are grouped and displayed from staffs. 6. When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace. Churches, Auditoriums 7. When used on a speaker's platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman’s or speaker’s right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker or the right of the audience. Half-Staff The flag, when flown at half-staff, should first hoisted to the peak for an instant and the lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day, the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United State Government and the Governor of the State, territory or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory or possession of the United States, the Governor of that State, territory or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff. NOTE: the U.S. flag should always be on its own right in relation to other flags on adjacent staffs — to the left of the observer —except when displayed as in #5. Excerpts From The Flag Code of The United States —Public Law 94-344, July 7, 1976.

Care

Here are a few tips and tricks for caring for your Flags:

1. Only flags made specifically for exterior use should be displayed outside

2. For the best results, do not expose your flag to rain, snow or abnormally high winds; these forces of nature can shorten its life considerably. Should the flag become wet, it should be spread out and allowed to dry completely. Do not fold or roll-up a wet or damp flag.

3. To keep its rich colors looking bright, clean your flag regularly, before soiling and discoloration from dirt, smoke, dust and other airborne contaminants "set" in the fabric. Outdoor flags can be hand-washed with warm water and a mild soap, then thoroughly rinsed and spread out to dry. Do not let the flag stand in the wash water or you might experience some color bleed onto the white stripes. Professional dry cleaning is recommended for indoor/ parade flags. *Incidentally, many establishments will clean Old Glory free of charge, especially during the period just prior to Flag Day.

4. Do not place the flag where the wind will whip it against rough surfaces, tree branches, wires, cables, etc. The smallest tear can soon result in a tattered flag. Keep pole surfaces free of heavy dirt, rust, scale and corrosion that could damage your flag.

5. Inspect your flag regularly for signs of wear. In particular, look for "normal wear" fabric or thread breaks which may occur in the "fly" end. This is the end farthest from the staff. Trimming off and re-hemming torn or frayed ends will help extend the life of your flag.

You can also find other information on Flag Etiquetter on our website. Please visit us at www.usflagnow.com