On this page 8 sections
A feather flag that falls over is almost always a feather flag base problem, not a flag problem. So start at the ground: pick a base that suits the surface and the height of the flag, fix it firmly, and only then worry about the pole and the printed sleeve. The flag part takes minutes. Getting the base right is what keeps it upright through a windy Saturday, and keeps it off a passer-by’s car.
Got teardrop or crest flags instead? Same routine. Just the sleeve shape and the pole’s top section change.
Choosing a feather flag base for your ground #
You can add a base when you order the flag, and extra or replacement ones are sold on their own on the bases and spikes page. Start by looking down: what’s the flag going to stand on?
On grass or soil
- Standard Ground Spike. Goes into soft earth by hand or with a few taps. The go-to for fields, parks and lawns.
- Budget Ground Spike. A cheaper spike for the odd day out or a short run.
On tarmac, paving or indoor floors
- Large Cross Base. Flat legs spread the load, so it suits hard ground outside and hall floors inside.
- Small Square Base. A neat, low plate for smaller flags where the wind can’t get at them much.
- Small Water Base. You fill it on site for weight and empty it to carry home.
- Large Water Base. More ballast, for taller flags and exposed spots.
In car parks and on forecourts
- Drive on Car Base. A plate that goes under a parked car’s wheel, so the car’s weight holds the flag.
Match the base to the height #
Height and exposure go together: a tall flag in an open spot needs far more weight at its foot than a short one in a doorway. There are four heights to choose from:
| Height | In mm | Typical spot | Sensible feather flag base |
|---|---|---|---|
| About 8 ft 6 in | 2600 | Shop doorway, indoor event | Small square or cross base indoors; spike on grass |
| About 10 ft 6 in | 3200 | Cafe pavement area, market pitch | Cross base or water base on hard ground; spike on grass |
| About 13 ft 1 in | 4000 | Forecourt, sports field entrance | Large water base, drive-on base, or a well-driven spike |
| About 16 ft 1 in | 4900 | Open sites seen from the road | The heaviest option you can use there |
Put the tallest size on a flimsy base on a breezy forecourt and you’ll spend the afternoon chasing it down the road.
What to bring #
- Flag, pole pieces and base, all in the one bag.
- A rubber mallet if you’re driving a spike into firm soil. Never hit the spike head with a metal hammer.
- For a water base, a couple of full containers.
- A clean, dry patch to lay the flag on, and a helper for the 4 m and 4.9 m sizes.
Putting it up: seven steps #
- Fix the feather flag base. Drive a spike in vertically until only the fitting shows above the grass. Unfold a cross or plate base completely on flat ground. Fill a water base in its final position; once it’s full you won’t want to move it.
- Build the pole. Line the pieces up on the ground and push each joint fully home. The slimmest, most flexible piece belongs at the top, because that’s the bit that bends into the feather’s curve.
- Feed on the sleeve. Slide the pole tip into the stitched pocket along the flag’s edge and work the fabric down, bunching it as you go. Go gently; forcing it can split the seam at the very top.
- Seat the tip. Make sure the pole reaches the very end of its pocket. When it does, the curve fills out and the top edge looks crisp rather than wrinkled.
- Pull the bottom tight. Stretch the lower corner of the flag down and clip, hook or tie it at the base of the pole. Aim for taut fabric along the pole without forcing the top into a tight hook.
- Lift it onto the base. Stand the pole up and drop its foot into the base. Make sure it’s fully home and that the flag can spin freely if your base is designed to rotate.
- Check it like a driver would. Walk to where people will see it. It should be upright and easy to read, clear of footpaths, and nowhere near a spot where it hides oncoming traffic from someone pulling out.
Tarmac and paving
Spikes are no use on hard ground. Choose a weighted or flat base instead, or the drive-on plate when there’s a parked car to pin it. Stay clear of turning space for vehicles, and only use a drive-on plate under a car that won’t be driven off with the flag still attached.
Wind: know when to take it in #
Flags are meant to move, but every feather flag base has its limit. Bring flags in overnight and whenever strong wind is forecast; the Met Office posts weather warnings by region. A spot that has flattened a flag once will do it again: find somewhere calmer or add weight.
After rain, give the base a quick look. Soggy ground lets spikes work loose, and a water base with a tiny crack slowly drains away its ballast.
Where you’re allowed to put flags #
Flying a flag on your own land or at your own event is normally straightforward. If it can be seen from a road, though, it’s treated as an outdoor advert under England’s advertisement control regulations (2007). Plenty of flags need no application at all; if in doubt, ask the council, and get permission before putting anything on a pavement or grass verge.
Packing away #
Unclip the lower corner, lift the whole pole out, peel the sleeve off starting at the bottom, then separate the pole pieces. A damp flag should be hung until it’s properly dry before it’s rolled or folded, otherwise it’ll spot and go musty. Tip the water out of a water base before you lift it, and bag everything together so no pole piece goes missing. Storing banners covers flags as well.
Still weighing up options? Banner, roller banner or flag compares them, and the feather flags page shows every size.
Need help picking a base? #
Describe the ground and how long the flag is staying out via get a quote, and we’ll recommend a feather flag base. Timing: once the order and artwork are sorted, feather flags leave us in 6 working days on standard, 4 on express or 8 on saver.