STEP 1 – Image processing
First, we’ll process your file so that it’s the right size and conforms to our production requirements. A mock-up will be e-mailed to you for final approval.

STEP 2 – Printing
Once we’ve received your approval, we’ll print your file on the chosen fabric.

STEP 3 – Fixing the dyes
The dyes used for printing must be steam-fixed so that they take on their full strength and the chosen colors are vibrant.

STEP 4 – Wash
The fabric must be washed to remove any excess dye that has not set in the fiber. It is then dried and pressed.

STEP 5 – Cutting and sewing
The fabric used is larger than the finished flag. You’ll need to cut off the excess fabric and sew the flag to your specifications.

STEP 6 – Packaging
The flag is individually wrapped in a plastic bag.

The standard determines the most appropriate printing technique according to the quantity of parts to be printed and the image quality required by its customers:

Digital printing is recommended for printing small quantities of simple or complex visuals with excellent image quality.
Screen printing is most often used to print a simple visual in large quantities.
Textile sublimation is a thermal ink transfer technique on polyester fabric.
Using a digital printer, the logo is reproduced on transfer paper. With the help of a press and the effect of heat and pressure, the ink gasifies and penetrates the polyester fabric. Sublimation enables images of all kinds to be printed with precision and brilliance. Flame-retardant fabrics are numerous and offer many possibilities to meet customer requirements.
Products offered: tablecloth, satin banner, promotional tent, etc.

The inks used by L’étendard to print on nylon or polyester penetrate the fabric. The result is a legible print on one side and a mirror effect on the other.

The only way to solve this problem is to put two pieces of printed fabric back to back and add an opaque fabric between them.

Although this practice is sometimes used, L’étendard believes that it is not really advantageous, because not only is it more expensive, but it also makes the flag heavier, thus reducing its lifespan.

Our software:
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe InDesign

Our drives:
USB key, memory card
CD / DVD

(By Email, WeTransfer or FTP)

Adobe Illustrator:
Create a vector file.
Save all files in .eps or .ai format.
The file must contain all Pantone colors.
Convert all fonts to curves (create outlines) or supply fonts included in the document.

Adobe Photoshop:
All images must be at the correct resolution, i.e. 120 dpi at full size.
Preferably, don’t flatten the image, to preserve the image levels (layers).
Provide a color proof and the Pantone colors involved.
It is important to submit files with the correct proportions.
The files can be compressed with Stuffit or WinZip for easy transmission over the Internet.

The polyester thread used by L’étendard to sew flags and other related products is a preshrunk, ultraviolet-resistant yarn. Colored threads are sometimes used to make the seam less visible and give the product a flawless finish.

L’étendard works tirelessly to ensure the durability of its flags and related product lines.

In this respect, the sewing techniques used are crucial. That’s why, for several years now, L’étendard’s specialists have been busy experimenting, developing and testing those that will give the best results.

To manufacture the flags, L’étendard uses ultraviolet-resistant dyes. These highly specialized colorants require special expertise to achieve impeccable results and rich, brilliant colors.

Acid dyes are used for nylon and disperse dyes for polyester. They are fixed with steam to achieve perfect penetration, and a wash is necessary to remove excess colorant.

To manufacture the flags (and certain other derivative products), L’étendard uses a nylon with last titrations of 70, 200 and 210. Some are therefore silkier, heavier or thicker.

The Canadian government and the provinces use 70-denier nylon, which is particularly silky and light, while the USA opts for 200-denier nylon, which is heavier and more resistant, but requires more wind to float it.

The denier is a unit used to measure the weight in grams of a wire over a length of 9,000 m (± 29,529 ft’). For example, 20 denier means that 9,000 m of thread weigh 20 g (± 0.70 oz).

Public institutions must fly their flags at half-mast when the government declares national mourning. The flag is lowered to half-mast.

The regulations governing the Quebec flag stipulate that the Executive Council decides on half-masting.

The durability of flags manufactured by L’étendard is a constant preoccupation that translates into research and mastery of the latest technologies and innovative materials.

Environmental factors and the intended use of the flag play a decisive role in determining its lifespan.

As a general rule, L’étendard estimates that a flag exposed to normal conditions and handled properly will begin to show its first signs of deterioration after five to six months of use. These signs will become more pronounced over weeks or months.