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Branded marquee buyer's guide: frames, sizes and printed walls
Published
Quick answer
Buy the frame grade for how often the marquee will go up. If it will be used at event after event, choose a commercial aluminium frame with a dye-sublimation printed canopy, and add printed walls where your brand needs to be seen at eye level. Our Gazebo 2 Go event marquees come in 3m x 3m and 3m x 6m, with full-height and half-height walls. The price includes the frame, a printed canopy and a carry bag.
What to look for when buying a branded marquee
Most pop-up marquees look alike when they're standing in a showroom. The differences show up after a season of setting up and packing down. Before you compare prices, check four things:
- The frame. What it's made of, how heavy it is, and how it locks.
- The fabric and print. The denier rating, the coating, and how the graphic is applied.
- The size. The footprint, and the head clearance under the canopy edge.
- The add-ons. Walls, weights, gutters and a bag that will survive the van.
The sections below work through each one, using the specifications of our own commercial marquee as the reference point.
Commercial vs light-duty marquee frames
Light-duty gazebos are made for occasional use. A marquee used by a brand team, field marketing crew or roadshow goes up and comes down many times a year, often on uneven ground and in wind. That's where the frame grade matters.
| What to check | Commercial grade (what to look for) | Why it matters for events |
|---|---|---|
| Frame material | Aluminium | Light enough to carry, and it won't rust after a wet event |
| Assembly | Folding frame, no tools, canopy stays attached | Faster setup with fewer loose parts to lose |
| Fabric | High-denier polyester, coated, fire retardant | Holds up to repeated sun exposure and handling |
| Print method | Dye sublimation | The ink goes into the fabric, so it won't scratch or peel off |
| Warranty | Written warranty on the frame | Shows the supplier expects it to be used commercially |
Our Gazebo 2 Go frame is aluminium throughout. It's light to move but strong, and it won't rust once it gets wet. The frame folds out with the canopy already fitted, so a crew can stand it up in under 2 minutes without tools. Walls then attach with the supplied zips and industrial-strength velcro straps. The non-graphic components carry a 1-year warranty for the original owner, which excludes misuse and normal wear and tear.
Marquee sizes: 3m x 3m and 3m x 6m
Size the marquee to the activity underneath it, not only to your site allocation. A 3m x 3m suits a single sampling or registration table. If you need room for product display, seating or a queue as well, look at the 3m x 6m. Both sizes have the same height, so they line up neatly when placed side by side.
| Size | Floor area | Ground to peak | Head clearance | Frame weight | Roof weight | Packed frame size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0m x 3.0m | 9m² | 3,450mm | 2,150mm | 23kg | 5kg | 1,590 x 250 x 240mm |
| 3.0m x 6.0m | 18m² | 3,450mm | 2,150mm | 33kg | 10kg | 1,590 x 440 x 250mm |
A few points for planning:
- Head clearance is the height under the canopy edge. At 2,150mm, it clears most people, but check it if you plan to hang signage or lighting from the frame.
- Handling weight. The 3m x 6m frame and roof together weigh 43kg, so send two people to set it up and to load the van.
- Ordering. The 3m x 3m and 3m x 6m can be ordered online.
If you're unsure, email us the measurements of your spot and a photo of it. We'll recommend a size that still leaves your team room to work.
Canopy and wall print options
The canopy makes your brand visible from a distance. The walls put it at eye level, which is where most people are looking when they walk past. The current options are:
| Element | What it does | |
|---|---|---|
| Canopy (roof and valance) | Identifies your site from across a crowd or a car park | Full colour, included in the price |
| Full-height wall | Back wall or side wall, creates a backdrop and blocks wind | Full colour, optional |
| Half-height wall | Defines the space but keeps the front open and inviting | Full colour, optional |
Graphics are dye-sublimation printed onto close-mesh 600 denier polyester. The fabric is water resistant and fire retardant, and it's rated UPF 50+, with test results of 99.84 to 99.97% UV block-out. Because the ink goes into the fabric rather than sitting on top, the print stays bright and won't scratch off.
One frame can carry several canopies. If you run campaigns for several brands or sponsors, a set of printed canopies on one plain frame costs less to store and transport than several complete marquees.
Weights, pegs and wind
A marquee is a sail, and a loose one is a hazard. Treat weighting as essential at any public event. Councils and organisers can set their own requirements.
- Use weights on hard ground. Accessories include weighted steel base plates (7kg each) and sand bags (7kg each when filled). Add up the weight on each leg and check it against the event's rule. Pegs need soft ground, and some parks don't allow them.
- Check the event's rule before you pack. Requirements vary. Clarence City Council (Tasmania), for example, says marquees and gazebos must be anchored as the manufacturer recommends. Where anchoring isn't available, it requires "appropriate weights of 25kgs on each leg" for small gazebos, and larger weights for larger ones. It also bans metal pegs in parks because of irrigation lines.
- Take it down in high winds. The same council says that "in high winds these structures need to be taken down". Plan for this and agree who makes the call on the day.
- Permits. In some public places, putting up a marquee triggers a permit. City of Melbourne, for example, requires an event permit if you "plan to erect infrastructure, such as a marquee". Check with the council or venue for each site.
Add rain gutters if marquees will stand side by side in wet weather, so water runs off between the roofs instead of onto your stock.
Carry bags, storage and lifespan
With the canopy still attached, the frame folds down and zips into a heavy-duty carry bag with handles, which is included in the price. Both sizes pack to the same 1,590mm length, so plan for that when you're loading a van or a storage shelf.
To keep a printed marquee in good condition for years:
- Dry the canopy and walls fully before long-term storage.
- Store the walls folded, separately from the frame, so the hardware can't rub through the print.
- Check the joints and velcro after each event, and replace a worn part before it fails on site.
Ordering artwork for a printed marquee
Each size has its own templates for the canopy, the full-height wall and the half-height wall, so your designer can see where the panels and seams sit. Before you send files, check them against our artwork specifications:
- PDF is the preferred format. Print-ready artwork in other file types attracts a $75 conversion fee (ex GST).
- Set up artwork in CMYK, with fonts outlined or embedded.
- Follow the bleed in the template. Where the template doesn't specify one, allow 10mm.
You can also send a brief, and our in-house design team will quote to prepare print-ready artwork for you.
Lead time and price
Standard production is 2 weeks from order confirmation and print-ready artwork. Allow extra time for freight, which depends on the delivery postcode. The Gazebo 2 Go event marquees start from $1,795 excluding GST and freight. That price includes the aluminium frame, a custom printed canopy and the carry bag. Walls, weights and gutters are extra.
Next step
Compare the range on our branded marquees and gazebos page, or see how marquees work with flags and inflatables in our outdoor displays range and our outdoor events work. Then send us your event date, size and artwork through the enquiry form, or call 1300 240 250.