At first thought, the techniques for hanging or displaying pennants might seem obvious, or perhaps even inconsequential or unimportant. Not so fast my friend! If you truly care about presenting the vintage gems that make up your cherished pennant collection in the best possible manner, then taking a moment to consider various alternatives is definitely worth your while.
Our customers often ask us about the best way to hang or display a felt pennant and there are many different options for doing so. Choosing the best option is often determined by the condition of your pennants. The objective is to maximize the overall effect of the display while also preserving not only the condition of the vintage pennants, but also the integrity and condition of the existing walls in the room where your pennants are displayed.
Option 1: Nail directly through the pennant and into the wall.
Originally, people who bought pennants as souvenirs from their travels or favorite schools / sports teams would hang them up using nails driven straight through the pennants and into the wall. Thus, nail holes are evident on many vintage pennants. While we personally prefer to keep our displayed pennants in as original condition as possible, if a pennant already has a nail hole (or multiple nail holes) in it, then simply securing the pennant to the wall with a hammered nail is an option for display.
However, if the pennants are closer to pristine condition (have no prior holes, tears or damages caused by previous display techniques), then it makes perfect sense to choose a display method that will preserve the pennant’s excellent condition.
Each of the remaining suggested options are aimed at preserving the condition of your pennants, balanced with minimizing any damage or detrimental effect to the integrity and condition of the wall used for mounting the pennants.
Option 2: Nails and Clips
Nail in wall → binder clip to pennant → hang binder clip on nail.
This technique is quick and easy, and the use of binder clips will enable you to display your pennants without causing any additional damage to their condition.
Photo 3: Hawaii pennant, mounted with binder clips over nails.
Option 3: Round pushpins
Insert round pushpins into wall, then secure pennants by placing them just under the edges of the pushpins.
Although this technique does require creating holes in your wall, round pushpins are apt to leave smaller holes than nails, and might just be the ticket for displaying your pennants. Plus, this technique offers the desirable bonus of avoiding damage to the pennant from additional holes. While we use the pushpins seen in the photo below, any shaped thumb tack or pushpin should work. There are plenty of options on Amazon or office supply stores.
Option 4: For a string of multiple pennants, add some twine.
Nails in wall → wire/twine around nails → binder clips attached to both the pennants and the wire/twine.
In the photo below, we used twine, but another great option for a more seamless look is clear fishing line. Since it is clear, this blends in with the background wall quite well!
Like Option 2 above, this technique again results in no further damage to the condition of the pennant. Both options, however, require the further placement of nails in your wall, but not nearly as many as if you were to nail the pennants individually to the wall.
Keep reading for an idea on how to avoid any nail holes in the wall!
Option 5: Mounting Putty & Clothespins
Mounting putty to clothespins → clothespins on pennant.
Apply mounting putty (also known as Sticky Tack or Fun-Tak) to one side of clothes pins, then push the now-sticky clothespins to the wall. Finally, clamp the pennants into the the clothespins. For those of you who perhaps aren’t already familiar with mounting putty, you’ll find this removable, reusable adhesive an ideal, versatile and safe method for displaying your pennants. All without any holes in the wall!
Photo 9: Mounting putty used and applied to clothespins.
As photo 10 shows above, smaller pennants might require only one clothes pin, while larger pennants would require multiple clothes pins to ensure the pennant is displayed at the desired position and angle.
The wonderful thing about this option is you’ve created an attractive display without adding any holes to your pennants or creating any holes in the wall itself.
If you don’t mind including the clothes pins as part of your display, this option represents the ‘least invasive’ technique and therefore might be the best choice for preserving the condition and integrity of your pennants and your walls.
Option 6: Frames
Framing your pennants offers a number of desirable benefits: the frames themselves can accentuate a chosen color scheme or style unique to your display. The choice of frame colors and styles and the use of mattes within the frames can also brighten and give a pop to your pennant display.
Often the process of framing the pennants immediately adds an element of fanciness, class and pizzazz to the overall effect of your pennant collection. After all, the pennants that make up your personal collection undoubtedly reflect your most passionate interests and loyalties, so why not present the pennants in the most elegant manner possible?
In addition to choosing whichever one (or more) of these suggested techniques works best for hanging or displaying your vintage pennant collection, you might elect to arrange the pennants in a unique and creative pattern. The example shown here uses the juxtaposition of the pennants to create an attractive circular or ‘pinwheel’ effect.
Be Creative and Have Fun!
We hope that these suggested techniques for hanging or displaying your pennants have opened your mind to a whole new world of possibilities for ultimately creating a fantastic showcase for your pennant collection. Regardless of the options you choose, a carefully planned, meticulously prepared pennant display can mean the difference between your visitors merely glancing at your collection, or actually stopping in their tracks and being mesmerized by its sheer awesomeness!