Price of a flag in France: what makes it vary

The price of a flag varies widely, from a small façade flag to a company’s large logo flag. This guide gives no amounts, as they differ between suppliers and change quickly. It looks at what makes the price of a flag vary, the choices involved and consumer rights in France.

What makes the price of a flag vary

Size

Size has the biggest influence on the price. A 200 × 300 cm flag contains four times as much fabric as a 100 × 150 cm flag. The size that suits a pole or a staff is covered in the guide to flag sizes.

Fabric

Most outdoor flags are made of polyester. According to the flag maker Doublet, 110 g/m² knitted fabric is the market standard, with good weather resistance, while 150 g/m² high-strength fabric, woven warp and weft, is designed for windy areas and the seaside and generally costs more. Indoor and ceremonial flags are made of a finer and heavier fabric, often edged with gold fringes or embroidered, which raises the price.

Printing or embroidery

A standard tricolour or European flag is printed in large runs and is generally cheaper than a custom flag. For a logo flag, the number of colours, the printing technique (show-through printing, transfer), double-sided printing and the quantity all affect the price. Embroidered or sewn flags, such as those of veterans’ associations, are in another price range.

Finish and fixing

A reinforced hem on the fly side, a sleeve with a cord, snap hooks or eyelets, a pocket for a vertical banner, or a covered staff with a gilt point for a façade flag all add to the price. The type of fixing depends on the pole or bracket. More on this is in the guide to flagpole accessories.

Quantity and order format

Town halls, schools and businesses often order sets: a tricolour and a European flag of the same size, or several logo flags. The unit price generally falls with quantity, while a non-standard size or a short lead time raises it.

Price and lifespan

A flag flown all the time wears out. According to Doublet, knitted fabric lasts 3 to 6 months outdoors on average, high-strength fabric 6 to 15 months, depending on exposure to wind, rain and sun. A cheap flag can thus cost more over the years than a dearer one that lasts longer. The Ministry of the Interior’s guide also states that the flag must always be in a condition that matches the respect due to it, which leads town halls to replace it regularly. More on this is in the guide to flagpole maintenance.

Rights when buying

• Legal guarantee of conformity: under article L. 217-3 of the Consumer Code, a business seller is liable for lack of conformity that appears within two years of delivery. Under article L. 217-7, a defect that appears within 24 months is presumed to have existed at delivery unless proven otherwise; for second-hand goods, the period is 12 months.
• Guarantee against hidden defects: under article 1641 of the Civil Code, the seller is liable for hidden defects in the item sold. Under article 1648, the claim is brought within two years of discovering the defect.
• Right of withdrawal: for a distance purchase, for example from an online shop, the consumer has 14 days to withdraw without giving a reason (article L. 221-18). Under article L. 221-28, this right does not apply to goods made to the consumer’s specifications or clearly personalised: a flag with a custom logo or design is usually among them.

These rights apply to consumers. A business, association or municipality buying flags falls under general contract law, public procurement law for local authorities, and the supplier’s terms.

Where flags are sold

In France, flags are sold by specialist makers and suppliers, who also equip town halls, by DIY stores, online shops and, during major sporting events, by supermarkets. For ceremonial and association flags, many turn to a maker able to embroider the inscriptions and emblems.

The guide to the price of a flagpole covers the pole.