Header & Grommets vs Pole Sleeve: Which Hoist Is Right For You?
Choosing your custom flag
Every custom flag has to hang from something. On every product page, the Grommets & Hoist option lets you choose how: a reinforced header with brass grommets (on the hoist side, the top side, or in all four corners), or a sewn pole sleeve. Here is how each works and how to pick.
All flag types & sizesFull FAQ
The short version
| Header & grommets | Pole sleeve | |
|---|---|---|
| How it attaches | Zip tie, cord, clip or hook through metal rings | Pole slides through a sewn pocket |
| Hardware | Brass grommets, 3/8 in (0.95 cm) across | Sleeve made for a 1 in (2.54 cm) pole |
| Options | Two grommets (hoist side or top side), or four (one per corner) | Hoist side or top side |
| Best for | Flagpoles, walls, car hoods and anywhere you hang or stretch a flag | Flags carried or flown on a pole: parades, marches and conventions |
| Hoist colour | White by default, or any colour you choose in the flag maker | White by default, or any colour you choose in the flag maker |
| Can you combine them? | No: the sleeve replaces the grommets. Choose one per flag. | |
Header & grommets
The classic. The edge of the flag, the hoist, is a strip of folded, double-layered fabric stitched in several rows to strengthen it. Brass grommets are set through that band. A flag with grommets is usually attached to a pole with a simple zip tie or cord; leaving a little slack lets the flag flutter in the wind.
Where do the grommets go?
All grommets are 3/8 in (0.95 cm) across. You can choose:
- 2 grommets, hoist side: the traditional setup, with one grommet at each end of the hoist. It works with standard flagpoles and hoisting systems.
- 2 grommets, top side: two grommets along the top edge of the flag.
- 4 grommets, one in each corner: for flags that are displayed rather than flown.
If the flag will be displayed, a top-side or four-corner layout lets you span a flag across a car hood or other gap using binders, or hang it flat on a wall.
Good to know
- Works with standard flagpoles and with cord or zip ties.
- Easy to take down and swap for another flag.
- You choose where the fixing points sit.
Keep in mind
- You need something to attach to: zip ties, cord, clips or hooks.
- Tied on with some slack, the flag will flutter and move in the wind.
Pole sleeve
A pole sleeve is a simple sleeved hoist: a pocket sewn along one edge of the flag, so you slide a pole into the fabric. There are no metal fittings at all. Our sleeve is made for a pole with a diameter of 1 inch (2.54 cm), and it is perfect for carrying a flag in a parade, march or convention.
Hoist side or top side
The sleeve can go on the hoist side, for a flag on an upright pole, or along the top side, for a flag that hangs from a horizontal pole.
Good to know
- No hardware to clip, tie or rattle.
- Ideal for carrying a flag on a pole.
- Works well for poles and brackets made for a sleeve.
Keep in mind
- Your pole must go through the sleeve, so check its diameter first: 1 in (2.54 cm).
- It is less ideal than grommets for hanging a flag on a wall.
- It replaces the grommets, so you cannot add them too.
White or printed hoist?
Traditional flag hoists are white, a nod to the cotton-sewn flags of old. Because our flags are digitally printed, the hoist can also be made in any colour you like. Add the colour in the section marked Hoist inside our flag maker app. This works for both grommet hoists and pole sleeves.
Which one should I choose?
- You will fly the flag on a standard flagpole: choose 2 grommets, hoist side.
- You want to hang a flag along a top edge, or span it across a gap: choose 2 grommets, top side, or four corners.
- You will display the flag flat, on a wall or a surface: choose four grommets, one in each corner.
- You will carry the flag at a parade, march or convention: choose a pole sleeve on the hoist side.
- You have a horizontal pole that takes a 1 in sleeve: choose a pole sleeve on the top side.
- Not sure: measure your pole across, note how you will use the flag, and ask us. We will check it with you before anything is printed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between grommets and a pole sleeve?
Grommets are brass rings set into a reinforced hoist, and you attach the flag through them with a zip tie, cord or clip. A pole sleeve is a sewn pocket that the pole slides through. The sleeve replaces the grommets.
What size are the grommets?
3/8 in (0.95 cm) in diameter. You can choose two grommets on the hoist side, two grommets on the top side, or four grommets, one in each corner.
What pole size does the pole sleeve fit?
The sleeve is made for a 1 in (2.54 cm) pole. Measure your pole across before you order. For full dimensions, see our size guide.
Can the grommets or the pole sleeve go on the top of the flag?
Yes. Both can be placed on the hoist side or along the top side.
Can I have grommets and a pole sleeve on the same flag?
No. A pole sleeve takes the place of the grommets, so you pick one for each flag.
Can the hoist be a different colour?
Yes. Hoists are white by default, and you can choose another colour in the Hoist section of the flag maker.
Which option is best for carrying a flag in a parade?
A pole sleeve. You slide a pole into the fabric, so there is nothing to tie on.
Does the choice change what the design looks like?
The flag is the same size and the artwork is the same. The hoist or sleeve sits at the edge, and our team checks the placement before printing.
I am not sure what my pole needs. Who can help?
Send us a photo of your pole or bracket and tell us what you are hanging the flag on. Our team will tell you which option fits. You can reach us through our FAQ page.
Ready to design your flag?
Start with the flag maker, or let our team design it for you. The hoist and grommet options are part of the product options you choose along the way.