Horse Facts

Flag Cases – Why Won’t My Flag Fit?

One of the most frustrating experiences an online consumer can have is purchasing a product only to realize when it arrives that it’s the wrong size. We’ve all been there. Sometimes it’s my fault as the consumer by ordering the wrong size and sometimes it’s the company’s fault by sending the wrong size.

The flag case industry is no different. There is a fair share of confusing flag case advertisements out there for sure, but for the most part, those of us in this line of work are very passionate about our quality, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction.

Here are some pointers to make sure you have the best chance of getting a display case that is the perfect fit for your flag.

1) Determine what size of flag you have. There are 3 standard unfolded flag sizes available for which display cases are usually designed.

3×5 foot flag: The most popular size, it is the flag flown by most home-owners and is the size usually presented to retiring military personnel. It is also the size many carry or fly while on combat missions or at bases around the world which are later presented with an accompanying certificate.

4×6 foot flag: Not as popular as the 3×5. It is flown when a flag larger than a 3×5 is desired.

5×9-1/2 foot flag: Often referred to as a burial or memorial flag. It is placed over the coffin of a veteran at his/her funeral and presented to the next of kin.

2) Make sure your flag is folded properly. Flag cases are designed around properly folded flags. See www.usflag.org for proper instructions.

3) Take measurements of your folded flag. A folded flag is a right triangle with a long side and 2 identical shorter sides. Measure and write down the length of the long side and one of the short sides as well as the uncompressed thickness of the flag. Also, measure the length of the flag when sitting on it’s long side (from the middle of the long side to the point where the two shorter sides meet).

4) Compare your measurements to the flag case’s internal dimensions in the company’s product description. All reputable display case manufacturers publish their internal display case dimensions so you can verify a proper fit. To fit properly, your flag dimensions should be close to these dimensions. If your flag is slightly smaller or larger, don’t worry. It will compress to fit or you can loosen the fold if it is a little smaller. If there is an obvious difference in size, email or call the company and ask for help.

It is important that you compare your actual flag to the flag case you are buying. Just because you may have a 3×5 flag and the case says it houses a 3×5 flag is not a guarantee it will fit. No matter what they say, a manufacturer cannot design a case to fit every flag of a particular size. There are too many variables such as flag material (nylon, light cotton, heavy cotton, etc.) or the technique used to fold the flag. If a manufacturer says their case is designed to accommodate every variation, that simply means it is designed to house the largest flag variation. This means if you happen to have the smallest variation, it will be obviously too small for the display case.

Companies design their flag cases to fit the most variations possible. Shop with this in mind. Compare your flag to their case for best fit. If in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask for help from the company. If you like their case style but you determine your flag will not fit properly, ask if they can customize their case for your flag. Many companies will and some will do it with little or no mark-up (except for extra material costs). Happy shopping!

About the Author

Jeff Bartelt is co-owner of Classical Hardwood Design, which designs and manufactures flag, award, and collectible display cases. Visit their site at www.flagcase-solutions.com.

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