Table Flags Guide: For Conferences, Desks and Hospitality

Table flags come in three main styles: a small 6x4in polyester flag on a black plastic pole, a 9x6in satin flag on chrome hardware, and wooden table flags in 9x6in and 18x12in sizes. Satin on chrome is the usual choice for conferences, boardrooms and formal dinners, while the polyester and wooden versions suit desks, party tables, quiz nights and decorations. Whichever style you pick, keep it the same across a room so every flag looks equal.

The three types of table flag compared

All three styles are small enough to sit on a desk or dining table, but they differ in fabric, hardware and how formal they look. The table below sets out the main differences.

Small polyester table flags

The 6x4in flag is the simplest and most affordable option. It is printed on polyester and mounted on a black plastic pole, and you can choose a black or a gold base to suit the setting. Gold tends to look smarter on a dinner table, while black is neat and understated on a desk. Because they are inexpensive, these are a good choice when you need a lot of flags at once, for example one on every table at a tournament dinner.

Satin table flags on chrome

Satin has a soft sheen that photographs well and reads as formal, which is why it is the standard at international meetings and in corporate settings. The 9x6in satin flag has a sleeve that slides over a chrome pole. The flag and the chrome hardware are sold separately, so you can buy one set of poles and bases and change the flags for each event. You can choose a standard chrome pole or a telescopic one, which lets you adjust the height. Our Union Jack satin table flag is a typical example, and the full range is in our satin table flags category.

Wooden table flags

Wooden table flags have a traditional, slightly informal feel. The standard version is a 9x6in 100% woven polyester flag on a 30 cm wooden pole with a wooden 1-hole base. The large version carries an 18x12in 100% woven polyester flag on a 60 cm pole with a large wooden base, which gives more presence on a long table or a reception counter. If you are unsure how these sizes look in practice, our guide to flag sizes explained puts them alongside our larger flags.

Where table flags are used

Conferences and summits

At international meetings the convention is one flag per delegation, placed in front of each delegate or at the head of each delegation's table. Every flag should be the same style and size, on identical poles and bases, so that no country appears more prominent than another. Satin on chrome is the usual choice here because it looks consistent and can be reused from one event to the next.

Boardrooms and receptions

Many companies keep a pair of flags on the boardroom table or at reception, often the national flag alongside the company's own flag. A company flag on a reception desk is a small touch that tells visitors they are in the right place, and it works well beside a national or county flag.

Hospitality, weddings and international dinners

Hotels, restaurants and event venues use table flags to mark tables at international dinners, to show which country each guest group comes from, or to theme a menu night. At weddings where two families come from different countries, a pair of flags on each table or on the top table is a simple way to bring both sides together. Flags can also double as table numbers or names if you assign a country to each table.

Quiz nights and tournaments

Small polyester table flags are popular for pub quizzes, with each team picking a country, and as table decorations for tournament watch parties and sports club dinners. They are cheap enough to give away at the end of the night. Browse our full table flags range for world and British designs.

How to arrange multiple table flags

When several flags share a table, a little planning avoids awkward questions. A few simple rules cover most situations:

• Keep everything the same size. Flags displayed together should ideally be the same size, on poles of the same height, so none appears more important than the others.
• Use a recognised order. In the UK, flags of other nations are normally arranged alphabetically, usually by their names in English, after any British flags.
• Put the senior flag in the place of honour. On a platform or top table, the senior flag goes on the speaker's right.

For the full order and how it applies to national, regional and company flags, see our guide to the flag order of precedence.

Bases and poles

Table flag bases and poles are sold separately from many of the flags, so you can choose hardware that suits your event and replace a flag without buying a new stand. Our table flag bases category shows the bases currently available. Check the hole size and pole type when ordering so the base matches the poles you already have.

Custom company table flags

If you want your own logo on the table, our custom company table flag is printed on satin and supplied on a chrome pole and base. It can be single-sided or double-sided. Double-sided is worth considering if the flag will be seen from both sides, for example on a meeting table with people sitting all around it. Company table flags are a common choice for reception desks, trade stands and client meetings, and they pair well with a national flag in the same style.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a table flag?

Our small table flags are 6x4in (15 x 10 cm), satin table flags are 9x6in (22.5 x 15 cm), and wooden table flags come in 9x6in on a 30 cm pole or 18x12in on a 60 cm pole.

Does the satin table flag come with a pole and base?

No. The 9x6in satin flag is sold separately from the chrome hardware. Choose a standard or telescopic chrome pole and base to go with it, and reuse the set for different flags.

Which table flags are best for a conference?

Satin flags on chrome poles are the usual choice for conferences and summits. Use the same style and size for every delegation so the display looks consistent and fair.

How should I order several national flags on a table?

A common approach is to place British flags first, then other nations alphabetically, usually by their English names. Keep all flags the same size and on poles of the same height.

Can I get a table flag with my company logo?

Yes. Our custom company table flag is printed on satin and comes on a chrome pole and base, single-sided or double-sided.

Ready to set the table? Browse our full range of table flags, from small polyester flags to satin and wooden designs.