| Free from AI ~ This article is written by Tara Collette (human). |
Handmade Banners for Brands & Self-employment
In this blog post, I’ll talk all things custom banners for brands, margaritas and self-employed hustles. If you’re new here, I’m Tara Collette, a full-time banner maker in Manchester. I create handmade fabric banners for all kinds of brands, companies, small businesses and weddings from my cosy textile studio, which is situated inside a Grade II listed cotton mill.
More often than not, I spend my days working on client commissions, which typically range from around 10-15 custom wedding banners per month and 5-10 banners for companies, creative agencies and small businesses.
However, when I caught wind of my favourite cocktail brand, MOTH Cocktails, opening a brand pop-up event in Manchester’s Northern Quarter for two days only, I knew it wasn’t an opportunity to be missed. I had a vision of what the banner would look like and how it would be a strong portfolio piece to showcase my branded signage.
The Inspiration: MOTH Margaritas
Somewhere in the depths of Peterborough, in the late summer of 2024, I purchased my first ever MOTH Cocktails from a Dobbies Garden Centre along with a few reduced, sad-looking plants (no longer with us). Over a barbecue, we thoroughly enjoyed the MOTH Margarita and Negroni. The rest is history.
MOTH’s Brand Identity
Not only do I love their cocktails, but I am also heart-eyed for their visual brand identity. As someone who studied graphic design, I can appreciate how vibrant and bold their packaging design is - they totally stand out (especially on a crowded shelf in a Dobbies Waitrose).
MOTH’s branding is created by Pentagram, and they’ve smashed the whole vibe: playful, vibrant, cheeky, classy and straight to the point. It was only when I was creating the banner that I realised the ingredient list on the cans contains playful little verbs, for example, “DANCE” in the Margarita one, “TALK FOREVER” on the Negroni.
As well as great branding, their social media marketing is well curated too, from dreamy photographs to community-engaging content, they do a fab job at bringing the brand to life. They’ve created a strong brand storytelling strategy with their bold colours and clever copy.
The Creative Process
Inspired by Fellow Creatives
Two days before MOTH opened their Manchester pop-up store, I discussed my banner idea with fellow creatives Callum Dawes (Prest.works) and Ian Morris (Illustrator) over a pizza at the new restaurant Forbici in Manchester. It was with their encouragement that, the next morning, I hurried out first thing to my local fabric store in search of a shiny, can-like fabric.
Photo: Ian Morris (Illustrator, left) and Callum Dawes (Prest.works, right)
Designing a Custom-Branded Banner
Like a kid in a candy store, I found the most perfect metallic silver fabric, which would resemble the silver of the can well and the rest of the materials I already had left over from other projects (we love a sustainable queen).
Using Adobe Illustrator, I designed a scaled-up version of the MOTH Margarita can to create the fabric banner and printed it over six A3 pages. Usually, this would be done slightly more professionally and sent to print at a local print company. But I was against the clock, wanting to create this banner in time for the Manchester brand pop-up store opening.
I cut out each panel and arranged them into each other to create the can base. After 8 years of banner making, I caught myself being impressed at how it all comes together in my head before conception.
I took creating this banner for myself as an opportunity to do something different from my usual banner style. The banner would be the shape of a MOTH tin, and I would tackle bias binding to hide the rough fabric edges (something that I hadn’t used since 2017).
This would allow me to showcase my skills in creating custom fabric signage for brands and events - a slightly different approach from my usual custom wedding banners.
Cut and Stitched, Never Printed
Now, if you follow me on Instagram, you'll know my mantra: cut and stitched, never printed. All my banners are made entirely by hand, with no digital printing involved.
I pride myself in creating bespoke fabric banners from scratch in my studio, from cutting the base, the letters, laying it all out and stitching it down. I have perfected my banner-making process over 8 years, which originally stemmed from a love of traditional handmade crafts.
Visiting MOTH’s Manchester Pop-Up
On the first day of the Manchester pop-up, myself and Michelle (In Frame Studio) made our way over in the 29-degree heat to Manchester’s Northern Quarter, keen for a cocktail and banner in tow.
MOTH transformed a vacant store with their signature experiential marketing setup: stocked fridges, bold posters, DJ sets, free samples, and even a partnership with Badabing next door for discounted sandwiches.
I met their social media manager, Eloise, who had messaged me a few days earlier on Instagram in response to the MOTH banner reel. It was amazing to meet the team and show them my work in person; the response from them all was so exciting and positive.
Banner Perks: Cocktail supply!
After sharing the project online, MOTH generously sent me a huge supply of cocktails and merch to my studio - my first ever instance of a brand reaching out in response to my creative work, which made it all super exciting.
The Finished Piece
The final banner is 60cm x 100cm - combining cotton canvas, cotton, and shiny metallic fabric, which I found in a fabric basket labelled “mixed fancy” (giving Mr.Kipling).
The banner now hangs proudly in my studio for clients to see, acting as a perfect example of my custom banners for brands, bars, hospitality venues and experiential marketing events that I am able to create.
Why I Created This Branded Banner
Creating the banner for MOTH was the perfect opportunity for me to showcase the different kinds of bespoke branded banners I can create, for a brand I truly love. It isn’t often that I get the time to make something just for the fun of it, for myself.
I thoroughly enjoyed having the chance to explore skills that aren’t often used in commissions, and I’m keen to share the photographs far and wide in the hope that, one day, a brand may commission me to create similar. Or, even better, MOTH may commission me to create custom banners for alllll the cocktails they have (absolute goals).
The Small Business Hustle
I’m often asked how I get commissioned work and how I’ve managed to sustain a full-time creative career for so many years. My answer is always the same: promote yourself, relentlessly - and then promote some more.
My goal was to attract the attention of brands, creative agencies, bars, breweries, and restaurants (hospitality venues) via social media that might see the potential in partnering with me in the future.
Self-Initiated Projects
This banner wasn’t a paid commission; it was entirely self-initiated. I had the time, the resources, and a specific strategic purpose, which was to invest in my creative business portfolio to hold attention and generate future paid collaboration opportunities. I saw this opportunity as an investment in my business, rather than uncompensated labour.
Currently open for commissions
I am currently open to commissions and eager to make more handmade banners for brands, events, hospitality venues, retail displays and creative marketing campaigns.
If you’re a brand, bar, restaurant, venue or event organiser looking for creative, bold and unique signage, then drop me a message today. Let’s bring your ideas to life!
