Our township doesn't have a flag. How can we create one?

It's never too late to create a flag if your township or MTA county chapter doesn't have one. The information below will help you get started. In addition, a listing of 2009 Parade of Flags participants can be found here. You may wish to contact officials from those townships for advice. You can find contact information by searching for a particular township here, or use your Michigan Township Officials Directory.

What size should the flag be?

The standard flag size is 3-by-5 feet. However, some townships have banners that work well. Township flag designs cover a wide range of subjects.

What should be on the flag?

Michigan townships have designed flags with township logos, farms, sheep, bears, Great Lakes freighters and even buzz-saw blades. The flags commonly include the township name, its incorporation date, and a motto or the county name. Choose a design that represents what is unique or outstanding about your township.

You may consider holding a flag design contest for local schoolchildren, as many townships have done. Just remember to limit the number of colors allowed in the contest. The more colors you have in a design, the more expensive the flag may be to produce.

What's the best way to make a flag?

There's no one right way to make your flag. Is someone in your township talented in sewing or another craft? Some townships have produced hand-sewn or hand-painted flags. In some cases, townships produce their first flag by hand and then have additional flags made commercially, particularly for outdoor use.

There are two common commercial methods for making flags: appliquéd and screen-printed. Appliquéd flags are sewn together and may include embroidery. Screen-printed flags are printed with inks or dyes. The method you choose may depend on how many flags you plan to make, whether the flag will be used indoors or outdoors, and how complex the design is. If you want a single flag for use in the township hall and the Parade of Flags, an appliquéd flag may be the best choice. If your township wants several flags to use indoors and outdoors, screen-printing may be more economical.

How long does it take to make a flag?

The production method you choose and the complexity of your flag=s design will dictate the amount of time needed to produce a flag. On average, you should allow one to two months for the actual production.

What's the average cost of a flag?

The price of a custom flag varies according to the production method, the design complexity and the number of flags you order. The township may wish to ask several flag companies for an estimate, based on your design. Flag accessories often come in sets that include a flag pole, base, tassel and an eagle for the top of the pole.

For more information on MTA=s Parade of Flags, contact MTA Communications Specialist Jenn Fiedler.