Flag FAQ

What does a FMAA Certified flag mean?

The FMAA Certification seal is your assurance that this product was made in the USA using domestic materials and that all processes in every step of the US flag’s manufacture were completed in USA facilities with USA labor.

Are all the flags you sell made in the USA?

All of the American, State, Armed Forces, International, and Religious flags and all of our patriotic decorations are made in the USA with materials that are domestic in origin. Some of our Special Interest products such as the Officially Licensed sports team flags are imported. Unless it is noted on the catalog page on which they are sold, the flags are made in the USA.

How are your flags made?

We manufacture our flags using the best methods of 21st century technology. US flags are manufactured with advanced stand-up sewing production techniques; state, international, and custom flags are digitally printed and screen-dyed to exact official color specifications; our in-house research and testing laboratories, together with the art department, are constantly monitoring dye formulas to ensure color accuracy.

What is the significance of the fringe on US flags and other flags?

There is no significance to fringe on a flag. It is purely decorative.

Should the US Flag always be folded in a triangle?

Folding the US Flag in a triangle shape bestows honor and respect upon the flag. There are many traditional flag folding ceremonies that conclude by folding the flag into a triangle shape, however there is no official or “correct” ceremony. The Flag Code of the United States mentions that the US Flag should be handled with respect but does not mandate folding the flag into any particular shape.

What is the proper order in which to display the Armed Forces flags?

When the flags of the five services are displayed together, protocol requires that they appear (from the standpoint of an observer facing them) arranged from left to right in the following order: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

What is the proper order in which to display the State flags?

State flags should be displayed from left to right in the order that the states were admitted into the union, followed by the territories in the order that they became territories.

What are the annual flag holidays?

You can fly a flag any day you want, of course, but there are designated “flag holidays” throughout the year, when people are further encouraged to fly the flag. They are, in order from January to December:

New Year’s Day: January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: 3rd Monday in January
Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday: February 12
George Washington’s Birthday: February 18
President’s Day: 3rd Monday in February
Easter Sunday: 1st Sunday after the 1st Full Moon after March 21st
Mother’s Day: 2nd Sunday in May
Armed Forces Day: 3rd Saturday in May
Memorial Day: Last Monday in May (half-staff until noon, then raised to full-staff)
Flag Day/Flag Week: June 14th (and the entire week in which it falls)
Father’s Day: 3rd Sunday in June
Independence Day: July 4th
Labor Day: 1st Monday in September
Patriot Day: September 11 (should be flown at half-staff)
Constitution Day: September 17th
National POW/MIA Recognition Day: 3rd Friday in September
Columbus Day: 2nd Monday in October
Navy Day: October 27th
Veteran’s Day: November 11th
Thanksgiving Day: 4th Thursday in November
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: December 7th
Christmas Day: December 25th

How can I choose a fabric?

We generally stock Nyl-Glo and Tough-Tex in a variety of sizes and can order whatever you need. Other fabric options include:

Nyl-Glo® - Nyl-Glo is the most popular choice for commercial or home use. It features sewn stripes and embroidered stars. A good all-weather flag, it flies in the lightest breeze. Available in sizes 12 X 18 in - 20 X 38 ft and comes with a One-Year Colorfast Guarantee.

Tough-Tex® - This flag is extremely durable and is best for high-wind areas and large sized flags flown daily. Tough –Tex is ideal for commercial or institutional use. Available in sizes 3x5 ft. - 20 x 38 ft., and carries a One-Year Colorfast Guarantee.

Signature® - Annin’s Signature flag is extra-large, ultra- bright embroidered stars and the attractive presentation packaging. Available in sizes 21/2 x4 ft., 3x5 ft. and 4x6 ft. Signature flags make a great gift and carry a One-Year Colorfast Guarantee.

Sun-Glo® - This less expensive brand has an all-dyed U.S. flag design. It is suitable for commercial or residential use. The stars glow bright white when flying in the sun. Sun-Glo American flags are available in sizes 8x12 in. - 4x6 ft.

Heavyweight Cotton - 100% domestic cotton gives this classic flag a traditional look and feel. The stripes are sewn on and the stars are embroidered. Available in sizes 2x3 ft. - 8x12 ft., these cotton bunting flags are popular with owners of Colonial and Georgian style homes.

Lightweight Cotton Sheeting - Constructed with sewn stripes and a dyed star field. Made from 100% domestic cotton, this flag has good color fastness and is designed for the homeowner who displays his or her flag seasonally. It is available in 3x5 ft. size only.

Poly-Cotton - The flag design is all dyed and the base fabric is the same 70% polyester and 30% cotton blend that Annin uses to make many of its patriotic decorations and bunting. It has the look and feel of cotton and is suitable for seasonal, residential use. This flag has good color fastness.

What size flag do I need?

For Indoor Display or Parades: 3ft. x 5ft. or 4ft. x 6ft. flags
Military & Color Guards: 3ft. x 5ft. or 41/3ft. x 51/2ft. flags
Angled Home Flagpoles: 3ft. x 5ft. flags for 6ft. poles or 4ft. x 6ft. flags for 8ft. poles on larger homes

What size flag should I use for an outdoor flagpole?

Flags for outdoor flagpoles vary depending on the height of the pole. The length of the flag should be from one - quarter to one - third the height of the flagpole. See the chart below for appropriate flagpole and flag size combinations.

20' = 3' x 5'
25' = 4' x 6'
30' = 5' x 8'
35' = 6' x 10'
40' = 8' x 12'