Buying a Navy flag for a veteran, a home flagpole, or an October 13 celebration starts with one question: which design do you want? This guide separates those choices and gives you direct links to the relevant listings.
Navy Flag Buying Guide.
1. Choose the artwork: ship, eagle/emblem, or round seal
Official Navy service flag: the blue design with the ship scene and a separate UNITED STATES NAVY scroll. President Eisenhower established the modern flag in 1959. Some customers describe the ship illustration as a “cartoon,” but it belongs to the official service design.
Navy eagle/emblem flag: a different commercial design that some longtime Navy customers specifically request. If the buyer says “the one without the ship,” compare the photograph before ordering. Veteran preferences vary.
Round-seal flag: displays a circular Navy seal design. It is another option, not a synonym for the eagle/emblem flag. Product names sometimes use “seal” loosely. The photo is the best starting point for matching the design; an “official” design description does not establish government procurement approval for a particular commercial flag.
2. Single reverse versus double-sided
| Construction | What you see | When to consider it |
|---|---|---|
| Single reverse (S/R) | Artwork shows through the fabric; lettering appears reversed on the back. | Ordinary flying displays where a mirrored reverse is acceptable. |
| Double reverse (D/R), often called double-sided | A correctly oriented design reads from both faces. | Entrances, walls viewed from both sides, and displays where readable lettering matters. |
“Visible on both sides” does not necessarily mean “reads correctly on both sides.” Confirm that distinction. Double-sided construction commonly adds layers and weight, so it may need more wind to fly than a comparable single-reverse flag. Ask about the actual panels and any liner rather than relying on the word “double.”
3. Understand the material choices
Printed nylon is a practical starting point for many everyday displays. A USA-made two-ply polyester option is also offered within the Navy outdoor flag listing. Check the selected variant: the product family contains more than one material and construction.
Denier describes yarn thickness, not a universal durability score. Two panels described as 150D do not become a single 300D fabric. Stitching, weave, reinforcement, exposure, and care all affect useful life. Likewise, embroidery describes how artwork is made; it does not automatically establish country of manufacture.
4. USA-made versus imported Navy flags
Ruffin is a Georgia supplier, and the Ruffin Navy flags discussed here are manufactured in China. A U.S. supplier address is different from a Made in USA claim.
For a domestic flag, select a listing expressly identified as USA-made and check the exact option. USA-made double-sided Navy flags are custom made to order and carry a higher price. They are not ordinary inexpensive shelf-stock alternatives to the imported double-sided flags. Confirm production time before ordering for a birthday, retirement, or ceremony.
Quick product finder
Choose the artwork first, then use this table to reach the relevant product. Each link opens the product family; select the exact option and confirm availability there.
| What you need | Product link | Ordering check |
|---|---|---|
| USA-made ship design | Navy outdoor nylon flag | Choose the exact size and single- or double-sided option. Double-sided is custom made to order. |
| USA-made eagle/emblem | Navy eagle/emblem flag | Custom design listing; compare the photo. The product title says “Official Seal.” |
| Imported round seal, both faces readable | 3x5 double-sided round-seal flag | A separate round-seal design. Confirm the exact fabric before ordering. |
Before placing an order
- Match the photograph to the ship, eagle/emblem, or round-seal design requested.
- Specify whether lettering must read correctly on both faces.
- Confirm material and construction for the exact SKU or variant.
- Match grommets, sleeve, or other attachment to the existing hardware.
- Confirm country of manufacture and timing if either is a requirement.
For a gift, a photo and the words “this design, this size, readable on both sides” can prevent a disappointing mix-up. For outdoor use, take the flag down in severe weather and inspect the fly edge and attachment points regularly.
Planning a Navy birthday display?
The Navy birthday is October 13. Read our Navy birthday and traditions article for the story behind the date and the difference between Revolutionary-era flags and today's service flag.
Historical design reference
Naval History and Heritage Command: Origins of the U.S. Navy flag.
