Buying guide
Exhibition stands: choose a system around the job it needs to do
Plan an exhibition stand around the pitch, sightlines, furniture, demonstrations and the people assembling it. This collection brings together portable display formats so you can compare their practical differences before ordering.
Compare portable exhibition display formats
- Fabric displays: printed fabric graphics over a tubular frame, with straight and curved shapes for different layouts. See tension fabric displays.
- Pop-up stands: a separate display system with its own graphic arrangement. Review the 3×3 pop-up stand and its included components.
- LED lightboxes: illuminated graphics with an electrical supply requirement. Compare widths and printed faces in our lightbox collection.
- Printed gazebos: a branded structure for suitable outdoor event pitches, with a different setup and securing process from an indoor backdrop.
Map the usable floor space before choosing the width
Start with the organiser's floor plan and height limits. Note the open sides and whether the pitch is a shell scheme or open space. Use the assembled display footprint, including feet and curves, and leave room for staff, conversations and furniture.
A straight fabric display may suit a narrow pitch; a curved wall occupies more depth. A name such as “3×3 pop-up” can describe a frame configuration, not a three-metre square room, so plan from the listed assembled dimensions.
Build a message hierarchy for the stand
Make the brand and main offer readable from the aisle. Keep key wording clear of tables and products, and use literature for detail rather than filling the backdrop with small text.
Use the exact artwork template for the chosen system and check every join. Fabric tube displays and pop-up panel systems need different files even when their assembled widths are similar.
Plan transport, assembly and power
Check packed dimensions, included components, venue access and who will assemble the stand. For an illuminated system, confirm the power supply and cable-routing rules. Separate display products do not automatically connect as one modular system.
Artwork approval and event deadlines
Send the product choice, artwork and event date together. Our free artwork service can help prepare the print layout. Production options vary by product, so allow separately for proof approval, production, courier delivery and a test assembly before the event.
Complete the stand without overcrowding it
A branded tablecloth or roller banner can support the main backdrop. Choose complementary jobs for each display rather than repeating every message. Read the exhibition stand planning guide and send your floor plan for help choosing a system.