Trade Show Graphics
The phrase "trade show graphics" can mean different things to different people, since trade shows are generally overflowing with graphics and signs of every variety, all competing for attention. For some companies, their trade show graphics are banners that hang off the back of a pipe and drape structure, or a table cover with the company logo. For others, their trade show graphics are banners displayed in some variety of banner stands, or trade show signs attached with velcro to a fabric pop up display. Trade show graphics might mean designs on printed fabric stretched over some type of frame, either floor standing or hanging. When many people think of trade show graphics, they think of graphics for pop up style trade show booths, table top displays, or even large truss structures and custom exhibits. But, regardless of what type of trade show display you have, or how much money you've spent on it, they are all designed to provide a means to show your graphics. So whether you are in search of new graphics for an existing display, or looking to purchase graphics for a new display, and whichever type of trade show graphics you need, we have solutions for you. So while we offer a wide range of printing for various types of trade show graphics, they all are competitively priced, printed in vibrant, accurate color at the highest resolution and quality, and use the best quality materials in each price range so your trade show graphics will look good, and continue to look good after repeated use, to get you noticed in a positive way by your potential customers.
The Available Materials tab below shows the range of different trade show graphics products we offer, from vinyl, fabric and mesh banner materials to semi-rigid rollable materials for pop up booth panels, velcro attached trade show signs, and trade show banners for high end banner stand graphics. Look through the materials in that tab to get information for each, and maybe get an idea or two for something different. Since trade show graphics cover a large range of products, you may find that a specific type of material you have in mind is not listed here. If you don't see something you're looking for, check the other categories under Printing for Indoor Use from the Printing Services menu above, as we almost certainly will offer a solution for you, or Contact Us for assistance.
Be sure to look through the FAQ tab below for helpful information and answers to common questions about trade show graphics, and the Our Recommendations tab for suggestions on the best materials to use for different types of displays.
This page is devoted to trade show graphics. If you are looking for pop up booths, banner stands, table top displays or some other type of trade show displays, be sure to look at the different options available under Display Hardware in the main menu above.
If you would like to get prices before you order, you can use our Price Calculator from the Quick Links menu on the left, or by clicking the Calculate Price button next to each item in the Available Materials tab. The calculator is basically the same as the first part of the order process, so if you're thinking about ordering, you may want to click Place Order to get pricing information, since that way you will have the option to continue on and actually complete the order.
- Printing Materials
- Our Recommendations
- FAQ
- How to Order
To find pricing information for printing on any of the materials below, click the Calculate Price buttons.
Specialty Banner Materials
These materials have special characteristics that make them different from the other banner materials we offer, so we've split them out into their own category. While not suitable for every situation, they have properties that make them ideal for certain applications.
Indoor Tear-Proof Banner - 8 mil
This economical, tear proof glossy material is made of high-density polypropylene and accepts heavy ink coverage to produce brilliant colors. It's an environmentally friendly option for short term indoor banners and posters. It can be mounted, laminated and grommeted. Available in widths up to 60".
Approximately 1-20 year indoor longevity, depending on the inks used.
Opaque Polyester Film - 12 mil
This matte-finished, tear-resistant, polyester film has an anti-static gray light-block back and a bright white anti-reflective finish for optimal image quality. It's an eco-friendly material that is water proof and scratch resistant and features high color brilliance. The film's thickness and rigidity make it the perfect choice for no-curl roll-up displays. Available in widths up to 50".
Longevity of 5-50 years indoors, depending on exposure to sunlight.
Polyester Display Film - 7 mil
This glossy polyester film has a blockout layer on the back so no light can be transmitted through the material. It's printed at our highest resolution and image quality, resists edge curl, and has a glossy finish for rich, saturated colors. Polyester is very eco-friendly, and it's printed with water based inks for one of the most environmentally conscious graphics available. It’s an excellent choice for banner stand graphics, especially retractables and can be used as is for short term use, or as our Tradeshow Banner, which is this material with our 5 mil polycarbonate laminate. Available in widths up to 50".
Longevity of 5-50 years indoors, depending on exposure to sunlight.
Ultra Smooth Indoor Banner - 12 mil
This unique material features a smooth vinyl face on each side with a polyester blockout layer in the middle which makes this product printable on both sides, completely opaque and curl resistant. It’s offers a semi-matte finish, excellent image quality and is waterproof and scratch resistant, making it a good choice for banner stands and hanging displays. Available in widths up to 54".
Longevity of 5-50 years indoors, depending on exposure to sunlight.
Fabrics
The fabrics shown below are all direct printed with either water based or solvent based inks, and are specially designed for that purpose.There are a wide range of weights, finishes and textures available so look through the descriptions below, check out the Our Recommendations tab for more info, and use the Calculate Price buttons to get printing prices.
Flame Retardant Polyester Banner - 5 oz
This tear-proof woven 100% polyester fabric is flame retardant so it can be used at trade shows or in public places like museums for elegant hanging banners and displays. It is water resistant when printed with dye inks (shown) and waterproof with solvent inks. It meets NFPA 701 fire testing standards, and is designed not to fray easily so hemming is optional. Available in widths up to 60".
Approx. longevity of 1 year outdoors, 5 to 20 years indoors.
Water Resistant Satin Fabric - 6 mil
This woven cloth has a high tear strength and a special coating that gives it excellent color saturation with a matte finish, and it back lights very well. Great for retractable banner stands, backlit and point-of-purchase displays, and window shades, Not suitable for environments where rough handling can occur since the image can be scratched. Available in widths up to 60".
Approx. longevity of 5 to 20 years indoors.
Flame Retardant Cotton - 10 mil
This 100% cotton fabric banner material is excellent for banners, trade show exhibits, podium signage, table cloths, flags, curtains, and window displays. The image is scratch resistant and waterproof, but water may cause the cotton to shrink or curl, so it is only recommended for indoor applications. Available in widths up to 98".
Approx. longevity of 5 to 20 years indoors.
EVO - 17 mil
EVO is an environmentally-friendly and recyclable non-woven polyester and polyamide fabric. This durable fabric offers bright, sharp images, resists wrinkling, and will not curl on the edges. EVO is flame retardant, water resistant, and breathable. EVO contains no heavy metals, PVC resins, phthalates or fungicides, and the manufacturing process creates no pollution. We print this fabric with water based inks to make for the ultimate in eco-friendly retail banners, signs, and retail posters. Available in widths up to 60".
Longevity of 5-50 years indoors, depending on exposure to sunlight.
Nylon Taffeta 2.4 oz
This sheer weatherproof nylon taffeta material is ideal for flags as well as marine boat applications. Specially treated for excellent print quality and color density, this sheer fabric can also be used in POP and tradeshow environments. Available in widths up to 58".
Longevity of 6 months to 1 year outdoors, 5-20 years indoors.
Poly Oxford 8 oz
This oxford weave polyester fabric has excellent strength and dimensional stability, and is highly wrinkle resistant with excellent color depth. This makes it our favorite fabric and is ideal for banners, POP displays, patio umbrellas, and backdrops, and any indoor or short term outdoor use. Available in widths up to 60".
Longevity of 5-20 years indoors, depending on exposure to sunlight.
Cotton Duck - 8 oz
This 100% cotton fabric is great for banners, exhibits, point of purchase displays, and other soft signage. It offers excellent color depth, and is also very durable. Can be hemmed and grommeted. Available in widths up to 42".
Approx. 10-50 year indoor longevity with pigmented inks, 2-5 years with dye inks.
Poly Satin Fabric - 5 mil
This 100% knitted and rip proof polyester fabric is very scratch resistant and weatherproof, and the glossy finish allows to have excellent color saturation for a lightweight fabric. It’s excellent for flags, banners, window displays and trade show exhibits. Available in widths up to 98".
Longevity of 5-50 years indoors, and 6 months outdoors.
Polyester Heavy Banner - 10 mil
This 100% polyester fabric banner material is very scratch resistant and weatherproof, making it perfect for banners, trade show exhibits, podium signage, table cloths, flags, curtains, and window displays. It is heavy enough to be used outdoors and can be sewn and grommeted. Available in widths up to 98".
Longevity of 5-50 years indoors, and 6 months outdoors.
Waterproof Matte Canvas - 17 mil
This waterproof canvas is great for art reproductions, photos on canvas, murals, indoor or outdoor hanging banners or point of purchase displays. Can be sewn and grommeted. Available in widths up to 60".
Approximate longevity of 50 years indoors, and 6 months outdoors.
EverGreen Fire Retardant Cloth - 10 oz.
EverGreen fabrics are unique in that they are designed to be environmentally friendly throughout their life cycle. This polyester fabric is strong, lightweight and scratch resistant. The low gloss finish is excellent for sales events, interior design and architecture, exhibitions and museum events, as well as for artwork. Available in widths up to 54".
Approximate longevity of 5-20 years indoors.
Mesh
Mesh is popular for both indoor and outdoor use. Generally, it's used outdoors to reduce wind resistance, but indoors for trade show use, it's popular because of its semi-transparent look. Using mesh you can have printed wall panels that enclose your booth space without blocking the view in our out of your space. There are a wide range of weights and styles available so look through the descriptions below, check out the Our Recommendations tab for more info, and use the Calculate Price buttons to get printing prices.
Micro Mesh - 7.4 oz
This mircro-perforated flame retardant textile has a linen look with exceptional dimensional stability. It’s highly flexible, has a light finish and exhibits no edge curl, making it ideal for hanging displays, theater decor, POP advertising and other graphic displays where some translucence is desired. Available in widths up to 86".
Approx. longevity of 20 years indoors.
Super Mesh - 9 oz
This PVC vinyl coated polyester mesh produces a translucent image for indoor or outdoor use. It makes great partitions and hanging banners for trade show, retail display, or outdoor events where a partially transparency image is desirable. Also available in a 7oz weight with a more open weave. Can be sewn, grommeted and welded. Available in widths up to 63".
Longevity of 1-3 years outdoors, 5-20 years indoors.
Mesh Plus - 12 oz
This super-tough polyester mesh with PVC vinyl coating is flame retardant, and it's as strong as 24 oz scrim vinyl, making it the most durable we offer. The smaller holes also make for a stronger image than other mesh products, making it perfect for indoor or outdoor use. Can be sewn, grommeted and welded. Available in widths up to 63".
Longevity of 1-3 years outdoors, 5-20 years indoors.
Vision Mesh - 12.4 oz
This unique flame retardant mesh has an anthracite black backing for a transparent, one-way vision effect from inside, making it perfect for shop windows, POP advertising and solar protection. It has a gloss finish and hangs with no edge curl even with heavy ink coverage. Available in widths up to 63".
Approx. longevity of 5-20 years indoors.
MeshTex - 10 mil
This waterproof sheer polyester mesh material is ideal for special exhibits, hanging partitions, outdoor banners, flags, and signs. It's weatherproof, rip proof, and translucent. Available in widths up to 60".
Outdoor longevity is 6 months, 5-20 years indoors.
Scrim Reinforced Vinyl
Scrim vinyl is a standard for outdoor banners, as the scrim reinforcement gives them excellent tear strength, but they are also popular indoors. While vinyl banners make many people think of low-end products, there are a huge range of vinyl banner materials, from low end to high end, so look through the descriptions below, check out the Our Recommendations tab for more info, and use the Calculate Price buttons to get printing prices.
13oz Gloss Scrim Vinyl
This low-cost, medium-weight durable weatherproof banner solution is ideal for outdoor or indoor use. The gloss finish is excellent where more vibrant color is desired and reflection off the surface is not a concern. Can be sewn and grommeted. Available in widths up to 99".
While the print is good for up to three years outdoors, the banner itself has a 6 month to 1 year outdoor life depending on installation and wind conditions. Indoor longevity of 5-20 years.
13oz Matte Scrim Banner
This low cost, medium weight scrim reinforced banner solution is designed for outdoor our indoor use. The matte finish is excellent where reflection off the surface is a concern. Can be sewn and grommeted. Available in widths up to 99".
While the print is good for up to 3 years outdoors, the banner itself has a 6 month to 1 year outdoor life depending on installation and wind conditions. Indoor longevity of 5-20 years.
13oz Blockout Scrim Vinyl
This durable, weatherproof, scratch-resistant banner solution is smooth on both sides with a blackout layer in the middle making it ideal for single or double sided use. It has a soft, fabric-like quality that makes it excellent both indoors and out. This is the economy material used in all our banner stands. Available in widths up to 80".
Outdoor longevity of 6 months to 3 years.
Curl Free Fire Retardant Banner - 12oz
This banner material is durable, flame retardant, and specially designed to eliminate edge curl which makes it the material of choice for banner stands and hanging displays where flat, curl-free edges are important. It’s canvas-like texture and low gloss finish give it a high-end look and helps minimize glare. Available in widths up to 86".
Outdoor longevity of up to 6 months, indoor longevity of 5-20 years.
Backlit Banner Vinyl - 14 oz
This flame resistant glossy backlit banner vinyl offers tremendous image quality and color depth in a durable material that is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. A true translucent vinyl, it can be used in a lightbox or free hanging since it has the strength of a scrim reinforced banner. Available in widths up to 63".
Approx. longevity of 5 years indoors and 2 years outdoor.
15oz Gloss Scrim Vinyl
This heavyweight scrim reinforced banner solution offers tremendous color depth and saturation, as well as excellent durability. It’s smooth finish and high white point make for superior image quality, and the weight and construction give it excellent lay flat properties. Available in widths up to 72".
It’s fade resistant for up to three years outdoors, or 20 years indoors, but it’s outdoor life expectancy is 1-2 years if properly hung, depending on wind conditions.
15oz Matte Scrim Vinyl
This heavyweight scrim reinforced banner solution offers a low gloss finish for situations were glare is a concern, as well as excellent durability. It’s smooth finish and high white point make for superior image quality, and the weight and construction give it excellent lay flat properties. Available in widths up to 72".
It’s fade resistant for up to three years outdoors, or 20 years indoors, but it’s outdoor life expectancy is 1-2 years if properly hung, depending on wind conditions.
16oz Gloss Scrim Vinyl
This glossy scrim-reinforced vinyl offers excellent image quality and color depth in a durable 16oz weight. Excellent for banner applications both indoors and out. It is scratch resistant, weather proof, and features coated construction which gives it superior strength. Available in widths up to 62".
Can be sewn and grommeted. Approx. outdoor longevity up to 3 years.
16oz Matte Scrim Vinyl
This durable, weatherproof, scratch-resistant banner material has a smooth matte surface and is great both indoors and out. It offers excellent image quality and is perfect wherever a durable material is needed with a low gloss finish. It also hangs straight without edge curl so it's an excellent choice for hanging displays and banner stands. Available in widths up to 62".
Outdoor longevity of 2 years, 5-20 years indoors.
18oz Blockout Scrim Vinyl
This durable, weatherproof, scratch-resistant banner solution is smooth on both sides with a blackout layer in the middle making it ideal for single or double sided use. It has a soft, smooth surface that makes it excellent both indoors and out, and the low gloss finish is great for situations where glare is a concern. Available in widths up to 99".
Outdoor longevity of 6 months to 3 years, indoor longevity of 5-20 years.
20oz Premium Blockout Scrim Vinyl
This luster finished vinyl is smooth on both sides with a blockout layer to allow for double sided printing and provide superior image quality in an extra heavy 20oz weight. It is scratch resistant and weather proof, and flame resistant making it perfect for use indoors and out. Can be sewn and grommeted. Available in widths up to 63".
Approximate outdoor longevity up to 3 years, 5-20 years indoors.
Polycarbonate Graphics
Polycarbonate laminated graphics are the traditional high-end materials used for trade show booth panels of all types. There is more than one way to make these types of graphics, and as usual, we make them in the highest quality way. For details, look at the FAQ where can find answers to common questions and other useful information. Select any of the materials below for descriptions, check out the Our Recommendations tab for more info, and use the Calculate Price buttons to get printing prices.
Tradeshow Banner - 12 mil
This lightweight exhibit graphic solution has a scratch resistant, nonreflective finish like our Economy Tradeshow, but is lighter weight, and more economical. It's designed to hang flat with less edge curl to make it perfect for roll up displays and banner stands. It is fabricated with an opaque polyester film with a protective laminate making for a very durable finished graphic. Available in widths up to 50".
Indoor longevity of 5-25 years depending on exposure to light.
Economy Tradeshow - 18 mil
This economical exhibit graphic solution has a scratch resistant, non-reflective finish and reduced edge curl that is great for booth graphics that will be attached with velcro to fabric panels, or as a more economical alternative to full booth murals. It's fabricated without paper, which makes it more durable while still being affordable for tight budget situations. Available in widths up to 60".
Indoor longevity of 5-25 years depending on exposure to light.
Premium Tradeshow - 24 mil
This is the most durable, and best looking, tradeshow graphic solution. It has a scratch resistant, non-reflective finish thanks to the textured polycarbonate surface. This rigid yet rollable solution will hang flat while still conforming to the shape of the booth frame, Shown in the most popular weight of 24 mil, can also be produced in 18 mil for use where a more flexible panel is needed. Available in widths up to 60".
Indoor longevity of 5-25 years depending on exposure to light.
Banners for Trade Show Use
The Trade Show Banner material was specifically designed for banner stand graphics to reduce the edge curl that can occur with these graphics. It also has the scratch and glare resistant finish of our Premium Trade Show material, and is completely opaque to prevent any light from behind the stand from showing through. It's a 12 mil product that while stiff, is still flexible enough for all but a few of our retractable banner stands. It's the finest and most durable product for banner stands graphics we offer. It's also one of the most environmentally friendly banner products.
The Curl Free Fire Retardant Banner is an excellent choice for both banner stand graphics and free hanging trade show banners. This vinyl coated fabric prints very well and has the upscale look of canvas with a low gloss finish. It's specially engineered to hang flat without curling on the edges like standard banners, and it's flame retardant so it's good for a wide range of applications.
The Opaque Polyester is another good alternative. It's a similar base material to the Trade Show Banner, but it's printed with solvent inks so it's waterproof and scratch resistant, and has smooth, low gloss finish. It's unlaminated, so it's not as durable as the Trade Show Banner, but is of similar durability and print quality as the Curl Free Blockout Banner.
The 13oz Blockout Vinyl is our economy option for banner stand graphics. It prints very well with excellent color depth, and has smooth semi-gloss surface, but like most standard vinyls, the edges will tend to curl, especially with heavy ink coverage.
For free hanging banners, such as the kind typically hung from the pipe and drape at the back of a booth space, the 13oz Scrim Vinyl materials are the least expensive, but will also tend to curl at the edges a bit. The 15oz gloss or matte scrim vinyl is a higher quality scrim vinyl that has a smoother surface, heavier weight, and will hang flatter. While more expensive than the 13oz scrim vinyl, it's still very inexpensive and an excellent value. The Curl Free Blockout banner that we use for banner stands, is also a great choice for this type of banner. The 18oz and 20 oz blockout vinyls offer excellent image quality, and their heavier weights helps them to stay flat and hang better than lighter weight materials, and they can both be printed on both sides for situations where a double sided banner is needed.
For fabric banners, the Flame Retardant Polyester is our least expensive fabric. It prints very well, is durable and fade resistant, so it's a great choice in a less expensive fabric. The Evergreen Flame Retardant Cloth is our most eco-friendly product, and has great color as well. Like all fabrics, it hangs well and has a nice, upscale look. The Polyester Heavy Banner is one of our most popular fabrics. It's a heavier fabric with a more textured finish like canvas, and it prints very well and hangs straight. The Poly Oxford is the fabric that produces the very best image with great color depth and saturation, as well as high image quality, so if you're looking for a fabric that prints about as well as a vinyl banner, this would be a good choice.
For sheer banners, curtains, partitions or backdrops when you want an upscale, partially transparent look, the MeshTex is a great choice. It's our most transparent fabric so it's great when you really want a subtle look. The Nylon Taffeta is another great choice. This fabric prints extremely well for such a sheer material so you can get a strong image or a partially see though graphic, depending on the lighting. The Mesh Plus and Super Mesh are also excellent for transparent banners, but they don't drape like the other two so they wouldn't be suitable for curtains, but they would be excellent for wall panels or other applications where the banner needs to hang flat. There are literally dozens of other fabrics on the market, so be sure to contact us with any special needs and we can advise you on what's available.
Graphics for Trade Show Booths and Tabletop Displays
All the materials in our trade show line of graphics are printed at the highest quality currently available. We use the same high resolution 12 color printing for these graphics that we use for our much acclaimed limited edition fine art printing, so these really are the best quality trade show graphics you can buy, even if the price is more reasonable than you'd expect.
The Premium Trade Show material is the staple of the booth graphics market. This material produces outstanding color and detail in an extremely durable and rigid yet rollable graphic. This material was designed specifically with the trade show graphic market in mind. It features a two piece construction with a textured, glare reducing finish and can be repeatedly rolled and unrolled without tunneling or delaminating. If you're tired of having your booth graphics come apart, or having to follow a long list of special care instructions to ensure your trade show graphics don't fail, then you need this material. See the FAQ tab for information on how this material compares with similar materials on the market. The 22 mil standard weight is ideal for mural panels because it's heavy enough to hold it's shape smoothly without waves or ripples. Since this type of panel is usually only connected to the frame on the edges with magnetic tape, and supported by a hanger panel at the top, this ability to hold it's shape is very important.
The Economy Trade Show material has a similar finish as the Premium Trade Show material, but it's made with lighter weight materials, which makes it less expensive, but it's still fabricated with a two piece construction that contains no paper. At 17 mil thick, it can even be used as an economical choice for full mural graphics, and is an excellent weight for graphics that attach to the display with velcro. Some booth manufacturers use this material for their graphic panels to reduce their cost, so if you're on a budget, this is a possible alternative to the Premium Trade Show material, but it's not as heavy and won't hold it's shape quite as well.
While not specifically listed in this section, we do have many materials that can be used to make rigid, mounted trade show signs. While we often get requests for these type of trade show signs, we recommend against them because they aren't as durable and are more difficult to transport than rollable trade show graphics. But, we have several solutions for those who's situation requires a rigid sign. The least expensive option is the Textured Adhesive Vinyl mounted to foamcore or Gatorfoam. It has the look of textured polycarbonate but is inexpensive, waterproof, and fairly durable. For greater durability, our Economy Adhesive vinyl can be laminated with a textured vinyl laminate that also looks like polycarbonate, but is much less expensive. This can also be mounted on foamcore, Gatorfoam, or Sintra for a durable, rigid graphic. For the highest quality laminated prints, we recommend the Image Pro Satin or Gloss paper. These can be laminated with either Polycarbonate, for the same finish and scratch resistance as our Premium Trade Show graphics, or gloss, satin, or matte vinyl for a different finish and a less expensive option. These can then be mounted on Foamcore, Gatorfoam or Sintra. Sintra is a solid expanded PVC plastic, so it's more durable, but less rigid than foam boards. Gatorfoam is the most durable foam board and the most popular choice, while foam core is the least durable, but the least expensive. All these printing materials can be found under the appropriate categories under the Printing for Indoor Use section, and the laminates and mounting materials will be presented as options when you order.
Normal turnaround time is 4-5 days. During the order process you will be asked if you have a specific due date, and if you do, we will adjust your shipping method, if necessary, to get your order to you on time. If you need your order even quicker, we also have a rush service. If you authorize rush charges, we can get your order shipped the same day or the next day. Rush charges are typically 50% of your order up to a maximum of $75. If we're able to meet your deadline without bumping other jobs, we won't actually charge the rush charge, but you must authorize the rush to guarantee delivery.
With some types of trade show graphics, you have to follow certain rules about rolling your graphics a certain way, or not smaller than a certain dimension. This is usually because they're made with inferior materials such as paper, and if you don't follow the rules correctly, the graphics will come apart. We use the finest quality materials available in a balanced two piece construction for all our trade show graphics, so there are no specific rules that must followed when rolling or shipping our graphics. Many companies have switched to cheaper products to save money, and because those cheap products have a similar finish, it's easy to pass them off as the same thing, but there is a tremendous difference. That's why we continue to offer the quality options and let others pass off the cheap imitations. Making excuses and having to replace failed graphics is no fun for us, and a giant inconvenience to you, so we won't do it. So, try to roll and store your graphics carefully to help them stay looking good for a long time, but rolling them a certain way isn't important.
Absolutely! For many brands of trade show displays, we know the specifications for the graphics, but for others, we may need some information in order to ensure the graphics are produced properly since each brand and model is a little different and it's important for full mural graphics to be extremely precise. If you can provide us with the brand and model of your display, we can get the necessary information. If you don't know the brand and model, we may need the display, the existing panels, or some detailed measurements in order to produce your new graphics. For pop up booths, there is also panel hanging hardware that is attached to the top, and usually the bottom, of each panel that allows the panels to hook onto the display at the top. Unfortunately, it seems every manufacturer makes these panels hangers differently so if you want to keep your existing graphics in addition to your new ones, you will need new panel hangers as well. Again, with the correct information we can usually get these for you. If you aren't keeping your old graphics, we can remove the old panel hangers and reuse them which will save you some money.
Most people don't realize there are many different kinds of magnets that are used for trade show displays, and every manufacturer seems to use a different kind. It's important to use the type of magnet that matches the display or the graphics won't stick properly. If you have graphics that don't stick to your frame, they either have the wrong kind of magnets, are dirty, or the magnets have lost their strength. Check and make sure the surface of the magnets are clean, as that can obviously have an effect. Also make sure the magnetic channels on the booth itself are clean. If your panels stuck properly at one time but don't stick properly any more, and you've tried cleaning them, they probably need to be replaced. Otherwise, they are most likely the wrong kind. We keep all the different styles of magnet on hand so we can use the correct type for each display. If we don't know, or can't find out, the correct magnets to use for a particular display, we can test your existing display to determine the correct type.
There are several different ways to make panels for trade show displays, and like most things, there are more companies that do what's cheapest and easiest for them rather than what's best for the customer. Since the finished products tend to look similar, it's easy to get away with this, but all kinds of problems can occur when cheap materials are used. The most common problems come from using paper prints to make trade show panels. They will typically have a backer and a laminate to give them the thickness and rigidity necessary, and to make them look like higher end graphics. This kind of three piece construction is a bad idea for rollable graphics, and is particularly bad when there is paper in the center. As the graphics are rolled and unrolled, each part of this makeup is subjected to different stresses depending on which way the graphic is rolled so ultimately the paper in the center is left to absorb this stress and eventually will get peeled apart. The other problem that can damage any graphic is impact on the edges of one of the panels. When this happens, it puts a dent in the graphic and can cause the materials to separate. With a two piece construction, if this kind of impact causes a dent that makes the laminate come up off the graphic, you can simply push it back down. If the graphic is made from paper, this type of impact will cause the paper to split, and there is no way to repair this when it happens. To make matters worse, this will create a weak spot in the graphic that will spread and get worse as the graphics are rolled unrolled. That's why all our trade show graphics are made with a two piece construction that uses opaque polyester base film with a surface laminate. This produces the greatest color depth, best print quality, and greatest durability. The different products we offer use different thicknesses of the base film and laminate, but they are all this two piece construction so that they will stay looking good over a long period of time.
This will obviously depend on the size of your booth space, but the most common size is 10 feet wide. If your goal is to be as economical as possible, the a banner that's approximately 8 feet wide will maximize the visibility while keeping the costs down. You could make the banner the full 10 feet wide, but the edges are usually not easy to see unless you're standing directly in front of your booth space. For the same reason, it's most common to make the height of the banner 3-4 feet tall since the area below that point tends to be obscured by tables, chairs, people, etc. To some extent the specific dimensions will depend on what you want to put on your banner, so it's usually best to determine how wide you want the banner, and then let the height adjust to fit your type, logo, etc.
This is generally not a good idea, but it is possible. If each panel of your booth is different where alignment and color matching isn't an issue, then there's no reason why you couldn't do this, but there are several potential issues if you are trying to replace one or two panels of a continuous mural. Certainly if you are having a different printing company make the new panels, the color will not match your previous panels, and the material itself could easily be different as well. We are particularly good at producing repeatable color, but even so, it could be difficult to get an exact color match to a previous job due to many factors including the fact that the materials get changed by the manufacturers from time to time. Plus, the process of producing a multi-panel mural involves very precise alignment and trimming, so trying to substitute panels later would almost certainly create some alignment issues.
So, while it is possible, we don't recommend doing it unless your design is such that subtle color and alignment differences would not be a problem.
Obviously, if you are creating less than a full mural, you will need to velcro your graphics to the fabric panels that came with your pop up booth. But, if you're creating a full mural, you have the choice to replace the fabric panels with graphic panels, or velcro the graphics to the fabric panels. There are advantages and disadvantages to each option, but it's more common to have graphic panels in place of fabric panels. The advantages to this option are that by eliminating the fabric panels, your have less bulk and weight to travel with, you save time in setting up and taking down your display, and in cases where you are purchasing a new display, you would save money by not purchasing both the fabric panels and graphic panels. The only disadvantages to this option are the lack of flexibility and relative cost of the material. By replacing the fabric, you don't have any other option but to display a full mural. If that's all you ever intend to do, then it's no disadvantage, but if you want the option to display smaller graphics or a partial mural, you will need the fabric panels.
The advantages to graphics that velcro to the fabric are that you can use a lighter weight, less expensive material, you have the flexibility to use smaller, and therefore less expensive graphics, such as a mural that only covers the top half of your booth. The disadvantages to a full mural that velcros to the fabric panels are that you have to travel with both the fabric and graphic panels, and they may not both fit in your display's case. It also will take longer to set up your booth as you first have to hang the fabric panels, and then attach the velcro panels.
Considering all this, for full murals, we recommend graphic panels that replace the fabric panels.
When you're ready to order, you can use the main menu above or Place Order button next to each item in the Available Materials tab. This section will cover in detail the steps you need to take to place an order for trade show graphics using our order form.
When you first open the order form, there will be an expanding list of items on the left. If you use the Place Order button, you can skip to the next paragraph, otherwise, choose the Printing for Indoor Use option, then choose the appropriate category such as Banner Vinyls, Fabrics, Mesh, Trade Show Materials, etc. Next, pick the specific material you want from the materials in the drop down list. If you haven't already decided on a material, you can choose different items and read their descriptions to help you make a choice. If you need some help in deciding, you can also look in the Our Recommendations tab for some suggestions.
Once you have decided on the material, you will need to indicate if you are sending a file, providing a photo/film to be scanned, or if you need us to design your graphics. If you are sending a photo or film, you will need to indicate in the next step that a file is not needed for your order. If you are sending a digital photo or file, then you must indicate how you are sending the file. You can choose Upload Now and click the Upload button that appears to send your file at this point, which is recommended, you can choose to send your file later or one of the other options.
Once you tell us how you are sending your file, you will be presented with a form to complete. Here you need to tell us what size to print your graphic by entering the width and height in inches. This is the size you want the finished graphic to be, not the size of your file.
Next enter the number of copies you want printed in the quantity field and the price will be calculated. If you are ordering multiple graphics of different files, you should complete these steps for each graphic. To speed up the process, some customers prefer to attach all their graphics of the same size and indicate here the total number of prints they are ordering at this size, rather than complete the info for each file individually. You can do this if you prefer, but the prices shown will not be accurate in that case.
Next you can select from any available finishing options. In general, only finishing options that are appropriate for the type of printing material you have selected will be available. For instance, if you selected Premium Trade Show material, there would be no lamination options as that product is already laminated, and there would be no mounting adhesive or mounting substrate options available since that product is not designed to be mounted on a board. If you selected a paper for printing, those options would be available for you to choose from, and the price will be updated based on your selections.
Next you can request a proof. A reduced size printed proof is $30 and will be printed on the same material as your final print, but an electronic pdf or jpg proof is free. A pdf proof is good for checking the general layout, proof reading, etc., but if you're concerned about color accuracy or the quality of an image when enlarged to full size, a physical proof is the best option. A reduced size proof of the overall design is good for proofing color, or we can print a section of the graphic at full size so you can see how an image will look when blown up. If we feel the file will print poorly, we will always contact you to discuss your options before printing, but since our expectations and yours may not match, and since custom printed graphics cannot be returned, a proof is your best way to verify what the final print will look like in advance.
The final step before adding your print to the shopping cart is to tell us what you want us to do if your file doesn't fit the dimensions you gave us. The options are to have us size your file to fit the dimensions you provided and crop any excess, or to contact you for instructions. If you're sure that your image actually sizes correctly to your dimensions, it doesn't really matter which option you choose because neither one will be necessary. But, if you're not sure, you should either choose to have us contact you, or tell us to crop the image to fit. We'll do our best to crop your image in way that makes sense, but you should also be sure to request a pdf proof so you can see the results of the cropping.
Once you've complete all the previous steps, click the Add to Cart button to add this print to your shopping cart. On the shopping cart screen you can see all the items you've added to your order, delete any that you don't want, and have another chance to upload your file if you chose Upload Later from the order form. You can also choose Add Another to add another item to your order.
You don't need to log in or create an account to select and add items to your shopping cart, but you will need to do so in order to complete your order. This is so your account history can be maintained for future reference and ordering convenience. Your account information is secure and confidential, and creating an account WILL NOT result in unwanted e-mails from us, or anyone else.
Once you have placed all the items you want in your cart, and are logged in to your account, click the Order Now button. You will be asked to specify either normal turnaround time for your order, or provide a specific due date. If you do specify a due date, you will also be given the option to authorize rush charge for your order. If you need your order completed in less than the normal 3-5 day turnaround, you should authorize rush charges to ensure you get your order on time. Rush charges are 50% of your order total, up to a maximum of $75. If we don't have to bump other jobs to meet your deadline, you won't be charged the rush fee, but if you don't authorize the charges, we'll do what we can to complete your order on time, but won't go so far as to bump other jobs. If you specify a due date, we will adjust the shipping method, if necessary, to ensure your order arrives by the date you specified. In this case, extra shipping charges may apply.
Next you will be asked to select the shipping method, and finally the payment type. You should know that your credit card is not being charged when you submit the form. We are collecting the information for your order, but you will not be charged until we have verified your order to make sure there were no mistakes made. That way, if there are aspects of your order that change, we can adjust the order and the shipping cost, if necessary, before you are charged.
Once you click the Order button, you will receive an order summary via e-mail for your records, and we will receive your order and the process can begin.
As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, please Contact Us and we'll be happy to help you with the process.