Trade Show Graphics Tips

20ft wide dye sub printed tension fabric graphic

If you come away from a trade show feeling like you failed to make the impression you should have made, it may be time to think about adding a "little something" to your trade show displays. Upgrading your graphics can do a lot to engage attendees and improve the experience they have at your display.

There are many different types of graphic - different printing methods, different substrates that are commonly printed on, etc - and all of these possibilities include trade-off's. Most standard sign shops and your neighborhood printers are familiar with smaller format graphics, printed on paper, magazine, or book materials. These materials are rarely used in trade show displays - they aren't designed to be durable enough, or large enough, for trade show usage.

The trade show industry primarily uses what is called "wide format" graphics. This means graphic files that are designed to be printed in sizes ranging from a few square feet up to hundreds of square feet - quite a bit larger than your typical paper back book or magazine!

These files are typically created with Adobe's Create Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, PhotoShop) - if your designer is using any of the typical office programs like Microsoft Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, etc., then they may not have the expertise or understanding needed for creating high resolution wide format graphics - if that is the case, consider outsourcing your design requirements. 

Once wide format graphic files are properly prepared, they are printed to a range of industry standard substrates; typically, because they can be very large, these are designed to be easier to transport - either the material rolls up or folds up - while still providing a background resolution sufficient for clear, attractive images and text.

Typical trade show graphic substrates include:

Lambda Bright HDL

These graphics are printed on a flexible material, amenable to being rolled up for storage or transportation. Lambda graphics are typically attached to the display stand using velcro, magnetic strips, hooks, or combinations thereof, and are typically laminated to protect the image. Trade show displays are always bolstered by the right graphics, and whether you want satin, gloss or matte finishes, Lambda prints are the highest quality flexible graphics available, and are the perfect solution for the mural graphics used on trade show pop up display booths.

20ft wide lambda mural graphic on pop up display frame

Lambda Duratrans
Similar to Lambda brights, these prints are placed on a flexible, plastic-based material designed to be translucent or transparent, with a light placed behind them that looks brilliant when backlit. These are generally used for light boxes, overhead backlit headers, or other backlit displays attached to your trade show booths, and can be done with or without an HDL laminate.

Prints with Lexan Backing
If you would like to support your prints with a firm base, these prints are done on fabric or vinyl with an adhesive back that are then attached to a Lexan cut precisely for the graphic. The Lexan can come in clear or black, to add to the visual effects of the graphic. It's also a great option when the budget is tight.

Vinyl Banners
These smooth prints on vinyl are perfect for versatile signage, regardless of whether the event is indoors or outdoors. They can be 150 feet or longer, and over 9ft wide without seams, and even larger - they can cover the side of large downtown office buildings! - if several pieces of material are seamed together. They can also be used for retractable pull-up or roll-up banner stands that use vinyl banners rather than fabric banners.

Dye Sublimation
This process is a full color print, heated to sublimate onto a specialty knit fabric. It is considered the standard for banner application because it has photographic quality, and still yields a large printed graphic that can be folded up for transport, and can even be cleaned in a washing machine if soiled.  

10ft wide dye sub fabric print with SEG attachment

Silicone Edge Graphics (SEG)
SEG or silicone edge graphics normally use a dye sublimation print, but they are finished off with a silicone strip on the perimeter of the graphic. The strip is then inserted into the grooves of the extruded aluminum frames that form the framework for the trade show display graphic. The frame, grooves, and fabric dimensions all need to be precisely fit, in order to create a finished product that is striking and durable.

Make sure that you tell your designer about all of your concerns, including: color matching requirements (needs to match other printed materials), materials, typical reading distance, available space and turnaround time. 

If you plan ahead, you can normally count on getting outstanding trade show graphics for your displays that will fit your specifications, no matter the needs or requirements - if you don't plan and make your designer and printer and shipping company all rush, then you might get a good looking display, and it might be on time:).