When planning for your next trade show, it’s easy to focus on planning the day before thinking about the graphics for your exhibition stand. Yet the right exhibition stand graphics can have a significant impact on how your brand is perceived, creating a professional presence from the moment visitors arrive.
Whether you’ve booked a shell scheme or a space-only stand, each requires a different approach to maximise your space and communicate your brand effectively. We’ll explain the key print options for each stand type, from shell scheme panels to large-format fabric graphics, so you can select the exhibition stand graphics that best suit your stand and your exhibition goals.
The exhibition stand graphics you need for a trade show will depend on the type of stand you’ve chosen. While it’s easy to assume the same print works in every space, a shell scheme provides a ready-built framework, while a space-only stand starts as a blank canvas, meaning each requires a different combination of graphics to achieve the best result.
Understanding the difference from the outset helps you invest in the right graphics, avoid unnecessary costs and create a stand that’s designed to attract attention and communicate your brand effectively.
If you’ve booked a shell scheme for a trade show, the first graphics you’ll need are shell scheme panels. These are individual graphic panels backed with Velcro that attach securely to the plain panels of your shell scheme. Designed to cover the standard exhibition walls, they transform a plain shell scheme into a fully branded display that helps your business stand out on a busy exhibition floor.
By making full use of the available wall space, shell scheme graphics showcase your branding, key messages and supporting visuals while concealing the plain panels behind them. This creates a more polished, professional appearance and ensures your stand communicates your brand clearly from every angle.
Planning on using a promotional table? A branded fabric table cover is a simple way to complete your display. It creates a consistent look across your stand while concealing anything stored underneath, helping to maintain a clean, organised exhibition space throughout the trade show.
A space-only stand gives you the freedom to create a trade show display that’s tailored to your brand. Whether you’re designing a fully bespoke exhibition stand or building around a modular display system, combining the right structural elements and graphics allows you to create a stand that’s unique to your business.
For larger trade shows and expos, tension frame fabrics are a key option for creating large-scale branded surfaces. Combining printed fabric graphics with aluminium frames, they can be used in different configurations, including flat, curved and wrap-around displays, with interchangeable graphics that can be reused across exhibitions.
Black back fabric is another practical option for large exhibition environments, providing a clean, opaque finish for large-format graphics. Imageco also offers recycled-content black back fabric, making it an option for exhibitors looking to consider the material impact of their display.
For exhibitors looking for a more sustainable modular solution, ExhiBox is another option. Built from lightweight Xanita board, the modular framework can be configured in a variety of ways and finished with interchangeable magnetic graphics, making it easy to update your messaging or branding for different trade shows without replacing the entire display. The flat-pack design makes it easy to transport, assemble and reuse across multiple trade shows, offering a flexible and more sustainable exhibition solution.
Because the graphics are interchangeable, the same ExhiBox system can be refreshed for new campaigns, products or events while maintaining a professional, bespoke appearance. Whether you’re creating a feature wall, product display or meeting area, the modular design can be configured around your brand colours and identity to create a stand specifically for your brand, making it possible to create eye-catching displays such as our robotic cardboard exhibition stand.
Supporting graphics can then help complete the stand. Branded desk graphics create a professional first impression at welcome or meeting points, while floor graphics can reinforce campaign messaging and extend your branding across the space.
Not every exhibition requires a large exhibition stand. Smaller trade show spaces, networking events and one-day pop-ups often benefit from portable exhibition graphics that are easy to transport, quick to install and designed to make an impact. For these events, pull-up banners offer a practical way to create a professional branded backdrop, where space is limited.
When looking for a more sustainable solution, cardboard exhibition stands and banners offer many of the same branding benefits while using lightweight, recyclable materials. They’re particularly well suited to businesses attending multiple trade shows, where portable graphics that are easy to transport, assemble and reuse can help reduce waste without compromising on presentation.
The right exhibition stand graphics will depend on how you plan to exhibit. For larger expos, tension frame fabrics and black back fabric can create substantial branded surfaces, while ExhiBox offers a reusable modular alternative. Shell scheme graphics and portable displays can be more appropriate for smaller or more straightforward exhibition spaces. Whichever route you take, it’s worth considering how easily your graphics can be transported, installed, stored and updated for future campaigns.
Often, it’s the smaller finishing touches that complete the stand, with desk graphics, floor graphics and branded table covers helping to create a cohesive exhibition space and reinforce your brand across every touchpoint.
Whether you’re exhibiting from a shell scheme or designing a completely bespoke space, the right graphics can make all the difference to how your brand is seen on the trade show floor. Imageco can help you create an exhibition solution that’s designed around your business, not just your stand.
Ready to plan your next trade show? Get in touch with Imageco to discuss the exhibition stand graphics that are right for your next event.
