How to Prepare for a Trade Show
Preparing for a Trade Show?
Don’t Overlook Your Graphics
Trade shows are a big opportunity—but they also require careful planning. While most businesses focus on logistics and product displays, booth graphics are often left until the last minute. This can lead to rushed designs that don’t reflect your brand’s full potential.
At Exhibit Artistry, we believe your visuals are just as important as your products or services. Great design draws people in, tells your story, and sets the tone for the entire experience.
Here’s how to get your graphics
trade-show-ready, the right way.
1. Start Early
Designing high-quality trade show graphics takes time. From gathering brand assets to creating mockups and approving proofs, the process can take several weeks—especially for large-format prints.
Tip: Reach out to your design team at least 6 to 8 weeks before your event. This gives time for concept development, revisions, and print production.
2. Know Your Booth Specs
Before any design work begins, you’ll need accurate booth measurements and hardware specifications. Different layouts require different design approaches, including bleed space, resolution settings, and panel alignment.
Tip: Provide your designer with a full booth layout, including size, configuration, and any lighting or structural elements that might impact visual placement.
3. Focus on Your Core Message
Trade show attendees won’t spend much time reading your booth graphics. That’s why your messaging should be simple, bold, and clear. The goal is to instantly communicate who you are, what you do, and why it matters.
Tip: Use short headlines, powerful visuals, and high-contrast design. Save the in-depth details for brochures or digital displays.
4. Prioritize Brand Consistency
A booth that matches your brand builds trust and recognition. Make sure your trade show graphics align with your existing marketing materials in terms of color, fonts, logo placement, and tone.
Tip: Share your brand guidelines with your designer to ensure consistency across every display element.
5. Consider the Visitor Experience
Think about how people will approach your booth. What will they see first? Where will they stand? Your design should guide them naturally through your space and highlight key areas of interest.
Tip: Use hierarchy in your graphics—place your main message high and bold, with supporting visuals and info closer to eye level or interaction zones.
Need Help Staying on Track?
Planning a trade show can be overwhelming, but we’ve got you covered.
Download our Free Trade Show Checklist to make sure you don’t miss a thing—from design deadlines to booth setup essentials.
Let Exhibit Artistry Help
You Make an Impact
Getting ready for a trade show is a big task, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Exhibit Artistry, we specialize in graphic design for trade show displays that are not only eye-catching but also smart, strategic, and effective.
Whether you need a complete booth design or just want to update a few key panels, our team is here to help you show up with confidence.
