TOP 10 GRAPHICS PANEL TIPS

get the most from your trade show budget

You have only got seconds to attract passers by onto your exhibition stand. Your Exhibition Graphics can be the real showstopper. They need to be eye-catching, professional and informative. Here are a few hints and tips on how to get the best results with your large format trade show graphics

KEEP IT SHORT AND SWEET
As we said you only have seconds to grab visitors attention. As a rule of thumb if the headline on your graphics panel takes more than three seconds to read there's too much text much. Use a punchy headline of about 6 words. Once you have grabbed their attention extra text can be used on the graphics panels to sell your business or annotate pictures but still keep in mind less is more.

USE THE RIGHT WORDS
Like all forms of marketing and advertising push the benefits of your products or service. What's in it for them! Benefits attract buyers. Tell trade show visitors how your product or service will help them 'Cuts trade show costs by 20 percent' "double your profits" or why not try a trade show special offer? "sign up today and get a free widget"

TYPE THAT IS TOO SMALL
Some of your graphics panels will be at the back of your stand so even on a small shell scheme passers by will be over 3m away. As a guide text needs to be 25mm high for every 1m your away. If your headlines are enticing enough visitors may move closer to read smaller detailed text so make sure your headlines are big enough.

FANCY FONTS
Keep it simple. Don't get too creative with fancy fonts. Keep headlines easily readable. Font like Times might be a bit boring but there must be a reason news papers use this style of serif font. Another good idea is to limit the number of fonts you use too many different styles make it look messy and are hard to read. Keep it just to a couple

POOR USE OF COLOURS
Avoid dark colours on dark backgrounds and light colours on light backgrounds. It gets trickier if your going to overlay text on a photographic background so take care. What looks fine on your computer monitor might not work when it's printed and on show under the lights on an exhibition stand. If your not sure ask your graphics company for advice and a printed proof.

HIDDEN GRAPHICS
You could have a stunning graphic but if it is hidden from view at the back of your stand behind a desk of product demonstration it’s wasted. When your planning your stand take into consideration where to place you graphics for maximum impact. And it’s not just equipment bear in mind if your stands a successful hopefully you’ll have plenty of visitors milling around. Consider placing your headlines at the top of your graphics panels so they can be seen above peoples head.


TOO MANY IMAGES
Images are great and now a days large format digital printing makes one off images affordable. But just like text keep it simple too many images can start to loose impact and look a bit messy. One high quality image can add real impact and get your message across at a glance.


POOR QUALITY
Two issues regarding quality. Firstly how good is the graphics company you are using and secondly how good is the artwork your sending them.
“Qulaity in Quality out“. Large format digital printers are capable of producing stunning photo realistic images but if you send them a poor image chance are you’ll get a poor graphics panels back.
If you present a poor image on your trade show stand how can your prospective client trust you to good a good job for them? A good graphics company will give you clear guidelines about how to provide the best artwork for large format digital print output. I would also expect them to call you and let you know if they think that the artwork will not be good enough quality. Many don’t they will simply print what you give them. If your not sure and have the time you could ask for a smaller test print. If in any doubt call them up and ask for an assurance that the image is good enough.
No photos are better than poor quality low resolution images. You only get one chance to make a good impression. If you need an image to sell your products, contact the manufacturers, do a photo shoot, try to find a high enough resolution picture from an image library.

POOR LIGHTING
You could have the best graphics in the world but if the lighting is poor your graphics make look poor too. Often you will not know what light quality to expect in a trade show exhibition hall so why not take your own?
Most portable display stand companies sell lighting. 200 watt halogen flood lights are popular for use on pop up exhibtion stands. To get an even spread of light you need to place your lights about 1m apart. Down lighting works better than uplighting unless your trying to create a specific effect.


LOOK AFTER YOUR GRAPHICS PANELS
Look after your investment. Graphics require carefully handling to avoid marks scratches and dents that can give a poor impression. Discuss your requirements with the graphics company they can advise you on the most suitable material for the job. A poster for a one day indoor event doesn’t need to be as durable (or expensive!) as a display panel to be used in your showroom. Extra durability can be provide by having your graphics laminated. Laminate protects the surface of the graphics from scratches, sticky fingers and liquid spills. Matt laminated also has the added benefit of preventing reflection from lights in and exhibition hall.
If your handling large panels get someone to help. It’s easy to dent or damage a corner trying to manouver graphics panels on your own. Be carefull packing and un packing your graphics. After a long show when everyone wants to rush off it’s easy just to chuck the graphics in a case. A little bit of extra time can save money and the hassell of reordering new graphic for the next show.

If you fancy having a go at designing your own graphics try our online design tool