1. Exhibition Display Guide: How to Build a Stand That Gets Noticed

    A well-built exhibition stand is one of the most powerful marketing investments a business can make. Done well, it communicates your brand at scale, attracts the right visitors and gives your team a professional, confident base from which to have meaningful conversations. Done poorly, it blends into the background and leaves your team feeling exposed and underrepresented.

    In this guide, we cover everything you need to build an exhibition stand that gets noticed — from choosing the right display formats and print products to stand layout, budgeting and artwork preparation. Whether you're exhibiting at a Brighton & Hove trade show for the first time or refreshing an existing setup, this guide will help you get more from your exhibition investment.

    Start with Your Stand Space

    Before you choose any display products, understand your stand space. Most exhibition organisers provide a shell scheme (a basic walled booth) or a floor space allocation (empty floor space only). The two require very different approaches:

    • Shell scheme — you have walls to work with. Graphics can be mounted directly to the walls using Velcro, adhesive panels or hook-and-loop systems. A backdrop display may not be necessary if you use the shell scheme walls effectively
    • Space only — you start with an empty floor space. You need to bring everything — backdrop displays, counters, furniture and all display elements. This gives maximum creative freedom but requires more planning and investment

    Know your exact floor dimensions, ceiling height and any restrictions (power points, neighbouring stands, rigging limitations) before specifying your display products.

    The Essential Exhibition Print Products

    Backdrop Display

    Your backdrop is the largest and most visible element of your stand — the first thing visitors see as they approach. Choose based on your budget, the size of your stand and the level of finish you want to achieve:

    • SEG fabric pop-up displays — seamless fabric backdrops from 770mm to 2970mm wide. The most premium-looking option. See our SEG fabric pop-up displays
    • Traditional pop-up displays — magnetic panel systems in five sizes up to 4165mm wide, complete with carry case, tabletop and LED lights. See our traditional pop-up displays
    • Wide roller banners — a cost-effective backdrop option up to 1500mm wide. See our wide roller banners

    Counter or Reception Point

    A branded counter transforms your stand from a flat display into a three-dimensional branded environment. It provides a natural focal point for conversations, a surface for product demonstrations and a place to keep literature organised and accessible:

    Supplementary Displays

    Roller banners and fabric stands flanking the main backdrop add depth and additional messaging to your stand:

    Literature and Takeaways

    Give visitors something to take away that keeps your brand in their hands after the event:

    Stand Layout Principles

    A good stand layout draws visitors in and facilitates natural conversation. Key principles:

    • Open the front of your stand — avoid placing tables, counters or furniture across the entrance of your stand. An open front invites visitors in; a closed front keeps them out
    • Place your largest display at the back — your backdrop display should form the rear wall of your stand, creating a branded environment that visitors walk into rather than past
    • Create a conversation zone — position your counter and any seating toward the centre or rear of the stand, encouraging visitors to move in from the aisle
    • Keep it tidy — build storage into your stand layout from the start. Bags, coats, stock and personal items should be out of sight. A tidy stand looks significantly more professional than a cluttered one
    • Make your headline message visible from the aisle — the most important text on your backdrop should be readable from at least five metres away, above the heads of people walking past

    Budgeting for Your Exhibition Stand

    Exhibition stand costs vary enormously depending on the display formats chosen and the quality of print products. A practical framework for budgeting:

    • Entry level — two or three roller banners, a literature stand and a good supply of leaflets and business cards. Effective, professional and achievable at modest cost
    • Mid-range — SEG fabric pop-up backdrop, branded counter, roller banners, full literature suite and branded lanyards. A cohesive, professional stand presence
    • Premium — large traditional pop-up or multi-panel SEG system, stretch fabric counter, fabric stands, full branded merchandise and premium literature. A stand that genuinely commands the exhibition floor

    See our guide on budget-conscious exhibition setups: How to Set Up an Exhibition Stand on a Budget

    Artwork and Lead Times

    Exhibition display products have longer production lead times than standard print — fabric pop-up displays and traditional pop-ups typically require 5–7 working days from artwork approval. Plan your artwork timeline carefully and always build in time for at least one round of revisions.

    Key artwork requirements for exhibition displays:

    Plan Your Exhibition Stand with Dipol Print

    Dipol Print supplies everything you need for a complete exhibition stand — from backdrop displays and counters to literature, lanyards and branded merchandise — for businesses across Brighton & Hove and the wider UK. Collect from our print shop at 97 St James's Street, Brighton BN2 1TP or order online for UK-wide delivery.

    Planning an exhibition? Get in touch with our team early — we'll help you specify the right products for your stand space, budget and timeline.