Having enjoyed a gloriously sunny Bank Holiday where we passed a wedding party with a very happy-looking couple, it got us thinking about the weddings exhibition industry.

Wedding exhibitions are big business and for the many companies that stake their spots in the shows that take place all over the country, it’s incredibly important to have the right kit to help impress potential clients. It’s all about putting together the elements that will make a couple’s big day, so it’s absolutely vital to have the right tools to help showcase your own skills and services.

Wedding exhibitions will be teeming with a mixed group of creatives. Photographers wanting to show off their portfolios and demonstrate to clients that they have the expertise, flair and timing to capture magical moments of the couple and their guests enjoying the big day; Caterers showcasing their culinary abilities to delight prospective couples; DJs and wedding entertainment collectives putting on a party to keep the guests in high spirits – all of these different creatives all require the right tools to put their work on a pedestal and help it outshine the competition.

At Printdesigns, we understand the importance of having the right exhibition kit, full of functional, flexible pieces that allow you to really get on with interacting with your potential clients and showing your work at its very best. Exhibition stands are a must-have, whatever your trade. We produce high-quality, printed banner stands with a myriad of print options to suit all budgets. Photographers might choose a standout print along with essential contact and social media information for an eye-catching and memorable visual.

We also cater for the fast-paced world of video – we know iPads are playing a big part in exhibitions now – they can be great for a quick showreel, a slideshow and even data-input. iPad display stands are a great way to keep the focus on your stall and enable freehand viewing for you and the client.

Printdesigns also has a varied range of portable furniture and essentials so you’re never ‘underdressed’ when meeting your prospective customers – check out our pop-up counters for super speedy set up and stock up on our Velcro rolls, a must-have for neat exhibition stalls. Use the tape to keep wires out of sight and eliminate a tripping hazard.

If you’ll be pitching up at an exhibition and need some professional tools to help showcase your business’ skills, give us a call on 01785 224055.

Whether creating a show-stopping display for use at a trade show or aiming for some brand emphasis in a reception or waiting area, a banner stand can add visual impact to any environment. They can deliver strong marketing messages or simply increase a sense of brand presence, and they are one of the most popular methods of promotion for businesses large and small. As with any popular marketing method, there are many different variants on the conventional banner stand. This guide examines some of the most common types of banner stand, with the advantages they boast and what environments they are best used in.

By far the most popular type of exhibition stand on the market, the roller banner stand is ideal for businesses which want to make a big impact on a relatively small budget. They are imposing and eye-catching when fully assembled, and when the exhibition is over they can simply be rolled up and stored within a convenient carry-case; the printed panel is stored within the base when not in use with the help of a spring-tensioned roller mechanism. This makes them especially useful for companies or individuals who travel a lot; the stands can be stored in transit and unveiled easily at their destination using a simple hook.

Though the sunny days are few and far between in Britain, many organisations still insist on hosting outdoor events, making outdoor banner stands are also an incredibly popular marketing solution for those who want to be prepared. Whilst it might not be possible to rainproof an entire display, many who plan on attending outdoor events are reassured by the fact that their banner stand will stand tall and remain unaffected by reasonably adverse weather. UV cured ink is printed directly onto PVC, which won’t wrinkle after a summer shower, and the weighted bases will stand up against sudden gusts of wind. Summer fairs, outdoor forecourts and workplace entrance areas are prime places for outdoor banner stands.

Slightly less common but gaining in popularity every day, the bamboo banner stand is one which will stand any business in good stead for the coming years of emission reductions and eco-friendly policies. As well as being environmentally friendly, the stands are attractive and hardwearing, making them ideal for the type of exhibition or trade show where much competition will be faced. Anything which sets a display out from the crowd is a plus in these situations, and their ‘green’ credentials are an added bonus for company looking to the future. Lightweight textile graphics, a natural and authentic stand and a low price tag make these stands one of the best options for businesses looking to impress.

Positioning is everything when it comes to choosing stand space at an exhibition or trade show. It can have a huge effect on the amount of business that is done for the duration of the show, and can have a massive impact on the amount of exposure and publicity a company receives at the event. Often with these types of events, stand slots and space are open to book months in advance; the positioning of a display is not pot luck, and it will have consequences regarding the overall success of a foray into the exhibition world. Here are Printdesigns’ top tips for exhibition stand positioning, and how to achieve maximum exposure.

Research

It is a very good idea for exhibitors to attend the show themselves beforehand, or a similar show at the least. Getting to know the layout of the show and observing the way people move around the space is a great way to pick the best spot for the banner stands and displays. The positioning of stands at these events, combined with facilities such as toilets, cafes, refreshment stands, exits and entrances can create noticeable areas where traffic is higher and bottle necks occur; these are the ideal places for a display. Stand space which boasts open space on either aisle, as well as stands situated in corners, also get consistently high visitor rates. It is also recommended to examine each of the stand spaces, taking note of electrical points, how many walls the space is surrounded by, as well as features of the building such as columns or steps which might hinder how well the display can be seen.

Competition

If possible, attempt to find out who has already booked their exhibition space for the show. If this is a large company with a loyal customer base, there can be an inclination towards frustration, but the high levels of traffic this neighbour will create could have a beneficial effect. Getting a stand next to or opposite a direct competitor is also a strong move, especially if their deals are inferior; twice the number of customers will be attracted and all there is left to do is to offer them a deal far better than rival’s.

Find Your Level

First time exhibitors might be advised to take their roller banner stands to the smaller spaces in order to gauge public reaction and see how the exhibition experience pans out. Alternatively, those who are unfamiliar with the exhibition scene and want to appear as professional as possible might look into such options as shell scheme stands, where the organiser supplies walls, carpet and a company name board. These spaces are generally smaller, but are kitted out with everything necessary to make an impact at a show. Larger options are generally only space-only hire, and are recommended for the savvy, experienced exhibitors who can supply all of their own equipment and create a striking exhibition area.

Experiencing a current global shift towards sustainable products, and energy efficiency being the hot topic, companies from around the world are jumping on the ‘go-green’ bandwagon for fear of being left behind by this new wave of environmental thinking. With the public increasingly searching for environmentally friendly solutions, company marketing has seen a big change of direction. Offering quality over quantity, investing in a Printdesigns exhibition display means that companies can rest assured that they are meeting public go-green expectations.

A large percentage of potential clients will now take the time and effort to source a company that not just meets financial requirements but plays its part in reducing mankind’s carbon footprint. Not only do Printdesigns uphold a environmentally friendly graphic printing process but the quality of all products ensures that the need to constantly source replacement marketing material and the amount of wasted products that end up broken, torn or rusted, is considerably reduced.

Made with slightly thicker aluminum shells, a Printdesigns pop up display stand will last for considerably longer that most other budget brands for a competitive price. A range of other pop up display kits also include magnetic locking frames and graphic hanging attachments, which despite meaning an easy set-up, are some of the most durable on the market. Where both budget and environmental ethics are an important factor, the budget roller banner stand even comes complete with a recyclable base.

All banner stand boards and panel graphics are printed at photo quality using an environmentally friendly UV print process. Keen to promote a healthy environment by strictly avoiding the use of solvents and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Printdesigns’ printing practice guarantees that no damaging toxins are released into the air at any time during or following the printing process.  Their dye sublimation printing system on textile graphic displays also follows the healthy product policy, textile prints are much more easily recyclable than PVC and polyester.

iPad stands are also becoming an increasing marketing trend for 2013. The stand is the perfect hands on solution for both exhibitors and customers and requiring very little power to run or charge the iPad, is a wonderful answer to environmental marketing concerns. Combining an audiovisual product that is both modern and interactive, is proving among marketing professionals, to be a key tool for both company product promotion and improved customer service.

For businesses such as spas, gyms, alternative medical practices and holistic therapy clinics, whose approach to the environment and our relationship with it is the very essence of their existence, a bamboo banner stand would certainly be more in keeping with company credo. A fast growing plant, bamboo is a wonderful solution to helping decrease deforestation issues and toxic waste emitted from manufacturing plastic and metal. Sturdy, durable, stylish and versatile, a bamboo exhibition stand is the most environmentally friendly marketing product available.

Magiclad is a material ideally suited for the production of shell scheme graphics and available at the best prices from leading UK exhibition display provider Printdesigns Limited.

For those customers looking for a simple, yet eye-catching way to dress a shell scheme exhibition stand, Shell Clad can provide the perfect solution.

Shell Clad adapter clips are simple, plastic adapters that snap-on to the pre-existing shell scheme posts and allow printed, graphic panels to attach ton them edge to edge using velcro. The use of Shell Clad adapters enables an exhibition shell scheme to be ‘wallpapered’ with all-round graphics as the metal posts of the stand are hidden from view.

There are many materials that can be used for the production of the graphic panels and Printdesigns favour the use of a heavyweight, polyester stoplight film called Opal Jet. Opal jet is a photographic-coated film that provides excellent colour reproduction and pin-sharp print definition. Once printed, the material is laminated with a scratch resistant coating to protect the delicate printed surface from marks and damage when it is handled.

Magiclad roll panel backing is a 4mm thick fluted sheet material that can be applied to the reverse to the Opal jet polyester film after printing in order to provide extra rigidity over the width of the panel whilst still allowing for the panel itself to be rollable.

Shell-Clad graphics that have been produced using the Magiclad backing provide the versatility of a rollable panel combined with the overall finish of a solid wall panel. Being so thick and durable, a set of magiclad printed graphics can be used many times thus providing maximum return on investment from your exhibiting budget.

Below is a picture of a typical Magiclad roll panel. Don’t forget that Printdesigns can provide Magiclad roll panels in bespoke sizes for other uses as well as for use on Shell Clad exhibition stands. For more information, please call or email and speak to one of our team who can help.

Shell Clad Magiclad Roll Panels