The trade show print checklist
You booked the booth. Now the print. Here's what most booths need, how to think about quantities, and a short list of the small stuff people forget.
The print
Business cards. One set per person working the booth. Put a direct phone or email on them, not only the main line. Business cards
Flyers or rack cards. One page that says what you sell and what to do next. A rack card (3.67 x 8.5 in) fits a literature stand and slips into a show bag. A letter flyer gives you room for specs. Flyers
Brochures. For a product line that doesn't fit on one page. A tri-fold on 8.5 x 11 in covers most needs. Brochures
Booklets. A catalog, price book or spec book for buyers who want the full range. Saddle stitch, 8, 16 or 24 pages. Booklets
Postcards. A show offer, a follow-up reminder or a "find us at" card to hand out the week before. Postcards
Stickers. Easy to give away and easy to keep. Good for brands with a logo people like to stick on a laptop or a cooler. Stickers
Posters and foam boards. Pricing, a product menu or "Ask us about" signs for the table or an easel. Posters and signs
A retractable banner. Your name and what you do, readable from the aisle. A 32 x 80 in banner with stand and carry bag. Retractable banner
How many to order
There's no right number for every show. Start from your own numbers if you have them: what you handed out last time, and what was left in the box.
If you don't, work it out:
- Count the hours the floor is open. It's on the show's schedule.
- Guess the real conversations per hour, per person. Not people walking past. People who stop and talk.
- Multiply. Hours x conversations per hour x people in the booth. That's your rough count of people who should get a card or a flyer.
- Add a cushion. Some people take two, and some boxes get left at the hotel. A common rule of thumb is about 20% extra. It's a habit, not a measured number.
Business cards are the easy one. A rule of thumb a lot of exhibitors use: one box of 250 per person for a show of three days or less. Bring more if your team hands out cards to everyone who stops.
Signs follow the booth. A 10 x 10 booth usually fits one banner and one table sign. A 10 x 20 often has room for two banners. Rules of thumb again: check your booth plan and the show's height rules first.
Ran short mid-show? Next-day rush, flat $25. Not available on foam boards or the retractable banner, so order those with the rest.
The small stuff people forget
- Packing tape and a box cutter
- Zip ties and a few binder clips for signs
- A phone charger and a power strip (check what your booth package includes)
- A clipboard or tablet for lead notes
- A literature stand or acrylic holder for rack cards
- A tote or rolling bag to carry print from your hotel to the hall
- Your booth number, written on everything you mail out before the show
Showing in Atlanta?
See upcoming Atlanta shows and the pages for the Atlanta Boat Show, Atlanta Market and IPPE. Each one lists hotels near the venue.
Approve your proof by noon for delivery in 2 business days, or next day with rush.
Event printing in Atlanta for your show.
Free delivery to your Atlanta hotel.
Start your order
Questions
What's the one piece I shouldn't skip?
Business cards. They're small, easy to carry and the thing people ask for at the end of a good conversation.
What if I run out during the show?
Order again with rush. Next-day rush, flat $25. Not available on foam boards or the retractable banner.
Can you print different cards for each person on my team?
Yes. Add one order per person, and use the same hotel and date for each.