A trade show booth is a small storefront that only exists for a day or two. People walk the aisle at a steady pace, scanning, and decide in a few steps whether to slow down. Everything you bring has one job: earn that pause, then make the conversation easy.

This is the checklist we walk people through when they come to us before a show. It covers what to print, what to pack and how the pieces should work together, so your booth reads as one brand instead of a pile of materials.

Start With the Back Wall

The back wall is what people see from across the hall, so it gets the biggest idea and the least text. Your name, one line about what you do and one strong visual. If someone has to read a paragraph to understand your booth, they will keep walking.

Choose the format by your space and how often you plan to use it:

Tension fabric display (from $259): a clean, wall-sized face that keeps your graphic smooth under bright hall lighting.
Pop-up display (from $599): a full, curved wall when you want the booth to feel built, not just set up.
Step and repeat (from $299): the right pick when photos are part of the plan.

Add Height at the Edges

Here is the problem with back walls: once people stand in front of yours, nobody can see it. That is exactly when you want to be seen, because a crowd draws a crowd. Banners at the front corners carry your message when the wall is blocked.

A pull-up banner ($225) or an X-frame banner ($135) at the aisle edge should say what you do in a few words. Do not repeat the back wall word for word. Use it to answer the next question: what you sell, who it is for or what is happening at the booth today. At outdoor events or large open venues, a feather flag ($127.99) helps people find you from a distance.

Dress the Table

A fitted, printed table cover ($183.99) does two things. It hides the boxes and bags stored underneath, and it puts your logo at eye level for anyone standing at the table. A bare folding table with a plastic cloth tells people you threw this together.

Keep the tabletop clear. One display piece, one neat stack of handouts and a way to capture leads. Clutter on the table makes people hesitate to step in.

What to Print for the Hand-Off

Most of what you hand out gets sorted in a hotel room that night. Print for that moment, not just for the booth.

Business cards (from $25.99): for every real conversation.
Rack cards ($33.99): a tall, simple summary of what you offer and how to reach you. They fit in a bag without folding.
Flyers (from $24.99): for a show-only offer, with the offer printed big enough to remember.
Die-cut stickers ($47.99): people keep stickers and put them where others see them.
Presentation folders ($249.99): for serious leads who need pricing, a proposal or a full packet.
Floor decals ($24.99): to mark your spot or guide people toward a demo.

You can find the handout pieces in our marketing materials section.

Make the Pieces Work Together

The booths that feel professional repeat one message at three distances. Across the hall, the back wall says who you are. At the aisle, the banner says what you do. In hand, the card or rack card says how to take the next step.

Use the same colors, the same fonts and the same headline language on every piece. If you use a QR code, send every code to one landing page that matches the booth, and print the web address next to it for people who would rather type.

Pack the Small Kit

The things that save a show are rarely the expensive ones. Put these in one labeled box:

Extension cord and power strip
Packing tape, zip ties, scissors and a small tool kit
Cleaning wipes and a lint roller for fabric
Pens, a clipboard or tablet for leads, and a box for cards you collect
Phone chargers and water
A printed copy of your show info, booth number and setup times

Before You Order

Build your files at actual size and leave yourself room before the show date. Every print order gets a free artwork review, which catches the usual problems like missing bleed or low-resolution images before anything goes to press. Local pickup in Cleveland is available if you want to grab everything yourself.

Nov 16 to 22: 20% Off Displays and Banners

From Monday, November 16 through Sunday, November 22, events and trade show displays and banners are 20% off. The discount applies automatically at checkout, and the code BOOTH20 also works. Browse the full lineup in our events and trade show section.

Not sure which wall fits your space or your budget? Start a project brief and we will help you plan the booth as one piece, from back wall to business card.

— Alan

The Trade Show Booth Checklist: What to Bring and Print