What You Need for a Trade Show Booth: A Display Checklist

The displays and printed pieces a booth actually needs, and the order to plan them in.

Graphics Universal retractable banner stand set up on the shop floor

The short version

  • A table booth needs a banner stand, table throw and handouts
  • Design booth graphics to read from across the aisle
  • Order early enough to test the setup before you travel

A trade show booth has a few seconds to tell someone walking past who you are and why they should stop. The displays do most of that work. Here is what to plan for.

The Basics for a Table Booth

  • A retractable banner stand behind or beside the table.
  • A fitted or printed table throw.
  • A tabletop sign or small display.
  • Handouts: brochures, sell sheets or postcards.
  • Business cards for everyone staffing the booth.

For a Larger Booth

Add a backdrop display across the back wall, more banner stands to frame the space, and signage that can be read from the aisle. Keep the graphics consistent so the booth reads as one piece rather than a collection.

Design for Distance

People read booth graphics from across the aisle while walking. Put your name and one clear message high up, where they can be seen over a crowd, and keep the detail for the handouts. Anything below table height is usually hidden.

Order with Time to Spare

Set up the displays before you travel to check that everything is there and reads the way you expect. Portable displays are designed to be set up by your own team at the venue.

Make It Last Beyond One Show

Keep dates and one-time offers off the banners and put them on the handouts instead, so the displays work for every show you attend.

We produce the displays under signage and displays and the handouts under commercial printing. For signs going outdoors, see indoor vs. outdoor sign materials.

Questions on your own project?

Talk to the people who run the presses. Quotes back in one business day.