With trade show season starting to kick off, we’ve gathered together some of our freshest tips and tricks for getting the most out of your exhibition print.

Be Prepared

Exhibitions are a fantastic opportunity to get your brand out there, especially if you’ve never taken part in a trade show before. 

At least a month before the event, gather all the information you can in advance, such as exhibitor lists, attendee numbers and the running schedule too. Once you have a better understanding of the event detail, you’ll know where to focus your attention, and can start to think about stand design and product showcasing. Start planning all your print with plenty of time.

Top tip: It can be really helpful to reach out to someone you know is well-versed in exhibiting for additional ideas and mentorship. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice!

It is a common misconception that business cards are just for networking. It is true that they are the best way to introduce yourself or your business, but there are many other reasons why you should have them.

The first reason is that they function as a compliment card. It’s always nice to give one to someone who has done something nice for you and it’s also a great way to show appreciation when someone does something nice for you. The second reason is that they can be used as a keychain or bookmark, which means they will always be with you no matter where you go!

Stand out from the crowd

Roller banners are a great way to advertise your business in the exhibition. But, how do you make sure that your roller banner stands out from the rest? Well, there are some simple techniques that can help you with this.

The first thing that you need to do is to choose a colour scheme for your banner. This will help create a recognizable identity for your company and also ensure that it stands out from the other banners in the exhibition. The next thing is to use bold fonts and graphics on your banner so that it can be easily read by passers by. Lastly, ensure that you have enough space on the banner so as not to crowd it with too many words or images.

You’ll have a very small window to make an impact on your audience, so make your stand as eye-catching as possible. Why not showcase your business’ success on bright Display Boards or Posters.

Top tip: If you already know the size of your exhibition stand, why not create a mock exhibition space at home? You can mark out the dimensions of your space in real life, which can be really helpful as a practice run before the event.

Make your exhibition print memorable

Exhibitors are always on the lookout for ways to make their exhibition stand memorable. When creating your exhibition print, consider luxury finishes such as Spot UV or Foiling. One of these ways is by using foil or spot uv as a finishing touch. This will increase the visual appeal of your exhibition print and make it more memorable for the people who see it. Get creative with how your Leaflets are folded, go for luxury Perfect Bound Brochures or perhaps make your Business Cards magnetic to really showcase something different from other exhibitors.

Top tip: To compliment your product display, don’t shy away from subtle decorations such as ornaments and plants to add to shelving units or floor space. This can add another dimension to your stand and make it more personable and inviting.

Spread the word

It’s one thing getting noticed when you’re at the event itself, and an entirely new challenge getting people there in the first place.

Advertising is the most commonly used marketing strategy for promoting your exhibition. Social media platforms are the best place for advertising as it has a huge reach and it's free of cost.

The first step in exhibition advertising is to create a social media account that can be used for this purpose.

This account should be created with the same name as your company, which will make it easier to remember and share.

The next step is to post content on social media platforms that will attract more visitors to come and visit your exhibition.

Make sure to shout about the event at least two weeks in advance on your social media to let people know that you’re going to be there. If the exhibition is advertising on social media as well then they will probably be more than happy to repost about your business too. You could also mention the event in any newsletters or email updates you send out, so your existing customer base knows what’s going on.

Top tip: Don’t forget about your marketing support materials! As with most trade shows, customers and stockists won’t be able to purchase items from you directly on the day. Having something to give out is crucial, to make sure that they remember you. This could be a look book, Giveaways, Postcard or even a Branded Notebook.

Put yourself out there

The idea of exhibiting for the first time can be a daunting prospect, but what have you got to lose? 

We’ve listed a few below for inspo:

• Top Drawer 2022 20th - 22nd February 2022
• The National Wedding Show (Spring): 25th – 27th March 2022

• Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring & Speciality Food Show: 27th – 29th March 2022

• Expo Scotland Business Show Thurs 5th May 2022
• The London Stationery Show: 17th – 18th May 2022
• The National Wedding Show (Autumn): 17th-18th September 2022
• Design London: 21st – 24th September 2022

Our Exhibition Print Collection has all the print products you’ll need for your trade shows all in one place, at an affordable price. If you need any advice for you and your business, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Customer Service Team who are always more than happy to help!