Effective trade show graphics are essential for a successful trade show display. Here are some things to consider when designing your graphics (and some things to avoid).

1. How to Effectively DesignHow to Effectively Design
Your Trade Show GraphicsYour Trade Show Graphics
Kristin HovdeKristin Hovde
Smash Hit DisplaysSmash Hit Displays

2. Benefits of Trade ShowsBenefits of Trade Shows
 Get exposure for your companyGet exposure for your company
 Meet potential customers or professionalsMeet potential customers or professionals
to network withto network with
 Reach your target audience all under oneReach your target audience all under one
roofroof
 Increase salesIncrease sales
 Promote new productsPromote new products

3. When Designing Your Trade ShowWhen Designing Your Trade Show
Graphics…Graphics…
 Keep it simpleKeep it simple
 Use bold colorsUse bold colors
 Think of billboards you see on the highwayThink of billboards you see on the highway
 Text should be large and clearText should be large and clear

4. Keep it SimpleKeep it Simple
 Your graphics should say “what you do”Your graphics should say “what you do”
 No more than 2 short sentences should beNo more than 2 short sentences should be
used. Any more and you will overwhelmused. Any more and you will overwhelm
the attendees with too much info.the attendees with too much info.
 Only use a couple large photos of theOnly use a couple large photos of the
products you are promoting.products you are promoting.

5. Insert Bold ColorsInsert Bold Colors
 Bright colors will get more attention thanBright colors will get more attention than
neutral colors.neutral colors.
 Good color choices: red, yellow, orange,Good color choices: red, yellow, orange,
and greenand green
 Colors you should avoid: brown, tan,Colors you should avoid: brown, tan,
beige, or whitebeige, or white
 Colors used should tie in withColors used should tie in with the colorsthe colors
used for your logoused for your logo

6. Think of BillboardsThink of Billboards
 They are very simple, yet give all of theThey are very simple, yet give all of the
information needed – such as contact info,information needed – such as contact info,
a short sentence stating what they do, anda short sentence stating what they do, and
one or two large photos.one or two large photos.
 Your trade show graphics should beYour trade show graphics should be
designed in the same fashiondesigned in the same fashion

7. Use Large TextUse Large Text
 Your text should be large enough to beYour text should be large enough to be
seen from 2 trade show booths awayseen from 2 trade show booths away
 Choose font wisely – a popular choice isChoose font wisely – a popular choice is
Ariel because it is simple and easy-to-readAriel because it is simple and easy-to-read

8. What to avoidWhat to avoid
 Trying to cram too much information intoTrying to cram too much information into
the graphicsthe graphics
 Getting font-happy and using more thanGetting font-happy and using more than
oneone
 Using a fancy fontUsing a fancy font
 Thinking of your brochure when designingThinking of your brochure when designing
the trade show graphicsthe trade show graphics

9. Too much infoToo much info
 Some exhibitors try to fit paragraphs ofSome exhibitors try to fit paragraphs of
text into their graphicstext into their graphics
 No attendee is going to want to stop andNo attendee is going to want to stop and
read itread it
 They’ll end up moving on to a trade showThey’ll end up moving on to a trade show
exhibit that doesn’t require so much timeexhibit that doesn’t require so much time
to figure out what they do.to figure out what they do.

10. Too many fontsToo many fonts
 Just because you found a bunch of coolJust because you found a bunch of cool
fonts, doesn’t mean they are a goodfonts, doesn’t mean they are a good
match for trade show graphicsmatch for trade show graphics
 Choose a font and stick with itChoose a font and stick with it
 Using too many different fonts will makeUsing too many different fonts will make
your exhibit display look sloppyyour exhibit display look sloppy

11. No Fancy FontsNo Fancy Fonts
 Using a fancy, swirly font may look goodUsing a fancy, swirly font may look good
on paper, but would be difficult to read onon paper, but would be difficult to read on
trade show graphics.trade show graphics.
 Stick to the simple fontsStick to the simple fonts

12. Don’t think of your brochureDon’t think of your brochure
 Brochures generally have tons ofBrochures generally have tons of
information and picturesinformation and pictures
 Your graphics should be the summarizedYour graphics should be the summarized
versionversion
 Get straight to the point and use only oneGet straight to the point and use only one
or two sentencesor two sentences
 You may want to use your missionYou may want to use your mission
statement or one sentence stating thestatement or one sentence stating the
benefits of your productsbenefits of your products

13. For more infoFor more info
Smash Hit Displays can help! OurSmash Hit Displays can help! Our
graphic designers are specially trained tographic designers are specially trained to
create professional, eye-catchingcreate professional, eye-catching
graphics.graphics.
http://www.smashhitdisplays.comhttp://www.smashhitdisplays.com