Getting noticed at a trade show can be a difficult task if you are unprepared. It is always exciting to have your own booth to showcase your product, or to be given stage time during a presentation, but if your presentation does not catch the eye of your customers, then no matter how well your product works or how useful it is, no one will purchase it because your advertising campaign has failed.
This is the reason it is so important to have a bright display that catches the eye and draws a crowd. You can achieve this by using full color banners on the trade floor, if permitted. Pointing people to your booth with eye-catching colors and bold statements are a classic marketing technique that many people use. Of course, once you get people to your booth, you want them to stick around, so be sure your presentation matches their expectations of your advertising.
Many trade show showcasers feel as though printing a full color banner for use might be too expensive. This is true if you are using a medium such as paper that does not last well over time, since you want to be able to use the banner over and over, especially if you are traveling around the country to many different trade shows. It does not make sense to have a one time use banner, so when considering your options, your best bet is probably a full color vinyl banner. Vinyl is a durable material that will not get ruined if it happens to get wet and it can stand up to windy conditions if any of the shows you will be attending are outside.
Getting vinyl banners is a bit more expensive than using traditional paper signs, but they are durable and will last you for many shows, so the cost is therefore worth it. You can get a vinyl banner designed at any print shop that offers full color banner printing, but before you go in with your design, you should decide on the size you need. The print shop will ask you how large a banner you want, so be prepared to give them length and width dimensions.
In addition to knowing the size of the banner you need, you will also have to relay the colors you want. Having a printed design to work from is a large help, but having dimensions that are easily scalable for your design is something to keep in the back of your mind as well. As an example, if your logo is mostly square, you would not want to stretch it out and put it on a very long rectangular banner, as that would distort the logo beyond use. If you are unsure how large a banner you need, consult with one of the print technicians at the print shop. They can help you decide how large a banner you will need if you supply them with the original logo, the size of the trade floor show, or even just a general size, and any text you want to appear on the banner with your logo.
Custom tailored banner services are not cheap, so do not expect to go into a print shop and walk out for fifty bucks. Because it takes time to get the printing right and to suit your needs, you should expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $500, depending on the size of your banner and the amount of work it took to create it. Aside from getting a banner printed and using it at trade shows, you should consider a few other things.
Storage of the banner is something many people do not think about, but it is something you will need to address. You do not want to just rumble it up and toss it in the trunk of your car, as it will be wrinkled and appear terrible at your performance or booth. Thus, you will need to purchase a duffel bag or similar bag in which to carry your banner so that it does not get overly wrinkled and not presentable. This will also make it easier to carry back and forth from the show floor, as vinyl banners tend to be heavy if they are very large.
Keeping all of these possibilities in mind when it comes to designing your trade show booth is something every presenter should do. Since your brand advertising is directly related to how well your product does on the floor, displaying yourself prominently and in a professional manner should be your top priority. Your advertisements are the first contact people have with you and your product, so make sure they leave a lasting impression that will both wow and surprise potential customers and returning customers alike.