Make an Impact with Your Trade Show
Display Graphic Images
So, you’ve decided on the trade show display you think will best represent your company. And after deciding on the model, the trade show graphics you select are the next most important element to help you really stand out at a trade show!
Just as you want your trade show display materials to be as professional as
possible, you want your trade show display graphic images to be as bold, clean
and powerful as possible. The steps to achieving this are quite simple, but
require a good marketing foundation, some creativity to develop eye-catching
graphics and a thorough understanding of how to prepare those graphics for use
in your trade show display.
Here, we are going to focus on the last step – gathering information and
preparing your trade show graphic for submission to our production department.
Make sure you learn the specifics of each step of the design process, from submitting
your graphics files to receiving a proof/sample of how the final product will
look.
Below are some details to keep in mind, so you can help make the process as
seamless as possible.
• Minimum size – The files must be appropriately sized in order
for the trade show graphics to work. If your image is too small, or the resolution
of your photography is too low, blowing it up to a size that will fit your trade
show display and accessories will result in a distorted or blurry image. Ask
for the smallest and largest acceptable dimensions for your graphic images to
avoid needless design steps with the design department.
• LightJet vs. Ink Jet - LightJet graphics produce higher resolution
than ink jet graphics, but at a higher price. This is not the time to save
a few dollars. The highest resolution and saturation is absolutely imperative
for your final display to look stunning!
• Color Match – Your version of royal blue may not be the same
as the trade show graphic designers’ version of royal blue. And asking
to see an electronic sample can be tricky, because the different settings
on different computer monitors can distort the color’s appearance –
and the same goes for printouts as well. Because of this, a hard copy proof
printed on the same material as your final graphics, only at a smaller size,
is definitely recommended.
• Fonts – It is recommended you include the font files for the
different types of fonts used in your trade show display graphic images –
especially if your graphic combines actual text files with graphic files to
create one graphical element or file.
• Format – Ideally, your trade show graphic should be submitted
as an Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Quark Xpress or InDesign file. Mesa can
also work directly from a TIFF, EPS or High Resolution PDF file. Also, you
should submit your materials on a CD, DVD, ZIP disc or upload it onto our
FTP site.
• Production Time – Begin your submission timeline by backtracking
from the time you expect to receive the completed trade show display. Ask
your customer service rep how long it will take to complete the trade show
graphic production to determine when you should expect delivery. Don’t
make the schedule too tight – you want to leave some wiggle room for
yourself and the designers in case there are any obstacles or last minute
details to be worked out.
Your trade show display introduces your company to trade show visitors and prospective clients before they ever meet anyone from your company. Your trade show graphics are the most important part of creating that first impression, and can make or break your image.
By discussing your graphics concept(s) with your customer service rep at the
very beginning of the design process you can streamline the process to ensure
your trade show graphic images will be the most compelling they can be. Follow
these preliminary guidelines to save yourself and your graphic design team time
and frustration.
