4 Common Mistakes Made With Trade Show Display Graphics
The graphics used in a trade show display are one of the most important elements in any exhibit. The images and text used on the various stands are responsible for attracting attention, expressing ideas, relaying messages about the company brand, and helping attendees determine what the company is offering or providing. Unfortunately, even the most experienced companies make simple yet horrific mistakes when designing and creating these displays. Here are four to watch out for:
Monsters, Inc. Poor Use Of White Space In Trade Show Display Graphics
Images and quality displays are all about balance. One of the important traits to balance is the amount of graphics and text versus the amount of empty ‘white space’ or background color. Using this space wisely draws the eye to the important elements in the design and gives the displays a professional appeal that every business needs.
Color Balance
While there is an unlimited number of color palates and choices businesses can use in their trade show display graphics, it’s still important to keep the element of balance in mind here as well. Light versus dark colors, cool versus warm tints, etc are all important considerations. However, it’s also important to choose colors that contrast each other enough so that everything is easy to read and identify.
Selecting The Wrong Material
The material companies choose to print their graphics on doesn’t necessarily affect the trade show attendee, but it can certainly affect the return on investment. Regardless of the material chosen, the graphics should always appear clean, crisp, and clear, but durability and use have to enter into the decision as well. If the trade show display graphics will be used repeatedly for a number of exhibitions, a durable fabric will be a much better choice than paper. For quick image changes and displays that will be changed frequently, inexpensive paper just makes sense. Outdoors, select something laminated.
Selecting The Wrong Font
Some Serif fonts, cursives, and decorative fonts might look fantastic, but they don’t always make the best choice, particularly for important information and large chunks of text. Sellers only have mere seconds to attract an attendee’s attention, so if the displays are going to work, anyone should be able to read the text instantly.
Font size also plays an important factor here. Make the words large enough that they can be read from an acceptable distance away, but not so large that they overpower the images and the images themselves, unless this type of effect is intentional!
Lastly, it’s ok to mix fonts together, but be careful when deciding which ones go together; don’t to put too many on one display either. When this happens, the entire thing looks messy and poorly planned, which can cast a poor light on the company and its offerings.
Trade show display graphics are such an important element of any exhibit that even a seemingly simple mistake can have significant ramifications on its success. Take time to plan everything out carefully and don’t be afraid to test and gather opinions before finalizing plans. The improved ROI will be well worth it.