An exhibition stand is built in a day, judged in seconds and taken down in an evening. In between, its graphics are rolled, carried, knocked by forklifts, leant against by visitors and packed into crates. If a company plans to use the same stand at more than one show, the graphics need to come out of the crate looking as good as they went in.
Where damage usually happens
Ask any stand builder and the answer is rarely the show itself. Most wear happens during:
- Rolling and unrolling panels, which rubs the print against itself
- Transport, when panels slide against each other or against crate walls
- Build-up, when hands, tools and other contractors are close to the graphics
- Storage between events, sometimes in a warehouse that is far from ideal
How a coating helps
Colourjet is a solvent coating that protects prints from water, chemicals and abrasion, with integrated UV inhibitors to help prevent premature fading. On stand graphics, the abrasion resistance is the main benefit: a coated surface is better able to cope with rolling and packing, and marks picked up during build can often be wiped away. Landor Liquid Lamination is used on prints from latex, UV and eco-solvent printers, which covers most exhibition production.
Pop-up and roller banner media can be particularly sensitive, as they need to stay flexible. Coat and roll a test piece several times before committing a full stand to production, and check our compatibility notes if you are unsure about a material.
Graphics for shell schemes and walls
Shell scheme stands and venue walls often have strict rules about what can be fixed to them. Phototex, a printable self-adhesive woven fabric, is a practical option here. It applies directly to smooth panels, can be repositioned if it goes on crooked, and removes in one piece without damaging the surface. Because it can be reused, the same graphic can travel to the next show. It is easy to install, so exhibitors can often fit it themselves rather than booking specialist installers.
Planning for reuse
- Keep evergreen brand graphics separate from show-specific messages so only the latter need reprinting.
- Coat the evergreen panels for durability.
- Store rolled graphics print side out on a wide core where possible.
- Label crates clearly so panels are not forced into the wrong space.
Got a show coming up and want graphics that last beyond it? Contact us and we will talk you through coating and material options.