No matter what product you sell, fabric displays are an easy way to attract customers to your booth or demonstration at a trade show. The types of cloth displays available make this a great choice of advertising media. The only limit on the cloth displays is your imagination.

Today's fabric displays are nothing like the shelving for fabric bolts that were once a staple way of displaying fabric. Today’s fabric panel displays use cutting-edge printing techniques and eco-friendly inks. You can repeat images in your fabric booth display, or each of your fabric display racks can display an entirely different image. The three main types of fabric displays are:

1. Flat hanging fabric displays.

2. Freestanding displays.

3. Pop-up fabric trade show displays.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Design your display fabric graphics

Talk to a printer who is familiar with creating fabric booth displays. Make sure the printer uses fabrics that have a long life so you can use them from one trade show to the next. Ideally the fabric should be lightweight and wrinkle resistant. The printing process should also allow you to fold and re-fold a sign many times without it developing noticeable cracks or peeling.

I recommend: First Trade Show is a printing company that specializes in fabric graphics. OnPoint Visuals also offers a wide variety of graphic options on fabric. Both companies print on flat panel sheets, and design signs to fit on modular frames.

Mount your fabric displays on fabric display racks

Make sure your fabric trade show displays are easy to assemble and disassemble. Most fabric panels snap or button onto a lightweight metal frame. It's best to learn any tricks to setting the equipment up before you arrive at the trade show.

I recommend: Impact Displays offer a wide range of fabric panel portable displays. The Godfrey Group is another company that offers the various trusses you need to set up fabric booth displays.

Choose the right fabric for cloth displays

If you plan to use the hanging fabric display many times, it only makes sense to choose a durable fabric. If possible, select a fabric that's washable as well. Ideally, you should be able to toss the sign in the washer when it needs cleaning and let it dry and it's ready to go to your next trade show.

I recommend: Companies like Beautiful Displays offer a variety of printed fabrics for you to choose from. ACI Design is another company that offers “wash and go” graphics.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure to feature your company's logo in all your fabric displays. Branding is such an important part of marketing success. Don't miss out on any opportunity to put your company's name front and center in your customers' minds.