Pop Up Trade Show Displays – A Buyers Guide

With the vast array of display products that exist for Exhibitors needing portable solutions, the pop up display is a great choice. It is extremely portable, versatile and offers a look that is as modern as the graphics that you use. Pop Up back walls can look full and weighty, despite their light weight construction. They are perfect for multiple indoor venues and have been the workhorse for millions of companies over the years that need a terrific display on a tight budget.

Originally, the traditional pop up display consisted of an expandable frame that resembled a Geodesic Dome. Vertical struts were added for support and rollable, Hook & Loop receptive fabric panels were hung to the face of the frame using magnets that attached to the struts. This way, you could attach graphics onto the display and change them as needed. That same system is still used today and has been improved upon dramatically.

Now, a pop up can be ordered with full graphic panels, one-piece full color dye-sublimation printed fabric panels or stretchable flags. The display can even be back-lit. There are a lot of different shapes that can be made using the simple frame along with panels, shelving, lights and monitor holders. This helps to keep the ubiquitous pop up display relevant.

TRADITIONAL POP UP DISPLAYS

As stated above, this is the classic display that easily comes together to fill up a space. Add graphics, shelves, monitor holders, bubble panels, back lighting and make different shapes to suit your particular needs.

Order with fabric or graphic panels or add a podium wrap that covers the case and creates an opportunity for branding and gives you the utility of a counter (without the podium wrap, you have to hide or store the case).

We recommend, due to the drop in prices for graphics to order Mural Kits, which include printed graphic panels.

Frames:

“Accordion out” for quick set up. Usually they are made of lightweight round aluminum tubes joined together at “hub’s, which allow struts (channel bars) to be hung for extra support. Most manufacturers offer a lifetime frame warranty for this part of the display. (Check the warranty details for each model) The design allows the frame to be easily collapsed and packed away in a case for storage and shipping.

Struts or Channel Bars:

These are vertical frame supports that make the frame a little stronger and allow the panels to be hung using magnets. They attach in various non-complex ways to the frame hubs. Some slip on. Others use magnets or a clip on design. Some allow the attachment of lights at the top or have notches in the center to hang shelves or monitor holders. For standard systems, struts are used in the front and sides, unless you are adding panels to the back.

Cases:

Designs vary. Pop up cases are usually made of roto-molded plastic with a removable top and wheels on one side. Some case tops can be used as a step stool to assist with hanging panels, graphics or lights. Lights usually have a compartment inside the top for safe storage in foam. They are designed for safely packing the parts of the display to minimize damage to hardware and panels during shipping or storage.

Podium Wraps:

Podium wraps are graphic or fabric panels that simply Hook & Loop to the case to cover it up. They offer a smooth shell that makes the case look like a counter. Various counter tops are available, ranging from ABS plastic and Sintra to laminate wood. It’s also possible to affix vinyl graphics to the tops.

Otherwise known as case-to-podium conversion kits, podium wraps turn the pop up carry case into a meet and greet counter, a place to display a product or literature, and another location to showcase your brand. Another advantage is since the case is being used as a podium, you don’t have to store it anywhere, which could actually save you money at some show venues.

Lights:

Attach to the top of the frame using special clips or depending on the model, clip onto the top of the channel bar. Pop up display lights plug into standard outlets. The trend in the exhibit industry is moving toward LED display lights, which use less energy, emit less heat and offer white light.

Standard halogen and incandescent lights are still available too. Some venues are limiting their use to 150 watts or lower. LED’s don’t have that problem and can be used everywhere. They also last longer.

Graphic / Fabric Panels:

Traditional pop ups use rollable fabric or graphic panels that attach to the face of the frame using magnets. Graphic panels can be printed on different media depending on the brand. Direct printed panels are usually made using Sintra, which is a rollable PVC media. This is done to keep printing expenses down while maintaining quality and is one of the reasons mural pop up display kits are so inexpensive. The only problem with direct print panels is that they do not completely block out light (they block most of it), but this is only a problem with hard direct lighting behind the display. Most trade show booths are made of pipe & drape, which covers the back anyway, blocking any stray light.

Another way pop up graphics are printed are with a combination of an opaque film and lamination. The film is printed on the face and the back is made of a light blocking coating. After printing, the film is laminated to protect the graphic. Film printing is usually more expensive than direct printing on Sintra but is considered higher end. However, most people looking at two displays sitting side by side with one printed on film and the other direct printed, would not be able to tell any difference at all. When packing any graphic panels, be sure to roll them with the image facing out. This helps to prevent the laminate from coming off the face of the panels. Not only that, if panels are rolled with the graphic image inside, then your panels may not hang right. This is a common mistake. All mural graphic panels are subject to damage if you mistreat them.

Be careful when rolling and unrolling. One hard crimp on the surface can ruin the look of your display. If you have to lay them on the floor, make sure the floor is clean and free of anything that could scratch your graphics. When packing them back in the case, keep the panels protected from any hardware that could poke holes or cause crimps.

Benefits:

Traditional pop ups offer and ease of set up and portability that is missing from custom exhibits.
Quick set up allows someone to display with a pop up exhibit in more and varied venues. This is important when you have to get in, set up quickly, have your presentation and move on.
Fabric unprinted versions that allow graphic attachment with Hook & Loop gives exhibitors the opportunity to change out graphics easily from show to show. Let’s say your company exhibits at multiple trade shows for different things; this lets you have a different set of graphics for each show.
Mural graphic printed pop ups offer on of the highest impact looks, depending on the graphics.
The kits are usually self-contained units with everything packed inside the case and ready to be set up. If the pop up is all you are using, then all you worry about is one case.
Pop up wall displays are affordable.
They are reusable and can last for years if properly taken care of during set-up, tear down and packing.
These displays are adaptable & flexible. Showcase products and graphics, hang monitors, present using backlighting, utilize slat wall, add bubble panels, make different display shapes and much more. This is one reason, they are considered as a standard display for trade shows.

TENSION FABRIC POP UP DISPLAYS

This type of pop up exhibit utilizes full color fabric graphics that are printed in one piece and usually stay on the display for storage. This means that set up is even more minimal. Simply open the frame, put it in place and you are ready to go. There is less set up because the graphic panel (note “panel” is singular) is already attached to the frame hubs via Hook & Loop.

When the tension fabric pop up frame is opened, the fabric mural graphic is stretched taught. This means that unlike traditional pop ups, where you have 6 panels to hang on a 10’ curve model, there is nothing to hang and no struts to attach because the fabric graphic is already attached.