When you find yourself in charge of creating an attractive graphic backdrop for your trade show booth, sales presentation or speaker’s podium your objective is to have a backdrop system that is attractive and professional looking, that is easily assembled and disassembled, and that comes at a reasonable cost. You may also be concerned that your backdrop be versatile enough to be used in different settings, and that the graphics not be prohibitively expensive to change or update. Here are three alternatives.

1. Standard Pop Up Display

Standard graphic popup displays are very popular and are usually found behind the podium at most conventions, special events, or announcements. The width of a Standard popup displays ranges from 8′ to 10′ and the height is approximately 8′. Traditional popup display systems are often used when the event is short term or when it involves a series of announcements where the presenter moves around from location to location.

The folding frame of a popup display is normally made of either fiberglass or aluminum tubes. The frame is covered with display panels which are either velcro-ready fabric panels, or printed graphics. Graphic panels are made of a material like Duralex which are specially designed lexan panels that are printed in full color and then laminated or coated for protection.

When folded, the frame comes as a small compact unit about 30 inches wide and 8 inches square. When completely unfolded, it forms a skeleton eight to ten feet wide and approximately eight feet high. This frame weighs about fifteen pounds, and requires no external fastenings or anchors to stay open when positioned on the floor.

The frame is covered with a series of panels about thirty inches by eight feet long. They are affixed to the frame with magnets on the back. After the panels are affixed, the entire display becomes even more stable. When a panel is removed from the frame, it is designed to be rolled up and put into the carrying case along with the rest of the display. The case can also be used for shipping and is small enough to fit in most cars.

2. A Popup Fabric Wall Display

The fabric showcase is a spin off of the popup. It contains the same type of folding frame as the standard popup showcase. But it does not require the extra graphic panels, or a method of attaching them to the frame.

Unlike a standard popup display, the printed graphic remains attached to the frame. All the presenter has to do is remove the unit from its carrying case and unfold it to create a highly professional backdrop. The fabric used is both durable and flexible, so it unfolds to a nice smooth surface. It doesn’t get any simpler than that.

Like standard popup displays, fabric displays are available in 8′ and 10′ widths. But you can also buy narrower ones in 4′ widths that can be used instead of banner stands.

A fabric display or “fabric wall” as they are sometimes called is essentially a billboard-in-a-bag. It knocks down into a nylon duffel for easy transport. Setting it up or taking it down can be done by one person in about 5 minutes.

Companies utilize fabric displays for many different types of marketing events. Fabric displays use a process called dye-sublimation for printing the fabric graphic. This process transfers the color directly into the fabric. The resulting printed product is extremely sharp and bright. The printed graphic is also surprisingly stain and scuff resistant and lasts a long time.

3. Variable Size Fabric Banner Backdrop

The Fabric Banner Backdrop is a low cost solution for creating a graphic wall for the back of your trade show space, behind a speaker’s podium or on a stage at a convention, conference or sales presentation.

The Fabric Banner Backdrop usually consists of an adjustable tubular frame that telescopes from between 3′ and 8′ wide and between 4′ and 8′ high. Larger frames can be purchased as well, but the 8′ x 8′ (fully extended) model is the most popular.

A full color one piece fabric banner is mounted on the frame by using pole pockets at the top and bottom, and the frame sits on the floor. Although this system is a bit more difficult to assemble than a fabric popup, it is only about half the cost. It is also more versatile than the other solutions because the frame size can be adjusted and the printed banner can be changed quite easily if you need to make modifications to what it says or the way it looks.