Pop Up Stands Buyers Guide

A lightweight portable display system popular with the exhibition and retail markets.

When it comes to sizing pop up stands traditionally have a numbering system that may not make obvious sense. Most people assume that the numbers are in metres, but this is not the case. When a pop up is referred to as a 3 x 3 It means it is three rows high and three columns deep. A 3 x 4 is 3 rows high and 4 columns wide etc.

The sections used by different manufacturers vary so for example a 3x4 with 700mm sections (700mm x 700mm) would be 2100mm high x 2800mm wide.

If you are exhibiting in the USA it’s much easier as they just call them "8 foot" "10 foot" or "20 foot" displays which refers to the approximate width.

The graphics on a pop up stand are called "drops". Graphic drops hang from the frame and are held in place by magnets which run down each edge. An average panel width would be about 675mm wide making them easy to transport. A 3x3 pop up stand would have 5 drops that fit together giving you an overall graphic area of 3375mm. The two end panels curve around the stand so that the edge of the end panels is hidden from view when the stand is viewed head on. On a 3 x 3 the visible area is 2475mm. This is something to take into account when you are designing you graphics, Don’t put any critical information on the edge of the ends, it is better to use a graphic image that blends around the curve.

Frames vary in quality and design. They all work in a similar way with a scissor like frame that pops up. They have different hanging methods that are used to display the panels and a couple of ways to hold the frame open.

The method of hanging the graphics is important not only to make sure the panels can be easily fitted, but more importantly also allow you to make minor adjustment to the graphic panels so that they can be aligned correctly. Sometimes a show floor may be slightly uneven so the ability to adjust the panels can make the difference between an average looking display and a show stopper.

The system used to hold the frame open can be either mechanical or magnetic. We would always opt for magnetic since it is more reliable. Mechanic systems have plastic fittings that can break.

You might opt for a cheaper system because you are not going to use it much, however this can be a false economy. Frame quality is not just an issue of how long the frame will last, it is also an issue of reliability. Weak joints and cheap materials can lead to failures when you least want them. Poor manufacturing tolerance can also mean you graphics will never fit accurately. With a quality stand you get much better reliability and better looking graphics.

Most pop up’s we sell are curved since they are aesthetically pleasing and more stable. Straight pop ups tend to be used where space is limited. They can sit flush against a wall, freeing up stand space.

Over 90% of the pop up stands sold are single sided. Normally they are used as back walls so the rear is not in view. Sometimes they may be used for retail marketing in a shopping centre all sides of the pop up stand can be seen. The same frame is used it just requires addition graphics to be printed.

Pop up stands will often be sold with wheeled drums. These cases allow you to store you pop up stand and the graphics in one convenient place. The wheels allow you to easily roll them to your stand. Many of these cases can be kept on the stand and used as small exhibition counters with tops and custom printed graphic wraps.

Pop up stands can either have velcro friendly fabric or more commonly printed graphics. The best frame in the world will be ruined by poor graphics. There is a lot involved in creating quality graphics that your company will be proud to displays. What should you look out for?

The type and quality of inks varies. You want you images and logo to be bright. Companies using official branded inks should produce better results. Once again ask for a sample print if this is critical.

The graphics on a pop up display are made up of a series of panels which butt up together. Often images and text will cross over these panels so it is critical that the panels are cut perfectly. While an experienced person with a hand cutter may do a good job the best results come from using an automated camera controlled cutters, which produce perfect results time after time.

There can be a lot of lights at trade shows or you might need to place your pop up in front of a window. The material that is printed on should be a blackout material that does not allow light through. If non blackout material is used this can be a disaster with your brand image being washed out.

You want your panels to hang flat against the frame. On the top of the panel you have a "hanging bar" which drops onto lugs on the frame. Each panel has positive magnetic tape down both edges. This magnetic tape clicks onto negative charged magnetic tape on the frame. If the material is too thin it can curl so you end up with a wave effect rather than a smooth curve.

We would always advise that your graphics panels are over laminated. Not only does this protect your graphics from scrapes and spill that you may get in a high traffic shows but when the correct over laminate is used it also prevents glare from lighting at the venue.

• 30 years in business - thousands of pop up stands sold.
• Our panels are cut on swiss machines for 100% accuracy
• We use 310gsm material that will not curl
• Our blackout material prevents any show through
• Deep 125gsm crystal laminate that protects your graphics and prevents glare
• Our header graphics are adjustable for perfect alignment
• Frames have a 10 year guarantee
• Your pop up is full assembled for a quality check before despatch
• No tools are required - the frame is fully magnetic
• We print at optimum speed to produce the best possible results
• High resolution graphics with bright colours and crisp text even at small front sizes
• Authorised HP inks and matched materials are used for best results
• Printers calibrate and run at optimum spread to minimise banding
• Artwork checked for any issues before printing