Exhibition Stand Graphics vs Roller Banners: What Works Best for Your Stand?

Exhibition stand graphics and roller banners both have a place in an exhibition hall, but they do serve different purposes.

Exhibition stand graphics are designed to fit the exact dimensions of an exhibition stand. They are high impact, make excellent use of the available space and can give a more cohesive look, so that businesses can present a brand message with a real ‘wow’ factor. If you have a shell scheme stand at your next event, fitted graphics are a simple but effective way of transforming your stand.

On the other hand, a roller banner is a portable, retractable display that can be used across multiple events. They comprise a printed graphic that is kept inside an aluminum base, and when it’s time for an event, the graphic can be pulled out and secured onto a support pole. Roller banners are flexible, easy to use and great for businesses looking for an easy display.

What fitted stand graphics can do better than roller banners

Fitted exhibition stand graphics really shine because they are designed specifically for the stand structure, to its exact dimensions. This means that the artwork will be taking centre stage, as the whole available display space will be used.

Rather than sitting in front of the walls, the graphics are used to transform the walls and make them into part of the brand experience. This makes them look more seamless and integrated, creating show-stopping stands that you can see more clearly across a crowded exhibition hall.

As the graphics are designed to fit the stand panels, the branding will remain consistent across the space, allowing your messaging to flow across it. Large-format images, product photography, key messages, logos and brand colours can all be used to create one cohesive branded environment.

Making a strong first impression is key at events, and fitted graphics can help you make a great one. Visitors will only take a few seconds to decide if they want to stop at your stand, so you need branding who communicates who your brand is, what you stand for and why they should stop, so your graphics need to support this.

Where roller banners work well...

A simple roller banner can still have some impact when it’s used in the right scenario. If you are pushed for space at an event and don’t need much in the way of branding, a roller banner can be used to communicate who your brand is. For temporary messaging like new product launches, promotions or event-specific announcements, roller banners can be great for getting this message across. They can also be used as wayfinding signage to help guide visitors around a space.

A well-designed roller banner can be a good solution in exhibition environments where fitted graphics aren’t possible, as it’s a cost-effective and easy way to get your message across.

...and where they fall short

As helpful as a roller banner can be, they aren’t always the most effective way of branding an exhibition stand. For a start, they take up valuable floor space. Exhibition stands can be pushed for space at the best of times, so having even one or two banners can make the space feel crowded and harder for visitors to get around.

Plus, having several banners used at the same time can make the stand look visually cluttered. Visitors might not know which messaging is the most important, as there’s no visual hierarchy. Banners can also block wall graphics, furniture and product displays, disrupting the overall look of the exhibition stand.

Roller banners can also feel disconnected from a stand. As they aren’t integrated into the stand design, there is less cohesion - a roller banner can feel like a separate display element, rather than a core part of a wider stand design. When you’re trying to present a unified brand message, a banner can make it feel fragmented.

Cost vs value

Of course, exhibiting at an event doesn’t come cheap, so we understand why businesses opt for the budget-friendly option of bringing their existing roller banner along to an event.

However, it’s worth thinking about why you’re exhibiting in the first place. Perhaps you’re showcasing a new product or service, or aiming to create some new contacts - no matter your reason for having an exhibition stand, you’re there to attract attention and kick off conversations.

Stand graphics may initially seem like a decorative extra, but in reality, they help to improve the performance of the stand. Strong branding can draw in a crowd as it piques their interest, lets them know who you are, and makes you easier to identify at a glance. For exhibition stands, looks really do matter, and they are tied to the overall success of your stand. So, the question is usually less about the cost of the graphics themselves, and more about the value that they bring to your stand.

Reuse matters

The reusability of roller banners is a definite plus, especially for brands that care about their carbon footprint. Although fitted stand graphics might seem like single-use products on the surface, some graphic systems are designed with repeat use in mind - depending on the stand, some graphics might be able to be reused across a number of events. If you are using modular graphic layouts, only certain panels will need to be changed.

Some exhibitors go for a mix of evergreen, reusable graphics and then portable displays or smaller graphics for time-sensitive messaging that is specific to certain events. Reducing the volume of graphics you produce, and planning what happens to them after each show, is one of the simplest ways to make exhibiting more sustainable without compromising on design. 

Practical questions to ask before ordering

If you’re torn between roller banners and stand graphics, we ask exhibitors to consider these questions.

• Is the exhibition a one-off or is it part of a wider exhibition programme?

• Will the messaging be relevant for future shows or is it only applicable to this event?

• What does my stand package include - if it’s a shell scheme, would it be a better opportunity to use the walls for fitted graphics?

• How quickly will visitors need to understand what my business does?

• Would all of the information I need to get across fit on a banner, or would a larger display work better?

Considering these questions early in the process can go a long way to helping you choose the best graphics.

How GES helps exhibitors choose the right solution

There’s no overall ‘best’ graphic solution, only the best graphic solution for your business. It depends on your stand, the objectives of your event, the budget you’re working with, and what you’re hoping your visitors will take away from visiting your stand.

GES works with exhibitors to understand their requirements and objectives, helping them to find a solution that works best for them. After all, the aim isn’t just to get graphics, it’s to create an exhibition stand that communicates your brand and helps you achieve success, whatever that might look like for you. Get in touch with the team today or read our FAQs for more insight.

Download our comparison chart to find the best solution for you