After working with more than 10,000 exhibitors over nearly 30 years, we hear a lot of the same questions. How much does a trade show display cost? Can one person set it up? How far in advance do I need to order? Below, we answer the most common questions we get about trade show displays, organized by product category. Whether you are buying your first banner stand or upgrading to a backlit booth, start here.
Last Updated: August 25, 2026
Trade Show Displays: General Questions
How much do trade show displays cost?
Trade show display pricing ranges from $200 for a retractable banner stand to $14,500+ for a full 10x20 backlit booth kit. Most first-time exhibitors spend $400 to $1,500 on their initial setup. Every Displayit display includes custom-printed graphics and hardware in the listed price. For a full pricing breakdown, see: How to Choose Trade Show Displays for Every Budget.
How long do trade show displays last?
The hardware (frames, stands, cases) on a quality trade show display lasts 5 or more years of regular use. The printed graphics should be refreshed every 1 to 2 years depending on how frequently you exhibit and whether your branding has changed. Replacing graphics costs a fraction of buying a new display. For more on the cost math, see: Old vs. New Trade Show Displays.
What is included with a trade show display?
Every Displayit trade show display includes the hardware frame, custom-printed graphics, and a carry bag or shipping case. Backlit displays also include LED lighting components. No additional purchases are required to have a complete, show-ready display.
How far in advance should I order a trade show display?
Standard production is 4 to 7 business days after artwork approval, plus 1 to 5 business days for ground shipping depending on your location. We recommend ordering at least 2 to 3 weeks before your show. Rush production in as little as 24 hours is available for urgent orders. For shipping times to specific cities, see: Shipping Times to Every Major U.S. Convention City.
What fits in a 10x10 trade show booth?
A standard 10x10 trade show booth fits a backwall display (8 to 10 feet wide), one or two banner stands, a table with a branded table cover, and a counter. The key is leaving at least 40% of the floor space open for visitors to enter. For layout ideas, see: 10x10 Trade Show Booth Ideas by Budget.
How much does a 10x10 trade show booth cost?
A complete 10x10 trade show booth ranges from $800 for a single backwall to $10,000+ for a full backlit kit with accessories. The most popular entry point is a backwall plus a banner stand plus a table cover for $1,200 to $1,800.
Can one person set up a 10x10 booth?
Yes. Every Displayit 10x10 booth display is designed for one-person setup with no tools required. A single backwall takes 10 to 15 minutes. A multi-frame kit takes 20 to 30 minutes. Backlit displays may take 30 to 45 minutes depending on the model.
What is the best type of 10x10 booth display?
It depends on your events and budget. A single backwall is the best value for regional shows. A pop up display with SEG graphics delivers a seamless, frameless look. A multi-frame kit creates depth with multiple branded surfaces. A backlit booth commands attention at competitive national shows. For a comparison, see: Pop-Up vs. Backwall vs. Multi-Frame Displays.
What is a pop up trade show display?
A pop up display is a collapsible frame that expands into a full backwall and uses silicone edge graphics (SEG) for a seamless, frameless finish. They are the most popular backwall type for exhibitors who want a clean, professional look without visible frame edges or velcro seams. For a full guide, see: How to Choose the Right Pop Up Booth.
What is the difference between a pop up display and a backwall?
All pop up displays are backwalls, but not all backwalls are pop ups. A pop up display uses a collapsible frame that "pops up" into shape. Other backwalls (like tension fabric displays) use a rigid frame that assembles with push-fit connectors. Pop ups are typically faster to set up but slightly heavier due to the collapsible frame mechanism.
How long does a pop up display take to set up?
A 10-foot pop up display takes 5 to 10 minutes for one person with no tools. Expand the frame, lock it in place, and press the SEG graphic into the frame channel. A 20-foot pop up takes 10 to 15 minutes.
What is a trade show backdrop?
A trade show backdrop is a large branded display that covers the rear wall of your booth space. It is the primary visual element attendees see when approaching your booth from the aisle. Backdrops come in 8-foot, 10-foot, and 20-foot widths and use either tension fabric or SEG graphics on an aluminum frame. For a full comparison, see: Trade Show Backdrops Guide.
What size trade show backdrop do I need?
Match the backdrop width to your booth width. A 10x10 booth uses an 8-foot or 10-foot backdrop. A 10x20 booth uses a 20-foot backdrop. The backdrop should cover most of the rear wall without extending past the sides of your booth space.
Can I use a trade show backdrop for photo ops and media walls?
Yes. Trade show backdrops double as step-and-repeat media walls, photo backdrops, and interview backgrounds. The fabric finish eliminates glare from camera flashes, which makes them a better choice than vinyl or printed boards for photography.
When should I upgrade from a 10x10 to a 10x20 booth?
Upgrade when you are attending 4 or more shows per year, your lead volume from a 10x10 justifies the larger investment, and you need dedicated zones for demos, meetings, and lead capture. Most exhibitors who upgrade do so within 12 to 18 months of their first 10x10 purchase. For the full upgrade guide, see: 10x20 Trade Show Booth Ideas and Upgrade Guide.
How much does a 10x20 trade show booth cost?
A 10x20 trade show booth ranges from $1,495 for a 20ft SEG backwall to $14,500 for a premium backlit kit with full accessories. The mid-range sweet spot is $3,800 to $4,800 for a multi-frame kit with coordinated graphics.
Can one person set up a 10x20 booth?
Standard 10x20 backwalls and pop up displays can be set up by one person in 15 to 30 minutes. Multi-frame kits and backlit displays are easier with two people and take 30 to 60 minutes. No tools are required for any Displayit 10x20 display.
What size banner stand do I need?
Banner stands come in widths from 24 inches to 60 inches. The most popular size is 33 inches wide by 81 inches tall, which is the standard retractable banner stand you see at most trade shows. For help choosing the right size, see: What Size Banner Stand Do I Need?
How much does a banner stand cost?
Standard retractable banner stands range from $200 to $560 depending on width and model. Backlit banner stands with LED illumination range from $850 to $2,850. Every banner stand includes custom-printed graphics and a carry bag.
Can I replace the graphic on a banner stand?
Yes. Every Displayit banner stand uses replaceable graphics. A replacement graphic costs $100 to $250 depending on the size, which is roughly half the cost of a new complete banner stand. The hardware typically lasts 5+ years, so replacing graphics is always more cost-effective than buying new.
Are banner stands a good investment for first-time exhibitors?
Banner stands are the lowest-risk entry point into trade show marketing. For $200 to $500, you get a professional branded display that works at trade shows, conferences, career fairs, client meetings, and retail environments. Most exhibitors who start with a banner stand return within 12 to 18 months for a full booth display. For the full growth path, see: How a Banner Stand Can Grow Your Business.
What types of trade show signs are there?
Trade show signage falls into five categories: retractable banner stands (freestanding floor signs), backwall and backdrop signs (rear wall of your booth), hanging signs (suspended from the ceiling), backlit signs (LED-illuminated), and tabletop signs (sit on a table or counter). Each type serves a different purpose depending on booth size and visibility needs.
What is the most common type of trade show sign?
The retractable banner stand is the most common trade show sign. It is the freestanding vertical sign you see at nearly every trade show, conference, and expo. When most people search for "trade show signage," this is what they have in mind.
Do I need a hanging sign for my trade show booth?
Hanging signs are only recommended for 20x20 or larger island booths at major national conventions. They solve a visibility problem that only exists when your booth needs to be seen from 100+ feet away. For a 10x10 inline booth, a backlit backwall or a well-designed pop up display achieves the same goal at floor level.
Are backlit trade show displays worth the extra cost?
At national shows with 500+ exhibitors where you are competing for attention in long aisles, yes. A backlit display is visible from 75 to 100+ feet compared to 20 to 30 feet for a standard display. At smaller regional shows with under 200 exhibitors, a standard display delivers excellent value without backlighting. For a detailed comparison, see: Backlit vs. Standard Trade Show Displays.
Do backlit displays need electricity?
Yes. Backlit displays use internal LED lighting that requires one standard electrical outlet. Most convention venues charge $100 to $300 for an electrical hookup at your booth. The LED lights are included with every Displayit backlit display and use standard 120-240 volt AC power.
How should I design graphics for a backlit display?
Use dark backgrounds with vibrant foreground elements. A translucent graphic with a white or light background will wash out under LED illumination. High contrast is everything with backlit graphics. Our print team sees this consistently. For graphic specifications, see: Trade Show Graphics: Types, Printing, Costs, and Design.
What size table cover do I need for a trade show?
Most trade shows use 6-foot or 8-foot folding tables. Measure your table before ordering. A 6-foot table cover fits a standard 6-foot folding table. An 8-foot table cover fits a standard 8-foot folding table. For a detailed sizing guide, see: What Size Table Cover Do I Need?
What is the difference between fitted, stretch, and draped table covers?
Fitted table covers wrap tightly around the table with sewn corners for a tailored look. Stretch table covers use spandex-like fabric for a sleek, modern fit. Draped table covers hang loosely over the table edges. Fitted and stretch covers look the most professional at trade shows because they eliminate wrinkles and excess fabric.
Can I machine wash a trade show table cover?
Yes. Displayit table covers are machine washable in cold water on a gentle cycle. Hang dry or tumble dry on low heat. Do not iron directly on the printed graphic. The dye-sublimation printing is embedded in the fabric and will not crack, peel, or fade with normal washing.
What is a tabletop trade show display?
A tabletop display is a compact branded display designed to sit on top of a table, counter, or desk rather than on the floor. They range from small retractable banner stands (11 x 17 inches) to 6-foot tension fabric backwalls that cover the full width of a standard folding table. For a full comparison, see: Tabletop Trade Show Displays Guide.
When should I use a tabletop display instead of a full booth?
Use a tabletop display when you have a table at a conference rather than a booth space, when you are exhibiting at fewer than 4 events per year, or when your primary goal is professional presence at a low cost. Most exhibitors who start with a tabletop display upgrade to a full booth within 12 to 18 months if trade shows prove effective for their business.
How much do tabletop displays cost?
Tabletop banner stands start at $100 to $150. Tabletop tension fabric backwalls (6 feet wide) range from $500 to $700. A complete tabletop setup with a backwall, tabletop banner stand, and branded table cover runs $835 to $1,210.
Portable Trade Show Displays
What is the lightest trade show display I can buy?
Retractable banner stands are the lightest trade show displays available, weighing 5 to 8 lbs including the carry bag. They fit in a carry-on bag and set up in under 2 minutes. For a full comparison of the lightest displays by weight, see: Portable Trade Show Displays by Weight and Price.
Can I fly with a trade show display?
Yes. Banner stands and tabletop displays fit in carry-on or checked luggage. Most 10-foot backwalls ship in a wheeled case that qualifies as an oversized checked bag. The key is total weight: displays under 30 lbs are easy to fly with. Over 50 lbs, you are better off shipping directly to the venue.
How do I avoid drayage costs at a trade show?
Drayage is the fee convention venues charge to move freight from the loading dock to your booth. The only way to avoid it is to carry your display in yourself. Portable displays under 30 lbs that fit in a carry bag or rolling case can be carried directly to your booth, bypassing drayage entirely. This saves $150 to $500 per show.
What file format do I need for trade show graphics?
Submit artwork as Adobe Illustrator (AI), EPS, PDF, or high-resolution PSD files. Vector elements (logos, text, icons) should always be submitted as vector files, not rasterized images. Photos should be at least 100 DPI at full output size. Every Displayit product includes a free downloadable graphic template with exact dimensions and bleed zones.
How much do replacement graphics cost?
Replacement graphics cost $100 to $250 for banner stands and $300 to $700 for 10-foot backwalls. This is roughly 40% to 50% of the cost of a complete new display. Since the hardware lasts 5+ years, replacing graphics is always more cost-effective than buying new.
What printing process does Displayit use?
Displayit uses G7 Certified dye-sublimation printing on all trade show graphics. Dye-sublimation embeds the ink directly into the fabric, producing vibrant colors that will not crack, peel, or fade. G7 Certification ensures color accuracy and consistency across orders, so a graphic you order today will match one you ordered two years ago.
Do you offer graphic design services?
Yes. Displayit offers graphic design services for exhibitors who need help creating print-ready artwork. Our design team works exclusively with large-format trade show graphics and understands the unique requirements of booth design: viewing distance, contrast under hall lighting, text sizing, and how colors render on fabric versus a screen.
Shipping, Production, and Support
How fast can I get a trade show display from Displayit?
Standard production is 4 to 7 business days after artwork approval. Rush production is available in 2 to 3 business days, and emergency rush in as little as 24 hours on select products. Ground shipping from our Buford, GA facility takes 1 to 5 business days depending on your location. Total turnaround to most U.S. cities is 6 to 12 business days on a standard timeline.
Can I ship my display directly to the convention center?
Yes. Displayit can ship your display directly to the convention center's freight receiving dock, to your hotel, or to your office. If shipping to a convention center, get the venue's freight receiving address and receiving window dates from the show's exhibitor kit before ordering. Most venues stop accepting freight 24 to 48 hours before the show opens.
Is local pickup available?
Yes. Local pickup is available at our Buford, GA facility, located less than an hour north of downtown Atlanta. Local pickup is a selectable option at checkout and eliminates shipping time entirely.
Does Displayit offer trade show booth rentals?
Yes. Displayit offers trade show booth rentals for exhibitors who want to test a larger booth size or need a display for a one-time event without the full purchase commitment. Rental displays include custom-printed graphics so your booth looks branded, not generic.
Have a question that is not listed here? Talk to our team for personalized guidance on choosing the right trade show display for your booth size, budget, and show schedule. Or try our interactive Trade Show Display Buying Guide for a recommendation in under 60 seconds.
About the Author
Jen Smithson is the VP of Marketing & Websites at Displayit, a U.S. based trade show display manufacturer that has been helping companies exhibit with confidence since 1996. With 20 years of experience in the trade show industry, Jen works across the entire organization to connect exhibitors with the right display solutions, from first-time buyers choosing their first booth to enterprise teams outfitting national conference circuits. Displayit designs, prints, and ships custom trade show displays from its facility in Buford, GA. For personalized guidance, schedule a free consultation with the Displayit team.