Trade Show Learning Center

Practical, no-jargon guides to help you choose, print, build and care for a professional trade show booth. Written for business owners and exhibitors — not students.

Buying Guides

Choose the right display, size and finish with confidence.

• How Much Does a Trade Show Display Cost? — Real starting prices for canopies, table covers, banner stands and backdrops — and how to budget a complete booth without surprises.
• Custom Canopy Tent Buying Guide — Everything to decide before ordering a custom printed canopy tent: size, what you get, walls, print coverage, delivery speed and artwork.
• 10x10 vs 10x15 vs 10x20 Custom Canopy Tents — A side-by-side comparison of the three custom canopy tent sizes — footprint, price, wall count and when each one makes sense.
• Standard Retractable Banner vs Deluxe Retractable Banner: Which Should You Choose? — Same 33″ × 81″ graphic, different hardware. How to choose between the Apex Standard and Deluxe retractable banner stands for your booth.
• X-Stand vs Retractable Banner: Which Banner Stand Is Right for You? — The X-stand is lighter and more economical; a retractable protects the graphic and looks more finished. How to choose for your booth.
• What Size Retractable Banner Should I Buy? — Tabletop or full height? A quick guide to Apex retractable banner sizes — 11.5×17.5 in tabletop vs 33×81 in floor stands — and where each fits.
• Pleated vs Stretch Table Covers: Which Look Is Right for Your Booth? — A draped pleated throw or a tight fitted stretch cover? Compare the two Apex table-cover styles — fit, look and use — to choose.
• 6 ft vs 8 ft Table Cover: Which Size Do You Need? — Match the cover to your table. A quick guide to choosing 6 ft or 8 ft custom table covers for trade shows, markets and events.
• Trade Show Backdrop Size Guide: Choosing a Step & Repeat — How big should your backdrop be, and how do you space the logos? A practical guide to the Apex step & repeat media wall.
• Feather Angled vs Convex vs Teardrop Flags — Compare the three Apex flag shapes — top profile, heights, wind behaviour, base options and price — to pick the right advertising flag.
• SEG Modular Kit A vs B vs C — Compare the three Apex SEG modular lightbox booth kits — layout, structure, widths, counter and what each is best for.

Booth Design

Plan a coordinated booth that gets noticed on the floor.

• Trade Show Booth Design: Layout & Branding — How to design a trade show booth that stops traffic — focal point, layout and flow, branding hierarchy, height, lighting and color, for both 10×10 and larger spaces.
• The Complete Trade Show Booth Checklist — Everything a professional booth needs — shelter, table, signage, branding and the small stuff — with what to order for each.

Printing Knowledge

Prepare print-ready artwork and understand what prints where.

• Banner Materials: Vinyl, Blockout, Mesh & Fabric — A plain-English guide to banner materials — 13oz vinyl, 18oz blockout, perforated mesh and 9oz fabric — with when to use each, plus hems, grommets and pole pockets.
• How to Prepare Canopy Tent Artwork — File types, resolution, color and layout tips so your custom canopy tent prints sharp — plus what to do if your artwork is not ready.
• Canopy Print Coverage Explained: Top, Valance, Walls & Inside — What "print coverage" means on a custom canopy — the top, valance, walls and inside — and what to print where for the most impact.
• Custom Canopy Tent Wall Options Explained — Full walls, half walls, back and side walls — what each does, what they cost, and the one rule that governs how many you can add.

Setup & Care

Set up fast and keep displays looking new for years.

• Trade Show Display Setup & Care Guide — How to set up, pack down, clean and store trade show displays — canopies, banner stands, backdrops and table covers — so they look sharp show after show.

Shop all trade show displays · Request a quote