Design Tips: How to Increase Your Booth's Stopping Power

When you're working with a booth template, it can be tempting to treat it like a giant canvas—filling every inch with content to show off everything you offer. But in a fast-paced trade show environment, more isn’t always better. Strategic layout is everything.

Most attendees will glance at your booth for just a few seconds. That means your design needs to quickly answer three questions: 

Who are you? What do you do? Why should they care?

To capture attention, focus your message and visuals in the zones that matter most, especially at eye level.

If we were to place a heatmap over your backwall, where would the most activity happen? Some areas naturally draw more attention than others. High-impact zones (around eye level) are where visitors pause, read, and engage. Lower sections, like the floor-level area, are often overlooked.

We created the Content Visibility Heatmap to help you visualize how people scan your booth. Use it to guide your layout, prioritize your messaging, and design with clarity and purpose. When you understand visual hierarchy, you can build a booth that breaks through the noise and gets results.

Corner vs Inline Placement:

• If you’re not in a corner booth, avoid putting key messages or logos on the end panels—they may never be seen.

• Use end panels for atmospheric visuals or wrap-around photography. A continuous image across the backwall and end panels can make your booth feel larger.

Lighting:

• Backlit end panels must be tested before printing—if your system doesn’t light them, design with that in mind.

• Use fades or solid colours to blend into unlit areas.

Podium Kits:
Consider making your podium an extension of your backwall. Carry over textures, colours, and key visuals.

Component Thinking:
Every piece of your booth (banners, podium, literature stand, flooring) should contribute to one unified experience.

Avoid Visual Clutter:

• Don't try to say everything you do.

• Use your booth to spark curiosity, not deliver an exhaustive pitch.

• Use a QR code to drive visitors to a targeted landing page with the full story.

Message Hierarchy:
Focus on one clear value proposition. Then support it visually and structurally. Be bold, be focused, and be intentional.

• Design with visibility in mind— place key messaging between 4 to 6 feet high where people naturally look.
• Keep it simple. Make your booth easy to read from across the aisle with minimal clutter and clear contrast.
• A refreshed backwall with crisp messaging and modern lighting can instantly transform your presence.
• Looking to maximize value? Opt for a system with double-sided graphics —ideal for reusing at multiple shows and for different audiences.

Need support updating your display or graphics?
Our team can guide you through every step, from concept to print, to ensure your booth is seen and remembered. Prefer to supply your own artwork? We’ll flag any inconsistencies and notify you before printing to help avoid surprises so you can feel confident from start to finish.