Common Trade Show Graphic Mistakes

10 Common Event & Trade Show Display Graphic Mistakes

Preparing great back wall and banner stand graphics is essential to deliver the results you’re looking for with a trade show booth, retail display or another marketing campaign. Even the smallest mistakes can have a big impact on your ROI and brand impression. With more than 20 years serving organizations from coast to coast, Monsters Displays has seen what works — and just as importantly, what doesn’t work. We’ve put together this list of 10 common exhibit graphic mistakes and the solutions to make your event display stand out.

1. Overloading with Text

Mistake: Too much text overwhelms visitors and makes your message unclear.
Solution: Use short, impactful headlines and concise bullet points and phrases. Stick to the "three-second rule"— your key message should be understood in three seconds or less.

2. Using Low-Resolution Images

Mistake: Blurry or pixelated graphics give a poor impression of your brand.
Solution: Use high-resolution images (300 dpi or higher) for printing. Ensure files are properly prepared in the correct size for large-scale displays.

3. Ignoring Color Harmony and Contrast

Mistake: Clashing or inconsistent colors can confuse or distract attendees.
Solution: Stick to your brand colors and use complementary shades for accents. Avoid neon or overly bright colors unless they align with your brand, and use high-contrast color combinations (e.g., black text on a light background).

4. Poor Font Choices

Mistake: Using hard-to-read or inconsistent fonts can cloud your messaging and makes your booth look unprofessional.
Solution: Stick to clean, readable fonts like sans-serifs and ensure font sizes are large enough to be legible from a distance.

5. Too Much Visual Clutter

Mistake: Overcrowding your design with images, icons or patterns can dilute your message.
Solution: Embrace white space to make your key elements stand out. Prioritize a focal point to guide the viewer's eye.

6. Not Scaling Graphics Properly

Mistake: Stretching or distorting images can ruin the aesthetic and professionalism of your display.
Solution: Design graphics to the exact dimensions of your display. Use vector files (e.g. AI or EPS) for scalability without loss of quality.

7. Misaligned Branding

Mistake: Displaying inconsistent logos, colors or messaging weakens brand recognition.
Solution: Follow a brand style guide for consistency. Double-check that all graphics align with your current branding.

8. Neglecting to Include a Call-to-Action

Mistake: Visitors may admire your booth but leave unsure of what to do next.
Solution: Include clear calls to action such as "Visit Our Website," "Scan to Win" or "Book a Demo" prominently on your graphics.

9. Forgetting Lighting Considerations

Mistake: Dim lighting or overly bright displays can make graphics hard to see or dull.
Solution: Test your display with trade show lighting in mind and consider backlit graphics for added visibility.

10. Not Proofing Your Graphics

Mistake: Not checking the graphic proof before production can lead to typos, color bleed and other problems slipping through.
Solution: Review the graphics thoroughly for any errors and zoom in to catch details that will be seen in large print.

Are you looking for more assistance planning the perfect display graphics? Contact Monster Displays to get advice from trade show experts or work with our staff of professional graphic designers.