Trade Show Ready? Your Ultimate Print Checklist for Maximum Impact

Everything you need to stand out, stay on-brand, and connect with confidence.

Trade shows are exciting—but let’s be honest, they can also be a little overwhelming.

You’re juggling setup times, sales goals, shipping deadlines, giveaways, and your team’s schedules. And amid all the moving parts, there’s one thing that consistently makes or breaks your booth:

Your print materials.

At Graphic Solutions Group, we’ve helped brands across Metro Atlanta (and beyond) own the room with high-impact print that doesn’t just look good—it performs. Whether it’s a sleek retractable banner or a perfectly timed follow-up postcard, print gives your brand presence when it matters most.

Ready to make your next event your most successful one yet?

Here’s your complete print checklist to win hearts, grab attention, and leave a lasting impression.

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✅ 1. Booth Signage That Commands Attention

First impressions happen fast—sometimes in just a few seconds. That’s why your booth needs visual anchors that grab attention from across the trade show floor.

Must-haves include:

• Retractable Banners: Lightweight, compact, and easy to reuse. Perfect for entrances, aisles, or flanking your table.
• Custom Table Throws: Turn any generic table into a branded, cohesive part of your display.
• Backdrops and Step-and-Repeats: Ideal for larger booths or photo ops—great for social media engagement.
• Ultraboard and Gator Board Signs: Versatile signage for messaging, directional cues, or highlighting product features.
• Backlit SEG Graphics: You only get 3.2 seconds to catch someones eye, bright vibrant graphics help to accomplish this.

Pro Tip: Don’t overload your signage with text. Use bold branding, a simple message, and a clean layout to make your display pop. If you can’t read it from 10 feet away, it’s too busy.

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✅ 2. Print Collateral with Staying Power

Your booth might get a few minutes of a visitor’s time—but a brochure or flyer can stick around for days (or weeks). Give people something they’ll want to revisit, not just recycle.

Essentials include:

• Brochures & Trifolds: Tell your story, explain your services, and create a natural path to action.
• Flyers & One-Sheets: Perfect for quick overviews, product specs, or limited-time offers.
• Postcards: Handy for giveaways, follow-ups, or booth-exclusive promo codes.
• Business Cards: Yes, they still matter. Make yours memorable with unique finishes, die-cuts, or soft-touch stock.

Pro Tip: Include QR codes or short URLs that lead to special landing pages, videos, or digital catalogs. Track engagement even after the event ends.

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✅ 3. Swag That Supports Your Brand (Not Just Fills a Bag)

Everyone loves freebies—but there’s a difference between something fun and something effective. Your promo items should reinforce your message and invite further interaction.

High-value ideas:

• Stickers: Custom die-cut stickers are fun, collectible, and budget-friendly. Great for tech companies, lifestyle brands, or local businesses.
• Branded Notepads & Pens: Functional items with your logo that are likely to stick around on desks and in bags long after the show.
• Promo Cards & Vouchers: These can include discounts, QR codes to digital offers, or even scratch-offs for booth visitors.
• Branded Pens, Coozies, Stress Balls etc: If you think it’s cool and would keep it on your desk it’s a good bet that your potential customers will as well.
  

Pro Tip: Keep your branding consistent across all items—from business cards to swag tags. Repetition breeds recognition.

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✅ 4. Pre-Show and Post-Show Print Marketing

The show isn’t the whole story. Smart exhibitors engage before the event even starts—and they don’t stop after teardown.

Before the show:

• Direct Mail Campaigns: Send a teaser to key prospects letting them know where to find your booth and what to expect.
• VIP Invites or “Golden Tickets”: Offer exclusive incentives for early booth visits, consultations, or giveaways.

After the show:

• Thank-You Cards: A handwritten note or printed message stands out in a world of post-event email blasts.
• Follow-Up Flyers or Booklets: Reinforce your message with a leave-behind piece that’s easy to reference and hard to ignore.

Pro Tip: Want to get fancy? Try a dimensional mailer or specialty finish like embossing or foil to make your follow-ups unforgettable.

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✅ 5. The Print Emergency Kit (Trust Us on This One)

Trade shows are full of surprises, and having a small print “go bag” can save the day.

Pack this kit with:

• Extra business cards (you’ll always need more than you think)
• A few blank signs or write-in message boards
• Sharpies, adhesive strips, Velcro, clips, and binder rings
• Copies of your collateral in case your main stock runs low

Pro Tip: Store everything in a branded folder or pouch—it keeps things neat, and looks more professional when you’re digging through it mid-show.

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Need Help Pulling It All Together?

You don’t have to go it alone. Whether you’re a one-person marketing team or representing a Fortune 500 brand, Graphic Solutions Group is here to help you prep, print, and perform.

We can assist with:

✔️ Pre-show design consultations
✔️ On-brand booth graphics
✔️ High-volume, high-quality printed materials
✔️ Fast turnarounds and custom finishing options
✔️ Kitting and fulfillment for mailers and event packs

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Ready to Make a Statement?

A strong trade show presence doesn’t come from showing up—it comes from standing out.

Let’s build your next great impression, one print piece at a time.

📍 Visit us at www.gsghome.com
📞 Call us to schedule a free consultation
📬 Or contact us here and let’s talk strategy.

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