Stand size is usually the easiest place to start, but it’s only one part of the overall price. The type of stand you choose, how ambitious the design is, the graphics and features you need and the practicalities of getting everything to the venue can all make a difference. Looking at these factors individually will give you a much better idea of where your budget is actually going and where it makes sense to spend more.
Stand Size
As you’d expect, larger stands generally cost more because there’s more space to build, cover and furnish. A 9m² stand and a 30m² stand are going to need very different amounts of structure, flooring and graphics, even before you start thinking about additional features. That said, size alone won’t tell you what a stand will cost, as the layout and specification can make two similarly sized stands very different projects.
Make sure you have the exact dimensions from the event organiser before the design process begins. It’s not just about calculating the square metres; the shape of the plot and which sides are open to the aisle will influence how the space can be used too. Giving your designer the correct floor plan from the start means they can work with the space you actually have rather than having to rethink the layout later.
Modular or Bespoke
Choosing between a modular and bespoke stand will also affect the cost. Modular stands use a flexible structural system that can be configured around your floor space and customised to suit your brand, while bespoke stands are designed and built around an individual brief. This gives modular stands a clearer starting price, while bespoke costs will vary depending on the design, materials and features you need.
We’ll look at how the costs compare in more detail below. If you’re still deciding which option is right for your event, our guide to custom vs modular exhibition stands can help you choose the best fit for your business.
Design Complexity
Two stands with exactly the same floor space can have very different costs once you look at the design. An open layout with strong graphics, a counter and somewhere to talk to visitors is a much simpler project than a stand incorporating custom structures, private meeting rooms, product displays or a hospitality area. That’s why the cost of your exhibition stand design depends on more than floor space alone.
Before you start adding features, think about what you actually need the stand to do. If you’re launching a product, demonstration space might be essential. If most of your time at the show will be spent talking to prospective customers, comfortable meeting space could be a better use of the budget. Working backwards from what you want visitors to do on the stand usually makes those decisions much easier and helps avoid spending money on features that look impressive but don’t contribute much on the day.
Graphics and Printing
Graphics are an important part of any exhibition stand, helping visitors quickly understand who you are and what you do. The amount of print required will depend on the design, from branded wall panels and signage to larger graphics across the stand, while the materials and finishes you choose can also affect the overall cost.
It’s worth considering your graphics early in the design process rather than leaving them until the stand itself has been finalised. This gives you the opportunity to think about which messages need the most prominence, where branding will have the greatest impact and how the graphics will work across the available space.
At Unique Exhibitions, we keep our exhibition stand printing in-house, giving us greater control over the quality and turnaround of each project. Our printing capabilities include Foamex boards, PVC banners, wrapped panelling and accurately cut lettering and graphics, so the print can be planned alongside the stand design from the beginning rather than handled as a separate part of the project.
Features, Furniture and Technology
It’s easy to start adding things to a stand because they look good in a visual, but every feature should have a reason for being there. Depending on the brief, you might need counters, seating, storage, screens, product displays, lighting or interactive technology, and those requirements all need to be considered when the project is priced.
Try to picture a normal day at the exhibition rather than just the finished stand. Where will your team put coats, bags and marketing materials? Do you need somewhere to sit down with a customer, or will most conversations happen standing up? If you’ve included a large screen, what will actually be shown on it? These practical details often have a bigger impact on how well the space works than adding another feature simply because there’s room for one.
This is also where an experienced exhibition stand designer can help you prioritise. The aim is to make the best use of the space and budget available, rather than trying to fit in every possible feature.
Transport, Installation and Breakdown
There’s more to getting an exhibition stand ready than designing and building it. The stand needs to be packed and transported to the venue, installed safely within the organiser’s access times and then dismantled and removed once the event is over. Larger or more complex stands can take more planning, particularly at venues with strict build schedules or specific installation requirements.
These costs aren’t always included in the initial price, so it’s important to check exactly what a supplier is quoting for. Transport, installation, labour and breakdown can all add to the overall exhibition stand cost if they’re charged separately, which is another reason to compare quotes like-for-like.
At Unique Exhibitions, we manage the installation process as part of our full-service approach, from preparing the stand and arranging the practical details before the event to transporting and installing it at the venue. Once the exhibition is over, our team also dismantles the stand and transports it back, so the process is taken care of from start to finish.
