If you’ve ever been to a trade show, then you’ve seen good booths, great booths, booths so boring you try to avoid eye contact as you walk past. The kind of sad display that makes no impression whatsoever. But there are also those great custom exhibits that you remember for years to come. By now you understand that with a carefully designed Booth, you are much more likely to attract potential clients, make sales, collect leads, and connect with Your intended audience.

So, what goes into creating an effective custom exhibit design? Planning. And anyone who works in exhibit design services Will tell you that it is best to plan early.

The first part of your plan should be the budget, as it will determine the choices you make later on. When it comes to spending, you will need to account for the cost of renting a booth; the cost of accessories such as promotional items, literature racks, and brochures; and travel expenses. Here is a suggested budget you may want to follow:

• 25% on booth space
• 20% on trade show booth designs and graphics
• 15% on cleaning and electrical
• 10% on shipping
• 10% on pre-show promotions and press kits
• 20% on staffing and other miscellaneous expenses

When you are planning ahead, consider the amount of space you will need. As you determine the dimensions of your booth, take into account the number of people that will be walking through your exhibit, including your own staff. Your design must allow for free flow of traffic in and around your booth. If attendees feel cramped or crowded, they will simply walk away. Of course, your budget may also play a role in determining the size of your exhibit, as well as the space limitations of the venue.

When you are planning out graphics, consider the distance at which your attendees will stand from your booth. Most custom exhibits have three main types of graphics: long-range, medium-range, and short-range. You should place long-range graphics as high as possible within trade show regulation limits. Medium-range graphics should sit just above eye level, while short-range graphics should be between five and six feet above the floor.

Font size will depend on distance, as well. A general rule of thumb is to add an inch of height to the font for every foot away that viewers will stand. For example, if you want visitors to read your text comfortably from 10 feet away, add 10 inches to the font size.

If you want to learn more about how to successfully plan your custom exhibits, consult with a professional booth designer. Participating in trade shows can be expensive, but with the right planning, it’s not difficult to maximize your return on investment.