Portable Trade Show Display Buying Guide: Sizes and Prices

What Is a Portable Trade Show Display?

A portable trade show display starts at $106.99 for the Table Top Banner Stand, which fits in carry-on luggage. An X-Stand is $117.69, a Standard Retractable is $213.99 and a Tension Fabric Stand is $449.39. Each is produced the next business day after artwork approval and ships for a flat $10.

A portable trade show display is a printed booth piece one person can carry in, set up and pack back into its own bag. At Inline Graphics they start at $106.99 for a tabletop banner stand and run up to full canopy tents for outdoor shows.

This guide covers only portable pieces: banner stands, tabletop displays, backdrops, table covers, flags and pop-up tents. Every price is the starting configuration on the product page. Sizes and weights appear only where the product page states them.

How Do Portable Trade Show Displays Compare?

Portable displays differ by footprint, graphic size and what comes in the bag. The table compares eight of them by starting price and the size the product page lists.

Banner stands, backdrops, table covers and flags are produced the next business day after artwork approval. The canopy tent takes 3 to 4 business days. Shipping is a flat $10 per order to any US address.

Which Banner Stand Travels Best?

The Table Top Banner Stand travels best: it holds an 11.5 x 17.5 in graphic on 14 mil Double White Popup material, the graphic retracts for storage, and the whole stand fits in carry-on luggage. It is $106.99 and sets up in two steps.

For a standing display, the choice is between two kinds of hardware:

• X-Stand, $117.69. An aluminum and fiberglass stand with grommet mounted graphics, so you can swap prints between shows. It comes in 24 x 63 in and 32 x 71 in with a nylon carry bag.
• Standard Retractable, $213.99. Compact aluminum hardware with two stabilizing feet. The graphic rolls into the base, which protects it in transit. Five sizes from 23 x 66 in to 47 x 81 in, with a travel bag.

Need more than one stand? The banner stands page lists the Deluxe and SD retractables too.

When Is a Fabric Display or Backdrop Worth It?

A fabric display or backdrop is worth it when the booth needs a full back wall instead of one standing message. Both pack into their own case or bag. The fabric stand assembles with no tools, and the backdrop assembles in minutes.

The Tension Fabric Stand is $449.39 at 36 x 90 in. A dye sublimated pillowcase graphic slides over an interlocking aluminum tube frame on a steel base plate, single or double sided at the same price. The Step and Repeat Backdrop is $492.19 at 8 ft wide by 8 ft high, with 9 ft and 10 ft widths. It uses telescoping poles and 9oz wrinkle free dye sub fabric with pole pockets.

How Do You Cover the Table?

Cover the table with a fabric cover sized to it. A plain folding table becomes branded space, and fabric folds flat in a bag. Every option below is printed on machine washable 8.8 oz polyester.

Throws come as a 3-sided open back or 4-sided closed back. The table covers guide compares the three cuts.

Do Flags and Tents Count as Portable?

Yes. A feather flag and a pop-up canopy are both built to travel, and both work at outdoor shows where a banner stand would blow over.

The Feather Angled Flag is $203.29 at 9 ft. The product page lists the 9 ft kit, flag and pole set, at 1.14 lb, and the 18 ft kit at 2.43 lb. It ships with a ground stake and a carry bag; a 22 lb steel square base is an option for hard floors.

The 10x10 Event Tent is $759.69 logo-only or $973.69 full custom, on a 51 lb V6 aluminum frame with ropes, stakes and a carry bag. If one person carries the tent alone, the frame guide lists the V4 Lite at 32 lb. Tents are produced in 3 to 4 business days.

How Do You Order a Portable Display?

Order on the product page: pick the size and options, choose how your artwork comes in, and check out. Every order comes with a free proof after you order, and nothing prints until you approve it.

No design yet? Pick Design it for me on the product page for $29.99, free when the item is $499 or more. Planning a whole booth? The trade show displays page and the event display packages page show how the pieces work together.