5 Must-Have Print Materials for a Successful Trade Show

Trade shows are a prime opportunity to connect with potential clients, showcase your services, and leave a lasting impression. But in a sea of booths and brands, how do you stand out? Print materials remain a powerful way to capture attention and reinforce your message long after the event ends.

Here are 5 must-have print pieces to make your trade show experience a success:

Eye-Catching Banners and Signage: Your booth is your stage—and your signage is the spotlight. Large-format banners, retractable displays, and backdrops should clearly display your logo, tagline, and what you do at a glance. Make them bold, readable from a distance, and on-brand with your company’s look and feel. Pro Tip: Use high-resolution images and keep your messaging concise and clear. Design a large, branded frame or fun backdrop that encourages selfies and social sharing. Include your hashtag and handle so people tag your company when posting! Or let attendees write on your wall! Print a banner with a question related to your brand or industry and encourage people to jot their responses. It creates a buzz and makes your booth feel like an experience.

Professionally Designed Handout Materials: A well-designed brochure or catalog is the perfect way to give attendees a deeper look into your products or services. Use it to tell your story, outline your offerings, and guide people to your website or a special promotion. Keep the design simple and informative, with a stock—like soft-touch, textured, or metallic finishes—can instantly elevate your piece and make it more memorable. Consider adding a pocket to the back of your catalog and use a unique size. Pro Tip: Include QR codes to link to videos, exclusive giveaways, case studies, or lead capture forms. Use a strong call to action that tells your audience what to do next. Create handouts with scratch-offs or peel-away layers—it adds an element of surprise and increases engagement.

Business Cards That Make a Statement: Yes—they still matter! A good business card is a compact, personal reminder of your brand. Add a unique touch with thick stock, soft-touch finishes, foil accents, or custom shapes. And don’t forget to include your website and social media!

Branded Giveaways and Promotional Items: Everyone loves a good giveaway. Pair your branded pens, notepads, stickers, mugs, or tote bags with printed inserts—like a coupon, discount code, or a thank-you note—to add value and keep your name in front of attendees. Create a quality tote that’s functional and attractive—not just a throwaway. Use a clever slogan or design so people carry it around the show (and beyond). Kids love magnets and collectible stickers.
Branded Tablecloth: Your table is the foundation of your booth—make it work for you! A branded tablecloth instantly adds professionalism and brand recognition to your setup. Whether you go with a full-color print, logo-only, or a sleek minimalist design, it helps tie your whole display together. Bonus: A quality tablecloth with wrinkle-resistant fabric and vibrant print not only looks great but also holds up across multiple events.

Bring It All Together with Executive Printing

With so many moving parts at a trade show, having a reliable print partner makes all the difference. At Executive Printing, we’ll help you create cohesive, professional materials that represent your brand and make you stand out.

Planning for an upcoming trade show? We’d love to help you get prepared—on time and on budget.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

Honestly, it is some of the best service we have ever had. They were wonderful through every step, from consultation to verifying our products, and printing. The turnaround was very fast, and the products look great! We will be using them for all future prints!

Tim had in-person meetings with me to go over page thickness, binding style, and print finish; he even dropped the physical proof off to us at our office, which is about 20 minutes away. The design team was very pleasant to work with, took time to make sure our product looked good and kept me updated through everything. When everything was ready, the young lady at the counter helped me load everything into my car. She was very welcoming and kind every time I stopped in. We also got a handwritten thank you letter in the mail from them, which is such a small yet meaningful gesture! — Michaela