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Shell Scheme Buyers Guide
What is a shell scheme?
A shell scheme is a type of modular booth or stand that is assigned to companies exhibiting at an exhibition or trade fair. They can be made up of 1, 2, or 3 walls, with the 3 walled U-shaped configuration being the most common. Shell scheme walls are covered with plain white or fabric panels to which printed graphics are attached. The exact panel dimensions and size of shell schemes vary, so it is important to check this with the organiser of your event. With the application of custom printed graphics and other items, it is possible to turn an empty shell-scheme booth into an engaging and impactful exhibition stand.
Why are exhibition graphics important?
There are a number of reasons why having well-designed and high-quality shell scheme graphics is vitally important:
- Getting noticed – At trade fairs and other marketing events, there are typically dozens of other businesses vying for the attention of the attendees and potential customers. Eye-catching graphics with clear branding can help distinguish you from the surrounding stands and attract customers.
- Communication – Exhibition stand graphics can be used to provide brand information and inform customers about your products and the story behind your company. Quality graphics can help you get across your message in a clear and effective manner.
- Projecting quality and professionalism – Customers associate the appearance and graphics of a stand with the product quality and professionalism of the business exhibiting. Inferior print quality and poorly fitting graphics are likely to put people off.
Shell scheme panel sizes
The walls of a shell scheme stand are made up of individual panels separated by metal supports that are normally spaced roughly 1 m apart. The exact dimensions vary between different venues, so it is important to get the stand specifications from the organiser of your event before designing and ordering your graphics. We can help with this process and produce graphics to fit the specifications of your event. Panels can be custom printed to the exact dimensions of your stand, guaranteeing a perfect fit and professional appearance.
Attaching panels to the shell scheme
The way graphics are attached to the shell scheme varies depending on the type of graphics and whether the stand walls are covered with fabric or hard panels.
Rolled vinyl and rigid Foamex panel graphics can be attached using pre-fitted magnetic or Velcro strips, which makes it very easy to put up and take down the graphics panels. Self-adhesive strips can also be used with these types of graphics.
Seamless graphics are attached to the shell scheme walls using a convertor kit. This sits just in front of the shell scheme walls, and fabric SEG graphics or rollable panels are then attached, giving a gap-free seamless graphic surface.
How to choose the right shell scheme graphics for you
Types of shell scheme graphics
There are a range of options for shell scheme graphics, with the best choice reflecting your budget, the size of the stand, and the look you are going for:
Self-adhesive removable exhibition shell scheme graphics
Self-adhesive exhibition graphics offer a simple and cost-effective solution. These shrink and wrinkle-resistant panels are supplied with a specially developed adhesive that securely attaches to the stand panels and yet can be easily removed without leaving any residue. Panels can be repositioned multiple times and even reused at different events when properly stored. Despite their low cost, these panels can be printed with stunning quality full-colour hi-res graphics. These panels can be rolled up for easy transportation between events, making them a good choice for travelling light.
Rollable PVC shell scheme graphics
Economy rollable PVC shell scheme graphics offer a low-cost graphic solution for businesses on a budget. These panels are printed to match the dimensions of your shell scheme, with one roll per stand panel. Printed on durable 450 gsm fire-resistant PVC material, these panels are supplied with magnetic or hook and loop fastening strips for easy installation. Printed in-house using our state-of-the-art digital printers and latex inks for superb quality graphics, these panels are our cheapest graphic solution for shell schemes. Panels can be rolled up, making them easy to store and transport.
Premium rollable shell scheme graphics
Our premium rollable shell scheme panels are made from a flexible 500-micron light-stop material. This material is more durable than our economy graphics, making it ideal for repeat use at multiple events. These premium rollable panels can have an optional laminate applied that reduces glare, making these panels easier to read from all angles and light conditions. The laminate is also scuff-proof, helping the graphics to stay looking pristine for longer. Installed using magnetic or Velcro strips, these panels can be printed with superb quality photo-realistic and vibrantly colourful graphics. One of our most popular graphic options, these rollable panels can be used to create a high-impact exhibition stand.
Rigid Foamex shell scheme graphics
An alternative to rollable graphics, rigid Foamex panels are even easier to install and make it simple to achieve a perfectly flat and even surface. Printed directly onto 3 mm fire-retardant Foamex board, the graphics for these panels can feature high-resolution photos and sharp details. Foamex panels can be installed using pre-attached magnetic or Velcro strips, and we can cut them to any size to fit the dimensions of your shell scheme.
Shell scheme adapters and seamless shell scheme graphics
An obstacle often faced with shell schemes is that the size of each graphic panel has traditionally been limited by the size of the metal structure. To overcome this, shell scheme adapters have been developed that attach to the frame and allow installing seamless graphics. This makes it possible to have images and messaging that spans the width of an exhibition stand, with truly impressive results.
We offer two seamless graphic options for use with a shell scheme adapter. Silicone edge graphics (SEG) are printed on a stretch fabric panel with a silicon strip along each edge. These silicone strips are pushed into grooves in the shell scheme adaptor, giving a perfectly taut and smooth graphic surface, with no gaps between panels. Panels can also be printed onto PVC rollable panels that attach to the adaptor using magnetic strips. Both options can be used to create a modern and sleek stand that will turn heads.
Shell scheme adapters and seamless shell scheme graphics
A final option is to use a freestanding portable exhibition stand instead of a shell scheme. These can be placed inside a shell scheme booth or in an open space. Although these portable stands can be more expensive than shell scheme graphics, advantages include that they can be set up in any location, the option to have dynamic curved designs, and the ability to reuse the stands with updated graphics at future events. There is a wide range of options for portable exhibition stands and we offer models to suit all budgets and applications.
Designing your shell scheme artwork
Once you have established the exact dimensions and choice of graphics for your shell scheme stand, it is time to design the artwork. We have produced an artwork preparation guide that gives full details of the formatting and print specifications required to get your design print-ready.
Once you have finished designing your artwork and placed an order, we will email you a link where you can upload your design. All artwork is checked before printing to check for issues with the file type, resolution, and fonts.
Design services
If you need assistance with the design process or with getting your artwork ready to print, we can help. We have an in-house design studio who offer a full range of exhibition stand design services, from formatting artwork through to designing full exhibition stand setups. We can produce a 3D model to show you how your exhibition stand will look when completed, helping you to visualize the results.
Accessories and finishing touches
To add the finishing touches to your exhibition stand, we offer a wide range of accessories and lighting to complement your graphics.
- We can produce custom branded exhibition counters and tablecloths that will perfectly blend with the rest of your stand.
- LED lighting is a good way to highlight key areas of the stand and parts of your messaging.
- Digital displays and tablets can show interactive product information so that customers can explore what your business has to offer.
- Seating areas provide a comfortable location for more in-depth discussions with clients.
- Literature racks and stands can hold brochures, flyers, and other printed materials that guests can take away with them.
Why choose Discount Displays?
Stunning graphics
We have invested in state-of-the-art HP digital printers and other printing technology, so that we can offer the very best graphic quality. Our expert print team can produce superbly detailed and vividly colourful designs, with excellent attention to detail and consistency.
In-house design
Our graphic design team can help you make the most of your next trade show or exhibition with high-impact and visually arresting designs. Our design services offer exceptional value for money, so please call us on 020 8664 5660 for a no-obligation quote.
Personalised service
With a team of expert advisors with years of experience, we can help you explore the range of shell scheme options to find the best solution for your event.
Fast deliveries
We are a UK-based company and do all our printing in-house. As such, we can offer fast turnarounds on our shell scheme graphics. We can print and deliver your graphics in 3–5 days from approving your artwork
Best value
With a large warehouse, design studio, and print workshop all under one roof, we have optimised our processes. This lets us offer our customers the best graphic quality at the lowest prices.
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