No one ever believes it until it happens to them – plan ahead and you can save big … wait until the last minute and “rush charge” will be your middle name.  Rush charge is definitely a dirty word, but it can be avoided.  Heed this advice and you too can avoid the dreaded rush charge.

• Simplify your images – intricate images with special effects, metallic finishes, etcetera can be more difficult to create and therefore more expensive to produce. If you simplify them, they can be produced faster, avoiding that rush charge.

• Flexible or rigid graphics. Flexible graphics are generally more expensive to produce – however they usually weigh less than rigid graphics and are easier to containerize and ship.

• Back-lighted graphics create incredible floor impact however, they cost 20-30 percent more than reflective graphics.

• Follow your vendor’s graphics specification sheet. This is where the real money savings/spending happens. Submitting artwork in the wrong format or the incorrect resolution means clean-up costs and lead time lost. Read your vendor’s graphics specification sheet closely to avoid a rush charge.

• Quality – what does it mean? We all want the highest quality, however, if you are viewing a graphic from 8-10 feet away – or better yet, something that is floating above the viewers’ heads – consider lesser processing procedures for more cost savings.

As most people walk a show they visually scan exhibits that are 5-10 feet in front of them and only then, if something on or near the aisle catches their eye do they stop and look at the back wall of an exhibit. It may prove helpful to have something at the aisle to grab their attention and let them know you have something of interest to them. Consider a banner stand with few words and a powerful image or put your actual product on a platform or podium upfront. These can help you earn more attention in the long run.