trade show table covers

An informative trade show tablecloth is a must for any business that needs to attend a trade show or exhibition. This applies not only to commercial exhibitions, localized exhibitions, and commercial exchanges but also to large-scale exchanges or commercial events. An informative trade show table covers can not only serve as a decoration, but can also promote an interesting corporate culture, a corporate slogan, or a unique corporate philosophy. The big difference between a trade show tablecloth and not using a tablecloth is that you can let customers or businesses see your brand and business at a glance, but putting business cards, brochures, or products on it doesn't do much.

There are also many types of exhibition tablecloths, materials, printing methods, and printing locations. Each different place has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, and you need to choose according to your own needs.We will analyze it from multiple angles so that you can make better judgments and choices.

trade show table covers

Distinguish Exhibition Table Cloths By Type

Table Throw: A cover that is a non fitted or pleated. This is a good option if you will be using it on venue-supplied tables since they always have larger size and different sizes.

table throw

Fitted Tablecloth: A cover that is fitted and pleated to a specific-sized table. Fits perfectly to the size you've already measured, fits well and looks great on most desks.

fitted tablecloth

Stretch Spandex Table Cover: A cover that stretches and form fits around a specific-sized table. Due to the elasticity of spandex itself, and the good tensile properties of tablecloths made by mixing with other fibers, it is very suitable for a polished look.

Spandex Stretch Tablecloth

Table Runner: A smaller printed cloth that lays over a full unprinted table cover. It is a very good choice when doing new product promotions and when the budget is insufficient.

table runner

Choosing The Right Size

What we need is a tablecloth that is the right size, not too big so that the corners of the tablecloth rest on the floor, or too small to look bad. So the first thing to do is to determine the materials and specifications of the trade show event and see if there is a hint on the size of the table. This is the information that needs to be mastered. If you need to prepare the table yourself, then it will be relatively simple.

Here are the most common sized tables:

  • 6 ft and 8 ft length tables with a 30 inch wide top and stand 30″ tall.
  • 4 ft long table with a 2 ft wide top. (some tables have adjustable heights of 29″, 36″ & 42″).
  • If you don’t know the exact size, table throws offer greater flexibility.

Distinguish Exhibition Table Cloths By Materials

Most of the fabrics available for trade show table covers are either polyester knit, polyester poplin, or spandex. Which material to use depends on your budget, how you use it, etc.

  1. Polyester Poplin: A very nice economical choice for table covers. It is durable, wrinkle resistant, and stain resistant.
  2. Polyester Knit: Drapes and flows more naturally and is considered the highest quality choice for table covers. It is durable, lightweight, and more wrinkle resistant than poly-poplin.
  3. Spandex: A contour stretch fit material that lies flat, resists wrinkling and is form fitting. This cover fits snug around the table and is very popular. The contour stretch fabric offers a smooth, sleek look—and its special spandex polyester material makes it the perfect canvas for displaying full-color imagery that really pops.

Distinguish Exhibition Table Cloths By Printing Options

The three most popular printing methods today are thermal transfer, dye sublimation, and screen printing. Which printing method to use depends on the graphics you need to print and the materials used for printing. If you have a deeper understanding of the relevant technology, you will be able to grasp what you need.

Thermal Transfer

Thermal transfer (sometimes called digital heat transfer) is a printing process where your image prints on a special transfer paper. After it prints, the paper is laid onto the material, and heat is applied to transfer the image to the tablecloth.

The printed pattern is rich in layers, bright in color, and ever-changing. , small chromatic aberration, good reproducibility, can achieve the desired effect of the designer and is suitable for mass production. The disadvantage is also more obvious, there are restrictions on the color and the size of the pattern also has certain restrictions.

Thermal Transfer Process

Dye Sublimation

Once considered the best process for only shorter printing runs, it is now being used for larger runs. Dye sublimation is another transfer printing process, but unlike thermal transfer, special inks are infused with the material instead of only laying on top. 

The advantages and disadvantages of this method are very obvious. The advantage is that the color is vivid and lifelike while maintaining the soft hand of the fabric, washing resistance, and long life. The disadvantage is also obvious, it can only be used on polyester or polyester fabric products.

Dye Sublimation Process

 Screen Printing

The screen printing process is also known as the screen printing process, screen printing is the main printing method in stencil printing. Modern screen printing technology uses photosensitive materials to make screen printing plates by means of photolithography. Silk printing also has some points to pay attention to. For example, silk screen printing is suitable for flat printing, silk screen printing, and it is difficult to print on curved surfaces (with fixed-size printing). At the same time, if the logo has two colors, it cannot overlap, and there must be a gap. Generally, 1-2 colors are recommended.
As the most popular printing method, silk screen printing has characteristics unmatched by other methods. On the one hand, its printing speed is fast, which greatly improves the delivery time of customized products. On the other hand, the cost of single printing is more affordable, which is also the main reason why most merchants prefer it. While possessing these characteristics, the logo can also specify the PMS Pantone color number to achieve the perfect realization of real customization.

Screen Printing Process

Distinguish Exhibition Table Cloths By Printing Positions

People often ask what’s the difference or advantage between front-printed and fully printed table covers. One substantial difference is cost. However, design is another factor to be considered. A front-printed table cover is more economical. 

Front Printed Table Covers

Advantages:
Less expensive than full printed covers
Images or logos can be photorealistic CMYK full color

Limitations:
Limited stock tablecloth background colors to match the front panel background color
A slight variance in the fabric color on the front panel might occur since these tablecloths are constructed using stock material

Front Printed Table Covers

Full Printed Table Covers

Advantages:
Consumers can see your branding from all angles, not just the front Images and logos can be photorealistic CMYK full color
No variations in color between the front panel and the rest of the tablecloth
Not limited to stock color backgrounds

Limitations:
Cost

Full Printed Table Covers

In conclusion when it comes to trade show table covers the options seem endless, but if you understand some of those options, selecting your table cover becomes a whole lot easier. 

reference

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST TRADE SHOW TABLE COVER FOR YOUR NEEDS (Part 1)

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST TRADE SHOW TABLE COVER FOR YOUR NEEDS (Part 2)

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST TRADE SHOW TABLE COVER FOR YOUR NEEDS (Part 3)

 

Leave a comment

All comments are moderated before being published