FAQs
Questions, answered.
Straight answers from the people who'll build your booth. Don't see yours? Just ask us.
Working with us
How do we get started?
With a quick chat. We talk about your goals, the show and your space. Then our team brings it to life in a free 3D design. Start my project.
Is the design really free?
Yes. Design services and unlimited mockups are free on every project, so your display looks exactly right before production begins.
How can I contact your team?
Email marketing@makeabooth.com or call +1 (312) 512-5452. Booth design, artwork, order status or anything else, we're here.
Do you have retail store locations?
No. We work nationwide through offices, production facilities and warehouses across the States, and deliver straight to you or your venue.
Do you offer bulk or wholesale orders?
Yes. Outfitting multiple locations, running a national event program or buying for a team? Our specialists will put together volume pricing that fits.
Do you have any promotions right now?
Yes. Order two or more roll-up banners or tension fabric backdrops and shipping is free. Design and unlimited mockups are always free.
Can Make a booth be our exclusive Agency of Record (AOR) for global event marketing?
Yes. Long-term Master Service Agreements (MSAs) cover multi-year global portfolios, with consistent branding, volume material discounts and shared efficiencies across every campaign.
Is white-label or blind drop-shipping available for agencies?
Yes. We can fulfill orders without our branding or manufacturer invoices, so agencies and print brokers can ship straight to their clients.
How do you protect unreleased products and confidential work?
Our staff, engineers and fabrication floors work under strict NDAs. When prototypes or unannounced products are part of the build, we use controlled-access fabrication rooms.
Can you build something fully custom?
Yes. From a single backlit wall to a full island booth, our team designs and builds it with care around your brand.
Displays and materials
What's the difference between a tension fabric backdrop and a step-and-repeat vinyl banner?
Tension fabric slides over a tubular aluminum frame like a pillowcase and zips shut. It pulls tight, so there are no wrinkles or reflections under photography lights. Vinyl banners hang from grommets or pole pockets on telescoping stands. They're waterproof and durable, but heavier and more prone to glare.
What are SEG (Silicone Edge Graphic) displays?
SEG displays use high-resolution dye-sublimated fabric with a thin silicone welt sewn into the edge. The welt presses into a recessed aluminum channel for a clean, edge-to-edge finish with no visible frame lines or curling edges.
Do you offer illuminated or LED backlit displays?
Yes. SEG lightboxes use internal LED strips or edge-lit aluminum profiles with backlit-grade fabric that spreads light evenly, with no hotspots.
Can the backdrops be used outdoors?
Fabric displays are made mainly for convention centers and studios. For outdoors, our canopy tents, teardrop flags and heavy-base banner stands use UV-resistant inks and water-repellent coatings. Ask a pro on our team which fits your event.
Are your fabrics flame retardant (NFPA 701 certified)?
Yes. Our standard trade show tension fabrics carry NFPA 701 fire certificates, which meet the fire marshal rules at convention halls and public venues.
Can graphics be printed on both sides?
Yes. Most pillowcase tension fabric frames support double-sided printing, with an internal blockout liner so nothing shows through under hall lighting.
Are fabric backdrops machine washable?
Yes. Wash polyester tension fabric in cold water on a delicate cycle with mild detergent, then air-dry or tumble dry on low.
How do I remove wrinkles if the fabric was stored folded?
Most wrinkles release once the fabric is stretched over its frame. For anything left, use a handheld garment steamer. Never put a hot iron directly on printed fabric or vinyl.
Can I buy replacement graphics without a new frame?
Yes. Order a graphic-only skin to refresh your branding on the frame you already have.
How portable are the kits?
Standard 8 × 10 ft and 10 × 10 ft kits pack into an included carry bag or hard case that fits in a car trunk and meets airline check-in guidelines.
On the show floor
What these displays look like in real life.
Same questions, real answers. Here is how the frame, graphics and lighting come together.
See all display options
Artwork and proofs
What file formats should I send for printing?
Send high-resolution PDF, AI, PSD or EPS files. Build raster images at 150 DPI or more at full size (or 300 DPI at half size), in CMYK.
Will I see a proof before production?
Yes. You get a free 2D or 3D digital proof to approve. Printing starts once you sign off.
Can you help with design if I only have a logo?
Yes. Logo placement, step-and-repeat patterns and color matching are free. Full graphic design from scratch is available for an added fee.
Production and shipping
What's the standard production turnaround?
Custom printing takes 3 to 5 business days after you approve your final proof. Stock accessories ship within 3 to 5 days.
Do you offer express shipping?
Not traditional express, because every display is designed and made for you. A typical project takes 5 to 8 business days from design to delivery, and most of that is getting the design right. Working to a tight event date? Tell us before you order and we'll find the fastest option.
How long does delivery take?
Standard shipping takes 3 to 7 business days, depending on where it's going.
Can you ship straight to the convention center or show decorator?
Yes. We just need the exact exhibitor shipping label: show name, hall, booth number and the drayage receiving deadline. Talk to a pro on our team to set it up.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. We ship across North America, Europe, Australia and select other regions. Customs duties and import taxes are paid by the recipient. Contact our team for a quote and delivery estimate.
Do you offer free shipping?
On select orders. Right now, two or more roll-up banners or tension fabric backdrops ship free. Ask our team about other current offers.
How do I track my order?
Use our order tracking page. Enter your order number or tracking number to see where it is.
At the show
Do you handle show services paperwork and utility orders?
Yes. We order electrical, hardline internet, rigging points, plumbing, drayage and daily booth cleaning through the official show decorators.
How do you handle safety and building codes?
Our technical directors check every design against local fire codes, ADA accessibility guidelines, venue load limits and regional safety rules.
What is an EAC?
An Exhibitor Appointed Contractor (EAC) is an independent company you hire to build and manage your booth, instead of the show's official general contractor (like Freeman or GES).
Why do you need to submit an EAC form?
Show management requires it so our team can get work badges, bring trucks to the docks and enter the hall during setup and teardown.
When is the EAC deadline?
Usually 30 to 45 days before show setup. Missing it can mean late fees or our crew being refused early hall access.
What insurance (COI) is required?
We provide a Certificate of Insurance, typically $1M to $2M in general liability, naming the show, the venue and the general contractor as additional insureds.
Do you handle setup and teardown?
Yes. We run the whole build, from empty floor to show-ready handover, then the final teardown and pack-out. You show up with your team and focus on why you came.
How do you handle union labor rules?
Our supervisors manage local union crews (carpenters, electricians, riggers) in major convention cities, so your booth is built safely, to code and without overtime surprises.
Can our own staff help with setup?
In non-union cities, basic setup is usually fine. In strict union halls, like Chicago or New York, building walls, running cables and using power tools are reserved for union workers.
What's the difference between straight time and overtime?
Straight time is standard weekday hours, usually 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Overtime (1.5×) and double time (2×) apply to late nights, weekends and holidays. We schedule build days to keep overtime down.
How do you protect our assets during teardown?
Electronics, fragile graphics and demo units go into padded flight cases first, before hall crews start on the heavy walls.
What is drayage, or material handling?
It's the show decorator's fee for moving your crates from the dock to your booth, storing empty crates during the show and loading them back onto trucks afterward.
After the show
What happens to our booth when the show ends?
We freight the crates back to our warehouse, where everything is checked in, logged and prepped for storage or your next show. It's ready when you need it.
What does a booth refresh involve?
Before your next show, we clean the fabrics, repaint scuffed walls, replace worn edge-banding, fix lighting and swap graphics if your messaging has changed.
What if something arrives damaged or isn't right?
Tell us right away and we'll make it right. Our refund policy has the details.
Still wondering about something?
There's a real person on the other end. Ask us anything.
Ask my question