The easiest way to understand the importance of table covers, is to see a booth or table where the hosts aren’t using table covers. When going to a trade show, people do judge a book by its cover. If the booth or table that your company is holding does not look appealing, then you would do well not to expect a lot of people to be interested in what you have to offer. When talking about table covers, that is the absolute minimum that your company should have.
Depending on the the event host/venue, you might be provided with a naked table to start your booth. You can accessorize your booth or location as much as you want (within the limits of the venue) depending on a few factors. An example of this is the co-op fairs that Northeastern University holds for companies to meet their students. A simple table with a wooden top is provided to each company, however the quality of the appearance from each company varies significantly. Similarly, the appeal between different companies also varies significantly. Yes, some companies have a higher budget for such events. Yes, some companies will attract more people simply because of their reputation. However, there are people who are deterred from companies they might have been previously interested in, due to their poor showing. On the other hand, people are also more inclined to check out other booths they were uninterested, simply because of their alluring set up.
A Simpler Table Cloth Design ExampleBack to the topic at hand, table covers make sure that regardless of the condition that your table is in, it will still look presentable. There are however, many types of table covers for trade shows you can choose from. First of all, most table covers are made up of polyester fabric, less common materials are cotton and vinyl. The polyester fabric is machine washable and flame retardant. Depending on the allowed set up and event size, some people opt for a simple, blank (plain) cover to throw on the table that might just be colored to match your company’s color scheme or similarly, a plain cover with a runner along the center of the table’s top, front and back. A common design for table covers is one that lays on the top of the table and covers three sides (front and 2 sides). Table covers that are three sided are referred to as economy, as they are cheaper than ones that cover all sides and are referred to as full. The most common lengths for table covers are 6ft and 8ft, although 4ft table covers are not too uncommon. Some common types of table covers are:
- Fitted (8, 6 & 4 ft.)
- Convertible
- This cover can be used for both 6 and 8ft tables
- Stretch (8, 6, and 4 ft.)
- Round (more commonly 30″ and 42″)
There are many ways to design and use these table covers in trade shows, fairs, business conventions, conferences etc. For example, in an event that does not have a lot of space available, you might want to have your table cover include your company logo and motto and have just that for your presence. In a location where you are more free in terms of space, you might choose a table cover that aims to compliment your overall station design.
This article is part of a series designed to help companies prepare for trade shows called All About Trade Shows. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave one below. In addition, Kendall Press offers many services beyond our printed marketing materials to help you prepare for trade shows and similar events. If you would like to learn more about how we can work together to ensure the best presence for your company, please email us at [email protected]