Are you looking to exhibit for the first time and feeling a little overwhelmed by all the new terminology you are suddenly having to learn? Don’t worry, Toucan Graphics are here to make it easy for you to make your stand look great and start those conversations…

Space only is just that, you will get a set number of square meters of space, which you will have to arrange for a stand build and any services, but you’re here to find out more about what a shell scheme is: you will get a small stand space, generally supplied with carpet and a power socket, with the ‘shell’ making your walls, whether one, two or three walls.

There are two main types of shell-scheme: the ‘traditional’ shell scheme framework, made of posts and beams, with an infill panel of foamex, or sometimes a fabric covered panel. Traditional shell schemes come with a facia board where your company name and stand number is displayed. There are a few different systems, which have slightly different sized graphic areas, so it’s key to make sure you have the right sized prints.

The more modern ‘modular’ shell schemes use aluminium frames like GES AMP, Aluvision and beMatrix, which are connected together to make your walls. The modular stands do not have the facias, giving you stand a more open look. Modular frames generally use frames with 62mm increments, and a standard size of 992x2480mm, however some organisers may use different sized frames to fit size requirements of a venue or space.

It’s always best to confirm what system your stand is using, as the same systems are not always used year-after-year, and we’re seeing more shows with different systems used in the same hall.

For both types of shell, we can provide the two graphics types: infill panels, which sit between the metalwork, and seamless fabric prints which cover the frame, giving your stand a professional and high-end look.

There are two main types of panels used in the traditional shells-schemes:

• Foamex infills are the most common - a smooth plastic board usually white, with some contractors using black frames and panels.

• Polyweave covered panels, usually black or grey fabric which you can use hook Velcro to stick directly to.

Whatever type of panel, there will be restriction on what you can stick to the panel so that damage is not caused. You will be expected for remove anything at the end of the show – if anything is left behind or damage is cause, the organiser will charge for this.

We use removeable self-adhesive vinyl or supply Velcro for infill panels, while seamless graphics will use Velcro and shell-clips, which won’t damage the panels.

Visual size for infill graphics - whether you are having self-adhesive vinyls, rollable inlays or inlay boards – we use the visual size, this is the area seen between the metal framework.

We don’t recommend that you have printed infill panels produced to the full panels size to replace the organisers foamex, as you will need to get permission from the show organiser first because the stands your panels back onto may have ordered graphics elsewhere. Here are the full panel sizes:

Fabric walls – polyweave covering that hook Velcro sticks straight to

Total Event (Quadraform)

Index Group/IG Event & Exhibition Solutions (FiTZiN) –

If you would like the sizes for seamless shell-scheme graphics, please get in touch, as there’s a number of variables so we want to ensure you get the correct size.

The standard frame size is 992x2480mm, while some builders will use a 930x2480mm end panel. Half panels are 496x2480mm.

For seamless silicone-edge graphic take the number of panels you have and times by 992mm for your width, while the height will always be the same.

For infill panels :

You can have single panel or seamless silicone-edge graphics that span over multiple panels, and you can mix SEG prints with infill panels using modular systems.

Cranmore Park Aluvision sizes – we’re the print partner for many of the INDX shows such as Home, Furniture, Beds and Woman, plus other shows held at AIS Cranmore Park in Shirley. The sizes for their Aluvision modular frames and graphics are:

Fibreboard infill panels:

In the Cranmore I and Cranmore II halls downstairs:

In the Gallery Suites upstairs:

For any seamless silicone-edge graphics, take the number of panels and times by 992mm to give your width, using the height of 2418mm for stand downstairs in Cranmore I & II, or 2170mm if your stand is upstairs in the Gallery Suites. Eg a 3m wall in Cranmore I is 2976x2418mm.

Still not sure what size you need? Get in touch and we’d be happy to help you identify you size and what graphics would be best for your stand space and budget.