Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Pop-ups Traditional and New

The Pop-ups’ name comes from the easy way they setup.  The 10 foot frames literally pop-up from a compact 13” wide by 36” long to a 10 feet (98” to 117”) wide X 8 feet high (88” to 94”) unit.  The sizes
of any particular unit may vary by manufacturer but only within 3 to 4 inches in width or height.

Pop-ups range in size from simple table top design to 10 feet wide by 12 feet tall (the 12 foot high model is not
allowed in most linear booths on the show floor).  For the purpose of this writing the Pop-ups are divided into two general categories; the traditional Pop-up and the new Fabric Pop-ups.  While the basic frames are
similar there are significant differences, which will be discussed below. 

Short Version Comparison of Traditional to New Fabric pop-ups:

The traditional pop-up is defined by having a series of panels, either Velcro receptive fabric or mural graphic
panels held in place by individual channel bars.  The process to set it up takes
several steps, which include the following: take the frame from the case pop it
up, take out the channel bars then attach them to the frame, next remove the
panels from the case and align them on the channel bars, and when that is
completed attach the lights.  The process can take from 15 minutes (if you have
done it before) to 30 minutes working alone or longer if it is the first time. 
The average weight for a complete 10 foot wide unit including case is around 90
pounds.  Cost range from sub $800 for basic no graphic unit (with cheap
materials) to $4000 plus with full mural graphic panels.  The price is not
always a measure of the quality with these units so shop around or trust your
vendor.  The most common/popular is the curved 10 foot wide
frame.

The new fabric pop-up has the same basic frame that pop-up the same way as the traditional unit but after that it is a different process.  With the fabric pop-up, the graphic is a fabric
material (hence the name I give the unit), which stays attached to the frame
when the unit is both up and stored.  The set-up process for this unit starts by
taking the frame (with graphic attached) out of the bag and popping it up,
secure the end caps (if you have those) check the hooks that lock the frame,
attach lights and you are done.  The process can take from 2 to 3 minutes start
to finish even for a first time users.  Some units can be completely set up in
less than a minute, with take down about the same time.  There is nothing that
gives you a 8 to 10 foot full graphic backwall that is faster or easier to set
up.  The weight of these units in the 8 foot and 10 foot sizes range from 35
pounds to 45 pounds depending on shipping case (optional on these units standard
on traditional pop-ups).  The price for a full mural graphic units ranges from
$1400 to $3000 depending on options.  The most common/popular is the straight
frame with 8 and 10 foot about equal.


Which one is the best for you depends on your long term need, both have certain advantages of the other for example the case for the traditional pop-up can be converted to a podium at the show
(usually a low cost option) and the Velcro receptive fabric allows for
detachable graphic not available in the new fabric pop-ups.  The big advantage
for the new fabric pop-up is the light weight and ease of set-up.  The new
advancements in fabric printing have closed the gap on the high impact graphic
for the fabrics compared to the mural panels, which have the advantage of
looking more photographic.

 
For more details see the following long version comparisons.

Read More

Traditional Pop-ups have been
around for over 20 years and are still very popular.  The following sample parts
list is common for most traditional Pop-up in this case the 10 foot wide
model.


  • Frame most commonly made with
    aluminum tubing
  • Channel bars attach to the frame
    to provide vertical support and connection strips for mural graphics or Velcro
    fabric.. 
  • Velcro receptive panels (4 center
    and 2 end caps) (best Frontrunner or Prelude)
  • Optional graphic mural panels to
    replace Velcro receptive panels (up to 4 center and 2 end caps)
  • Shipping case (most common is a
    single case but some still use two)
  • Optional Case to Counter
    conversion kit allows the shipping case to become a podium at the show, includes
    plastic counter top (wood tops are optional) a fabric wrap to cover the case. 
    Mural graphic wraps are also an option.
  • Lights 2 (usually 200w halogen,
    which are not legal in Vegas).  If you plan on showing in Vegas and want to use
    lights you cannot use high wattage halogen).
  • Weight is 90 to 100 pounds when
    all is packed into the shipping case.
  • Set-up time is 15 minutes for 1
    person with experience up to 30 minutes for first timers.
Frames: Straight or Curved, Self
Locking or Locking

Of the traditional Pop-ups the curved
frame out sells the straight by at least 20 to 1 and therefore is less
expensive.  The curved frames have a larger surface area (more graphic space).
Also curved frames are easier to see coming down the aisles at a trade
show.

Straight frames work best when you have
limited space like in a hall (behind a reception or sign in desk) or need more
space in your booth for a seating area.  While straight are rare in the
traditional pop-up configuration they are very common in the new “Fabric mural
pop-ups discussed in the New Fabric pop-up paper.

Self locking refers to the frame with
sufficient tension to “lock” in place without using any type of connectors
between the front and back of the frame.  The self locking is the newer
technology with the advantage of no extra pieces to break off. 

Depending on the products sold by a
particular supplier, you will be told the advantages of the units they sell but
the real difference is as I described.  It is really a personal choice if you
prefer one over the other.  Regardless what you are told by the vendor do not
buy one with “springs” of any kind, while they are rare and trouble, it is best
pass them up.

Channel bars: 7 verses
21

Channel bars attach vertically to the
frame to provide attachment area for graphics and Velcro fabric panels to stick
to the frame using magnetic strips on the back of the panels.  The 10 foot wide
frame has 5 columns on the front and two on the back where the channel bars
attach to the frame.  The bars attach to 3 points on each column (actually the
frame hub) for a total of 21 connections.  The bars can come as individual bars
(21) or 7 bars with three sections attached together.  Despite the sales
material there is no real advantage of the 7 bar system over the 12 bars system,
could save a little time taking them out of the case but that is all.  Other
things are more important than the number of bars, like slots for shelves or
magnetic strips.

On some units the channel bars have
slotted holes to allow for shelves or other attachments to be attached to the
frames by the channel bars. On some frames LCD monitors can be attached without
additional structural components.  To hold a shelf, the channel bar must also
clip on to the frame at the hubs (joints where the frame rods join each other to
form the structure).  If they do not attach securely then the bars will not hold
up a shelf or monitor.  If you ever plan on a monitor or shelves then it is
important to ask before you purchase if it will allow shelves to be attached. 

Backwall Panels Velcro Receptive
or Mural Panels

The backwall consist of 4 center panels
(on 10 foot frame) and two end-caps that wrap around the end of the frame to
hide the back of the pop-up.  These panels are either Velcro receptive fabric
(most common are “Prelude” or “ Frontrunner”) which come in 25 colors with two
finishes, smooth, or “carpet like” respectively.  Frontrunner is most popular as
it has a “carpet like finish.  It holds up well and provides a great surface for
attaching Velcro graphics.  NOTE: if you plan on keeping your pop-up for
a long time and use the Velcro panels then you should buy only pop-ups with
either Frontrunner or Prelude fabric.  The panels will be what people see and
nothing lasts as long or wears as well as the Frontrunner or Prelude fabrics. 
Anything else is not worth the savings; cheap Velcro receptive fabric looks
cheap and does not wear well at all.

Graphic mural panels make an ordinary
pop-up into a custom high impact display.  Panels placed on the front (concave)
are narrower than the back (convex) panels.  If you plan or need to cover the
front and/or back you will need two sets of panels along with extra channel
bars.  Not all frames have attachment points on the back for channel bars so ask
before you buy; if that is something you may need in the future.  The reason to
cover the back depends on how you use the pop-up as a 10X20 wave (two 10 foot
models side by side one concave the other convex) or a double sided display in
the middle of an open space.

It is important to note that pop-up
panels from different manufacturers are different sizes and have different style
“hangers” (for the top of the panels to hold their shape and attach to the
frame) and “kickers” (for the bottoms to hold the shape and protect the bottom
of the panels).  Since no two brand of pop-ups use exactly the same type of
hangers and kickers it is important to know you can get replacement graphics
printed from alternative vendors (if you need to) that will actually work on
your unit.  While many companies can print the graphics panels, it is having
then properly fitted for your pop-up that is the challenge. A poorly fitting
panels will always look worst than poorly printed panels that fit perfect.  When
you buy your pop-up make sure you know the manufacturer or feel confident your
supplier will be in business long enough to supply you with new mural panels in
the future.  A great deal today will not be such a great deal later when you
cannot get new mural panels for your pop-up.

BUYER BEWARE:
You should always ask who the
manufacturer of the frame is or know a second or third source for replacement
panels; you could be buying a limited use pop-up.  For example, if you know the
manufacturer is ABEX, Expand, Orbus or other name brands then getting ordering
replacement graphics or panels will be easy in the future.  However, if you are
planning on using the pop-up for only one or two shows and never using it again
then the brand does not matter.

Case to Counter,
This is another feature of the pop-up
display. The entire booth fits into one case, which can be converted into a
small counter by wrapping a fabric panel around the base then placing a plastic
top on the case to form a counter.   The standard cases vary in size depending
on the manufacturer but all have wheels and capable of being shipped by UPS or
FedEx.

Set-up Time, Weight
One person can easily do a set-up or take
down in 15 to 20 minutes without tools or show labor.  The units weight between
88 and 100 pounds depending on materials and manufacturer with the average
around 90 pounds.  It is important a person be able to reach over 7 feet high or
have a small stool handy to attach lights or graphic
headers.

PRO:  Great for smaller shows
where convenience and budgets are very important.  This is one of the more cost
effective starter booths.  It’s popular at conferences, hotel shows, in large
tradeshow booths as a dividing wall or walls for conference rooms.  Pop-ups can
be connected together to provide larger than 10 X 10 configurations when the
fames are arranged in an end to end fashion.  The pop-up is a great basic
backwall for detachable graphics, nothing better for the price.

CON:  Being very popular and so
common means unless you have interesting graphics or use a mural panel your
booth could look like many others.  Because the frames are lightweight it is
harder to mount  LCD’s monitor or support shelves that hold much more than
brochures but there are a few designed to accommodate both..  The case to
counter is relative small to be use as a demo counter.  Hard for one person
carry even with wheels and takes some effort to attach he light and high
graphics.

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