Trade Show Hanging Sign Buyer's Guide: Circle, Triangle and Square

A trade show hanging sign is a fabric-covered aluminum frame that hangs from the ceiling above your booth, so attendees can find you from across the exhibit hall. Choosing one comes down to three things: the shape, the size, and the rules of the show where it will hang. This guide compares circle, triangle and square hanging signs, lists the sizes we offer, and explains what to check before you buy.

10 ft Circle 10 ft Triangle 10 ft Square 8 ft Circle 15 ft Square

Why add a hanging sign?

• Visibility from a distance. A sign above your booth can be seen over the displays around it.
• It uses space you already paid for. The air above your booth adds branding without taking any floor space.
• Light and portable. The frames are aircraft grade aluminum and travel in a soft carry bag.
• Clean look. The zipper sits at the top of the graphic, out of sight from the floor.

Three hanging sign shapes compared

The figures below are for the 10 ft size of each shape.

Value Circle Hanging Sign

Best for: a sign that reads the same from every direction.

A circle sign has no corners, so your graphic runs in one continuous band and looks the same from any aisle. The frame is aircraft grade aluminum, both strong and lightweight, and assembles with only an Allen wrench. One person can put the 10 ft frame together in about 40 minutes. A circle pairs well with round or curved backwalls, or gives a squared-off booth some visual contrast.

• Sizes: 8 ft, 10 ft, 12 ft and 15 ft
• Graphic height: five options from 24" to 48"
• Weight (10 ft): 32 lb
• Ships at (10 ft): 68" x 15" x 9"
• Graphics: dye-sublimated, single or double-sided. Single-sided graphics come with a black or white unprinted interior.

See the 10 ft Circle Hanging Sign

Value Triangle Hanging Sign

Best for: standing apart from the round and square signs around you.

The triangle gives you three flat faces, each wide enough for a logo and a short message. Its shape is distinct from the more common round and square signs, which helps it stand out in a crowded hall. The frame is lightweight, aircraft grade aluminum. One person can assemble it in about half an hour, and an Allen wrench is the only tool needed.

• Sizes: 8 ft, 10 ft, 12 ft and 15 ft
• Graphic height: five options from 24" to 48"
• Weight (10 ft): 30 lb
• Ships at (10 ft): 68" x 15" x 9"
• Graphics: dye-sublimated pillowcase graphic, single or double-sided, secured by a heavy duty zipper at the top

See the 10 ft Triangle Hanging Sign

Value Square Hanging Sign

Best for: angular booths, and a message seen from all four sides.

A square sign gives you four flat faces, one toward each aisle, so your message can be seen from all sides. It complements an angular booth, and the 10 ft size suits a 20 ft booth or pairs with a second hanging sign. The frame is aircraft grade aluminum and assembles with only an Allen wrench.

• Sizes: 8 ft, 10 ft, 12 ft and 15 ft
• Graphic height: five height options
• Weight (10 ft): 36 lb
• Ships at (10 ft): 68" x 15" x 9"
• Graphics: dye-sublimated pillowcase graphic, secured by a heavy duty zipper at the top

See the 10 ft Square Hanging Sign

What to check before you buy

Your show's hanging sign rules

Read the exhibitor manual first. Shows set their own rules on which booths may have a hanging sign, how large it can be and how high it can hang. Many limit hanging signs to island and peninsula booths.

Rigging

Hanging signs are usually installed by the show's rigging crew, not by exhibitors. That service is ordered through the show, often with an early deadline, and it is a separate cost from the sign itself. Ask what the crew needs from you, such as the sign's weight and dimensions.

Size against your booth

Choose a sign that fits inside your booth's footprint. An 8 ft or 10 ft sign suits a 20 x 20 booth. A 12 ft or 15 ft sign needs a larger space.

Graphic height

A taller band is easier to read from far away. The signs come in five heights, and the circle and triangle listings give the range as 24" to 48".

Single or double-sided

A double-sided graphic is printed inside and out, which matters when attendees can see up into the sign from below. A single-sided graphic has a plain black or white interior.

Lead time

Signs ship 6 to 7 business days after you approve your proof. Allow extra time, because many shows want hanging signs delivered to the advance warehouse before the show.

Which one should you choose?

• You want a sign that looks the same from every aisle: the circle.
• You want a shape that stands out from your neighbors: the triangle.
• You have an angular booth with traffic on four sides: the square.

Common questions

How are hanging signs assembled?

The aluminum frame goes together with an Allen wrench, and the fabric graphic slips over it and zips closed at the top. One person can assemble a 10 ft frame in about 30 to 40 minutes.

Can I hang the sign myself?

At most trade shows, no. The show's rigging crew hangs it. Check your exhibitor manual for the rules and the order deadline.

Can hanging signs be used outside of trade shows?

Yes. They also work in retail settings, to mark areas such as customer service or to highlight seasonal sales.

What warranty do the signs carry?

The Value hanging signs carry a lifetime warranty.

Not sure which hanging sign fits your booth? Call us at 540-438-9933, or see all of our trade show hanging signs.