If your company is exhibiting this autumn, the single biggest mistake you can make is leaving your printing to the last week. GITEX Global and the wave of Dubai trade shows that follow it fill every printer's production schedule from late September onwards. Booking your backdrop, pop-up stand, roll-up banners and flags before October is the difference between a stand that looks like a market leader and a scramble of taped-up A3 prints. This guide walks through exactly what large-format printing you need for exhibition season, with real prices from our store and a booking timeline that keeps you calm while everyone else panics.
Every price below is VAT-inclusive and taken directly from our live catalogue. Large-format display items are made to order, so the earlier you confirm artwork, the safer your deadline.
Why you must book before October
Dubai's exhibition calendar is heavily front-loaded into Q4. GITEX alone brings thousands of exhibitors into the same two-week window, and every one of them needs backdrops, banners and stands produced at the same time. Large-format printing, fabric pop-ups and custom-built wooden backdrops are not off-the-shelf — they require print time, fabrication and quality checks. When demand spikes, lead times stretch and rush fees appear.
Booking before October means you get first pick of production slots, time to review a proper proof, and a buffer to fix any artwork issue before it becomes a crisis. It is the cheapest insurance you can buy for an expensive event.
The exhibition printing checklist
1. Your backdrop — the face of your stand
The backdrop is the first thing visitors see and the surface that appears in every photo. Options range from lightweight self-standing boards to heavy-duty framed walls and premium wooden builds with backlighting.
From our Backdrop & Standees collection:
- Forex self standee — a compact, rigid cut-out from AED 465, ideal for smaller booths or entrance branding.
- Heavy-duty backdrop 2.5 × 2.5m with metal stand — AED 2,250, a reliable framed wall for standard booths.
- Heavy-duty backdrop 4 × 3m with metal stand — AED 2,550 for larger stands that need presence.
- Velcro pop-up backdrop 3 × 3m — AED 2,370, quick to assemble and reusable across multiple events.
2. Pop-up stands & roll-up banners — fast to set up, easy to reuse
Pop-ups and roll-ups are the workhorses of exhibition branding. They travel flat, assemble in minutes and can be redeployed at your next event. Fabric pop-ups give a seamless, photo-friendly finish; roll-ups are the most budget-friendly way to add branded height.
From our Pop-up & Roll-up collection:
- Roll-up banner 85 × 200cm — AED 190, the go-to standard roll-up for aisles and entrances.
- Roll-up banner 150 × 200cm — AED 950 for a wider, more commanding format.
- Fabric pop-up (straight) — AED 1,690 for a seamless branded wall.
- Fabric pop-up (curved) — AED 2,150 for a softer, more premium curved backdrop.
- Pop-up display counter — AED 2,040, a branded reception desk for demos and giveaways.
- Backlit fabric pop-up (curved) — AED 3,950 when you want your stand to glow on a busy show floor.
3. Flags — draw eyes from across the hall
Flags add vertical height that cuts through a crowded exhibition floor and guides foot traffic to your stand. They also work outside the venue for directional branding.
From our Flag Printing collection:
- Body flag 150 × 80cm (single-sided, knitted polyester) — AED 270.
- Flag 120 × 70cm (double-sided, taffeta satin) — AED 230.
- Curve-top flag 200 × 85cm with 2m pole — AED 1,150 for a tall, eye-catching feather flag.
- Bunting, double-sided A5 flags (20 per string) — AED 625 for playful overhead branding.
Real price table: build your stand budget
| Item | Size / spec | Price (AED, VAT incl.) |
|---|---|---|
| Roll-up banner | 85 × 200cm | 190 |
| Flag (double-sided) | 120 × 70cm, taffeta satin | 230 |
| Body flag (single-sided) | 150 × 80cm, knitted polyester | 270 |
| Forex self standee | Rigid cut-out | 465 |
| Bunting (20 A5 flags) | Double-sided string | 625 |
| Roll-up banner | 150 × 200cm | 950 |
| Curve-top flag | 200 × 85cm, 2m pole | 1,150 |
| Fabric pop-up (straight) | Seamless wall | 1,690 |
| Pop-up display counter | Branded reception desk | 2,040 |
| Fabric pop-up (curved) | Seamless wall | 2,150 |
| Heavy-duty backdrop | 2.5 × 2.5m + metal stand | 2,250 |
| Velcro pop-up backdrop | 3 × 3m | 2,370 |
| Heavy-duty backdrop | 4 × 3m + metal stand | 2,550 |
| Backlit fabric pop-up (curved) | Illuminated wall | 3,950 |
Matching your display mix to your booth size
The right combination depends on how much space you have booked. Over-filling a small booth looks cluttered; under-dressing a large one looks empty. Use these as starting points:
- Small booth (up to 3 × 3m): one fabric pop-up (straight) at AED 1,690 as your back wall, plus one or two roll-up banners at AED 190 each for the corners. A pop-up display counter at AED 2,040 adds a branded desk if you have room.
- Standard booth (3 × 3m to 4 × 3m): a heavy-duty backdrop at AED 2,250–2,550 anchors the stand, a curved fabric pop-up at AED 2,150 softens the look, and a curve-top flag at AED 1,150 adds height that carries across the hall.
- Premium / island stand: a backlit fabric pop-up at AED 3,950 draws the eye on a crowded floor, paired with multiple flags and a display counter for a fully branded presence.
If you are unsure what fits, send us your booth dimensions and we will suggest a mix that fills the space without overcrowding it.
What actually goes wrong when you book late
Late bookings do not just cost more — they compound risk. Artwork gets rushed, so typos and low-resolution logos slip through. Production slots are full, so lead times stretch past your setup day. Delivery windows tighten, leaving no buffer if something needs a reprint. And rush fees eat the budget you saved by waiting. Every one of these is avoidable by confirming early. The exhibitors who look calm on setup day are simply the ones who booked in August, not the last week of September.
A booking timeline that actually works
- 6–8 weeks before the show: Confirm stand size and decide your display mix (backdrop + pop-up + flags). Reserve your production slot with us now.
- 4–5 weeks before: Finalise artwork in vector format and send it for proofing.
- 3 weeks before: Approve the digital proof and confirm quantities.
- 1–2 weeks before: Production and quality check completed; delivery scheduled.
- Setup day: Everything arrives ready to assemble — no last-minute reprints.
For an October show, that means confirming in late August or early September. If you are reading this now, you are right on time.
How to order
Send us your stand dimensions, the display items you need and your event date. If your artwork is not ready, our design team can prepare print-ready files. Message us on WhatsApp +971 52 210 0909 or call 052 210 0909 and we will build your stand package around your deadline.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I book exhibition printing for GITEX?
Aim for six to eight weeks. Production slots fill fast from late September, and booking early gives you time to proof artwork and avoid rush fees. For an October show, confirm by early September at the latest.
What is the most cost-effective display for a small booth?
A roll-up banner at AED 190 combined with a Forex self standee from AED 465 gives you branded height and a backdrop for well under AED 1,000. Add a flag from AED 230 for extra visibility.
Can I reuse these displays at future events?
Yes. Roll-ups, fabric pop-ups and Velcro backdrops are designed to be assembled, dismantled and transported repeatedly. If your branding stays consistent, one investment covers several shows.
Do you deliver and install at the venue?
We deliver across Dubai and the UAE, and installation can be arranged for larger builds such as wooden backdrops and wall-mounted flags. Tell us the venue and we will confirm what is possible for your setup.
What file format do you need for large-format printing?
Vector files (AI, EPS or high-resolution PDF) give the sharpest large-format results. For photographic backdrops, supply high-resolution images. If in doubt, send what you have and we will advise.
What if my artwork is not ready yet?
Our in-house design team can create print-ready artwork from your logo and brand assets. Reach out early so design time is built into your timeline rather than eating into production days.
Book your exhibition printing now
The stands that look effortless at GITEX are the ones that were booked early. Browse our Backdrop & Standees, Pop-up & Roll-up and Flag Printing collections, then message us on WhatsApp +971 52 210 0909 or call 052 210 0909 to reserve your slot. For sizing help, see our roll-up banner sizes & prices guide and our complete flag types guide.
