The Essential Guide To Shell Scheme Graphics

Guide Contents

• What is a Shell Scheme?

Types of Shell Scheme Graphics:

• Infill Graphics Or Edge to Edge Graphics
• Infill Panel Material Options
• Shell Clad Rollable Panels - Edge To Edge Scheme Graphics And Cladding Solutions
• Show Suit Fabric Panels
• Free Standing Displays

Shell Scheme are modular structures that exhibition contractors use to divide hall space into smaller booth areas.

There are a many Shell Schemes in use and most employ a similar method of construction.

A series of upright posts around 1M apart are separated with horizontal cross beams at the top and bottom.

If you have booked a Shell Scheme at an event then the likelihood is that your stand will be supplied with infill panels, a power supply and a carpeted floor.

Depending on the contractor, the stand may also feature spotlights or perhaps some furniture.

When you book your shell scheme, the stand organiser will normally provide you with a specification sheet, the sheet should provide information about the size of panels and also technical information about the construction of the shell scheme itself.

If you forward this information to us along with details regarding the size of your stand and how many walls it has, we can take a look and advise options and prices for graphics that are relevant to you.

Types of Shell Scheme Graphics

Infill Graphics Or Edge to Edge Graphics

If you have booked a shell scheme then you will want to ensure that your graphics look as professional and eye-catching as possible.

Printdesigns provide many solutions to cater for most budgets - from low-cost infill graphics (below left) through to complete ‘cladding’ systems as shown in the example (below right).

Using our experienced graphic design team, we can even create print-ready artwork to your own requirements.

Infill panels fit into the space between the metal work of the shell scheme and are normally attached with velcro. As most shell schemes have common sized infill panels, graphics can usually be re-used at future events.

The downside of infill panels is that each print is separated by the upright post of the stand, this can restrict what is possible in terms of the design of the artwork.

Cladding solutions allow panels to fit side by side to create a continuous graphic wall. This looks visually impressive but costs are higher due to the fixing adapters needed to support the panels.

Continuous mural style graphic panels might not be re-useable at future events if they have been sized to specifically fit a particular shell scheme and your future stand size/shape changes.

Despite the fact that the graphic panels are separated by the upright posts of the shell scheme, well designed and printed infill panels can still look great as well as being a cost-effective option.

Incorrectly sized or badly fitting posters or display panels look unprofessional and untidy.

We advise you contact your stand builder or show organiser to establish the correct size for the infill panels for your shell scheme. We can make bespoke sized graphics to the correct size to fit.

Shell Scheme infill panels can be printed onto a choice of flexible or semi rigid materials.

The benefit with flexible materials is that panels can be rolled up for convenient storage and transportation.

Stiffer materials will sit very flat against the wall without showing any bumps or lumps from the fastenings used to fix them but the drawback is that you will need a transit (or larger) sized van to transport them.

Materials like our Opal Jet polyester display film offer the best of both worlds as they are thick/stiff, yet flexible and so provide a good compromise.

Shell Clad Rollable Panels

Edge To Edge Scheme Graphics And Cladding Solutions

A continuous mural or wall of graphics running around the edge of your shell scheme can provide far more visual impact when compared to a series of graphic panels that are divided by the upright pillars of the stand.

We have two main methods of fixing graphics to shell schemes and the details are outlined below.

Shell Clad adapters are very simple plastic clips that snap-on to the upright posts of the Shell Scheme. The clips are coated in velcro so that panels can fasten to them.

Two main versions of clip are available and the correct clip must be used to fit the particular shell scheme you have.

If you are interested in using shell clad clips to attach graphics to your shell scheme then please contact us with the size and the particular type of shell scheme you have. We will be able to confirm the correct type and number of adapters required along with the correct artwork size should you wish to design your own artwork.

Shell clad panels are printed as standard onto a heavyweight polyester material which is laminated with a crystal, scratch resistant laminated finish. It is possible to add an optional backing material to these panels which is called Magi-Clad.

Magi-Clad is a 4mm thick, fluted sheet material that adds rigidity to the flexible graphic panel thus giving it the properties of a rigid board in a format that can still be rolled-up. We can also print panels onto materials like 5mm PVC Board.

We can advise the best material for your requirements.

Show Suit is an innovative yet cost effective option for dressing your shell scheme with fabric prints.

The graphic panels are printed in one piece and so the finished result provides a truly seamless result with panels that do not need to be manually tiled together.

How does it work?

A series of aluminium rails are clamped at the top and bottom of the printed fabric at intervals of approximately 1 Metre. Plastic adapter clips snap-on to these rails, allowing then to hook-over the top and bottom beam of the shell scheme (below middle and right).

Vertical tension on the Show Suit fabric is achieved by pulling a nylon cord at the bottom of the graphic. Horizontal tension is achieved by push-fitting a silicone bead into the post of the Shell Scheme. The bottom adapter clips can also be hidden with our optional Show Suit skirting board (below left).

Is It Compatible With All Types Of Shell Scheme?

The silicone beading strip that is provided with Show Suit is designed and tested to fit Octanorm shell schemes only.

Without use of the silicone beading, Show Suit graphics will still hook over the top and bottom of most aluminium shell schemes although less graphic tension may be possible over the width of the wall.

If you have booked a particular type of shell scheme booked at an event and require advice as to the compatibility of Show Suit, please email the details of your stand to [email protected] or contact one of our team.

Attaching graphic panels to the existing walls of your shell scheme will maximise available floor space because the graphics have no ‘footprint’.

Printdesigns can also provide a wide range of free-standing, modular display systems that can be assembled in almost any exhibition stand space.

Free standing displays are not reliant on any pre-existing stand walls and so are a great option for those exhibitors who may be attending a series of events throughout the year whereby the size and/or type of stand space may vary.

Free standing displays vary in price and range from simple stand alone banner type displays through to modular systems that can be tailored to fit almost any requirements.

The team of staff at Printdesigns are on hand to offer obligation free advice and support so you can ensure your exhibition runs as smoothly as possible. Call us on 01785 818111 or send an email to [email protected].