Exhibition graphics packages – Feedback needed

[harrietfawcett]

Hi everyone,

I hope this is okay to post. I don't want it to come across as trying to sell services here, I genuinely would really value feedback on the below question:

I'm feeling a bit vulnerable sharing prices openly, but I'm hoping for some honest feedback. I'm an experienced graphic designer (15 years), recently self-employed, and I want to create some packages for core assets used at exhibitions/trade shows.

Not many in our field seem to do this, but I want to provide businesses with a clear idea of costs for these services. These packages will be featured on my website and shared in a LinkedIn article about effectively planning and running a stand at a show.

By setting these packages, I take a bit of a gamble, some projects might be straightforward while others could be more complex so my margin on my time spent on them would end up different for each client I work with. Clear terms and conditions would outline the scope of work covered.

My website and article will showcase past work to back up my expertise.

My question to all you: Are these prices reasonable? Am I way off? Should I simplify the packages or adjust pricing? Pricing is tough to gauge since few companies are transparent so the best I can do is estimate a sensible cost based on the time needed to complete the work and cover my costs.

To be clear - This is for the Graphic design of the assets only, it doesn't include the physical banners/item's although I can offer to help advise on which products to use and from where and am always happy to collaborate directly with the company who supplies the items to the client to ensure the print ready artwork is correct.

The packages I’m thinking of offering are:

Micro Stand Graphics Package - £400

• Up to 2m(w) stand graphics: e.g., 2x 85cm roll-up banners or a single 2m wide banner
• Social media imagery to advertise your presence at the show
• Consultation on clear and effective messaging
• Up to 3 stand design concepts, 2 revisions, and final artwork

Small Stand Graphics Package - £675

• Up to 5m(w) stand graphics: e.g., 5 x 1m modular panels or 2x 85cm roll-up banners and a 3m banner
• 1 x Podium graphic
• Social media imagery to advertise your presence
• Consultation on messaging
• Infographics to support messaging (where applicable)
• Up to 3 stand design concepts, 2 revisions, and final artwork

Medium Stand Package - £1,215

• Up to 6m(w) stand graphics: e.g., 6 x 1m modular panels or 6 x shell scheme panels
• Graphics for up to 2 podiums
• Social media imagery and email footer to advertise your presence at the show
• Consultation on messaging
• Infographics to support messaging (where applicable)
• Up to 3 stand design concepts, 2 revisions, and final artwork
• 1x Flyer or up to 4-page brochure design

Large Stand Package - £1,500

• Up to 7m(w) stand graphics: e.g., 7 x 1m modular panels or 7 x shell scheme panels
• Graphics for up to 5 podiums
• Social media imagery and email footer to advertise your presence at the show
• Consultation on messaging
• Infographics to support messaging (where applicable)
• Up to 3 stand design concepts, 2 revisions, and final artwork
• 2x Flyer or up to 8-page brochure design

Custom Package
Collaboration with your 3D stand builder to create bespoke graphics. Please contact me for a tailored quote based on stand size and complexity.

Any honest feedback or suggestions for improvement would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Socio South West]

The problem with any package of this type is that as fast as you put the effort into what you think a customer wants in the package the bespoke nature of display stands means that just about every customer will want something different!

I can't comment on the individual packages, but no harm in testing the market - or maybe doing some live market research to see if the packages are competitive.

From the business point of view, have you considered getting an agency or trade arrangement with producers of the finished items to increase your earning potential from each job ?

 

[fisicx]

Just to confirm, all you are offering is a graphic design service. No idea if the prices are competitive but last time we needed a banner we contacted the banner company and they did everything (design, proofs, printing, eyelets and delivery). I'm far more likely to use an all in service than just a graphic designer.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I'm feeling a bit vulnerable sharing prices openly,

How do you expect people to buy if they do know know your prices?

If the prices included the hardware, I might have interest, design only, unlikely.

 

[harrietfawcett]

How do you expect people to buy if they do know know your prices?

If the prices included the hardware, I might have interest, design only, unlikely.

Most Graphic designers don't share a 'package' price, at most an hourly rate but likely, nothing until they speak to a potential client directly. Its a bit different to an 'off the shelf' product item as the time spent on it will always vary.

Thank you for your feedback - I'm also looking to collaborate with a stand provider so I can provide a package deal which include the physical products as well.

 

[harrietfawcett]

Just to confirm, all you are offering is a graphic design service. No idea if the prices are competitive but last time we needed a banner we contacted the banner company and they did everything (design, proofs, printing, eyelets and delivery). I'm far more likely to use an all in service than just a graphic designer.

Thank you for the feedback, I appreciate it.
Yes, many stand providers will offer design services as well, - I'm aiming more at businesses who need more in depth design help, requiring production of infographics to explain a product/system and offer help to ensure the messaging and text used on it is concise, understandable and effective.
A stand provider will just take what a business gives them and use that whether it makes an engaging effective stand or not.

Perhaps I should have explained that in my question, I was trying to avoid it getting to lengthy. These prices would only be presented at the end of an article explaining how paired down, concise messaging and infographics aids Science, Technology or Engineering companies to creates engaging/successful Show graphics/stands.

Non-the-less your feedback is really usefully in seeing what the immediate reaction would be to a Packaging price for stand graphics, so I am grateful for your input.

 

[harrietfawcett]

The problem with any package of this type is that as fast as you put the effort into what you think a customer wants in the package the bespoke nature of display stands means that just about every customer will want something different!

I can't comment on the individual packages, but no harm in testing the market - or maybe doing some live market research to see if the packages are competitive.

From the business point of view, have you considered getting an agency or trade arrangement with producers of the finished items to increase your earning potential from each job ?

Thank you for your feedback, I really appreciate it. Yes I'm also looking to work with a stand provider to offer packages where the physical items are included. I'm not sure whether to offer both options yet as some businesses will already have a preferred supplier. I'm also in contact with companies who make sustainable based Exhibition stands for when the stand will only be used a couple of times, so it can be disposed of in recycling. A more hardwearing option would still be needed for businesses who will use it many time though.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Most Graphic designers don't share a 'package' price

And this puts most customers off, reducing the point of contact. Publishing prices is a breath of fresh air!

'm aiming more at businesses who need more in depth design help, requiring production of infographics to explain a product/system and offer help to ensure the messaging and text used on it is concise, understandable and effective.

When people want displays, that's what they want, not SM artwork. Sure, some might want, but the numbers are low.

Offer the parts independently and then a package offer.

These prices would only be presented at the end of an article explaining how paired down, concise messaging and infographics aids Science, Technology or Engineering companies to creates engaging/successful Show graphics/stands.

So you are reducing the visibility of these prices even further!

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Most Graphic designers don't share a 'package' price

Why not see this as an opportunity to be different? Create a separate website (graphicsfactory.co.uk is currently available) if you are scared and be a revolutionary, disruptor, well, at least something that lots of people will be happy to engage with.

What I dislike about anyone/company that does not publish prices is that I believe they use either a random price generator or look at the business and price accordingly, both of which I despise!

 

[harrietfawcett]

Why not see this as an opportunity to be different? Create a separate website (graphicsfactory.co.uk is currently available) if you are scared and be a revolutionary, disruptor, well, at least something that lots of people will be happy to engage with.

What I dislike about anyone/company that does not publish prices is that I believe they use either a random price generator or look at the business and price accordingly, both of which I despise!

This is useful feedback, thankyou.
Yes that is exactly along the lines of what I want to do, I am open to having these packages on my website and will be creating others for Branding and Brochure/Flyer creation. Its just a gamble working out a suitable cost to go in at...well its not really as I have based my prices on the time past experiences have taught me it will take me to create it and the costs I need to cover. If businesses don't want to pay that then its a no-go for me anyway. I put this up here to get a initial reaction to the cost, although I can see the feedback is more a case of people wanting an entire package with the items included rather than just design work.

 

[fisicx]

If that is the case I wouldn’t bother with the packages. Just offer your graphic design services and quote for the work. As already suggested almost everything you do is going to be custom.

Do people still do infographics? Can’t remember the last time I saw one.

 

[harrietfawcett]

This is useful feedback, thankyou.
Yes that is exactly along the lines of what I want to do, I am open to having these packages on my website and will be creating others for Branding and Brochure/Flyer creation. Its just a gamble working out a suitable cost to go in at...well its not really as I have based my prices on the time past experiences have taught me it will take me to create it and the costs I need to cover. If businesses don't want to pay that then its a no-go for me anyway. I put this up here to get a initial reaction to the cost, although I can see the feedback is more a case of people wanting an entire package with the items included rather than just design work.

(The article is just an additional way of Marketing it to get it out there, it will be transparent on my actually website)

 

[harrietfawcett]

If that is the case I wouldn’t bother with the packages. Just offer your graphic design services and quote for the work. As already suggested almost everything you do is going to be custom.

Do people still do infographics? Can’t remember the last time I saw one.

It probably depends what sector you are in, I've worked for Technology and engineering companies for 15 years and often have to create them to show systems/explain new products.

 

[fisicx]

It probably depends what sector you are in, I've worked for Technology and engineering companies for 15 years and often have to create them to show systems/explain new products.

Yes, but you are promoting banners and displays for exhibitions. Which are often simple attention-getters. The media packs and maybe posters will have the details.

I do understand what you are trying to do but not really sure it's going to generate much work.

If some startup is showing their new automated widget at a gadget show they will want a big banner to attract punters and investors to their stand. Why would they want 'Social media imagery to advertise your presence'? That's what they have on the leaflets and other giveaways.

And people don't want a graphic designer, nor do they want a banner. What they want is new business. The banner is just one tool they can use to attract customers. Maybe your marketing should focus less on the banner design and more on the benefits your using your services to design marketing media.

 

[fantheflames]

I think it's great that you're offering transparency in your pricing, which can be a competitive advantage in many cases.

Whichever angle you choose, I'd suggest to offer a limited-time discount or introductory offer for your packages to attract initial clients and gather feedback that way. I do think it's worth looking at printing companies for partnership opportunities as you're offering graphic design work to businesses for print.

Your customers are looking for an end to end service, so those partnerships can make your packages and services more attractive to the customer.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

And people don't want a graphic designer

Sizzle not sausage......

 

[harrietfawcett]

I think it's great that you're offering transparency in your pricing, which can be a competitive advantage in many cases.

Whichever angle you choose, I'd suggest to offer a limited-time discount or introductory offer for your packages to attract initial clients and gather feedback that way. I do think it's worth looking at printing companies for partnership opportunities as you're offering graphic design work to businesses for print.

Your customers are looking for an end to end service, so those partnerships can make your packages and services more attractive to the customer.

Thank you , that's useful input and definitely something I would implement (Introductory offer). I will also be looking at printers to partner with.

 

[fantheflames]

Sure thing! Keep in mind that many printers offer graphic design services too. Take some time to research and find those that don't focus on it as much or don't promote it heavily. Once you've identified a few, reach out and see where it leads. Good luck!

 

[fisicx]

Thank you , that's useful input and definitely something I would implement (Introductory offer). I will also be looking at printers to partner with.

Maybe sell your services to printers not consumers. The printers do all the marketing and get the leads, you just need to churn out poster and banner designs.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Look for printers that offer a white label service, so none of their branding.