Shell Scheme Stands: What They Are & Your Options

What is a shell scheme?

A shell scheme is a basic booth structure that you book directly from the event organiser. It's the standard option at most UK exhibitions and trade shows.

Think of it as a blank canvas. You get the structure — typically aluminium frames with white infill panels — but no graphics or branding. It's up to you to make it look like your company.

What's included in a shell scheme?

When you book a shell scheme from the organiser, you typically get:

• •Back and side walls — usually 2.4m high with white or grey panels
• •Fascia board — header panel with your company name and stand number
• •Basic lighting — a few spotlights mounted on the frame
• •Carpet — basic carpet tile in a standard colour
• •Power socket — one 13A socket is usually included

What you don't get: any graphics, branding, furniture, or displays. That's your responsibility.

The DIY option: portable displays

Many exhibitors try to brand their shell scheme space by bringing their own portable display equipment — pop-up stands, banner stands, and portable counters that they assemble within the booth.

This is the cheapest option because you can reuse the equipment at multiple shows. However, there are trade-offs:

• •It looks DIY — portable displays rarely match the polish of a properly designed stand
• •Transport hassle — you need to get the equipment to the venue, often in your own vehicle
• •Setup time — you spend valuable show time assembling and dismantling instead of preparing for visitors
• •Wear and tear — portable equipment shows its age quickly, especially graphics that get handled repeatedly

For some shows, this approach is fine. But if the event matters to your business, the DIY look can undermine your brand.

The better option: custom shell scheme graphics

There's a middle ground between DIY portable displays and a full bespoke exhibition stand: a professionally designed shell scheme package.

This is what we provide at Logic Displays. We design a custom-looking stand that fits within your booked shell scheme space. We handle everything:

• •Design — 3D visuals so you can see exactly what you're getting
• •Production — high-quality graphics and any structural elements
• •Installation — we arrive before the show opens and set everything up
• •Removal — we come back after the show and take it all away
• •Documentation — health and safety plans, risk assessments, all the paperwork venues require

You don't own the stand — it's hired. You turn up to the show, your stand is ready, and you leave when it's over. No transport, no setup stress, no storage.

When does a shell scheme make sense?

A shell scheme (with custom graphics) is a good choice when:

• •Your stand space is 3×3m or smaller
• •You're testing a new show and want to keep costs down
• •The event is important but not your main marketing focus
• •You want professional results without the investment of a full custom stand

When to upgrade to a bespoke stand

As your exhibition presence grows, you might find shell schemes limiting. Consider a full bespoke stand when:

• •You need more than 9-12 square metres of space
• •The show is a key marketing event for your business
• •You want meeting areas, demo zones, or storage
• •You need to stand out in a competitive hall
• •Brand perception really matters to your visitors

We work with clients at both levels. Whether you need a polished shell scheme solution or a larger custom build, the process is the same: we design to your budget, produce 3D visuals, and handle everything from there.