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5 Step Guide to Shopping for a Trade Show Box

A trade show box can be as simple as a small, wooden shipping box or as elaborate as a custom box that magically morphs into a majestic trade show display! Ok, maybe it’s not magic, but you get the idea.

tradeshow box split lidPurchasing a trade show box can be intimidating and stressful due to the many different types of container options to choose from, in both the pre-made and custom made categories. Choosing the correct box may present a challenge—especially if this is your first show.

Well, we're here to help you overcome this challenge with a checklist that can help point you in the right direction in your quest for the perfect trade show box. When shopping for trade show boxes its best to consider:

  1. Ease of Use
  2. Recyclability
  3. Safety
  4. Size
  5. Price

Ease of Use

Whether you’re shopping on-line, over the phone or in-person, carefully explain what product of your's will be on display, and therefore inside the trade show box.Will the trade show container:

  • Be easy to open and close?
  • Be easy to move?
  • Be easy to pack and unpack?
  • Be awkward?

trade show box with pedastal If the box appears to be user-friendly, you and your team will avoid wasting time trying to figure out how it works. Limited on-site resources at most trade shows will make it even harder to find the help you need outside of your immediate circle.

Remember, time is of the essence, so you want to be ready when the first wave of potential buyers waltzes in!

Recyclability

Recyclability isn’t just about disposing of an item in an environmentally friendly way. If you reuse the box in it’s current state for something else or if you use most of the parts from it for something else, you are recycling!

So, when shopping for boxes, consider additional uses, whether it’s made with recyclable materials (inquire within), or whether or not the box is a good long-term storage solution for most items.

Safety

Some trade show booths are very simple with few parts, some manage extremely heavy equipment, while others have so many components it’s tough to keep track of them all. Lose one or two parts and you may have trouble keeping your display together for the long haul.

trade show box with ramp

A good trade show box will be:

  • Durable enough to withstand the weight of your display
  • Compartmentalize the trade show booth, ancillary parts, and other paraphernalia
  • Protect displays from damage and from being lost.
Consider a trade show box with special compartments for small parts, shock absorption capabilities, and locks to prevent involuntary opening and closing, and theft.

Size

Always make sure the trade show box is roomy enough so the items inside can be easily loaded and removed. If the fit is too snug, you might have a tough time unloading, which can increase your set-up time, and the risk of damage.

Remember, if your trade show exhibit is unique, say, a double deck display, a pop-up display, or a truss display, you can customize your trade show boxes to fit the specific components of your booth. You can even request special painting & stenciling that goes beyond just identification purposes to help your boxes stand out from the rest.  

Price

We understand that price is something to consider as well, the good news is trade show boxes are typically competitively priced, thanks to the tremendous amount of healthy competition in the shipping & transport industry. 

Topics: Reusable, Wood, Green, Tips

Valley Box Company

Written by Valley Box Company

Valley Box demonstrates what is possible beyond just the typical wooden crate. This specialty crating manufacturer works with a wide variety of materials from wood to plastic, corrugated, metals and more. Discover how to take specialty crating to the next level.