Land Clients at Your Next Trade Show With Labels & Stickers
Getting ready to appear at your first trade show?
How can you make your business stand out in a sea of hungry companies looking for clients?
Labels can open up a world of possibilities for advertising, promotional material, labeling product samples, or even including interactive designs with QR codes. In this article, we’ll show you how labels can unlock limitless possibilities for making a bold, memorable impact at your next trade show.
Why Should You Invest Money in Labels for Trade Shows?
Investing in high-quality labels is a strategic way to stand out at trade shows, where 77% of executives attend to find new suppliers. A label with a professional design not only attracts attention but also shows credibility, making attendees more likely to trust your brand. Strong design can help your product appeal, strengthen brand recognition, and create a memorable first impression.
Strategic Label Uses for Trade Show Success
Labels can do much more than sit on a product; they can help your booth drive interaction and improve your customers' experience with your brand.
Brand Product Labels
- Perfect for samples, merchandise, and giveaways! If your business targets the candle, jar, or small bottle market, a custom label can turn it from a sample into an experience the client can take home.
- Include QR codes for your product page or social media platform. This could be a way to track interest through engagement and impressions and turn booth visitors into leads.
- Example: a candle business could use a clean, minimal label that includes instructions, ingredients, and potential hazards.
Interactive and Engagement-Driven Labels
- Analyze your audience retention. You can include scannable codes or social media channels to track how many people interact with your business.
- Create sticker-style labels with fun designs or quotes people will want to keep in places like laptops, water bottles, or notebook stickers.
- Run a sticker swap or “collect them all” game at your booth to increase repeat visits. This could also entertain your clients; each new stage could introduce a new product or promotion.
Display and Decoration Labels
- Labels can serve as bold, branded decor elements.
- Add large-format labels to your boards and tables to add personality and promotional elements to your booth.
- Demonstrate words in your labels that call out best sellers to highlight your business's products and services.
For example: including new offers and promotions as decorations can pique people’s interest and make them want to approach your booth.
How to Choose the Right Label Material
It all depends on how you want to present your labels. At trade shows, where hundreds of people will be handling and judging your materials, label durability, texture, and finish in your labels can make the difference. Different materials serve diverse purposes when drawing people into your booth, from a glossy finish that shines and attracts attention to a soft matte label that can make the design look elegant.
Weatherproof Labels
Weatherproof labels are durable and can withstand frequent handling from booth visitors. They are great for sample containers, water bottles, tech gadgets, etc. Weatherproof labels are also waterproof and resistant to smudges and scratches, making them ideal for items tossed into a bag or pocket.
We offer weatherproof materials with glossy, matte, silver, and clear finishes.
Matte Labels
Matte labels provide a natural and soft look to your products. They are also easy to write on with pens or markers, ideal for adding promotions or explaining details on the label. A matte finish can also reduce glare under bright lights, making them easier to read in trade shows and photographs.
We provide a selection of matte materials for both inkjet and laser printers below:
Glossy Labels
These materials are best for creating a polished look that can shine with the light and visually attract potential clients. Glossy labels also help colors appear brighter and more saturated, making them perfect for color-heavy designs that attract customers to your booth.
Removable Labels
Removable labels have an easy-to-peel adhesive, which is an excellent choice if you plan to reuse containers after a show.
Pre-Show Prep and Post-Show Follow-Up Tips
Creating great labels is only half the preparation; using them before and after the trade show can make or break your marketing campaign. Here are a few tips to follow to get the most value out of every label you print:
Before the Trade Show
- Order extra labels! It's better to be overprepared than run out of labels mid-event. Bringing backup rolls or sheets will ensure you maximize every potential client visit!
- Pre-label your products before the trade show to save yourself and your coworkers’ time and show product consistency.
- Organize your booth by purpose by separating your labels into categories like samples, promotions, getaways, and more! This can also help your team organize better during the event.
After the Trade Show
- Provide thank you labels for the clients to add a thoughtful, personal touch. You can also incorporate a "nice to meet you” or “here's what we talked about” to tie the connection back to the event.
- Send branded label sheets to the clients who signed up for more information. This is a fun way to keep your customers informed.
- Use QR-code labels that link to a recap video of your products, a product catalog, or a post-show discount page for clients who attended the trade show.
Always remember to keep the momentum!
Make Your Trade Show Presence Unforgettable with Labels
Trade shows are great opportunities to showcase your brand, connect with potential clients, and leave a lasting impression. With the right label strategy, you can turn simple labels or stickers into engaging marketing tools, eye-catching product enhancements, and interactive customer experiences. From branding product samples to using QR codes for lead generation, every label can improve visibility and engagement.
By choosing the right materials, preparing strategically, and following up with attendees, your business can maximize its impact long after the event ends. Whether you’re a first-time exhibitor or a seasoned trade show participant, labels are a small investment that can make a big difference in attracting attention and growing your brand.
