What to
Order Before
Your Next
Trade Show
A practical checklist for the custom apparel, branded giveaways, and signage that actually get your booth noticed on a busy show floor.
Standing Out
Takes a
Little Prep
Trade shows are a real investment: booth fees, travel, staff time. Getting the most out of that investment usually comes down to one thing: showing up prepared. Matching staff apparel. Signage people can read from across the aisle. Giveaways worth keeping.
None of that has to be complicated. It mostly just requires ordering early and knowing what to prioritize. This guide breaks it down into three straightforward categories so you can check everything off without the last-minute scramble.
"The booths people remember are usually the ones that planned three weeks earlier than everyone else."
Below you'll find a practical checklist covering staff apparel, branded giveaways, and signage, plus a timeline to help you figure out when to place each order. If you're not sure where to start, the timeline is the best first step.
Three
Categories
Worth
Covering.
Each of these serves a different purpose at the show. Staff apparel sets the tone, giveaways extend your reach after the event, and signage does the heavy lifting before anyone even stops to talk.
Pick the Right
Method
Different items call for different decoration methods. Here's a quick guide to what works best for each category of trade show order.
A Few Things
That Help
A few things that tend to make a real difference, whether you're doing your first show or your fifteenth.
Turnaround on custom apparel is typically 5–7 business days after proof approval. Add shipping time, proof review, and any revisions, and three to four weeks from first contact to booth-ready is a comfortable window. Rush options are available, but starting early gives you more flexibility and less stress.
Ordering apparel from one vendor and signage from another can lead to color and logo mismatches that are hard to spot until everything is in hand. Working with one source for apparel, signage, and promo products makes it easier to keep everything consistent without extra back-and-forth.
Sizes get miscounted, last-minute additions happen, and things come up the morning of. A good rule of thumb is to order 10 to 15 percent more than you think you need on staff apparel. Having a few extras on hand costs much less than rushing a replacement order mid-show.
The best branded giveaway is one that goes home and gets used for months. Items like drinkware, tote bags, and tech accessories keep your logo in front of people long after the event. Visit the promo products store to browse options that people actually hold on to.
Trending Promo
Products for 2026
Here are some of the items getting the most attention this year: a mix of practical, premium, and tech-forward options that work well for trade shows. Browse the full list at promo.brandedscreenprinting.com/trendy-items.
See the full trending catalog at promo.brandedscreenprinting.com/trendy-items
One Place
For All
Of It
Branded Screen Printing & Embroidery in Reno, NV helps businesses across Northern Nevada get their trade show orders handled from start to finish. Uniforms, promo products, banners, decals. All in one place, all with consistent branding.
Whether you need tailored staff uniforms, embroidered corporate apparel, eye-catching signage, or branded giveaways that people hold on to, we can help you put it together on a timeline that works.
Get a QuotePromo Product FAQ
Can I add my logo to promotional items?
Yes. Most items can be customized through printing, engraving, embroidery, or other decoration methods. Our team helps you choose products that represent your brand well.
What promo products work best for trade shows?
Drinkware, tote bags, pens, notebooks, and tech accessories are popular because they're useful and keep your brand visible long after the event ends.
What are the most popular promo products?
Custom drinkware, branded totes, promotional pens, hats, apparel, and tech accessories. These are commonly used for trade shows, company events, employee gifts, and marketing campaigns.
Where can I order promo products in Reno?
Branded Screen Printing & Embroidery in Reno, NV carries thousands of promotional products including drinkware, bags, apparel, office items, and trade show giveaways. We serve businesses across Reno, Sparks, Carson City, and Northern Nevada.
Branded Reviews
Your Next
Show Starts
Here
Tell us about your event, your team size, and what you need. We'll help you figure out what to order, in what quantity, and get it moving so you arrive ready.