Shell Scheme Stand Costs
A shell scheme is where most exhibitors start — it’s the simplest, most affordable way to take a stand. But “shell scheme” and “shell scheme that actually looks good” are two different budgets, and the gap between them is where people get caught out. Here’s what a shell scheme really costs, including the bit the organiser doesn’t provide.
This is a companion to our main guide on how much an exhibition stand costs. If you’re still deciding on format, read shell scheme vs space only first.
Quick answer: a shell scheme has two costs — the space (paid to the organiser) and dressing it (graphics, lighting, counter). The bare shell often looks like everyone else’s; a fully installed shell scheme upgrade — graphics, branded counter and lighting — typically starts from around £1,000.
What You Actually
Get in a Shell Scheme.
A shell scheme is the basic booth structure the organiser provides so every exhibitor has a uniform stand. It usually gives you partition walls (typically around 2.4m high, in an aluminium frame with infill panels), a fascia board carrying your company name and stand number, and sometimes basic carpet and a couple of spotlights. It varies by show, so the exhibitor manual is the only reliable source.
What it doesn’t include is anything that makes the stand look like yours: branded graphics, upgraded flooring, furniture, a counter, and proper lighting. That’s the “dressing”, and it’s a separate cost — one many first-time exhibitors don’t realise they need until they see a bare shell next to a fully branded neighbour.
What a Shell Scheme
Really Costs.
Break it into two parts and it’s easy to budget.
The Space (paid to the organiser)
You book the shell scheme package or the floor space from the show, usually as a set fee or a per-square-metre rate. This buys you the structure and your spot on the floor — but not the branding. It’s a venue cost, separate from anything you spend making the stand look good.
Dressing & Upgrading It
This is where a shell scheme goes from anonymous to professional: graphics across the walls, a branded counter, lighting, and often a floor upgrade. It’s what visitors actually see, and it’s the part worth investing in. A fully installed T3 shell scheme upgrade starts from around £1,000.
Typical dressing costs
| Element | Indicative Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wall graphics (fabric / panel) | £400 – £1,500 | By printed area and finish |
| Branded counter | £250 – £700 | With storage and graphic wrap |
| Lighting | £150 – £600 | LED — the biggest impact per pound |
| Flooring upgrade | £150 – £500 | Raised floor or premium carpet |
| Furniture | £100 – £400 | Stools, seating, literature racks |
| Installed upgrade package | from £1,000 | The above bundled and fitted for you |
Indicative figures, ex. VAT and excluding the organiser’s space fee. Your exact cost depends on size, graphics area and specification.
A Shell Scheme
Upgrade That Reuses.
The usual problem with dressing a shell scheme is that it’s often thrown away after the show. A T3 shell scheme upgrade is built on the same tool-free modular system as our larger stands, so the graphics and framework can be reused and reconfigured for the next show — you’re not paying from scratch every time.
A fully installed package from around £1,000 typically covers a fabric backwall graphic, a branded counter, LED lighting, and build and breakdown. It turns the cheapest way to exhibit into one that still looks professional — and, because it’s reusable, it gets cheaper every time you use it.
Best-value tip: spend on lighting and a bold, simple graphic before anything else. A well-lit, cleanly branded shell scheme out-performs a cluttered, flatly lit one that cost twice as much.
How to Get the Most
From a Shell Scheme.
Check What’s Included First
Read the exhibitor manual for exactly what your show provides — walls, fascia, carpet, lighting. It tells you precisely what you need to add, so you don’t pay twice or arrive short.
Prioritise Graphics and Lighting
These two do the most to lift a shell scheme. Furniture and extras can wait; being clearly branded and well-lit cannot.
Choose Reusable Over Disposable
A dressing that packs down and travels to the next show costs a little more once and saves every time after. Ask whether your upgrade is single-use or reusable.
Budget the Whole Show
Remember the shell and its dressing are only part of the total — see the hidden costs of exhibiting and our budget guide for the full picture.
More on
Costs & Formats.
Shell Scheme
Cost Questions.
What is a shell scheme?
How much does a shell scheme stand cost?
What is included in a shell scheme?
Is a shell scheme cheaper than space only?
Make Your Shell Scheme
Look the Part.
T3 shell scheme upgrades start from around £1,000, fully installed and reusable. Tell us your show and stand size and we’ll return a 3D design and itemised quote within 24 hours.
