Replacement pop-up graphics
The frame of a pop-up stand usually outlives its graphics by a long way. Fresh panels on a sound frame give you a new stand for the show ahead.
Start with the frame, not the artwork.
Open the stand fully and lock it. Check that the hubs are not cracked, that all the arms fold without forcing, and that the magnetic bars across the top still sit firmly. A frame that will not hold its shape will make any new graphic look crooked at the joins.
Then count the panels. A 3x3 or 3x4 name describes the grid of the frame, not its size in metres, and frames that share a name can differ from one maker to another. A template made for one system can be out by enough to leave a gap on another.
One panel, or the whole set?
| Situation | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One panel creased, the set is nearly new | Single panel | Colour should be close, if we have the file and specification |
| Set has been in use for years | Whole set | Older panels may have faded or yellowed, and a new one can stand out |
| Phone number or logo has changed on one panel | Single panel, or a vinyl patch | Only that panel needs to change |
| Rebrand or new campaign | Whole set | Images usually run across the joins |
| End panels scuffed from transport | End panels only, if the design allows | Curved ends are less likely to sit right beside the main face |
How to measure a panel.
- Take the panels off and lay them flat on a clean floor.
- Measure each panel's width and height in millimetres. Do not assume they are all the same, because end panels are often wider so that they can wrap around the frame.
- Number them from left to right on the back, in soft pencil or on a sticker.
- Note where the magnetic strips sit, and photograph the back of one panel.
- Check for hanging hooks or clips at the top.
- Measure the frame too, in case the old panels have shrunk or been trimmed.
What to do about the magnetic strips
Panels are held to the frame and to each other by magnetic strip, so a replacement has to be finished to match the old layout. Worn strips are also a common reason for gaps opening up, which is one more reason to send a photo.
Check the artwork before you reorder
Old artwork may not match the current system, even if it was right once. Read our guide to designing a pop-up graphic before you rework anything. If you need a new frame as well, see 3x3 pop-up stands. Those supplied by us come with magnetic panels and a wheeled case, and our pop-up displays page covers the wider range.
New graphics on a working frame.
Your questions.
Do you need the old panels to make new ones?
Not always. Accurate measurements and photos are usually enough to get started, and we will tell you if we need to see one.
Can a curved stand take straight panels?
Not as a rule. Curved and straight frames usually need different panel sizes, so tell us which one you have.
What if I have lost the original artwork?
Ask us. If the file has gone, our designers can rebuild the layout from your logo, images and wording, though old photos may need replacing.