Choose booth lighting from a brief for the surfaces people need to see. Record graphic dimensions, product positions, mounting distance and ambient light. Then compare exact models: floor area alone cannot select wattage or quantity.
Separate electrical power from light on the display
| Value | What it tells you | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Input power (W) | Electrical demand of the specified equipment | Useful illumination by itself |
| Luminous flux (lm) | Total published light output | Where the light lands |
| Illuminance (lx) | Incident light per unit area at the measured surface | Exact colour or visual appearance |
| Beam angle and distribution | How light spreads in different directions | Guaranteed evenness at every distance |
| Correlated colour temperature (CCT, K) | The warm or cool appearance of white light | Brightness or colour accuracy |
| Colour rendering (CRI/Ra) | Average colour fidelity against a reference at a corresponding CCT | Perfect reproduction of every colour |
| Luminance (cd/m², nits) | Light leaving a surface towards the viewer, relevant to a backlit graphic | A direct conversion from a module's lumens |
Compare complete-luminaire output and input power under stated conditions, not LED-chip output alone. Lumens per watt describe efficacy; they do not describe coverage. Ask for photometric guidance for the intended distance when available, and test the real setup. [6]
For load planning, 6 luminaires rated at 25W each total 150W. Running them for 8 hours uses 1.2kWh at that input power. Add the separate loads of screens, lightboxes and other equipment. For external drivers, use the complete system's input rating and the venue's electrical requirements.
How much light does the display need?
Measure ambient illuminance at the actual display before choosing a target. For a graphic wall, hold the lux-meter sensor in the plane of the wall, facing the incoming light; a floor reading is not a substitute. Choose a trial level that makes text and products clear from the aisle, then check the result with the intended materials. [1]
Illustrative calculation: a 2m × 2m graphic has an area of 4m². If ambient light is 200lx and your agreed trial target is 600lx total, you need an additional average 400lx. That means approximately 1,600lm must reach the graphic surface, not merely leave the luminaires.
This is a planning example, not a universal exhibition illuminance requirement or a fixture-count formula. Spill, distance, angle and uneven distribution change how much light reaches the target. Dark materials can look dimmer than light materials at the same illuminance; glossy surfaces can produce distracting reflections.
For a point-source approximation at the same aiming angle, illuminance follows the inverse-square relationship: doubling the distance reduces illuminance to about one quarter. Do not apply this blindly to extended luminaires at close range; use the actual distribution data or a sample test. [7]
More lumens do not necessarily give better coverage or more useful light on a particular product. A wide beam can spill beyond a graphic; a narrower beam can leave edges dark. There is no universal 30°–45° optimum. Compare the centre, edges and corners, and adjust position, overlap or quantity before increasing wattage.
Use CRI as evidence, not a colour guarantee
CRI/Ra compares selected test colours with a reference source at a corresponding colour temperature; that reference is not always daylight. Ra averages 8 samples and does not include saturated-red R9. A high average score therefore does not ensure every pigment looks correct. Compare actual products or physical colour samples. [2]
Practical buying priorities, not mandatory exhibition grades
| Priority | What to check |
|---|---|
| CRI 80 | CRI 80: consider for general display lighting where exact material colour is secondary; approve the sample appearance. |
| CRI 90+ | CRI 90+: a useful starting specification for apparel, cosmetics, printed graphics and other colour-sensitive merchandise. Request R9 and inspect important reds. |
| CRI 95+ | CRI 95+: consider when closer colour fidelity is important, but compare full rendering data and samples rather than paying for the Ra number alone. |
CIE's 2025 position statement recommends adopting the General Colour Fidelity Index Rf and reporting it alongside Ra during the transition. IES TM-30-24 adds information about fidelity, gamut and colour-specific shifts. Where available, ask for the report for the exact model and CCT. Do not infer R9, Rf or TM-30 results from a CRI 90+ label. [3] [4]
Neither CRI 90 nor 95 is a universal exhibition rule. Brand colour approval, natural appearance and deliberate colour enhancement are different objectives; agree the objective before comparing fixtures.
Choose CCT and controls separately
CCT describes the warm or cool appearance of white light, not brightness or exact colour fidelity. The settings below are options to test with your display, not rules assigning one colour temperature to an industry. [5]
| Setting to test | Typical appearance | Useful comparison |
|---|---|---|
| 3000K | Warmer white | Compare on wood, warm packaging, gold-tone finishes and hospitality-style displays; check that white areas still look acceptable. |
| 4500K | More neutral white | A useful comparison for mixed products and printed graphics, especially when coordinating with the hall lighting. |
| 6000K | Cooler white | Compare on white, silver and technical displays; check skin tones, warm products and reflections before choosing. |
Two lamps with the same nominal CCT can still differ in green/pink tint or colour rendering. Compare samples together on the actual display. Keep settings consistent across one graphic unless mixed colour is intentional. [5]
Check whether CCT is fixed, selectable in steps or continuously tunable. Verify dimming separately: a CCT button does not establish brightness control or compatibility with an external dimmer. Confirm the available functions for the exact model.
Compare two real configurations
These current BOOTH LIGHTS specifications illustrate why wattage alone is not enough. They are published model data, not a promise of measured lux at your booth.
| Model | Input power (W) | Published output | Beam | CCT selection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25W Tri-CCT booth light | 25W | 2,500 lm · CRI 90+ | 120° | Button-selected 3000K, 4500K or 6000K; not continuously tunable |
| Silver fixed-CCT 50W light | 50W | 5,500 lm · CRI 90+ | 60° | Choose 2700–3200K, 4500–4700K or 6500–7000K at purchase; no on-site CCT switching |
Compare the 25W model when changing CCT on site and broad coverage matter. Compare the 50W model when more output from each mounting position and one established CCT are priorities. The 60° and 120° distributions require different layout trials; neither automatically gives the right coverage for a particular booth size.
Turn the comparison into a purchasing specification
Test coverage, legibility, reflections and glare from visitor positions. Record the chosen model, count, aiming and control settings. Obtain approval for mounts and loads, and confirm complete input ratings, cables, linking limits, destination voltage and plug.
- Display brief: graphic dimensions, product positions, mounting height and distance.
- Colour brief: approved CCT, CRI and any required R9 or other rendering evidence.
- Sample result: ambient and lit lux readings at the same points, plus centre/edge/corner coverage and visitor-view glare.
- Order configuration: exact model, quantity, mounting fit, controls, plug and cable layout.
- Installation evidence: circuit/load approval and documents for the exact production configuration.
Outdoor use needs documented suitability of the complete kit for the actual environment; high wattage provides no weather protection. Check the current event manual and documents for the exact model and configuration rather than assuming every product or venue accepts the same certification.
For a quotation, send your display brief, photos or drawing, delivery country and required arrival date. Include any tested layout so we can discuss a specific configuration.
Send your lighting brief to BOOTH LIGHTS
Questions buyers ask
Is a higher-wattage light always brighter on my display?
No. Compare lumens and light distribution, then check illuminance at the mounting distance. A lower-power fixture aimed effectively can deliver more useful light to a particular area.
How many lights do I need for a 10 × 10 ft booth?
Floor size alone cannot determine the count. Specify graphic dimensions, product zones, mounting distance, beam overlap and ambient light. Test the layout before ordering the final quantity.
Does 6000K make colours more accurate than 3000K?
No. CCT describes the appearance of the white light. Colour fidelity needs separate rendering evidence and a comparison with the actual materials.
Does CRI 90+ guarantee that reds look right?
No. Saturated-red R9 is outside the Ra average. Ask for model-specific data when red packaging, fabrics, cosmetics or other critical colours matter, and approve a physical sample.
Does a switchable-CCT fixture also dim?
Not necessarily. CCT selection and brightness control are separate functions. Only specify dimming when the manufacturer confirms the control method and compatibility.
Can I convert lightbox-module lumens directly into graphic brightness?
No. For a backlit graphic, compare finished-surface luminance in cd/m² (nits) and uniformity. Fabric transmission, printing, frame depth and module layout affect the result; the module's lumen rating alone is insufficient.
Sources and scope
Definitions and colour-quality guidance are based on the sources below. Display examples and buying priorities are practical planning guidance, not universal legal limits or guaranteed product performance. Technical review: 2026-10-11.