Specify trade show lighting from the surfaces you need to illuminate, the booth frame and the available power. Booth area or fixture wattage alone cannot determine the right quantity. Use this checklist before ordering and again when preparing the installation.
1. Record the installation conditions
Measure the graphic or product area, mounting height, frame profile and cable routes. Record hall lighting, reflective surfaces, the supply voltage and the organizer's electrical rules. Confirm the permitted mounting load and whether the installation requires the venue's electrical contractor.
2. Select fixtures for the target surface
Arm lights can illuminate graphics or products when their brackets fit the frame and their beam reaches the target. LED strips and rigid modules suit lightboxes only when the optics, spacing, frame depth and diffuser work together. Request a layout or sample test for the actual panel; a strip described as COB does not by itself guarantee a uniform finished lightbox.
3. Compare useful light, color and mounting
Check the exact model's lumen output, beam angle, color temperature, color-rendering data and adjustment range. Wattage describes electrical consumption, not illumination at the display. Where product color matters, compare samples under the proposed light. Check clamp opening, frame shape, permitted load and locking method; do not assume every clamp is tool-free or every head has the same movement.
4. Calculate the complete electrical load
Add the rated input power of all fixtures and other equipment sharing the supply. Check cable ratings, connector compatibility and the manufacturer's maximum linked quantity. That limit may differ from the capacity of the venue circuit. For low-voltage systems, match voltage, polarity and controller requirements, and follow the specified cable length and power-feed layout. A 24V supply does not eliminate voltage drop.
5. Verify model-specific documents and venue acceptance
Ask for documentation matching the complete fixture or power-supply model and the destination market. OSHA's NRTL program explains product testing and certification within recognized laboratories' scopes. A logo on a product page is not enough to verify a listing or venue acceptance. Send relevant documents to the organizer or electrical contractor before shipping. For European destinations, confirm the applicable conformity documentation. For damp or outdoor conditions, verify the complete system's intended use and installation limits; an IP number alone is not an outdoor-use approval.
6. Test the planned configuration before packing
Assemble the intended fixtures, cables and controls with a representative graphic or product. Check coverage, glare, reflections, shadows, consistent color and secure mounting from visitor eye level. Label components and cable routes, record the approved configuration and pack the relevant specifications with the equipment. Determine final quantity from this layout and test, rather than a generic booth-size table.
To compare available options, see trade show lighting. For a specification review, send BOOTH LIGHTS the booth drawing, frame dimensions, target surfaces, destination, available power and installation date.