At Abbey Print Consultancy, we love helping our clients bring their brand to life with high-quality print and design. But one of the most common challenges we see is clients reaching out with urgent requests for business cards, banners, or promotional material just days before an important event or exhibition—events they’ve known about for weeks, or even months.
We understand how busy running a business can be. However, leaving your print and design needs until the last minute comes at a cost—and not just financially. With little to no planning time, options become limited. You may be forced to compromise on design, materials, or finishes. Rushing leads to oversights, errors, and in some cases, missed opportunities altogether. Worse still, poor preparation can impact your confidence and professionalism at the very event where you should be making your best impression.
To illustrate the importance of proper planning, here are two contrasting stories of business owners who approached their event preparation in very different ways:
Case Study A: Harry – The Price of Last-Minute Decisions
Harry had his eye on a promising trade show that could help boost his business profile. He promoted his attendance online but delayed securing a stall until the last moment—paying more for a limited, less-visible spot. With only days to go, it dawned on him that he was low on business cards, and his marketing leaflets were outdated, missing one of his company’s most important services.
In a rush, Harry didn’t have the time to research reliable printers. He went with the first local option that said they could meet his tight deadline. Unfortunately, the printer didn’t flag any concerns about quality or missing assets—instead, they rushed the job through, knowing full well that there wasn’t time for proper checks.
Without access to his original artwork or high-resolution logos, Harry sent over what he had. The printer produced the materials using low-res files and did not offer any proofreading or design refinement. There was no time for proofs or corrections.
The prints arrived just hours before the event. To Harry’s horror, the business cards looked unprofessional, with a pixelated logo, and the leaflets had a spelling error in one of the service descriptions. Embarrassed, Harry chose not to hand most of them out.
Stressed and flustered, Harry arrived late and struggled to set up while other exhibitors were already engaging with prospects. Without polished materials to support his message, he found himself having to explain everything in person again and again—causing him to miss several passing opportunities. What should have been a major growth moment ended up being a stressful, disappointing experience.
Case Study B: Martin – The Advantage of Early Planning
In contrast, Martin booked his exhibition stall early and brought his marketing team together to plan for the event. Together, they decided which materials needed refreshing and reached out to Abbey Print Consultancy well in advance.
Because there was plenty of time, we were able to offer competitive pricing and propose creative design improvements. Although Martin’s business no longer had the original high-res logo files, we recreated his logo in vector format, allowing for crisp, scalable printing.
We recommended a full suite of materials: redesigned leaflets, premium business cards with matte lamination and spot UV, and striking large-format banners to make his booth stand out. Martin received digital proofs, reviewed them with care, and had time to request changes—all before anything went to print.
Having everything delivered well in advance gave Martin peace of mind. He even managed to upgrade to a larger exhibition space to accommodate his bold new visuals. Confident and relaxed, Martin arrived early and engaged with attendees strategically. His materials worked hard for him—drawing in visitors, reinforcing his message, and leaving a lasting impression. In the weeks following the event, Martin received multiple follow-up calls and secured a number of new clients.
Final Thoughts
Events and exhibitions are golden opportunities to make your mark—but only if you’re prepared.
Planning ahead gives you more options, better results, and far less stress. At Abbey Print Consultancy, we don’t just print—we help you think strategically about your materials, timing, and overall presentation.
So when your next event is on the horizon, don’t leave it to the last minute. Let us help you plan, polish, and print with purpose.
Have a great weekend!