Event & Trade Show Marketing Materials Checklist for Small Business: Business Cards, Flyers, Yard Signs, Stickers & Car Magnets

Use this checklist to prepare printed marketing materials for small business events, including trade shows, farmers markets, craft fairs, grand openings, chamber events, and community events.

Select materials according to event size, booth location, expected conversations, distribution method, and required delivery date.

1. Complete the Pre-Event Planning Checklist

Confirm the following information before ordering:

Event name and date
Venue address
Indoor or outdoor location
Expected attendance
Booth or table dimensions
Booth number or assigned location
Setup and breakdown times
Venue signage restrictions
Rules for yard signs, banners, vehicles, and giveaways
Required business licenses, permits, or insurance documents
Primary event objective
Event-specific offer or promotion
Lead-capture method
Required delivery date

Define one primary objective:

Generate leads
Collect email addresses
Sell products
Promote a grand opening
Schedule appointments
Introduce a new service
Build local brand recognition
Distribute a limited-time offer

Use the objective to determine the message, quantity, and format for each printed item.

2. Select the Core Printed Materials

Custom Business Cards

Prepare custom business cards for direct networking, referrals, vendor introductions, and follow-up conversations.

Include:

Business name and logo
Name and job title
Phone number
Email address
Website
Service area
Social media handle
QR code, if required

Plan approximately one to two cards per meaningful conversation. For a local event with 100 to 200 attendees, prepare approximately 250 to 500 cards.

Select bulk business cards when the cards will be used for multiple events, distributed by several employees, or included with customer orders. Business Card Central supports standard and larger quantity orders through the business card product page.

Business Flyer Printing

Use business flyer printing for event offers, service summaries, appointment promotions, product information, and local follow-up campaigns.

Select the format according to the distribution method:

Use case	Recommended size
Compact handout or coupon	4" x 6"
Standard event handout	5.5" x 8.5" `(Recommended)`
Detailed service sheet	8.5" x 11"
Window or wall display	11" x 17"

Select 100 lb. Gloss Cover for a durable general-purpose flyer. Select 100 lb. Matte Cover when reduced glare and easier reading are required. Select full-color printing on both sides when the back will contain pricing, directions, service details, or a second call to action.

Prepare approximately 50% to 75% of expected attendance for general handouts. Increase the quantity when every visitor will receive a flyer or when the flyer contains an event-only offer.

Review current size, paper, printing, and quantity options through the Business Card Central flyer printing guide.

Brochures or Detailed Service Sheets

Add brochures when visitors require more information than a flyer can provide.

Use a brochure for:

Multiple service categories
Product packages
Pricing ranges
Company qualifications
Service process information
Locations and hours
Partner or referral information

Select an 8.5" x 11" format with a tri-fold or half-fold configuration for a standard event information piece. Limit the quantity when the brochure is intended for qualified leads rather than every visitor.

3. Plan Quantity by Distribution Method

Use the following planning table as a starting point. Adjust quantities after reviewing registration data, prior attendance, and event rules.

Material	Small event quantity	Larger event quantity	Distribution method
Business cards	250–500	500–1,000+	Direct conversations
Flyers	100–250	250–1,000+	Handouts, displays, bags
Brochures	50–150	150–500	Qualified prospects
Stickers	250–500	500–1,000+	Giveaways and packages
Yard signs	3–5	5–10	Entrances, walkways, directions
Car magnets	2–4 per vehicle	2–4 per vehicle	Event-day vehicle visibility

Include a replacement allowance for damaged materials, staff distribution, weather exposure, and post-event use.

Do not select the lowest quantity only because it has the lowest total price. Compare the unit cost, storage requirements, expected reuse, and event schedule. Request competitive pricing for both small and bulk orders.

4. Prepare Custom Stickers for Giveaways

Use custom stickers printing for low-cost event giveaways, packaging seals, product labels, and customer handouts.

Select:

2" x 2" square (Recommended for compact logos)
3" diameter circle
2" x 3.5" rectangle
Custom shape, when available
Gloss finish for color visibility
UV coating for added surface protection

Include a simple design:

Logo or recognizable icon
Short phrase
Website or social handle
QR code only when it remains scannable at the final size

Plan one sticker per visitor only when attendance and budget support that volume. Otherwise, provide stickers after a conversation, purchase, sign-up, or product demonstration.

Test the sticker on the intended surface before ordering a large quantity. Confirm that the material and adhesive match the application.

Use the custom stickers printing guide for cut, material, artwork, and proof requirements.

5. Prepare Signage for the Booth and Event Area

Booth Signage

Prepare a primary sign, banner, or backdrop with:

Business name
Logo
Primary service or product
Short value statement
Booth number, if applicable
Website or QR code
One clear call to action

Limit the main message to information readable from the event aisle. Do not place full paragraphs on a booth sign.

Add tabletop signs for:

Product names
Prices
Event-only offers
Service categories
“Scan to book”
“Join the mailing list”
“Ask about custom orders”

Yard Signs

Use yard signs printing for outdoor event entrances, parking directions, nearby walkways, and permitted roadside locations.

Select an 18" x 24" rectangle for a general-purpose directional sign. Use a short message and a large arrow:

“Event Parking”
“Visit Booth 12”
“Grand Opening”
“Turn Here”
“Market Entrance”

Confirm placement permission before production or installation. Follow venue, property, municipal, and roadside regulations.

Business Card Central lists corrugated plastic yard signs, full-color printing, and available stake options. Review the yard signs printing guide before ordering.

6. Add Vehicle Signage for Event Day

Use custom car magnets to identify the business vehicle before arrival, in the event parking area, and during local travel.

Prepare:

One magnet for each vehicle door
Optional rear magnet when the vehicle surface is compatible
Matching logo, colors, phone number, and website
Short service description
Optional parked-vehicle QR code

A 12" x 18" rectangle or rounded rectangle is listed as a recommended option. Business Card Central’s available material is 30 mil High Energy Magnet.

Before applying:

Confirm that the vehicle panel is clean, flat, smooth, and magnetic.
Test the surface with a household magnet.
Do not cover seams, trim, handles, deep curves, or damaged paint.
Remove the magnets before an automatic car wash.
Clean behind the magnets regularly.
Store the magnets flat when not in use.

Review available materials, sizes, and design requirements through the custom car magnets guide.

7. Pack the Booth Setup Materials

Use this day-of packing checklist:

Custom business cards
Flyers
Brochures or service sheets
Custom stickers
Main banner or backdrop
Tablecloth or branded table runner
Tabletop signs
Price cards
Yard signs and stakes, if permitted
Car magnets installed or packed for installation
QR code display
Lead-capture forms
Clipboard or tablet
Pens
Product samples
Giveaway container
Name tags
Tape
Scissors
Zip ties
Clips
Extension cord and power strip, if required
Payment device
Backup paper forms
Storage boxes for unused materials

Place the most important call to action at eye level. Keep business cards and stickers within reach. Store replacement stock under or behind the table.

8. Confirm Ordering Specifications and Turnaround

Submit the following details for each item:

Product type *
Finished size *
Quantity *
Printing sides *
Paper stock or material *
Finish or coating
Artwork status *
Delivery address *
Required arrival date *
Event date *
Design notes
Installation requirements

For print-ready files, use:

300 DPI images
CMYK color mode
High-quality PDF
0.125" bleed, unless different specifications are provided
Safe margins around text and QR codes
Embedded or outlined fonts

Set the delivery deadline before submitting the order. Include time for design, artwork corrections, proof approval, printing, packaging, shipping, and inspection.

Use Business Card Central’s streamlined online ordering process to select specifications, upload artwork, request design assistance, and submit project details. Select professional design services when artwork is unavailable or when multiple materials require consistent branding.

Request current turnaround information before approving production. Fast turnaround may be available based on the product, quantity, artwork status, and delivery location.

9. Complete the Post-Event Follow-Up Checklist

Complete these tasks after the event:

Same Day or Next Business Day

Organize collected business cards
Enter leads into a CRM or spreadsheet
Label contacts by event name
Separate high-priority leads
Record requested quotes, samples, or appointments
Count remaining printed materials
Store reusable signs and car magnets properly

Within Two to Five Business Days

Send a thank-you email
Reference the event and booth location
Provide the promised quote or information
Include the event offer expiration date
Add one clear next step
Share the event-specific landing page or booking link

Within One to Two Weeks

Review leads generated
Track sales, calls, bookings, and quote requests
Compare material usage with quantities ordered
Identify excess or insufficient materials
Record total print and event costs
Update the quantity plan for the next event

Final Event Marketing Materials Checklist

Define the event objective
Estimate attendance and meaningful conversations
Order custom business cards
Select flyers or brochures
Plan sticker giveaways
Prepare booth signage
Confirm yard sign permissions
Install or pack custom car magnets
Verify artwork and QR codes
Confirm paper stock and materials
Confirm turnaround and delivery
Pack setup supplies
Capture and organize leads
Complete post-event follow-up

Use Business Card Central to coordinate business cards, flyer printing, yard signs, custom stickers, car magnets, and other professional marketing materials for small business events.