Dec 15, 2025
How to Choose the Right Lighting for Your Trade Show Booth: LED vs. Halogen
How to Choose the Right Lighting for Your Trade Show Booth: LED vs. Halogen
Circle Exhibit Team
Industry professionals
Exhibition industry professional dedicated to delivering the latest insights and curated recommendations to you.
You have designed a stunning structure and printed high-resolution graphics. But on the show floor, your booth looks flat and dull. Why?
You have designed a stunning structure and printed high-resolution graphics. But on the show floor, your booth looks flat and dull. Why?
You have designed a stunning structure and printed high-resolution graphics. But on the show floor, your booth looks flat and dull. Why?
The answer is usually lighting.
Lighting is the unsung hero of exhibition design. It directs attention, sets the mood, and can even influence how long visitors stay in your booth. In this guide, Circle Exhibit breaks down the technical essentials of booth lighting, starting with the biggest debate: LED vs. Halogen.
LED vs. Halogen: The Verdict is In
Ten years ago, halogen lights were the standard. They were cheap and bright. But in 2026, LED is the undisputed king. Here is why you should almost always choose LED for your trade show booth.
1. Heat Emission (The "Sweat Factor")
Halogen: These bulbs get incredibly hot. In a small 10x10 booth, two halogen arm lights can raise the temperature significantly, making your staff and visitors uncomfortable.
LED: Runs cool. You can touch them after hours of use without burning your fingers.
2. Power Consumption (Saving Money)
Trade show organizers charge exorbitant rates for electricity (often selling power by the amp).
Halogen: A single 200-watt halogen light draws about 1.6 amps.
LED: An equivalent bright LED light draws only about 0.2 amps.
Result: Switching to LED allows you to order less power from the venue, saving you hundreds of dollars per show.
3. Color Accuracy (CRI)
Modern LEDs offer a high Color Rendering Index (CRI). This means your bright red logo actually looks red, not a muddy orange.
Color Temperature: Setting the Mood
Not all white light is the same. The "temperature" of light is measured in Kelvins (K), and choosing the wrong one can ruin your brand vibe.
Cool White (5000K - 6000K)
This is a crisp, blueish-white light.
Best for: Technology, medical, and industrial brands. It feels clean, modern, and precise.
Where to use: highlighting machinery or jewelry.
Warm White (2700K - 3000K)
This is a softer, yellowish light (like a sunset).
Best for: Hospitality, home decor, and lifestyle brands. It feels inviting and cozy.
Real World Example: In our recent Rise & Shine Case Study, we used warm lighting to create a "morning breakfast" atmosphere that made visitors feel relaxed.
Top 3 Lighting Fixtures for 2026
1. Arm Lights (Stem Lights)
The simplest solution. These clamp onto the top of your back wall and wash light down onto your graphics.
Pro Tip: Ensure you order enough arms—one light for every 3-4 feet of wall width is a good rule of thumb.
2. Backlit Displays (Lightboxes)
This is the biggest trend in custom exhibition stands. instead of shining light onto a graphic, you put LED strips behind a fabric graphic. The result is a glowing, high-contrast image that is impossible to ignore.
3. Integrated LED Strips (Accent Lighting)
We use these to line the bottom of counters (toe-kick lighting) or to highlight architectural curves. It adds a "premium" layer to the design.
Don't Forget Wire Management
Nothing looks more unprofessional than a nest of extension cords visible to customers. At Circle Exhibit, we plan wire paths during the design phase. We hide cables under raised flooring or inside hollow wall frames, ensuring a sleek, clean finish.
Summary
Lighting isn't an expense; it's an investment in visibility.
Switch to LED to save on power bills.
Match the Kelvin to your brand identity (Warm vs. Cool).
Consider Backlighting for maximum impact.
Need help brightening up your next project?
The answer is usually lighting.
Lighting is the unsung hero of exhibition design. It directs attention, sets the mood, and can even influence how long visitors stay in your booth. In this guide, Circle Exhibit breaks down the technical essentials of booth lighting, starting with the biggest debate: LED vs. Halogen.
LED vs. Halogen: The Verdict is In
Ten years ago, halogen lights were the standard. They were cheap and bright. But in 2026, LED is the undisputed king. Here is why you should almost always choose LED for your trade show booth.
1. Heat Emission (The "Sweat Factor")
Halogen: These bulbs get incredibly hot. In a small 10x10 booth, two halogen arm lights can raise the temperature significantly, making your staff and visitors uncomfortable.
LED: Runs cool. You can touch them after hours of use without burning your fingers.
2. Power Consumption (Saving Money)
Trade show organizers charge exorbitant rates for electricity (often selling power by the amp).
Halogen: A single 200-watt halogen light draws about 1.6 amps.
LED: An equivalent bright LED light draws only about 0.2 amps.
Result: Switching to LED allows you to order less power from the venue, saving you hundreds of dollars per show.
3. Color Accuracy (CRI)
Modern LEDs offer a high Color Rendering Index (CRI). This means your bright red logo actually looks red, not a muddy orange.
Color Temperature: Setting the Mood
Not all white light is the same. The "temperature" of light is measured in Kelvins (K), and choosing the wrong one can ruin your brand vibe.
Cool White (5000K - 6000K)
This is a crisp, blueish-white light.
Best for: Technology, medical, and industrial brands. It feels clean, modern, and precise.
Where to use: highlighting machinery or jewelry.
Warm White (2700K - 3000K)
This is a softer, yellowish light (like a sunset).
Best for: Hospitality, home decor, and lifestyle brands. It feels inviting and cozy.
Real World Example: In our recent Rise & Shine Case Study, we used warm lighting to create a "morning breakfast" atmosphere that made visitors feel relaxed.
Top 3 Lighting Fixtures for 2026
1. Arm Lights (Stem Lights)
The simplest solution. These clamp onto the top of your back wall and wash light down onto your graphics.
Pro Tip: Ensure you order enough arms—one light for every 3-4 feet of wall width is a good rule of thumb.
2. Backlit Displays (Lightboxes)
This is the biggest trend in custom exhibition stands. instead of shining light onto a graphic, you put LED strips behind a fabric graphic. The result is a glowing, high-contrast image that is impossible to ignore.
3. Integrated LED Strips (Accent Lighting)
We use these to line the bottom of counters (toe-kick lighting) or to highlight architectural curves. It adds a "premium" layer to the design.
Don't Forget Wire Management
Nothing looks more unprofessional than a nest of extension cords visible to customers. At Circle Exhibit, we plan wire paths during the design phase. We hide cables under raised flooring or inside hollow wall frames, ensuring a sleek, clean finish.
Summary
Lighting isn't an expense; it's an investment in visibility.
Switch to LED to save on power bills.
Match the Kelvin to your brand identity (Warm vs. Cool).
Consider Backlighting for maximum impact.
Need help brightening up your next project?
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