Stretch Fabric Snake Stands

A Display That Isn't Another Rectangle

Every exhibition hall is a row of flat panels. A snake stand curves — an S-shaped aluminium frame with the fabric stretched over it, so the graphic bends away and back as you walk past.

That's the whole point. It reads as a considered piece of display rather than a printed board on a stick, and it catches the eye in a room where everything else is straight.

900mm wide, 2350mm tall, on a tubular aluminium frame with a 260gsm stretch fabric graphic. Free UK delivery.

How It Goes Together

One person, five or six minutes, no tools.

The frame sections snap together using numbered stickers, so there's no working out which piece goes where. The fabric graphic then slides over the whole frame like a sleeve and zips closed underneath, which is what holds it under tension.

One tip that makes a visible difference: slide the graphic on twisted about 30–50mm to one side, pull it all the way down, then grip both sides of the frame and twist it back into position. That stops the internal hems sitting on the edge of the curve and gives a cleaner finish. Fitting it straight on works, but the seams tend to show along the edge.

Single or Double Sided

Single sided is printed on the front with a plain white reverse. Right for a stand against a wall or in a corner.

Double sided prints both faces. The two designs don't have to match, and there's no extra charge for supplying different artwork on each side.

Worth being realistic about the back, though. The curve means the rear face angles away from the viewer more sharply than the front, so it's less comfortable to read. If you're using the back for content, keep it in the upper two thirds where the angle is kindest.

Designing for a Curve

This is where snake stand artwork goes wrong, and it's worth understanding before you start.

The graphic isn't flat. It curves through four distinct zones, and how visible each one is varies considerably:

• Mid face — the sweet spot. Put your logo, headline and anything that must be read here. It faces the viewer most directly.
• Upper face — clearly visible and good for secondary content.
• Lower bend — visible, so artwork needs supplying for it, but the angle makes it a poor place for text. Background only.
• Underneath — optional, and quiet area only.

The template marks all four. Content anywhere in the safe area will be visible, but the mid face is where it actually gets read.

One thing to avoid on double-sided stands: don't run a continuous or detailed shape from the front round to the back. Fabric moves slightly during printing, cutting and sewing, so a shape that should line up across the join won't always do so precisely. Keep front and back designs independent.

The Fabric

260gsm stretch fabric, dye-sublimation printed on a VUTEk FabriVU 340 and finished in-house by machinists rather than bought in.

Dye-sublimation puts the ink into the fibres rather than on top, so the colour is rich, the surface has no sheen, and the graphic photographs cleanly without the glare a PVC banner produces under exhibition lighting.

It's also machine washable at 30°C without detergent, which matters for something handled at events and stored between them. Let it dry completely before refitting or storing.

Old graphics can be recycled with other textiles.

Indoor Use Only

Snake stands aren't built for outdoors. The frame isn't weighted for wind and the fabric isn't weatherproof.

One other thing worth knowing: stretch fabric isn't completely opaque. Under strong lighting from above or behind, the frame can show faintly through the graphic. It's not a fault — it's what the material does. Positioning the stand away from direct overhead or backlighting avoids it entirely.

Packing It Away

The frame breaks down and the fabric folds. Both fit in the supplied carry bag — hardware and graphic together, which isn't true of every display system.

That makes it genuinely portable. It goes in a car boot, and one person can carry it into a venue.

Replacement Graphics

The frame outlasts the campaign several times over. Replacement graphics can be ordered on their own, so a rebrand or a new event means a new print rather than a new stand.

Specification

• Overall width: 900mm
• Overall height: 2350mm
• Overall depth: 690mm
• Frame: tubular aluminium, snap-together
• Graphic: 260gsm stretch fabric, zip-fastened underneath
• Print: single sided with white reverse, or double sided
• Assembly: 5–6 minutes, one person, no tools
• Includes: carry bag for hardware and graphic
• Use: indoor only

Artwork Requirements

• Supply at the exact size of the template
• Fonts outlined, images embedded
• Include the document bleed
• Remove all template elements — lines, boxes and markings
• Double sided: supply both pages, even if the designs are identical
• PDF preferred, AI or EPS also accepted
• No Pantone colours — dye-sublimation can't reproduce them, so convert to CMYK first

Free templates are available for single and double sided, with the artwork zones marked.

Our thread is black or white, chosen to suit your graphic.

Every file is checked by a real person before printing, so obvious problems get flagged. We don't make changes or fixes to artwork — files should be supplied print-ready.

Turnaround & Delivery

Production takes 3–4 working days from receipt of artwork. Turnaround covers production only — delivery is on top of that.

Standard UK delivery is free on all snake stand orders. Collection from our Burnley production facility is also available.

Other fabric displays: stretch fabric economy stands for a straight, lower-cost option, premium stands with a heavy-duty base, and stretch fabric banners for a rectangular tube format.

FAQs

What size is it?
900mm wide, 2350mm tall and 690mm deep.

What's the minimum order?
One. Order a single stand or several.

How long does it take to assemble?
Five or six minutes, by one person, with no tools. The frame sections are numbered so there's no guesswork.

Can the two sides be different?
Yes, at no extra cost. Bear in mind the rear curve angles away more sharply, so keep rear content in the upper two thirds.

Where should I put the important content?
The mid face section, marked on the template. That's the part of the curve facing the viewer most directly. The lower bend is visible but should only carry background.

Can I wash the graphic?
Yes, at 30°C with no detergent. Let it dry completely before refitting or storing.

Can I use it outdoors?
No. Snake stands are for indoor use — the frame isn't weighted for wind and the fabric isn't weatherproof.

Why can I see the frame through the graphic?
Stretch fabric isn't fully opaque, so strong lighting from above or behind can show the frame faintly. Repositioning the stand away from direct overhead or backlighting resolves it.

Does everything fit in the bag?
Yes. The carry bag holds both the frame and the folded graphic.

Can I order a replacement graphic?
Yes, available separately without the hardware.

Is delivery really free?
Yes. Standard UK delivery is included on all snake stand orders.