The first decision when designing a stand isn't aesthetic, it's structural: which system will it be built with? Cost, assembly time, and how customised the design can be all depend on it. Here's a real comparison between the four most common options.
Octanorm: the most widespread system
Octanorm is the most-used profile system at medium-sized fairs. It's affordable, quick to assemble, and its parts are standard at almost every venue, making it easy to find reinforcement material if needed. Its limitation is the finish: the profiles are more visible and the design is less flexible than with higher-end systems.
Aluvision and Bematrix: high-end modular
These are modular aluminium systems designed for a more premium finish. Aluvision uses a rounded profile with a click connector, ideal for curved shapes and fast assembly; Bematrix uses a precision square profile, better for straight walls and built-in furniture. Both allow seamless tension graphics and LED backlighting, something octanorm doesn't offer natively.
Custom woodwork: maximum personalisation, more time
When a design can't be solved with modular pieces — very specific shapes, non-standard built-in furniture, unique finishes — custom woodwork is the answer. It's the option with the most design freedom, but also the one that needs the most assembly time and reuses the least between fairs without rework.
How to choose
- Very tight assembly deadline: modular systems (Aluvision, Bematrix or octanorm).
- Design with curved or organic shapes: Aluvision.
- Large modular design with built-in furniture: Bematrix.
- Tight budget and medium-sized stand: octanorm.
- Fully bespoke design with no restrictions: wood.
Our role
We regularly build with all four systems. The material is handled by the supplier or your contractor; we bring the team and experience for assembly, and coordinate directly with whoever supplies the material so everything arrives ready on time.