Walk any hall at Pragati Maidan or India Expo Mart and you will see two kinds of stalls: rows of white octonorm shells with printed panels, and custom-built booths that look like small showrooms. Both can work — but they solve different problems. Here is how to decide, without the sales pitch.
What is an octonorm stall?
Octonorm (often spelled "octanorm") is a modular aluminium frame system. The organiser usually provides the basic shell — white panels, a fascia with your company name, one table, two chairs and a spotlight. You brand it by printing flex or vinyl panels that mount onto the frame.
- Cost: the shell often comes with your stall booking; branding starts around ₹45 per sq.ft for flex panels and ₹55 per sq.ft for vinyl on our rate card.
- Timeline: panels can be printed in 24–48 hours and installed in a few hours on build-up day.
- Best for: 9–18 sq.m stalls, first-time exhibitors, tight budgets, and shows where you booked late.
What is a custom stall?
A custom stall is fabricated from scratch — wooden structure, laminates, fabric or backlit facades, hanging signage, product displays, storage room, flooring and lighting designed around your brand. It is built at the fabricator's workshop, transported, and assembled on-site during build-up days.
- Cost: custom fabrication typically starts around ₹45 per sq.ft for basic flex-clad structures and climbs with design complexity, backlit elements, 3D branding and furniture. A 36 sq.m custom stall is usually a lakh-plus project.
- Timeline: allow 2–4 weeks from design approval to installation for a proper custom build.
- Best for: 18 sq.m and larger stalls, brands that exhibit multiple times a year, product launches, and companies whose competitors invest heavily in presence.
The honest comparison
| Factor | Octonorm + branding | Custom stall |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Lowest — pay only for printing & installation | Higher — structure, design, transport, labour |
| Look | Clean but similar to neighbours | Unique, brand-first, premium |
| Booking lead time | 3–7 days is workable | 2–4 weeks minimum |
| Reusability | Prints are per-show | Modular elements can be reused across shows |
| Height & lighting | Limited by the shell | Full control (within venue rules) |
A simple decision rule
Ask two questions. One: is your stall bigger than 18 sq.m? Two: is this show a serious lead-generation or launch moment for you? If both answers are yes, a custom stall usually pays for itself in footfall and perception. If either answer is no, a well-branded octonorm stall with sharp, high-resolution panels and one strong backlit element will do the job at a fraction of the cost.
The middle path most exhibitors miss
You do not have to choose the extremes. A popular option we build is the enhanced octonorm: keep the organiser's shell, but add a custom fascia, a backlit logo box, floor branding and one feature wall. It costs a little more than plain panels but photographs like a custom booth.
Still unsure? Use our stall cost calculator for an instant estimate, or request a free quote — send your stall size and venue, and we will recommend the option that fits your budget honestly.