In short
A ceiling and rigging plan is the view from above: it shows what hangs over the stand, where each point sits, how much it weighs and how high it hangs. Venues and their riggers use it to check loads and to plan the work before the stand goes up. Prepare it early, because rigging is usually done first, and hall roof points may not be where your design needs them.
Key points
- It shows the position, weight and height of each hung item.
- Rigging normally goes in before the stand does.
- Weights on concept drawings are allowances, not engineering.
- Hall roof points can limit what you can hang.
What the plan shows
| Item | What to state |
|---|---|
| Each hung object | Name, size and shape |
| Rigging points | Position from the plot edges |
| Weight | Per point and in total, including lights and cables |
| Height | Top and bottom of each object above the floor |
| Ceilings | Covered area and material |
| Lighting on trusses | Fixtures and power routes |
How rigging usually works
- 1Check that the hall allows rigging over your plot.
- 2Ask for the roof grid and point capacities.
- 3Draw your items and work out the weights.
- 4Have a competent person check the design, if the manual asks for it.
- 5Submit it with your stand drawings by the deadline.
- 6Pay for points, usually through the official rigger.
See hanging signs and rigging for the basics of signs, and stand ceilings for the design options.
Where rigging plans go wrong
- Forgetting cables, motors and lights when adding up weights.
- Assuming a point exists exactly above your sign.
- Designing a large circle without checking how many points it needs.
- Leaving it until after the graphics are printed.
- Hanging something heavier than the point rating allows.
From model to plan
Studio's drawing pack includes a ceiling and rigging plan with hung items, points and weight allowances, measured from the 3D model. Those weights are planning allowances, not engineering figures. They help you ask for a rigging quote and spot a problem early. A competent rigger or engineer must still confirm everything.
If rigging is too expensive
If points are expensive or unavailable, consider a ground-supported structure, which holds the feature up from below. Lighter materials such as fabric can cut weight and the number of points. Or move the feature to a position where a roof point already exists. Your rigger can tell you what's cheapest before the design is fixed.
Frequently asked questions
01What is a rigging plan?
A plan from above that shows hung items, their positions, weights and heights.
02Who installs rigging at a show?
Usually an official rigger appointed by the venue or organiser.
03When is the rigging plan due?
The exhibitor manual sets the deadline, usually well ahead of the show.
04Can I hang a sign from my own structure?
Sometimes. Ground-supported structures have their own rules, so check the manual.
Put it into practice
Exhibition stand technical drawings, drawn from the 3D design
A3 plan and elevations at scale, set-out grid, object schedule and a layered AutoCAD DXF, generated from the 3D design.
Guidance here reflects common practice. Venues, organisers and countries set their own rules: always check the exhibitor manual and work with a qualified stand builder and engineer for structures.
