In short
A section drawing shows a stand as if it had been sliced from top to bottom. Where an elevation shows the outside of a wall, a section shows what happens inside: the platform height, ceiling levels, the clear height under a raft or deck, and how a stair rises. Builders use sections to check that heights work. Venues often ask for them on stands with upper floors or anything overhead.
Key points
- A section is a slice; an elevation is a view from outside.
- It proves clear heights under rafts and decks.
- Venues often ask for sections of double-decks.
- Show the cut line on the plan so readers can find it.
Section or elevation?
| Elevation | Section | |
|---|---|---|
| View | Looking at a side from outside | Cut through the stand |
| Best for | Graphics, overall appearance | Heights, levels, how parts stack |
| Who reads it | Clients, printers, builders | Builders, engineers, venue reviewers |
What a good section shows
- Hall floor level and the top of any platform.
- Wall and structure heights, measured from the hall floor.
- Clear height under rafts, signs and decks.
- Deck thickness, and the height of guarding.
- Stair rise and going, where a stair is cut through.
- The maximum height limit, drawn as a line across the sheet.
That last line is useful. A reviewer can see in seconds that the stand stays below the limit, with no need to add up dimensions.
Where to cut
- 1Through the tallest part of the stand.
- 2Through any stair or upper deck.
- 3Through an overhead raft, ring or ceiling.
- 4Across a platform edge or ramp, if there is one.
Mark each cut on the plan with a labelled line, such as A–A. Without it, a section is just a picture of something.
Common mistakes
- Showing the floor as zero, when a platform adds height.
- Measuring heights from the platform, so the stand seems shorter than it is.
- Leaving out rigged items, which also count towards limits.
- A section that no longer matches a revised plan.
A worked example
Imagine a stand with a 100 mm platform, a 4 m limit and a raft hung at 2.8 m. A section shows that the raft sits 2.7 m above the platform, so people have clear headroom. It also shows that a 3.9 m wall on the platform reaches 4 m from the hall floor. That's within the limit, but with no margin at all.
Frequently asked questions
01What is a section drawing?
A view of a stand as though it had been cut through vertically, showing heights and how the parts stack up.
02Do I need a section for a small stand?
Usually not, unless it has a platform or overhead feature. An elevation is often enough.
03Do height limits include platforms?
Usually the limit is measured from the hall floor. Check your manual.
04Who draws the sections?
Your designer or builder. For double-decks, an engineer will produce their own structural sections.
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.
