In short
Shop drawings show how each item on a stand will be made. Where a general arrangement shows the whole stand, a shop drawing shows a single counter, plinth or wall panel at a large scale, with sizes, materials and finishes. Workshops use them to cut and assemble parts, and clients use them to sign off details. Detailed joints and fixings usually stay with the workshop that makes the piece.
Key points
- One item per drawing, at a large scale.
- They come after the concept is approved.
- They show sizes, materials, finishes and quantities.
- The workshop still decides on joints and fixings.
What goes on a shop drawing
| Item | Example |
|---|---|
| Views | Front, side and top of a counter |
| Overall sizes | Width, depth and height in millimetres |
| Material and finish | Fluted MDF, satin lacquer, brand colour |
| Quantity | How many of this item are needed |
| Interfaces | Where cables, screens or lights fit |
| Reference | Item number that matches the schedule |
Where they fit in the process
- 01
Concept
The client agrees the design and the plan.
- 02
General arrangement
Plans and elevations fix the positions.
- 03
Shop drawings
Each item is drawn at a large scale.
- 04
Client sign-off
Check finishes and details.
- 05
Workshop
Cut, finish and test-assemble the item.
Producing shop drawings before the plan is stable is wasted effort, because every change means redrawing them. Agree the layout first.
What to check before signing
- Does the counter have room for knees, stools and storage?
- Are heights right for the people using it?
- Do screens and cables have a route?
- Will it fit through the hall door in one piece?
- Is the finish the same one you saw as a sample?
Item sheets from Studio
Studio's drawing pack draws each distinct item from the design at a large scale, up to six on a sheet, alongside the plan and schedule. They give a workshop a clear starting point for pricing and detailing. They show form and size, not joints, fixings or structure, which remain the workshop's job.
Scale and numbering
Drawings of items are usually at a larger scale than plans, such as 1:10 or 1:20, so that sizes can be read easily. Give each item a number, use it on the plan and the schedule, and keep the numbering if the design changes. Otherwise, a workshop can end up with two versions of the same counter.
Frequently asked questions
01What is a shop drawing?
A detailed drawing of a single item, showing how it should be made.
02Who produces shop drawings?
Usually the builder or workshop. A designer may provide item drawings as a starting point.
03Do I need to approve them?
It's wise to, on custom items. They're your last chance to change a detail cheaply.
04Do modular stands need shop drawings?
Standard system parts don't. Custom counters and features do.
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.
