A literature rack is a stand or bracket that holds brochures, catalogues and flyers at a trade show booth. Complete literature display stands cost $91 to $301 and weigh 4 to 30 lbs. Mounting brackets that attach a literature holder directly to an existing banner stand or display frame start at $19.
Literature racks are the item exhibitors forget until the week of the show, then buy badly. The choice is not really between brands: it is between a freestanding rack that takes floor space and a bracket that hangs off a display you are already shipping. This guide covers both, with real prices, weights and pocket counts.
How much does a literature rack cost?
Literature display stands cost $91 to $301. Mesh racks start at $91, truss-mounted racks at $117, folding step racks at $184, and hard-case frosted shelf stands at $231. Mounting brackets that clip to an existing display cost $19 to $49.
| Product | Price | Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universal literature holder bracket, small | $19 | 5 lbs | Clips to most frames |
| Universal literature holder bracket, large | $24 | 5 lbs | Clips to most frames |
| Universal Formulate bracket, small | $32 | 5 lbs | For Formulate tube frames |
| Universal Formulate bracket, large | $35 | 5 lbs | For Formulate tube frames |
| Linear Pro literature pocket | $49 | 5 lbs | Integrates into Linear Pro |
| Mesh single literature stand | $91 | 4 lbs | Lightest freestanding rack |
| Mesh double literature stand | $105 | 5 lbs | Double width |
| Formulate literature pocket, left or right | $112 | 5 lbs | Mounts into the frame |
| Orbital Express truss literature rack | $117 | 6 lbs | 10 pockets, 9.6"W × 41.13"H |
| Brandcusi banner stand shelves and catalogue holder | $126 | 10 lbs | Attaches to a banner stand |
| 5 step literature stand | $184 | 10 lbs | Folds with literature inside |
| MESA literature stand | $198 | 27 lbs | Heavier, more stable |
| EZ Frost single literature stand | $231 | 22 lbs | Hard case included |
| EZ Frost double literature stand | $301 | 30 lbs | 6 shelves, hard case included |
Brackets or a freestanding rack?
A mounting bracket costs $19 to $49 and adds no floor space, because it attaches to a banner stand or display frame you are already bringing. A freestanding literature display stand costs $91 to $301 and holds more, but takes up floor area and adds 4 to 30 lbs to the shipment.
For a 10x10 booth, floor space is the scarce resource. A bracket on the side of a banner stand puts brochures at hand height, costs under $25, and weighs nothing you will notice on the drayage bill. That is the right answer for most exhibitors most of the time.
A freestanding trade show literature rack earns its place when you have multiple publications to separate, when the rack sits near the aisle to catch passing traffic, or when visitors should be able to take a brochure without walking into the booth.
Which bracket fits what
- Universal brackets, $19 and $24, fit most standard frames and banner stands.
- Formulate brackets, $32 and $35, are shaped for Formulate aluminum tube frames.
- Formulate literature pockets, $112, mount into the frame itself in left or right versions, so the pocket reads as part of the display rather than an attachment.
- Linear Pro pockets, $49, integrate into Linear Pro systems.
- Brandcusi shelves and catalogue holder, $126, turns a banner stand into a literature station.
Check what your display frame actually is before ordering. A Formulate bracket will not clip to a scissor-frame pop-up, and a universal bracket may sit loose on a thick extrusion profile.
Freestanding literature display stands compared
The lightest freestanding literature rack is a mesh single stand at $91 and 4 lbs. The most capacity comes from an Orbital Express truss rack with 10 pockets at $117. The EZ Frost double at $301 includes a hard case and 6 frosted shelves.
Mesh racks, $91 to $105
Wire mesh, single or double width, 4 to 5 lbs. The cheapest and lightest freestanding option. Fine for one or two publications, less impressive up close than frosted or fabric alternatives.
5 step literature stand, $184
Five pockets for standard 8.5 by 11 inch literature, 1.5 inches deep each, standing 56 inches when extended and collapsing to 9 by 11.5 by 13 inches. Setup is pulling the pegs on each side, lifting, and clicking them back.
The useful detail: it folds with the literature still in the pockets. At a multi-day show you collapse it at the end of the day and reopen it in the morning without reloading.
Orbital Express truss literature rack, $117
Ten pockets in 9.6 inches of width at 41.13 inches tall, 6 lbs. The highest capacity per inch of floor space in the range, designed to integrate with Orbital truss systems.
EZ Frost stands, $231 and $301
Frosted shelves, six on the double version, with dual height options of 50.5 and 59 inches. Base is 17.5 by 14 inches with a display area of 16.5 by 12 inches. Both include a hard carrying case measuring 21 by 17.5 by 6.75 inches.
These are the heaviest at 22 and 30 lbs, and the hard case is why. If the rack travels to many shows a year, the case is the reason it still looks new in year three.
What size literature do these hold?
Most trade show literature racks are built for standard 8.5 by 11 inch brochures, with pockets roughly 1.5 inches deep. A 5 step stand holds five such pockets; an Orbital truss rack holds ten; an EZ Frost double holds six shelves.
Tri-fold brochures and DL flyers fit in the same pockets but sit lower and can be hard to see from standing height. If your main handout is a tri-fold, a bracket at chest height usually displays it better than a floor rack where it disappears into the pocket.
How to use a literature rack well
- One publication per pocket. A rack with five different brochures reads as a filing cabinet. Two or three choices get picked up; seven do not.
- Put it where people already stand. Next to the counter, not in a corner. Visitors take literature at the end of a conversation, not the start.
- Keep it full. A half-empty rack on day two signals a quiet booth. Restock between sessions or use fewer pockets.
- Bring less than you think. Most exhibitors ship home more than half of what they bring, and shipping paper back is pure cost.
- Consider a QR code instead. A bracket holding one card with a QR code weighs nothing and does not need restocking. Print is for the people who want something in their hand.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a literature rack cost?
Freestanding literature display stands cost $91 to $301. Mesh racks start at $91, truss-mounted racks at $117, folding step racks at $184 and hard-case frosted stands at $231. Mounting brackets that attach to an existing display cost $19 to $49.
What is a literature rack?
A literature rack is a stand or bracket that holds brochures, catalogues and flyers at a trade show booth or event. Freestanding versions stand on the floor; bracket versions attach to a banner stand or display frame and take no floor space.
How much does a literature display stand weigh?
Between 4 and 30 lbs. Mesh racks are lightest at 4 to 5 lbs, truss racks 6 lbs, folding step stands 10 lbs, and hard-case frosted stands 22 to 30 lbs because the case is included.
Can a literature holder attach to a banner stand?
Yes. Universal literature holder brackets cost $19 and $24 and clip to most standard frames and banner stands. A Brandcusi shelves and catalogue holder at $126 turns a banner stand into a literature station. Formulate-specific brackets are $32 and $35.
What size brochures do literature racks hold?
Standard 8.5 by 11 inch literature, with pockets around 1.5 inches deep. Tri-fold brochures fit the same pockets but sit lower and can be harder to see from standing height.
How many pockets does a literature rack have?
A 5 step literature stand has five pockets, an Orbital Express truss rack has ten in 9.6 inches of width, and an EZ Frost double has six shelves. Pocket count matters less than how many different publications you actually want to offer.
Which literature rack is best for a 10x10 booth?
A mounting bracket at $19 to $24, because floor space is the scarce resource in a 10x10 and a bracket uses none. Choose a freestanding rack only if the literature needs to sit near the aisle or you have several publications to separate.
Do literature stands come with a case?
EZ Frost single and double stands include a hard carrying case measuring 21 by 17.5 by 6.75 inches. The 5 step stand collapses to 9 by 11.5 by 13 inches and folds with the literature still inside the pockets. Mesh racks have no case.
How long does production take?
Standard production time is 3 business days. Transit time is additional and depends on destination and shipping method.
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