When planning a promotional event, trade show, or business gathering, creating brand visibility is crucial. Custom backdrops and displays are a perfect way to showcase your brand message effectively. StepnRepeat is a leading name in this space, offering high-quality backdrops, banners, and event displays. But how do they stack up against their competitors? In this blog, we’ll compare Step and Repeat UK with four key players in the market: Discount Displays, BannerBuzz, Banner World, and XL Displays.

1. Step and Repeat UK (stepnrepeat.co.uk)

Step and Repeat UK focuses on premium, reusable backdrops often used for press events, red carpets, conferences, and exhibitions. They are renowned for their attention to detail and customization, providing clients with durable, easy-to-set-up displays. Their offerings primarily include fabric backdrops, vinyl banners, and exhibition displays that stand out for high print quality and fast delivery across the UK.

Key Strengths:

  • High-Quality Materials: Specializes in durable fabric backdrops that provide a professional look, wrinkle-resistant and great for repeated use.
  • Customizable Solutions: A wide range of customization options for branding, with a focus on precision printing and vivid colors.
  • Fast Turnaround: Known for delivering orders quickly, perfect for last-minute event needs.
  • Specialised Services: Unique expertise in “step and repeat” backdrops, which are a staple for media-heavy events like red carpets and awards shows.
  • Hire Services: Unlike many of their competitors, Stepnrepeat offer their event walls and displays for hire, not just purchase only.
  • Social Responsibility – Stepnrepeat allows you to keep the fabric used for your display or it can be donated to charity. Purchased displays can be reused time and time again with different designs.

Limitations:

  • Price: Slightly higher price point compared to some discount-focused competitors due to premium quality and materials.
event displays stepnrepeat
stepnrepeat step and repeat wall
event backdrop from stepnrepeat.co.uk

2. Discount Displays

As the name suggests, Discount Displays offers a wide array of event marketing products at competitive prices. Their product range includes banners, flags, exhibition stands, and POS displays. They cater to both small businesses and large corporations by focusing on affordability.

Key Strengths:

  • Affordability: Lower prices, making them a go-to for budget-conscious buyers.
  • Variety: A vast catalog of products, including banners, signage, and more.
  • Next-Day Delivery: They offer rapid next-day delivery for urgent projects.

Limitations:

  • Quality Variability: The lower price point sometimes comes at the expense of material quality. Vinyl prints, in particular, may not be as durable or vibrant as Step and Repeat UK’s fabric options.
  • Customization Limitations: While they offer custom designs, some users report that the level of customization and attention to detail falls short compared to more specialized providers.

3. BannerBuzz

BannerBuzz is known for its cost-effective online printing services, offering everything from banners to table covers and custom signs. They cater to a broad range of industries and event types, including retail, trade shows, and corporate events.

Key Strengths:

  • Low Cost: One of the most budget-friendly options, with frequent discounts and deals.
  • Range of Products: BannerBuzz offers a wide variety of signage solutions, not limited to just banners and backdrops.
  • Online Design Tool: They offer an easy-to-use online design tool that lets customers create custom banners quickly and efficiently.

Limitations:

  • Customer Service: Some customers have reported inconsistent service experiences, particularly around delivery times and product quality.
  • Durability: While affordable, the quality of materials, particularly for large, reusable backdrops, may not match up to more premium providers like Step and Repeat UK.

4. Banner World

Banner World provides printing services for banners, flags, and signage, with a particular focus on large-scale projects and specialist installations. They serve industries like construction, retail, and events, making them a versatile option for businesses needing customized display solutions.

Key Strengths:

  • Large-Scale Solutions: Expertise in large-format printing for building wraps, event graphics, and more.
  • Custom Solutions: Strong focus on tailoring solutions to fit large, high-impact projects.
  • Durability: Offers a selection of high-durability products for outdoor use, including mesh banners and heavy-duty vinyl.

Limitations:

  • Niche Focus: While they provide excellent solutions for large-format printing and outdoor displays, their offerings might not be as well-suited for smaller, indoor events like press conferences, where Step and Repeat UK’s sleek backdrops excel.
  • Turnaround Times: Given their focus on larger projects, lead times can be longer compared to Step and Repeat UK’s fast event-focused delivery.

5. XL Displays

XL Displays is a popular supplier of exhibition stands and displays. Their products are designed to help businesses make a lasting impression at trade shows and exhibitions. They offer a wide range of exhibition stands, pop-up displays, banner stands, and office screens.

Key Strengths:

  • Wide Range of Display Products: XL Displays excels in offering an extensive selection of exhibition and trade show solutions.
  • Customer Service: Known for excellent customer service and support during the design and ordering process.
  • Eco-Friendly Options: They offer a variety of eco-friendly display products, appealing to businesses looking to reduce their environmental footprint.

Limitations:

  • Higher Costs: While they provide high-quality solutions, XL Displays can be more expensive, particularly for custom products.
  • Bulk Focus: Best suited for businesses looking to invest in multiple or larger display systems, rather than quick, single orders of custom backdrops.

Why Choose Step and Repeat UK?

When comparing Step and Repeat UK to its competitors, a few key differentiators stand out. Step and Repeat UK excels in providing specialized, premium backdrops tailored for press events, red carpets, and corporate gatherings. Their commitment to high-quality fabric backdrops, quick delivery, and attention to customization sets them apart, particularly for clients seeking a professional, polished look.

For those with a tight budget, competitors like Discount Displays or BannerBuzz offer affordable alternatives, but often at the cost of reduced material quality and customization options. If you need large-format outdoor solutions or niche installations, Banner World is an excellent choice, while XL Displays is a strong contender for eco-friendly, exhibition-focused products.

Ultimately, Step and Repeat UK offers a premium service with specialized expertise in creating eye-catching, durable backdrops that are perfect for media-heavy and high-visibility events. If your focus is on making a bold brand statement, investing in their higher-end offerings may be well worth it.