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Design Templates for CES Booth Leave-Behinds: Mini Catalogs, Spec Cards & Collectible Art Cards

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2026-02-07

11 min read

Practical, print-ready templates for pocket-friendly mini catalogs, spec cards & collectible art cards—optimized for QR/NFC, sustainability, and fast fulfillment at CES 2026.

Make Every Handout Count: High-impact, print-ready templates for CES and similar tech shows in 2026

Hook: You spent months engineering a demo, dozens negotiating the booth layout, and countless hours rehearsing a 90-second pitch—don’t let your leave-behinds become pocket clutter. At CES and similar tech shows in 2026, the best-performing exhibitors hand out reference pieces that are instantly useful, easy to share, and built to drive follow-on engagement.

Why this matters right now (CES 2026 trends)

Trade show behavior changed sharply by late 2025 and into 2026: attendees expect micro-content they can scan or tap instantly on the show floor. QR codes are standard, NFC + AR use has surged among immersive product demos, and buyers increasingly judge brands by the sustainability of print materials. For busy technical buyers and procurement teams, a compact, printed leave-behind that includes a short spec sheet, a direct link to a downloadable datasheet or 3D model, and a memorable collectible element will get kept—and shared.

What to prioritize in a CES booth leave-behind

Pocketability: small, standard sizes that fit wallets and pockets.
Scan & Tap readiness: clear QR code placement, dynamic links, and NFC options.
Print-ready files: dielines, bleeds, color profiles and layered files that printers can use without back-and-forth.
Product-first structure: specs, SKU/part numbers, and clear next steps for purchase or a demo.
Shareability: collectible art or trading-card style design that attendees want to keep and pass on.

Three high-impact template formats for tech exhibitors

Below are the core formats that perform best at CES and other B2B trade shows in 2026. Each format includes practical, printer-ready specs you can hand to production today.

1) Mini Catalog — the quick-reference pocket brochure

Use this when you have 3–8 SKUs or want a compact product overview with pricing tiers, specs, and photos.

Recommended finished sizes:
- 4 x 6 in (102 x 152 mm) postcard-style folded once to 3 panels (pocket-friendly)
- 3.75 x 5.25 in (95 x 133 mm) — smaller, wallet-friendly
Template setup
- Bleed: 0.125 in / 3 mm on all sides
- Safe area: 0.125 in / 3 mm inside trim
- Resolution: 300 ppi for images at final size
- Color: CMYK with embedded ICC (PDF/X-4 recommended)
- Export: print-ready PDF with crop marks and fonts outlined
Design tips
- Lead with a one-line value proposition and a bold headline on the front panel.
- Use a clear product grid and a single primary CTA per panel (Scan, Tap, or Visit).
- Place a dynamic QR code on the back panel with tracking parameters (UTM) and a short printed URL.
- Consider a perforated coupon or lead-capture mini form for quick notes.
Paper & finish suggestions
- 150–250 gsm silk or matte coated for crisp images and a professional hand.
- Soft-touch lamination or aqueous coating if people will handle often; aqueous is more recycling-friendly than UV varnish.

2) Spec Cards — the single-product fact sheet

Use spec cards for high-value products where procurement needs quick reference data and SKU/compatibility info.

Recommended finished sizes:
- 3.5 x 2 in (88.9 x 50.8 mm) — standard US business card
- 85 x 55 mm — standard European business card
- 3.5 x 4.875 in — tall card for more specs
Template setup
- Bleed: 0.125 in / 3 mm
- Safe area: 0.0625–0.125 in inside trim for small text
- Resolution: 300–600 ppi for small icons and detailed renders
- Color: CMYK; spot color for brand-critical hues
Design tips
- Top third: product name, one-line elevator pitch, and a thumbnail photo.
- Middle: key specs in a 2-column layout (Power, Interface, Performance, Dimensions, Compliance).
- Bottom: QR + NFC icon with instructions: “Scan or tap to download full datasheet or 3D model.”
- Keep font sizes legible: body text minimum 7–8 pt; headlines 10–12 pt (adjust for reading distance).
Paper & finish
- 300–400 gsm cover stock for a substantial feel; 350 gsm cardstock is common.
- Consider rounded corners to reduce edge wear for cards that will be kept in wallets.

3) Collectible Art Cards — shareable, brand-building micro-assets

These drive social shares and keep your brand top-of-mind. Use them for limited-edition designs, partner artist series, or to gamify engagement (e.g., collect all 5 at the booth).

Recommended finished size: 2.5 x 3.5 in (63.5 x 88.9 mm) — standard trading card size.
Template setup
- Bleed: 0.125 in / 3 mm
- Resolution: 300–600 ppi for high-detail art
- File: Single-page print-ready PDF, alternate print stacks for variable art
Design tips
- Front: bold visual art or photographic hero with minimal text.
- Back: SKU, short blurb, QR/NFC and a short CTA: “Scan for a 30-second product tour.”
- Use serial numbering or foil stamps for scarcity and collectability.
Paper & finish
- 350–400 gsm cover stock, optional soft-touch lamination or spot UV for contrast.
- Eco-conscious option: 100% recycled heavy card with aqueous coating or plant-based varnish.

Print-ready technical checklist (engineer-friendly)

Give this checklist to your designer and printer to avoid delays and reprints.

File format: PDF/X-4 preferred. Include crop marks and 3 mm / 0.125 in bleed.
Color & profiles: Convert images to CMYK and embed ICC. Provide Pantone spot references where brand-critical colors are used. Ask your printer which profile to use (US vs Europe).
Images: 300 ppi at final size for photos; 600 ppi for line art and icons.
Fonts: Outline or embed fonts. Provide a full font list with licensing if using custom fonts.
QR codes: Export vector or high-res PNG. Test at final size on paper stock before print run. Include contrast indicators.
NFC/Smart features: Stipulate placement clear of folds and areas where the chip may be creased. Discuss with the supplier early—embedding chips changes production timing.
Special finishes: If you want foil, emboss, or die-cut, include an additional layer in the dieline for finishing house approvals.

QR Code & NFC best practices for 2026

QR codes at shows are a baseline—make them smarter.

Make QR codes dynamic so you can update landing pages after the show. Use a short look-up URL with redirection to track scans and A/B test content.
Size and contrast: Minimum 0.8 in (20 mm) square for standard density codes; increase size for dense codes or glossy coatings. Ensure 30–40% clear quiet zone around the code.
Mobile-first landing pages: The scan destination must be mobile-optimized for immediate engagement (product pages, AR demo, or schedule a follow-up).
NFC tags: For tap-to-play demos, specify NTAG213/215 for standard compatibility. Include an NFC icon and short tap instructions on the card back.
Augmented Reality triggers: Use a small marker or short printed instruction and a backup QR code for attendees without AR-capable devices.

Sustainability and sourcing (what buyers ask in 2026)

By CES 2026, procurement teams expect transparency. Include sourcing and end-of-life information directly on templates or the downloadable datasheet.

Certifications to list on print materials: FSC Mix, FSC Recycled, PEFC, and any verified recycled content percentage (e.g., 100% PCW).
Coating choices: Aqueous coatings, matte or silk lamination made from mono-polyethylene are easier to recycle than multi-layer laminates. Avoid non-flush adhesives and mixed-material finishes when possible.
Low-carbon suppliers: Add a short supplier statement like: “Printed with low-VOC inks on FSC-certified stock; carbon-offset shipping available.”
On-demand printing: Use short runs with local micro-fulfillment centers to reduce transport emissions and inventory risk.

Case study: A hypothetical CES 2026 booth success

Scenario: A startup launching a modular sensor suite used a a three-piece leave-behind system: a collectible art card (limited-run artist series), a spec card for each sensor model, and a 4-panel mini catalog for procurement teams. They used dynamic QR codes that routed scans to personalized pages with 3D models, CAD downloads, and reseller pricing. Results:

Booth collected 1,200 scans during the show—60% converted to product pages within 24 hours.
Spec cards reduced follow-up email volume: engineers referenced part numbers directly in RFPs, cutting clarification time by 20%.
Collectible cards generated organic social shares with a hashtag campaign; the start-up saw a 30% lift in inbound demo requests post-show.

Key takeaway: combine practical specs with collectible creative assets and smart digital links—printed leave-behinds become part of the buyer journey, not an afterthought.

Fulfillment and production timelines

Plan production on a cadence that protects your launch. Here’s a guideline you can use internally.

Standard offset run (1000+ pieces) with basic finishes: 5–7 business days plus shipping.
Short-run digital prints (50–500 pieces): 24–72 hours for standard stocks; ideal for A/B testing QR designs or variable data printing.
Special finishes (foil, embossing, NFC embedding): 7–12 business days—confirm die and finishing schedules early.
Sample kits: Request printed swatches and a one-off proof to verify colors, QR scanability, and tactile finish before committing to full runs.

Practical template resources to include with every job

When delivering templates to designers or printers, include these assets to reduce back-and-forth:

AI, INDD, or EPS templates with clearly labeled layers: dieline, bleed, safe area, and trim
Actual-size PDF proof with crop marks and bleed
Linked, high-resolution images and a contact sheet of color references
A short production brief: run quantity, finishing options, NFC or QR decisions, delivery date, and sustainability requirements
Testing instructions: sample QR codes printed on the chosen stock to confirm readability

Advanced strategies for higher conversion

Use these advanced tactics if you’re serious about converting show interest into revenue.

Variable Data Printing (VDP): Personalize spec cards with attendee names or meeting times to deepen the connection and improve recall.
Tiered QR experiences: Use the same QR to detect repeat scans and show deeper content (first scan: overview; second scan: technical datasheet).
Cross-media triggers: Add a short SMS opt-in via QR so technical buyers can receive a link to a native app or downloadable CAD package.
Limited edition runs: Create scarcity (numbered cards, limited art runs) to increase perceived value and social sharing.

Common mistakes to avoid

Printing QR codes without testing on the chosen stock or with chosen finishes—gloss and spot UV can kill scan reliability.
Using overly small type for specs; engineers want readable numbers quickly.
Forgetting to embed a UTM or tracking parameter so you can measure impact.
Choosing a non-recyclable laminate without noting recycling instructions—buyers notice sustainability mismatches.

Actionable checklist: Launch-ready in 7 days

Choose formats (mini catalog, spec card, collectible card).
Create layered templates with bleeds and safe areas (use the file checklist above).
Generate dynamic QR codes and short URLs; test on phone with planned finish.
Order paper swatches and a one-off proof within 48 hours.
Approve proof and schedule digital short-run or offset production depending on quantity.
Plan fulfillment and booth placement (wallet clip or demo handout; consider a visible program for collectible cards).
Capture metrics: scans, taps, follow-ups, leads attributed to printed code.

Final considerations for procurement and operations

Operations teams should lock in supplier SLAs and sample approvals early. Ask suppliers for:

Turnaround guarantees for different run sizes
Proof-of-recycling or chain-of-custody documents for certified stocks
Fulfillment options: kitting, bagging, direct-to-recipient shipping
Price breaks for repeat orders and variant runs (different QR/serial numbers)

Closing: Use printed leave-behinds as strategic touchpoints

At CES and other trade shows in 2026, printed leave-behinds that are small, smart, and sustainably produced cut through the noise. Mini catalogs give procurement teams everything they need in their pocket. Spec cards eliminate confusion in follow-up RFPs. Collectible art cards drive social proof and retention. Combine these with dynamic QR/NFC experiences, test formats with short digital runs, and work with a print partner that supplies clear RGB→CMYK conversions, proofing, and certified paper options.

Actionable next step

Ready to convert CES traffic into measurable leads? Download our print-ready template pack (AI, INDD, PDF/X-4) including dielines for mini catalogs, spec cards, and collectible cards—and order a proof kit with sustainable stock samples and recommended finishes. Need a custom template or kitted fulfillment? Contact our print advisors for a same-day quote and fast-turn options.

Call-to-action: Download templates or request a sample kit from our product page and get a free consultation to design the exact leave-behind your booth needs for maximum retention and shareability.

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