Vertical silent auction displays without using acrylic stands

I’ve previously written about silent auction displays and mentioned that keeping it vertical is the key to a good display.

But if you don’t like the look of acrylic stands, or have more time than money (acrylic stands can be pricey), here are some other vertical options.

Option 1: Oversized Vertical Silent Auction Displays

Oversized vertical silent auction display

The following displays were made out of a posterboard-type material.

In speaking with the staff, I learned that the hospital foundation auction team (3 people) fabricated and glued a stand (also made of posterboard type of material) to the back of each posterboard to ensure it would stand on the table.

The dimensions were oversized, so much so that the 8.5″ X 11″ description (on white paper) looks small compared to the display on which it was secured.

Here’s a close-up of that oversized display.

The description was glued or taped to the stand.

It was tres elegant.

Plus, because it was oversized and had larger font, guests found it easy to read as they walked by each display.

Option 2: Standard-Size Vertical Silent Auction Displays

Like the oversized display option, this group used heavier paper to create each vertical display.

This was a standard-sized display, 8.5″ x 11″

The paper came with an attached prop on the back which folded out similar to a photo frame.

The team secured the description to the paper frame and it was ready to be displayed on the tables.

The first year they used these, they had a company (I think it was Signs By Tomorrow) make these displays.

In the years since, the team has just ripped off the white display paper and glued a new description to the front.

Tip:  Use a less adhesive glue, such as rubber cement, to allow for an easier removal process.

Note the back of these displays.

They’ve held up pretty well and served the organization for several years now.

As you might imagine, they’re also easier to store because they are lighter in weight than acrylic stands.

Option 3: Half-sized Vertical Silent Auction Displays

The construction paper used as a backing is black, but any color could be used.

Fold a standard 8.5″ X 11″ construction paper sheet in half.  Now you’ve got a ready-to-stand vertical sheet.

Print your descriptive title in large, easy-to-read font on a white piece of paper.  Attach it to the construction paper with a small piece of double-sided sticky tape or rubber glue.

With a half-sheet display, the full description of the item (with restrictions) will likely need to be printed on the bid sheet as the size of the half-sheet display isn’t large enough to accommodate much verbiage.  Help guests by being clear in the description — “A romantic weekend stay” title isn’t as helpful as “Two weekend nights at the Ritz.”

If you want to color-code your auction, it’s easy to do so by using different colors of construction paper.

Ready for more help in your benefit auction?

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Every other Tuesday, you’ll be treated to a new idea, such as how to get guests to arrive on time, or how to change the mindset of your guests so they treat your auction like a fundraiser instead of a place to buy things on the cheap, or how to make your auction’s operations (check-out, catalog development) easier.  Learn more here.