India's retail industry is projected to reach $2 trillion by 2032, and point of sale (POS) displays remain the single most effective tool for influencing purchasing decisions at the moment of truth — right where the customer is standing. Studies show that 76% of buying decisions are made in-store, making POS materials (POSM) an indispensable weapon in every brand's marketing arsenal.
Whether you're launching a new FMCG product, running a festive promotion for a cosmetics brand, or building permanent retail fixtures for a pharma company, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about POS display printing, standee printing, and point of sale material production in India — from types and materials to printing methods, design tips, and pricing.
What Are POS Displays & Why Do They Matter?
A POS display (Point of Sale display) is any branded marketing material placed near or at the point of purchase in retail environments — supermarkets, pharmacies, showrooms, malls, trade shows, and exhibitions. Also known as POSM (Point of Sale Material) or POP displays (Point of Purchase), these displays serve three critical functions:
- Attract attention — Stand out in crowded retail aisles and draw foot traffic
- Communicate value — Highlight product benefits, offers, and brand messaging
- Drive conversions — Trigger impulse purchases and reinforce brand recall
Brands that invest in well-designed POS materials typically see a 20–30% uplift in sales during promotional campaigns compared to products displayed without supporting POSM.
Types of POS Displays
Counter Displays (CTUs)
Counter top units are compact displays placed on checkout counters, pharmacy counters, or reception desks. Typically 300–500mm tall, they're ideal for small products like confectionery, sachets, cosmetics, and impulse-buy items. Constructed from printed corrugated board or acrylic, CTUs are cost-effective and easy to ship flat-packed for assembly in-store.
Floor Standing Display Units (FSDUs)
Floor standing displays are large, free-standing structures — usually 1200–1800mm tall — that hold and showcase multiple products. Common in supermarkets and modern trade outlets, FSDUs feature shelves, hooks, or compartments. Built from heavy-duty corrugated board (5-ply or 7-ply) with litho-laminated printed graphics, they combine structural strength with high-impact visuals.
Dump Bins
Open-top containers designed for bulk product placement. Customers can easily pick up items — commonly used for snacks, beverages, promotional packs, and seasonal products. Dump bins are typically constructed from printed corrugated board and can hold 20–50 kg of product.
Shelf Talkers & Wobblers
Shelf talkers are small printed cards attached to retail shelf edges, highlighting pricing, offers, or product features. Wobblers are similar but mounted on a flexible plastic strip that creates a bobbing motion, attracting attention in the aisle. Both are printed on 300–400 GSM art card with gloss or matte lamination.
Danglers
Printed display pieces suspended from the ceiling or shelf overhangs. Danglers are highly visible from a distance and create movement that catches the shopper's eye. Generally printed on 300 GSM art card, die-cut into custom shapes, and laminated on both sides for durability.
Standees & Banner Stands
Life-size or large-format printed displays that stand independently on the floor. Standees are among the most popular POS display formats used across India for product launches, movie promotions, retail branding, and trade exhibitions. Detailed standee types are covered in a dedicated section below.
Window Displays
Large-format printed graphics applied to retail window glass using vinyl, static cling film, or backlit translucent media. Window displays transform storefront glass into powerful brand canvases — essential for fashion, jewellery, electronics, and luxury retail.
End Cap Displays
Displays placed at the end of retail aisles — one of the most premium positions in a store. End cap displays combine shelving with printed graphics and are proven to increase product sales by up to 30%. Typically built from corrugated board with litho-laminated premium printing.
Materials Used in POS Display Manufacturing
| Material | Thickness | Durability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrugated Board | 3–7mm (3-ply to 5-ply) | 4–12 weeks | FSDUs, dump bins, counter displays, temporary promotions |
| Foam Board / Foam Core | 5mm, 10mm | 3–6 months | Standees, cutout displays, in-store signage |
| Sunboard (PVC Foam) | 3mm, 5mm, 8mm | 6–12 months | Standees, wall signage, hanging displays, outdoor |
| MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard) | 6mm, 12mm, 18mm | 1–3 years | Permanent retail fixtures, countertop displays |
| Acrylic | 3mm, 5mm, 8mm | 2–5 years | Premium countertop units, product holders, brand fixtures |
| Vinyl (Self-Adhesive) | 80–120 microns | 1–3 years | Window graphics, floor graphics, wall wraps |
Pro tip: For short-term promotions (festive campaigns, product launches, seasonal offers), corrugated board is the most cost-effective option. For semi-permanent or permanent installations, invest in sunboard, MDF, or acrylic.
Printing Methods for POS Displays
Litho-Laminated Corrugated Printing
The gold standard for high-volume POS display printing. The artwork is first printed on art paper using offset lithography (producing sharp CMYK + Pantone colours), then laminated onto corrugated board. This combines the print quality of offset with the structural strength of corrugated — ideal for FSDUs, dump bins, and counter displays in quantities of 500+.
Direct Digital Printing
Digital presses like the HP Indigo print directly onto substrates — perfect for short runs, variable data, and personalised POS materials. Excellent for test campaigns, regional rollouts, and limited-edition promotions where quantities are under 500 units. Quality rivals offset printing with the added advantage of zero plate costs.
Large Format / Wide Format Printing
UV flatbed and eco-solvent printers handle oversized substrates — sunboard, foam board, acrylic, MDF, and vinyl up to 2.5m x 3m. Essential for standees, banner stands, window displays, and wall graphics. UV flatbed printing delivers vibrant, scratch-resistant prints directly onto rigid substrates without lamination.
Screen Printing
Best for printing on non-standard surfaces — plastics, metals, glass, and fabrics. Screen printing delivers thick, opaque ink layers with excellent durability. Often used for permanent POS elements, branded fixtures, and outdoor displays that need weather resistance.
Standee Types: Complete Breakdown
Standees are the most versatile and widely-used POS display format in India. From cinema lobbies to pharma conferences, from retail aisles to corporate receptions, standees deliver maximum brand visibility with minimal cost and setup effort.
Roll-Up Standee (Retractable Banner Stand)
The most popular standee format for corporate and trade use. The printed banner is stored inside an aluminium base cassette and rolls up for display. Standard sizes: 80×200 cm and 85×200 cm. Sets up in 30 seconds — ideal for trade shows, conferences, hotel lobbies, and retail environments. Lifespan: 50+ uses with proper handling.
X-Stand Standee
A lightweight, foldable X-shaped frame holds the printed banner taut using grommets at the four corners. More economical than roll-up stands. Standard sizes: 60×160 cm and 80×180 cm. Perfect for retail stores, pharmacies, and indoor promotional use. The banner is replaceable without buying a new frame.
L-Stand Standee
An L-shaped aluminium frame supports the banner from behind. Slimmer footprint than X-stands, making them ideal for tight spaces — elevator lobbies, clinic reception areas, and narrow retail corridors. Standard sizes: 60×160 cm and 80×180 cm.
Cutout Standee (Life-Size Standee)
Custom die-cut standees printed on 5mm sunboard or 10mm foam board, mounted on a fold-out cardboard strut. Popular for movie promotions, brand mascots, celebrity tie-ups, and product launches. Can be any shape or size — typically 150–200 cm tall. High visual impact but designed for indoor use only.
Design Tips for Effective POS Displays
1. Follow the 3-Second Rule
Shoppers spend an average of just 3 seconds glancing at a display. Your headline, key visual, and brand must communicate the core message instantly. Avoid clutter — prioritise one hero image, one key message, and one call-to-action per display.
2. Use Bold Colours & High Contrast
Retail environments are visually noisy. Use high-contrast colour combinations — dark text on light backgrounds, or white text on deep brand colours. Ensure your display stands out against the surrounding shelf colours and competing products.
3. Design for the Viewing Distance
Match font size to expected viewing distance:
- Shelf talkers (30–50 cm): Minimum 14pt body text
- Counter displays (50–100 cm): Minimum 24pt headline
- Standees (2–5 metres): Minimum 72pt headline
- Floor standing units (3–10 metres): Minimum 100pt headline
4. Include a Clear Call-to-Action
Every POS display should drive action — "Buy Now," "Scan for Offer," "Ask the Chemist," "Try Free Sample." QR codes linking to product pages, AR experiences, or promotional microsites are increasingly effective in the Indian market.
5. Design for Assembly & Logistics
Consider how the display will be shipped, stored, and assembled in-store. Design flat-pack units with clear assembly instructions. Minimise the number of components. Include numbered panels for fool-proof assembly by store staff who may have no training.
Industry Applications
FMCG & Consumer Goods
The largest user segment for POS displays in India. Floor standing units, shelf talkers, wobblers, and dump bins are deployed across modern trade, general trade, and kirana stores for product launches, festive offers, and seasonal campaigns. Typical quantities: 500–50,000 units per campaign.
Pharmaceutical & Healthcare
Counter displays for OTC products, danglers for pharmacy branding, standees for medical conferences, and shelf talkers for wellness product ranges. Pharma POSM requires GMP-compliant printing to ensure accurate colour reproduction of product packaging and regulatory text.
Cosmetics & Personal Care
Premium counter displays in acrylic or MDF, testers, product glorifiers, and window displays for beauty retail. Cosmetics POSM demands exceptional print quality — metallic inks, foil stamping, and spot UV finishes for luxury brand presentation.
Electronics & Consumer Durables
Brand shop-in-shop units, product feature standees, demo counter displays, and end cap installations in electronics retail chains. Often combines printed graphics with product mounting hardware and integrated lighting elements.
Food & Beverage
Menu boards, counter displays for F&B outlets, cooler wraps for beverage brands, table tents for restaurants, and floor graphics for QSR chains. Materials must be food-safe, moisture-resistant, and easy to clean in high-traffic environments.
POS Display Pricing Guide
Indicative pricing for common POS display products in India (2026). Actual prices vary based on quantity, material, size, finishing, and complexity:
| POS Display Type | Material | Price Range (per unit) | MOQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelf Talker | 300 GSM Art Card | ₹5–15 | 500 |
| Wobbler | Art Card + PVC Strip | ₹8–25 | 500 |
| Dangler | 300 GSM + Lamination | ₹10–30 | 500 |
| Counter Display (CTU) | Printed Corrugated | ₹80–300 | 200 |
| Floor Standing (FSDU) | Litho-Laminated Corrugated | ₹350–1,500 | 200 |
| Dump Bin | 5-Ply Corrugated | ₹250–800 | 200 |
| Roll-Up Standee | Vinyl + Aluminium Frame | ₹800–2,500 | 1 |
| X-Stand Standee | Flex/Vinyl + X-Frame | ₹400–1,200 | 1 |
| Cutout Standee (Life-Size) | 5mm Sunboard | ₹500–2,000 | 1 |
| Window Display (Vinyl) | Self-Adhesive Vinyl | ₹150–400/sq.ft | 10 sq.ft |
Prices are indicative for 2026 and subject to change based on material costs, complexity, finishing, and order volume. Contact us for an exact quotation.
Why Choose Hira Print Solutions for POS Display Printing?
Since 1996, Hira Print Solutions has been India's trusted B2B printing partner for brands that demand exceptional quality, reliability, and scale. Here's why leading FMCG, pharma, and retail brands choose us for their POS display and standee printing needs:
- 50,000 sq.ft. integrated facility — Pre-press, printing, finishing, and dispatch under one roof at our Mahape, Navi Mumbai plant
- Manroland 700 offset press — 7-colour offset printing with inline coating for litho-laminated corrugated displays
- HP Indigo digital press — Short-run and variable data printing for personalised POS materials
- Scodix 3D enhancement — Raised UV, foil, and textured effects for premium displays that command attention
- Large format capabilities — UV flatbed and wide-format printing for standees, window graphics, and oversized displays
- Die-cutting & structural design — In-house Esko ArtiosCAD for custom display engineering with 3D prototyping
- ISO 9001:2015 certified — Consistent quality, colour accuracy, and on-time delivery
- FSC-C224680 certified — Sustainable, responsibly sourced materials for eco-conscious brands
- GMP certified — Pharma-grade printing standards for healthcare and pharmaceutical POSM
- Pan-India delivery — Logistics support for multi-city, multi-outlet rollouts across India
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum order quantity for POS display printing?
It depends on the display type and printing method. Large format standees (roll-up, X-stand, cutout) can be ordered in quantities as low as 1 unit. Digitally printed counter displays and small POSM start at 10–25 units. Offset litho-laminated corrugated displays (FSDUs, dump bins) typically require a minimum of 200–500 units for cost efficiency.
How long do POS displays last in a retail environment?
Corrugated displays: 4–12 weeks, ideal for short-term promotions and seasonal campaigns. Sunboard/foam board displays: 3–6 months for semi-permanent installations. Acrylic and MDF displays: 1–3 years for permanent in-store fixtures. Outdoor displays require UV-resistant inks and weather-proof lamination for longevity.
What file format should I provide for POS display printing?
Provide print-ready PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 files in CMYK colour mode. Use 300 DPI resolution for standard displays (150 DPI is acceptable for large format above 4 feet). Include 3mm bleed on all sides and convert all fonts to outlines. For die-cut displays, provide a separate die-line file in vector format (AI or EPS) with the cut path on a dedicated layer.
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