Fonts

Vertical displays are important to a good silent auction display. Acrylic stands are an excellent option, but if you don’t like the look of those stands or if you have more manpower than financial power, here are some options.

Option 1: Oversized Vertical Displays

One auction team printed item descriptions in large font on standard 8.5″ X 11″ white paper. They glued the white paper to a heavier-weight colored paper (a posterboard-type of material) and cut the posterboard slightly larger than the white paper in order to give the description a colored edge. They fabricated a stand-up template from the same posterboard and glued it to the back of the “frame” to ensure the entire description would stand on the table.

The effort involved considerable manpower and the cost of the posterboard was more than purchasing an acrylic stand, but they wanted to have an oversized look and achieved it through this process. Because the description was in large font and the entire white paper was secured to an oversized “frame,” guests found descriptions easy to read as they walked by the tables.

Option2: Standard-sized Vertical Displays

One auction team used heavier-stock paper to create each vertical display, but opted to keep the size a standard 8.5″ x 11.” The paper came with an attached stand-up prop on its backside which folded out, similar to what one might see on a photo frame. The team printed out the item description on standard 8.5″ x 11″ paper and secured it to the paper frame. It was ready to be displayed on the silent auction tables.

Option 3: Half-sized Vertical Displays

Fold a standard 8.5″ X 11″ sheet in half, and you’ve got a ready-to-stand vertical descriptive sheet. A descriptive title in large font should be on the paper (such as “Two Nights at Hotel ABC”) with the full description of the item (including any restrictions) written on the bid sheet.

Want to see PHOTOS of the displays just described? Visit http://www.redappleauctions.com/silent-auctions/vertical-displays-without-acrylic-stands/ While there, you can sign up to receive Sherry Truhlar’s popular “What Sold Great in 2008″ Auction Item Guide and weekly Ezine. The Guide features 100+ of the top-selling items Sherry sold in benefit auctions around the country last year. Sign up at http://www.RedAppleAuctions.com