How to Prepare College & University Display Solutions in 2026

Why 2026 Planning Matters for Universities

University display solutions are an important part of your 2026 inventory planning. The modern campus requires a wide variety of displays—from directional signage to classroom organization to campus communication—and those displays need to be durable, modern, and scalable across large facilities. In addition, they need to share your academic brand to create cohesive campus communications that will help to improve student enrollment and retention. Increased campus events, orientation sessions, student recruitment, and departmental showcases all add up to the success of the institution. By supporting current and prospective students and making them feel they’re an integral part of the campus community, the school improves student retention.

While it sounds like a lot, it’s not. Especially when you partner with shopPOPdisplays for your 2026 higher-ed display solutions. Below, we’ve outlined how to determine your display needs and the types of displays available, and share current campus trends and budgeting tips to get you started today.

Assessing Campus Needs: Where Inventory Gaps Usually Appear

The first step when selecting university display solutions is to determine the needs of your campus. The list below shows common areas where you can level up and the products that will help.

Common University Hotspots Needing Updated Displays

• Admissions and Welcome Centers: Wayfinding signage, banners and flags, information tables, digital kiosks, display pedestals
• Student Centers and Campus Unions: Literature holders, sign holders for flyers, newspaper and publication holders, suggestion box and ballot boxes, art and literature holders
• Lecture Halls and Classrooms: Floor-standing and tabletop lecterns, barriers and shields, and classroom dividers
• Libraries and Learning Labs: Barriers and shields, newspaper and publication holders, pamphlet and brochure holders, wall-mounted sign holders, counter mats, wooden tables and shelving
• Athletic Departments and Recreation Centers: Custom banners and flags, A-frame signage, sports display cases, trophy display cases, barriers, literature holders, countertop signs and displays for concession stands
• Art Galleries & Science Labs: Floor-standing and wall-mounted display pedestals, acrylic risers, display boxes, barriers, poster frames, art and literature holders, art display racks
• Dining Halls, Cafés & Bookstores: Magazine holders, newspaper and publication holders, pamphlet and brochure holders, acrylic countertop displays, flat-pack countertop and floor-standing displays
• Event Spaces and Outdoor Quads: Outdoor display pedestals, floor-standing signs, banners, flags, and portable displays

Essential Display Solutions for Universities in 2026

Campus Communication and Wayfinding

A combination of traditional and digital signage will aid students (and parents and professors) attending on-campus events from orientation to commencement and everything in between.

• Sign holders, poster stands, and frames. Communication needs to stand out in high-traffic corridors of campuses. Sign holders and poster frames can place event announcements right where you need them. Floor-standing signs can be easily employed to direct visitors to specific rooms and areas, such as registration tables, restrooms, auditoriums, etc. They can also contain layouts of the academic building to guide students.
• Directory holders and custom signage for large campuses. Digital signage conveys a variety of information, from campus maps, room numbers, department offices, laboratories, cafeterias, sports facilities, and more. A digital display tower with a touchscreen can help students, staff, and visitors search for a specific location in a large campus.
• Information displays for orientation, move-in, and campus tours. Portable displays can be used for less frequent events, such as orientation, move-in day, and campus tours. Floor-standing signs, flags, and flat-packed displays such as tables and countertop displays for registration.

Academic & Departmental Displays

While high tech has taken over higher-ed campuses, old-school displays still have their place in educational settings. The proof: these university display solutions:

• Organization in administrative areas. Literature holders for brochures, course guides, and program sheets, placed in common areas in administrative offices (bursars, financial aid, etc.) and near professor offices, can hold handy information for students to take and refer to later.
• Acrylic in the classroom. Wall-mounted frame holders can display classroom numbers or professor names, acrylic bins can hold shared student supplies in the classroom, and barriers for tables in labs.
• Countertop and collapsible displays for study areas. Sign holders and counter mats can display library information, such as the circulation or resource desk, tutoring hours and areas, and directional signage. Flat-packed side tables from our Woodland Collection can be easily set up (no tools needed) and used for quiet nooks in the library or in tutoring centers.

Events, Ceremonies & Campus Showcases

Shore up some school pride with creative displays focused on your students’ accomplishments.

• Pedestals for art exhibitions, student showcases, museums, and galleries. Display pedestals show off students’ artwork. Available in an array of finishes and sizes, display pedestals enhance students’ work in a professional manner. Covered pedestals add further protection to fine art while wall-mounted pedestals take advantage of wall space in a gallery. A Mobile Art Displays Rack can hold up to 50 art protectors measuring 24 x 36. The sleek rack’s mobile and modern design allows artwork to be easily and safely transported from studio to campus gallery or campus bookstore.
• Custom printed displays for commencements, alumni events, and recruitment. Banners can be custom printed with the graduation year for commencement or alumni events. Custom printed banners can welcome incoming freshman with their class year as well. Pop-up counters are lightweight and portable and their sturdy aluminum frames fold down easily for quick setup and breakdown, making them ideal for recruitment days. They can also be custom-ordered in any color and printing. Use them as registration tables, recruitment events, or even to hold light refreshments at alumni events.
• Fabric displays and banners for branding student fairs, club expos, and donor events. Hang a custom-printed banner in school colors to welcome all to the event. High-quality laser printing can promote the school’s logo, club name, or sponsor’s name. Promote activities and athletics with banners and flags that can be easily set up and be seen; then easily stored afterward.

Display Cases, Storage & Durable Solutions

Traditional solutions for campus display help showcase student awards, bookstore merchandise, and events all year long.

• A variety of locking display cases spotlight awards, trophies, artifacts, and student work. Beyond current students’ work, you can create a hall of fame with trophy display cases; display items from the institution’s history, share finds and artifacts from student excursions, and share awards earned by students in particular schools. This creates a sense of community among the entire student body, regardless of major.
• Acrylic boxes for retail-style campus stores or bookstore featured products. Outfit your students’ campus stores with high-quality displays that move school merchandise. A sleek retail display with acrylic boxes that showcase custom products in the campus bookstore. Countertop dump bins can offer small purchases such as candy, lip balm, and custom-printed merch like keychains and drink koozies. Countertop frames can announce promotions in the bookstore or special menu items in the café.
• RTA (Ready-to-Assemble) cases for easy transport, secure storage, and event mobility. The Woodland Park Collection features an array of ready-to-assemble displays that easily collapse for flat-pack storage. Bonus: the natural wood color complements all décor. The collection includes counters, floor-standing shelving, counter-top step displays, podiums, side tables, and even a 4-tier champagne wall for events.

What’s Trending on College Campuses for 2026

Above are just a few of the displays available at shopPOPdisplays to provide a sense of how we can help you update your displays. Beyond the practical applications of our products, our university display solutions also tap into the following key trends for college campuses in 2026.

• Clean and modern. The minimal aesthetic is still in—especially for creating functional, public spaces. Modern, clean acrylic displays provide a minimal aesthetic across campuses.
• Elevated natural finishes. Our Woodland Park Collection, in a natural wood finish, blends into any décor. The pieces are also very durable and perfect for university galleries, lounges, libraries, and more.
• Interactive mixed-media display spaces. Pairing digital and physical signage delivers the best of both worlds. Digital signage can be easily updated and easily read by students for seamless, up-to-the-minute communication. Physical signage, such as posters and signs, demands attention from their graphic treatment signaling urgent attention.
• Cohesive branding. Even higher-ed institutions benefit from branding. Consistent branding across departments will help solidify a sense of belonging among the student body and faculty. This helps to instill collegiate pride and retain students and faculty. shopPOPdisplays offers in-house printing and fabrication to help you create custom branding solutions.
• Sustainability and durable, long-lasting materials. Responsibly sourced materials are built to last (for example, recycled acrylics and reclaimed wood) are cost-effective over the long term. The durability and flexibility of shopPOPdisplays’ Woodland Collection allow you to use these displays year after year.

Customization for University Branding

Customization goes beyond varsity jackets and sports jerseys. University display solutions can help show school pride by branding custom signage. Branding can be influential in recruiting students and keeping school spirit high while creating a cohesive messaging strategy.

• School colors, logos, and mascots can be laser printed on signage, flags, table covers, pedestals, acrylic boxes, flat-pack displays, and more!
• Custom directional signage in branded colors can be created for events, conferences, orientations, and commencements.
• Branded displays for athletic departments, alumni centers, and fundraising events draw attention. Banners and flags with the university name or sports team make an unforgettable statement for spectators.

Budgeting Tips for 2026 Procurement Cycles

Order early, order in bulk if you can, and order for the long haul when purchasing in 2026. Here’s what else to consider:

• Determine your needs across departments.
• Create a relationship with a display vendor, such as shopPOPdisplays, that can help you customize and make your university display solutions.
• Organize your purchasing by taking advantage of bulk ordering for multiple departments. It’s cost-effective and convenient for inventory budgets.
• Consider made-to-order displays that support long-term reusability and sustainability. Look for long-term value with durable displays that have a long lifespan and offer sustainability. Add in features that make them easy to store when not in use and easy to set up when you need them (flat-pack and collapsible displays)
• Order early to align with university fiscal calendars. For instance, if you have a surplus before the fiscal year ends (typically June 30), it’s beneficial to order ahead of the 2026/2027 fiscal year, using the current year’s budget for next year’s needs.

Conclusion

We hope these ideas can help you get started on your inventory planning for 2026. By planning now, you’ll be prepared to purchase everything you need for university displays—within your budget and with confidence—using a trusted partner like shopPOPdisplays. By updating your university displays, you’ll streamline campus communication, enhance event presentation, and elevate campus branding. Explore campus-ready display solutions designed for colleges and universities at shopPOPdisplays today.