Backlit SEG Displays, Explained
October 13, 2026
A backlit display is a light box: a frame with LED lights inside and a printed fabric graphic stretched across the front. Lit from behind, colors look brighter and the graphic stands out from the booths around it. Most backlit displays use SEG fabric graphics. Here's how they work, the choices you'll make and what they cost.
What SEG means
SEG stands for silicone edge graphic. The graphic is printed on polyester fabric by dye sublimation, so the ink becomes part of the fabric. Then a thin silicone strip is sewn around its edge. The frame has a narrow groove around its face. You press the silicone strip into the groove, and the frame pulls the fabric flat and tight. There are no clips or borders, and the picture runs right to the edge of the frame. To change the graphic, you pull the strip out and press in a new one.
How the lighting works
A light box frame is deeper than a regular SEG frame, to leave room for the lights. Depending on the display, the LEDs run around the inside edge of the frame (edge lighting), down the middle on light strips (often called ladder lights), or across the back on panels. The fabric spreads the light so the graphic glows evenly.
Backlit graphics are printed on fabric made for light to pass through. A graphic made for an unlit frame won't work in a light box: the colors look washed out and you can see the lights through it. Order backlit graphics for backlit frames.
Single-sided or double-sided
- Single-sided: your graphic on the front, and a plain white or blockout fabric on the back. The back panel keeps the light inside so the front stays bright. This is the usual choice for a backwall.
- Double-sided: a printed graphic on both faces. Use it for walls, towers and light boxes that can be seen from both sides, such as island booths, lobbies and the end of an aisle.
Types of backlit displays
| Type | Example | Price with graphics |
|---|---|---|
| 10 ft backlit pop-up wall | One Choice Backlit SEG Pop-Up, double-sided | $1,952.31 |
| 10 ft light wall | Lumiere Light Wall, 10' x 7.5' single-sided | $2,755.38 |
| 10 ft backlit pop-up in a case | Backlit Hopup, 10 ft kit | $3,120.20 |
| Freestanding light box | Blaze, 3' x 6' | $2,506.65 |
| Backlit counter | Vector Fast Frame Backlit Counter | $556.06 |
| Lit banner stand | Spotlight LED Retractable, two banners | $749.24 |
You don't need to light the whole booth to get the effect. A backlit counter or one light box beside an unlit backwall draws the eye for much less than a full backlit wall.
Power at the show
Backlit displays need an outlet. Electricity usually isn't included with booth space, so order it from the show's electrical contractor before the deadline, and note on the order where in the booth you need the outlet. Some displays can share power: up to three Spotlight LED stands run from one outlet with their connector cords.
Height and shipping
- Height: in an in-line booth, many shows cap displays at 8 ft. A 10' x 7.5' light wall fits under that; the 10' x 10' version is 10 ft tall and suits island booths or shows that allow it.
- Shipping: backlit displays are heavier than unlit ones because of the lights and deeper frames. Many come with a bag or a hard case, and the largest ship by freight. Each product page says how it ships.
Changing graphics later
Because SEG graphics press in and pull out, a light box can carry a new message each season. Replacement graphics are sold on their own; for example, a single-sided replacement for the 10' x 7.5' Lumiere is $243.08. We send a template for the exact frame, and you approve a proof before anything prints.
Browse all backlit displays, light boxes and backlit graphics, see our lit picks, or compare backlit and unlit walls in our backwall guide.
Prices are as of October 2026 and include printed graphics. Shipping and tax are added at checkout.