What are PDQ displays made of?

2025-09-18

With the continuous evolution of the retail environment, PDQ displays have become an indispensable merchandise display tool at retail outlets. Due to their lightweight, environmentally friendly design, and ease of customization and printing, PDQ displays are widely used in supermarkets, convenience stores, pharmacies, and various other retail outlets.


This article will provide a comprehensive understanding of PDQ cardboard displays and answer the core question: "What are PDQ displays made of?"

PDQ displays

What are PDQ displays?

PDQ stands for "Pretty Darn Quick" or "Product Display Quick," meaning a display box that quickly displays merchandise. PDQ displays are primarily made of cardboard, formed through a process of folding, splicing, and gluing. They are used to display merchandise at retail outlets. Compared to traditional displays, PDQ displays are smaller and lighter, making them ideal for displaying merchandise on tabletops, on top of shelves, or at checkout counters.


The core features of PDQ cardboard displays include:

    • Quick display: Their simple design and quick assembly allow retailers to quickly arrange merchandise.

    • Efficient Display: Compact and convenient for displaying a single product or promotional merchandise, improving sales efficiency.

    • Environmentally Friendly and Lightweight: Made of cardboard, it's lightweight, easy to handle and transport, and recyclable.

    • Branding: The surface can be printed in color to enhance visual marketing and boost brand recognition.


What materials are used in PDQ cardboard displays?

1. Cardboard Types

The primary material used in PDQ cardboard displays is cardboard, which comes in a variety of types, depending on load capacity, usage scenario, and printing requirements. Common materials include:


    • Corrugated cardboard: The most commonly used cardboard type, composed of a composite of face paper and corrugated core paper, offers excellent load-bearing capacity and compressive strength. Corrugated cardboard can be single-wall or double-walled to accommodate products of varying weights. PDQ cardboard displays typically use single-walled corrugated cardboard to maintain portability and foldability while maintaining sufficient load-bearing capacity.

    • Grayboard (thick cardboard): Used in high-end or small PDQ displays. Gray cardboard has a strong texture and a smooth surface, making it suitable for high-precision printing and high-quality displays.

    • White cardboard or coated paper: Used for surface printing or partial decoration, often combined with corrugated cardboard. They offer excellent printability and can display a rich variety of colors and patterns.


2. Glues and Adhesives

PDQ cardboard displays often require adhesives during the folding and splicing process to ensure structural stability. Commonly used adhesives include:


    • PVA white latex: Environmentally friendly, with strong adhesion, suitable for bonding between cardboards.

    • Hot melt adhesive: Suitable for quick fixation, improving assembly efficiency.


3. Surface Printing and Coating Materials

PDQ cardboard displays are often printed and coated to enhance visual appeal and durability. Common surface treatments include:


    • Offset or flexographic printing: Suitable for mass production and vibrant colors.

    • Lamination or gloss film treatment: Protects the printed surface, resists moisture and abrasion, and improves the durability of the display.

    • UV coating: Enhances gloss and stain resistance, enhancing store appeal.

PDQ cardboard displays

PDQ Cardboard Displays: Design and Structural Features

PDQ cardboard display designs prioritize practicality and visual merchandising effectiveness. Their structural features are primarily reflected in the following aspects:


1. Folding Design

PDQ displays typically feature a folding structure, allowing for flat-lay transportation and storage. Retailers can quickly unfold and assemble them upon arrival, without the need for tools. This folding design not only reduces shipping costs but also adapts to a variety of display scenarios.


2. Multi-Tier or Stepped Display

PDQ cardboard displays can be designed as single-tier or multi-tiered structures, sometimes featuring a stepped layout to enhance product visibility and display effectiveness. The stepped design is particularly suitable for displaying small snacks, cosmetics, or promotional items.


3. Visual Merchandising Space

PDQ cardboard displays typically feature extensive printed space on the front, back, and sides for brand logos, promotional messages, or graphic designs. This combination of color, pattern, and text enhances visual impact and sales appeal.


4. Modularity and Combinability

Some PDQ displays feature modular designs, allowing them to be stacked or combined to create larger display units. The modular design not only increases display flexibility but also allows retailers to adjust the layout to meet store needs.

cardboard displays

PDQ Cardboard Displays: Features and Benefits

1. Cost Advantage

PDQ cardboard displays are made of cardboard, which is economical to produce and can be mass-produced. Compared to plastic or metal displays, cardboard displays are more suitable for short-term promotions, holiday events, or seasonal merchandise, helping retailers effectively control costs.


2. Portable and Easy to Transport

PDQ cardboard displays are lightweight, making them easy to carry and quickly deploy. Their portability makes them suitable for a variety of display locations, such as checkout counters, top shelves, or in store aisles, enhancing display flexibility.


3. Environmentally Friendly and Recyclable

PDQ cardboard displays are made of renewable paper and can be recycled or reused after use, meeting the environmental requirements of the modern retail industry and enhancing a company's image.


4. Effective Visual Merchandising

Through full-color printing and structural design, PDQ cardboard displays attract consumers' attention, highlight product selling points and brand information, and increase purchase conversion rates.


5. Versatile Displays

PDQ cardboard displays can be used for:


    • Tabletop displays for small items

    • Cashier counter promotional displays

    • Aisle promotions or new product displays


Their flexible size and structural design make them suitable for a wide range of product types, from snacks, beverages, cosmetics, to small electronics.


6. Easy Assembly and Transport

The foldable structure and lightweight cardboard material make PDQ displays easy to transport, saving logistics costs. They can be quickly assembled manually upon arrival in the store, without the need for additional tools, improving display efficiency.

PDQ displays

What are the applications for PDQ cardboard displays?

PDQ cardboard display racks are widely used in the retail industry, covering a variety of merchandise and sales scenarios:


1. Supermarkets and convenience stores

    • Used to display lightweight items such as snacks, candy, beverages, and daily necessities

    • Placed at checkout counters or in aisles to increase impulse purchases


2. Pharmacies and cosmetics stores

    • Ideal for displaying small pharmaceutical, skincare, and cosmetic samples

    • Height-adjustable stepped design facilitates browsing


3. Temporary promotions

    • Suitable for holiday promotions, new product launches, and limited-time events

    • Folds for transportation and easy assembly, allowing for quick setup and removal


4. Professional retail chains

    • Standardized production ensures consistent display across stores

    • Modular and modular design adapts to different store layouts


PDQ cardboard display racks: Transportation and installation features

1. Transportation advantages

    • Folding design saves shipping space

    • Lightweight and easy to handle, reducing logistics costs


2. Easy installation

    • Modular structure allows for quick manual assembly

    • Adjustable height, combination, and placement to suit store needs


3. Reusable

    • Remains structurally intact after multiple assembly and disassembly

    • Customizable display themes can be achieved by changing the printed surface, extending its lifespan


PDQ Cardboard Display Stands' Professional Design Details

1. Adjustable Load Capacity

By increasing the cardboard thickness or corrugated core, PDQ cardboard displays can accommodate varying weights, meeting the display needs of everything from light snacks to medium-weight daily necessities.


2. Anti-Tipping Design

A well-designed base width and back reinforcement ensure PDQ displays are stable and reliable during display, preventing the risk of tipping.


3. High Space Utilization

PDQ cardboard displays utilize stepped or tiered designs to maximize limited display space, improving shelf or tabletop space in stores.


4. Printing and Branding

Surface printing and color matching can align with the brand image, creating a visual identity system that enhances consumer brand recall and purchase intent.


Need a reliable cardboard display supplier in China?

Caiyijie Printing, established in 2002 in Foshan, China, is a leading manufacturer and wholesale supplier of custom retail displays. Covering 20,000 square meters with 180 employees, we specialize in Cardboard Floor Displays, Hook Displays, Sidekick Displays, Pallet Displays, PDQ Boxes, Dumpbins, Cutouts, and Large Packaging Boxes. Our services include bulk purchasing, discount pricing, and customized solutions for global brands.

Get the latest price? We will reply as soon as possible (within 12 hours)