Event prop rental
Event props, rented or produced, to a fixed date.
- Shanghai Xionglan Culture Communication Co., Ltd. (brand: Xionglan Art)
- Shanghai-based workshop · delivery in 67 Chinese cities
- 10 capability groups / 102 individual techniques · design, fabrication and installation in-house
- Phone +86 156 0163 6249 · Mon–Sun 09:00–18:00 (CST)
Event props are chosen on date and reliability as much as appearance: what is available, what can be delivered, and what will look right on the day. We supply both from stock and made-to-order.
Commissioned work in event prop rental normally runs from 6 to 30 m², with 2–8 working days in production from approved drawings. The reference range for this technique is CNY 800–2500 per m², quoted itemised. It sits within our Exhibition & Event Build capability, alongside 7 related techniques, and the 4-point deliverable below is what a commission includes as standard.
When event prop rental is the right answer - and when it is not
Event props and set dressing are chosen where a space must become somewhere else for a defined period. They suit brand events, filming, photography, ceremonies and themed evenings. The design is driven by time and transport: pieces must be built fast, arrive intact, look correct from the camera's angles and disappear cleanly afterwards. The economics are unusual in that the item is never valued for how long it lasts, only for whether it holds up through the shoot and reads correctly in frame, so spending on faces nobody photographs is the most common way this work is overpriced.
How the work is actually carried out
The brief is fixed against the camera angles, since event work is mostly seen through a lens and the reverse of most pieces can be simplified. Construction uses light, transportable materials finished to read correctly on camera rather than to last a decade. Each piece is sized to the vehicle and the door, and labelled for position with a set-up drawing for whoever rigs it. Where an event repeats, storage and reuse are designed in from the start. Surfaces are chosen with camera response in mind, since matte and gloss finishes of the same colour read very differently under event lighting, and any piece that will be handled is given a touch-up kit and a matched paint reference so damage on the day can be dealt with by the crew rather than by us.
Typical applications
Typical specifications
| Options | Stock hire, made-to-order production, or a combination |
|---|---|
| Typical lead time | 3 days for stock, 2-5 weeks for production |
| Logistics | Delivery, on-site assembly and collection included as line items |
| Finishes | Themed, painted, distressed, metallic, illuminated |
| Capability | Exhibition & Event Build |
| Reference range | CNY 800–2500 per m² |
| Techniques in this capability | 8 |
| Coverage | Shanghai base, nationwide delivery, overseas projects on request |
Reference price bands for Event prop rental
Indicative only, based on the scope normally quoted for event prop rental. A firm price follows a site survey and an itemised quotation split into material, labour, finishing, packing and freight.
| Scope | Typical area | Reference total | Unit rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small area | 6–15 m² | CNY 4,800 – CNY 37,500 | approx. CNY 2500/m² |
| Standard area | 15–36 m² | CNY 12,000 – CNY 90,000 | approx. CNY 1650/m² |
| Large area | 36 m² and above | CNY 28,800+ | approx. CNY 800/m² |
Build tiers for event prop rental
Event prop rental is not one product at one size: the table below is the same scope ladder we quote on, so you can see where your project sits before asking for a price.
| Build tier | Typical area | Production days | What changes at this tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 6–30 m² | 3–10 | Up to 30 m², one substrate and one access setup, 3–10 days in the workshop. |
| Tier 2 | 6–30 m² | 3–10 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–10 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 3 | 6–30 m² | 2–7 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 2–7 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 4 | 6–30 m² | 2–7 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 2–7 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 5 | 6–30 m² | 2–7 | 6 m² and above, multiple substrate types and phased access, 2–7 days with a join and numbering plan. |
What we deliver
- Three-dimensional design and floor-plan coordination with the organiser
- Pre-assembly and trial fit in the workshop before shipment
- Structures, graphics, lighting, AV mounting and furniture
- On-site build, opening-day standby and dismantling
Faults we see most often in event prop rental
Each of these is a field failure rather than a workshop one, and each is cheaper to prevent at enquiry stage than to correct after installation.
- Finishing every face to a permanent standard, wasting budget on sides that will never be seen.
- No set-up drawing, so a correctly made set is assembled in the wrong arrangement on the day.
- Building for one occasion when the event runs again, losing the chance to reuse at a fraction of the cost.
What to settle before an overseas project starts
| Shooting angles | Send the shot list or camera plan. It tells us which faces need finishing and which do not. |
|---|---|
| Build window | Tell us how long we have. The work is programmed backwards from the event date and the materials follow the time. |
| Repetition | If the event repeats, say so. Reusable construction costs more now and considerably less on the second occasion. |
Working with us from overseas
Enquiry to installation, one point of contact. Export packing, shipping, commercial terms and quality control →
Design intent and what drives the cost
| Technique | Event prop rental |
|---|---|
| Positioning | Event props, rented or produced, to a fixed date. |
| Floor area normally quoted | 6–30 m² per commission |
| Typical production window | 2–8 working days from approved drawings |
| Main cost drivers | Area and repetition; substrate preparation; detail and modelling time; surface finish; access and working hours |
| What we quote separately | Material, labour, finishing, packing, freight and site measures - each as its own line |
Representative work
Exhibition & Event Build projects photographed on completion.
Exhibition & Event Build — Pop-up store build
Exhibition & Event Build — Custom exhibition stand
Exhibition & Event Build — Photo-op installation
Exhibition & Event Build — Custom exhibition standCommon questions
How does hire compare with buying?
What condition are hired props in?
How early do we need to confirm a stand design?
Discuss event prop rental
Send photographs, drawings or a 3D file with approximate dimensions. You will get a technique recommendation, a reference price band and a production schedule.