IOS 6 allows the owner to lock the iPad to a single page, feature or app and disable other features such as links, in app purchases or navigating the web without a passcode.

A great feature for parents who want to have more control over their children’s iPad sessions and limit access to web browsing, block websites and stop in app purchases that can be costly. It’s also handy to stop guests users deleting apps and accounts.

Another great use for locked and controlled access is if the iPad is used for business; either by employees or visitors. Our iPad display floor stands have open Home button access, so guiding guests to only use the page / features you want has many benefits. After all, you don’t want guests to your stand to be using Facebook or viewing competitor's information.

IOS 6 finally added a new feature that lets you lock the iPad to a single app so guests or children cannot open other apps and even allows certain areas of the screen to be disabled (Internet Search box for example)

The new Guided Access mode is simple to set up and works with any app or page.

Here’s how to lock the iPad home button and screen in IOS 6 for blocking certain areas of the screen for touch input:

With the Ipad turned on, open Settings

In Settings, tap General and scroll down to Accessibility at the bottom of the list

Select Guided Access by tapping screen and toggle the switch to on

Tap Set Passcode and enter your chosen 4 digit passcode. Avoid easy ones like 1,2,3,4. Record the Passcode – you will need it later.

You will prompted on screen to re-enter the password for confirmation.

Guided Access is now ready to use on any screen or app.

Open an app or web page and enable Guided Access by triple tapping the home button. This needs to be done fairly quicky.

You will then be presented with the Guided Access settings screen. Here you can disable touch and motion control (disables the accelerometer so iPad screen can be locked in landscape or portrait mode). You can also disable access to certain areas of the screen here. Simply draw around the section you wish to disable and block access with your finger. A simple line is drawn as you do this. Join up the line you have drawn and a chevron box section appears that you can adjust afterwards.

In the example below, we have XL Displays iPad display stand page locked for presentation. The Safari search boxes are locked off; viewers can only navigate around the website and view products but all other web access is disabled.

Tap Start at the top right of the screen to enter full screen mode for your locked app or page.

To exit Guided Access, triple tap on the home button and enter the passcode you set. Tap End at the top left of the screen to resume normal operation.

This reverts the iPad back to normal mode. Just one caveat here, if you hold down the Home button and Power button together, this restarts the iPad back to the main screen. If you have a passcode set up for normal entry then it's no problem. If not, this will disable Guided Access. Good to know if you forgot the guided access password.

In a presentation or marketing environment the locking off of other iPad features in a huge benefit. You can have the iPad running promotional videos or demonstrations uninterrupted, webstore apps or websites can be locked so sales staff don't get distracted and guests are locked into your page only.

Finally the iPad can be used as business tool and when you take it home the children can use it, with you safe in the knowledge that it is being used for apps you can control.

Any questions? Give us a call on: 01733 511030 or email at: sales@xldisplays.co.uk

For an innovate range of iPad displays stands, floor stands, kiosks and stands buy from XL Displays: http://www.xldisplays.co.uk/categories/iPad-Display-Stands/

Linked pop-up display stands are an excellent choice, offering many shapes and layouts for your display.  Being a pop-up design, this flexible type of exhibition stand offers maximum coverage using a minimal amount of equipment.  The system links together with the clever use of ghost panels giving a seamless appearance.  You are able to use double-sided graphics with this type of display stand.  As an added bonus, at the end of your event, you are able to collapse down the whole stand and pop it into the wheeled portable carry case provided.  Nothing could be simpler.

Another choice of exhibition stand is the sleek and classy Aero modular display system, which includes 3 roller banners.  This smart, modular display system is lightweight and comes with its own carry bag.  The display consists of 3 single-sided pull-down roller banners which are mounted on telescopic support posts and bases, and also comes with two mounting points for spot or floodlighting.  The banner sizes are two measuring 1000mm wide and one banner measuring 1500mm wide.  There is a choice of three fixed visible graphic heights measuring 1010mm, 1510mm and 2010mm.

If your requirement is for a modular display system you would like customised, the Linear Exhibition System makes an impressive statement.  This system offers a whole host of accessories that will complement the display such as table tops, lights, literature holders, media flat screens, etc.  Using a range of aluminium profiles, you will be able to reconfigure your layout to ensure your display will fit nicely into any space.

When you are at your exhibition or trade venue, it’s always a good idea to take leaflets with you to offer to your potential customers or passers-by, allowing them to read all about your business.  Leaflet dispensers come in a range of shapes and sizes to accommodate your leaflets. 

The stylish 10-Up Deluxe 10 pocket leaflet dispenser is a great choice as it is designed with 10 pocket dispensers that can accommodate A4 sized leaflets and is supplied in three sections for ease of transportation in its own carry case.  A funky collapsible design called the Zed-Up Lite A4 Leaflet Dispenser is another great display offering 6 pockets, double-sided clear acrylic shelves and comes with a heavy duty locking case.  This highly portable dispenser is of anodised aluminium construction which is finished in a silver colour.

If you prefer an A3 literature stand, the Zed-Up Lite could well be the one for you.  This smart, stylish stand has double-sided, clear acrylic shelves that ensure your literature is seen to its full potential.  The stand also comes with a heavy duty locking case.  The stand is anodised aluminium finished with a silver colour and will enhance your exhibition display.

No matter how big or small your allocated space is at an exhibition or trade fair, you can be sure that the visitors will make a bee-line for your sleek and beautiful display.

Most of us use the A4 sized paper on a day to day basis for producing letters, etc, but here is a list of ‘A’ sizes explained for your use:

For larger sheets of paper, there are the following sizes:

- A0/A1/A2/A3 sized paper can be used for posters and drawings, etc
- A4 sized paper is the most popular for the use of letters, etc
- A5 sized paper is generally used for flyers or leaflets due to their handy size
- A6 sized paper is the international postcard size
- A7 sized is generally used for labels
- A8 sized is mostly used for business cards

When considering the thickness of your paper, this is known as GSM, or Grams per Square Metre. The most popular thickness of paper used for everyday printing on A4 paper is 80gsm. The thicker the paper, the higher the number GSM it will be, and obviously the thicker the paper, the more it will generally cost.

If you are considering having leaflets or flyers printed, then 150-170gsm would be an ideal thickness, as this thickness of paper is a little more robust.

For front and back covers of brochures, you would normally choose 200-300gsm.

For your business cards, 300gsm is usually used.

In general terms, if you take an A4 piece of paper and fold it over once, this will equate to an A5 sized sheet of paper, and if you take an A5 sheet of paper and fold it once, this will equate to an A6 sized sheet of paper, and so on. The paper measurements are determined by halving the measurement of the preceding one.

The most popular table used for exhibitions or trade shows is the humble trestle table.  Although serviceable, the trestle table is not the most attractive item of furniture.  To improve the look of your display area, a great enhancement is to use a printed table cloth which will cover the length of the table with a drop on all sides.  The colour or colours you choose will be your decision, but most people like to use their personal logo or the name of their company or society on the cloth.  Ensuring your colours will stand out will help attract the visitor to your display, along with having your logo or the name of your company or society on the front drop of your printed table cloth. 

The most popular sizes of table cloths are 1000mm x 2000mm and 1780mm x 2750mm, although printed table cloths can be made to order.  The table cloths are generally made from a hardwearing polyester and cotton mix and are hemmed to ensure that the product is of the highest quality.  You are able to have the colour of your choice and if your colour is non-standard, you are able to have your own pantone colour.  The table cloth is machine washable at a low temperature on a short wash cycle and you are able to iron the cloth on the reverse.  Do not dry clean or tumble dry.  Striking logos can look stunning on a table cloth with a mix of the right colours.

Often used as accent pieces, having a couple of table runners on top of your printed table cloth can just finish off the look of your table display.  Again, these can be made from the same material as the table cloth, polyester and cotton mix, with hemmed edges and are washable at a low temperature and ironed on the reverse.  Your logo or company name can be printed onto the runners for that extra panache and can really complement your table display.  The most popular size of runner is 1000mm x 2000mm, although these can be bespoke. Most people like to choose the opposite colour to the table cloth for their runners to make them stand out.

Printed table cloths can certainly add a classy touch to your display especially if using rich vibrant colours and attractive designs as well as adding aesthetic value.  The visually appealing displays can entice the visitor to your display and you will probably enjoy harmonising your colours to achieve that perfect display.

Take a look at colours and see which ones sit together well without clashing. I’m sure you will be able to choose a great display to show off your products or services to their best advantage.

Do you have the same notice board that has been on display for years? Now may be the time to invest in a coloured outdoor notice board that will attract the attention of the passer-by, encouraging them to take a look.

No longer do you have to put up with grey metal framed notice boards with a backing of green felt (although they are very serviceable) when you can choose from a variety of frames in coloured aluminium or timber, together with a brightly coloured felt backing.

Coloured outdoor notice boards are lockable, vandal-proof and weather-resistant and the frames come in a variety of finishes such as mahogany, oak and beech finishes and coloured aluminium. To complement your frame you can choose from felt backing in a range of colours that can really stand out. Alternatively, you could always choose a cork backing. The choice is yours.

When choosing a coloured outdoor notice board you may like to choose a notice board that has sliding doors instead of the one or two opening doors, or you may decide you would rather have a magnetic board which eliminates the need for pinning your paperwork or leaflets to the back of the board.

If you need to display a message or advertisement in your coloured outdoor notice board, go for a striking image that will make the right impact and draw the onlooker’s eyes to the board. Using bright colours can be a good idea along with a funky design, but try not to let the colours clash!
These days, you can even have an antibacterial pin board that eliminates 99.9% of bacteria.

If you are looking into purchasing a rail-mounted coloured outdoor notice board, these come in a variety of sizes and you can choose to have a lift-up polycarbonate door with hidden security lock and door stays that are vandal-proof. These types of notice boards are great if you do not have enough space for post or wall mounting.

If you are extremely environmentally friendly, you can also purchase a recycled notice board and be happy in the knowledge that you are doing your bit for the planet.

To help spice up your notice board you could perhaps choose a dry wipe, magnetic notice board with sliding doors that have toughened glass. These can be used with dry wipe markers.

Whether you choose a ritzy red, subtle silver, bold bronze or glitzy green frame, your new coloured outdoor notice board is sure to attract attention and encourage people to stop and take a peek at what is being advertised.

2012 is the year of the London Olympic Games and the Diamond Jubilee of HM The Queen. Will you be celebrating this year? If so, you may like to invest in a new coloured outdoor notice board and display your events for all to see.

If you have never thought of investing in an outdoor notice board for your visual marketing or to advertise upcoming events, perhaps now is the time to think about it.

A really good idea for an outdoor notice board is the type that features an LED lighting system.  These are extremely useful if you require your board to have that extra visual impact.  Being environmentally-friendly, they use approximately 30% less electricity than the classical fluorescent tube lighting systems.  These notice boards are a popular choice as they remain maintenance-free for approximately 100,000 hours.  The notice boards have an extremely strong framework, with a lock and hinge system that is vandal-proof.  They come in a range of standard colours, but if you wish to have a bespoke notice board, then this is no problem.  You have a choice of having them fitted either portrait or landscape. These systems are also waterproof, ensuring that no rainwater will seep into the display.

If you work in a restaurant, pub or retail outlet, a popular outdoor notice board is the A-frame wooden chalk board that can be displayed outside your premises.  These boards are inexpensive and can be used time after time as you are able to just wipe them clean when you wish to change the information on them.  They are of solid wood construction and are durable and come with a locking stay.  And you don’t have to stick to white chalk – you can use different coloured chalks to jazz up your board.  Offering advertising on both sides of the board, these wooden chalk boards are definitely worth thinking about and as for storage of the board, they take up so little room when folded flat that if you are a bit short on space, it would be ideal.

Another idea for an outdoor notice board is the aluminium and steel A-frame board where you can insert a poster of your choice.  This is another inexpensive way to advertise.  The strong framework construction is weatherproof and offers locking leg stays and an anti-reflective display.  Once you have your posters ready, you can easily pop them in the snap open and close display and for storage purposes again, this type of display closes flat and takes up very little space.Have you ever thought about having a robust swinging pavement outdoor notice board?  These are a great idea and made of heavy-duty construction and have small wheels at the base of the board for easy manoeuvrability.  The base of the sign can be filled with water or sand for extra stability and you are able to insert a poster either side of the aluminium snap frames.  These tough outdoor notice boards are an ideal purchase and way of advertising.

Whichever outdoor notice board you decide to purchase, don’t forget to choose bright summer colours for your designs that will really attract the eye of the passer-by.