--- title: What can I expect from the retail display prototyping process? description: At Franklin, creating your point-of-purchase display begins with function, form, fit, and finish, which are all crucial to successful visual merchandising. image: https://new.franklindisplay.com/hubfs/ftr-06_1400x1120_Frankling-Blog-FourFs-01.png --- [![img-logo@2x-1](https://new.franklindisplay.com/hs-fs/hubfs/img-logo@2x-1.png?width=299&height=54&name=img-logo@2x-1.png)](https://franklindisplay.com/) - [ABOUT](https://franklindisplay.com/about) - [ABOUT US](https://franklindisplay.com/about) - [SUSTAINABILITY](https://franklindisplay.com/sustainability) - [METAL COMPONENT FABRICATION](https://franklindisplay.com/about/metal-component-fabrication) - PROCESS - [PLANNING & DESIGN](https://franklindisplay.com/process/planning-design) - [ENGINEERING & PROTOTYPING](https://franklindisplay.com/process/engineering-prototyping) - [MANUFACTURING](https://franklindisplay.com/process/manufacturing) - [MATERIALS & FINISHING](https://franklindisplay.com/process/materials-finishing) - [ASSEMBLY & PACKING](https://franklindisplay.com/process/assembly-packing) - [WAREHOUSING & LOGISTICS](https://franklindisplay.com/process/warehousing-logistics) - WORK - [CASE STUDIES](https://franklindisplay.com/work/case-studies) - [GALLERY](https://franklindisplay.com/work/gallery) - [CAREERS](https://franklindisplay.com/careers) - [CONTACT](https://franklindisplay.com/contact) - [BLOG](https://new.franklindisplay.com/blog) - [ABOUT](https://franklindisplay.com/about) - [ABOUT US](https://franklindisplay.com/about) - [SUSTAINABILITY](https://franklindisplay.com/sustainability) - [METAL COMPONENT FABRICATION](https://franklindisplay.com/about/metal-component-fabrication) - PROCESS - [PLANNING & DESIGN](https://franklindisplay.com/process/planning-design) - [ENGINEERING & PROTOTYPING](https://franklindisplay.com/process/engineering-prototyping) - [MANUFACTURING](https://franklindisplay.com/process/manufacturing) - [MATERIALS & FINISHING](https://franklindisplay.com/process/materials-finishing) - [ASSEMBLY & PACKING](https://franklindisplay.com/process/assembly-packing) - [WAREHOUSING & LOGISTICS](https://franklindisplay.com/process/warehousing-logistics) - WORK - [CASE STUDIES](https://franklindisplay.com/work/case-studies) - [GALLERY](https://franklindisplay.com/work/gallery) - [CAREERS](https://franklindisplay.com/careers) - [CONTACT](https://franklindisplay.com/contact) - [BLOG](https://new.franklindisplay.com/blog) # Understanding the Four F’s of Retail Display Prototyping [Franklin Display Group](https://new.franklindisplay.com/blog/author/franklin-display-group) Jun 25, 2026 10:50:59 AM   Franklin’s consultative approach to creating custom displays begins with the four F’s of retail display prototyping: function, form, fit, and finish. Our in-house team works with you to carefully consider each of the four F’s during the prototyping process, delving into the specifics of your display’s needs. [Forbes predicts that just 23% of retail sales will take place online by 2027](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/ecommerce-statistics/), and [Capital One shares that 80.8% of U.S. retail sales happen in brick-and-mortar stores](https://capitaloneshopping.com/research/online-vs-in-store-shopping-statistics/). The in-person shopping experience remains crucial to your consumers. At Franklin, our fully in-house team is here to help you leave a lasting impression with your display, beginning with a deep dive on the four F’s.   ![CAD files on a computer at Franklin Display](https://new.franklindisplay.com/hs-fs/hubfs/inc-05_2240x800_Frankling-Blog_CustomDisplay-01.webp?width=2240&height=800&name=inc-05_2240x800_Frankling-Blog_CustomDisplay-01.webp) ## **Function** It might seem simple, but one of the most important aspects of display prototyping to consider is the overall function of the display. We go beyond just considering capacity, also touching on function as it relates to branding, location, and how the display will coexist alongside other displays in a retail setting. To really nail down the ideal function of your display, we ask a few [key questions](https://new.franklindisplay.com/blog/these-questions-can-help-determine-the-ideal-functionality-of-your-retail-display): - Will your display need to be moveable? - Will your display include graphics or messaging? - How much product will the display need to hold? Assembly is another significant part of your display’s function that we consider at this point in the process. Our displays are created with ease of assembly in mind, arriving packed with instructions and tools, though many of our displays can be assembled with no tools whatsoever. When thinking about how best to transport your display to its final destination, we consider if creating a knockdown display is possible. These types of displays are flat-packed and shipped in pieces to be assembled onsight, effectively lowering your freight costs.   ![Pieces of a display waiting to be assembled](https://new.franklindisplay.com/hs-fs/hubfs/inc-06_2240x800_Frankling-Blog_FourFs-04.png?width=1400&height=500&name=inc-06_2240x800_Frankling-Blog_FourFs-04.png) ## **Form** Once we have a strong understanding of the functionality of the display, we begin considering the form, or the actual shape of the display. Here, we’ll hammer out the exact dimensions and overall look. We’ll take a look at your competitors’ displays, as well as displays from across your industry, to see what has been done before and what we can do differently to draw customers to your product. Our [experiential displays](https://new.franklindisplay.com/blog/turning-browsers-into-buyers-why-experiential-retail-displays-sell-so-well), for example, allow your customers to interact with your product, which can help move potential buyers from consideration to conversion. From building an [apple-shaped display for Molson Coors](https://franklindisplay.com/work/case-studies/redds-apple-display) or a [display built to hold golf bags for Titleist](https://franklindisplay.com/work/case-studies/trial-center-golf-bag-display), we make sure the shape or form of your display is exactly what you and your product need to [stand out](https://new.franklindisplay.com/blog/beverage-display-best-practices-standing-out-in-a-crowded-aisle) in the retail space.   ![Color swatches at Franklin Display](https://new.franklindisplay.com/hs-fs/hubfs/inc-06_2240x800_Frankling-Blog_FourFs-01.png?width=1400&height=500&name=inc-06_2240x800_Frankling-Blog_FourFs-01.png) ## **Fit** When looking at the fit of a display, we’re making sure the work done in the function and form stages can actually be assembled, simple as that. Does each component fit together? Our value-added engineering and prototyping process means that our engineers are always—from start to finish—looking to spot potential problems and solve them proactively. This step is one more part of that process. We make your displays in-house at our manufacturing facility in Belvidere, IL, meaning that any fit discrepancies we might come across at this point can be fixed on the spot.   ![Working on creating a display](https://new.franklindisplay.com/hs-fs/hubfs/inc-06_2240x800_Frankling-Blog_FourFs-02.png?width=2240&height=800&name=inc-06_2240x800_Frankling-Blog_FourFs-02.png) ## **Finish** During the final phase of the prototyping process, we consider what your display will look like when it is standing on the retail floor, finished with your logo and stocked with your products. Once again, our in-house capabilities allow you to go beyond standard finish. Our in-house powder coating line means we have the ability to custom match any color your display requires. At Franklin, there is no need to compromise on branding. Every aspect of your display will be on brand. The four F’s of retail display prototyping—function, form, fit, and finish—are foundational factors in the Franklin engineering and prototyping process. We will work with you to make sure every aspect of your display, from moveability to color, is exactly what you need to win the competition for consumer attention on the retail floor. [Contact us](https://franklindisplay.com/contact) today to see how we can work together to create a custom display that meets your exact function, form, fit, and finish needs. [Retail fixtures](https://new.franklindisplay.com/blog/tag/retail-fixtures) FRANKLIN DISPLAY GROUP P.O. BOX 127 BELVIDERE, ILLINOIS 61008 815.544.6676 815.547.5356 [SALES@FRANKLINDISPLAY.COM](mailto:sales@franklindisplay.com)   ###### GENERAL OFFICES 910 E. LINCOLN AVENUE BELVIDERE, ILLINOIS 61008   ###### MANUFACTURING / SHIPPING / RECEIVING 909 E. 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