@Teaus: welcome to the Forum and great questions. I've asked myself some of those questions since I too am working on my first ever exhibit, for a planned showing in spring, 2022. My exhibit will be a traditional exhibit, meaning few, if any, covers. The stamps themselves are small, and the exhibit will show even smaller printing plate flaws. So, I will be looking at either some sort of program, or high quality photocopies, to use with the stamps. In addition to Stamp Smarter, here are some other good references that I've found thus far in my self-educational process. Much of the info is free and open.
1) American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors (aape.org). I joined and I think the money was well spent.
2) website of Richard Frajola. Displays many exhibits of all kinds.
3) Exhibitors Press (I don't have a link, but do have it bookmarked, so can check)
4) American Philatelic Society (stamps.org) They have a guide that includes judging criteria. I saw a link to it on the AAPE web site.
Good luck!! Steve
added:
www.exhibitorspress.com