You know what I absolutely hate? Spending time and money buying things that I end up not wanting or needing. And then being too return-adverse to actually send it back, so then I'm not only of money... I'm also unhappy and annoyed at myself.
This is the case with supplies for art fair setup. You might not know what you want or don't want until you set it up or try to use it in your booth. Some art fairs allow you to have more prints, some don't let you have any. Some booths are extra large with storage and some have none. Oh and sometimes the show is during a storm and you'll experience anxiety like no other until it passes. 😤
So anyway, if you're looking to get into art fairs, here's everything I've loved using this past season and it's all neatly linked so you can figure out what you might like to add to your wish list for the upcoming art fair season!
1. The Essentials of My Booth Setup
Tent and Canopy: Prior to spending a pretty penny on my setup from Flourish Canopies, I was using an ABC Canopy. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend this particular ABC canopy... but it withstood a handful of rains without issue and is still a workable tent. If I was buying again, I'd get the commercial one that's a little sturdier (it's also much more affordable).
This year I completed buying the components for my Trimline. This bad boy is a total tank and it was absolutely worth the painful expense. It withstood many storms, even some windstorms, and it barely swayed.
The walls for my canopy are Mesh panel walls also from Flourish. The great thing about these walls is they're perfect for both indoor and outdoor shows and will work with any pop-up canopy! If you're a painter, definitely look into buying these walls for yourself to bring height and wall space to your booth.
Weights: Your tent needs weights or it's going to fly away. I use these, two per leg.
Tables: I use folding tables that are easy to transport but provide enough surface area to display bins of prints. I prefer these skinny ones so I can get one or two in my booth (depending on setup)!
I LIKE the tablecloths, but I don't love them. These stretchy banquet ones are okay... but I am on the lookout for alternatives. I have considered pro-panel print baskets but I'm not sure if I'm ready to make the change to those yet.
The biggest reason I haven't is having folding tables allows you to hid extra art/supplies underneath them... you always have way more crap than you think you do in your booth!
Checkout Counter: My pro-panel display shelf in 'Moonbeam' is one of the best purchases I made last year. I can hide ALL my necessary but ugly bits behind the shelves, have a little organization for bags, and it holds my fan so I don't sweat to death in my booth.
Display Stands: I like my metal kitchen organizer baskets in my booth - you could easily spray paint these fun colors but I don't mind the vintage brass! I've also tried:
2. Tools for Organization
Storage Bins: Airtight / Watertight bins for EVERYTHING are your lifesaver. I put small artwork in these, anything paper, bags, bits, baubles... everything goes into a bin and stays in a bin. If you use clear ones, you can scan your supplies before digging into each and every crate.
🚨Make sure you have a bin of little tools, WD-40, zip ties, tape, utility knife, scissors, band-aids, and extra cord. Basically a little tool box to help you feel like Bob the Builder if something goes askew during setup.
Labels: I print small 2x3 labels to place on paper tickets by artwork now. It's an extra step... but it looks so much better than my hand written price tags. It also gives customers the chance to know the size of art, medium, and dimensions!
I also print 4x6 labels using my DYMO printer for the back of each print. This is slightly tedious when it comes to packing, but it's helped improve my overall customer experience (and sales).
Cargo Cart: I would be lost without this double decker camping cart. Look for one that can carry a 10x10 tent on it, that is a really helpful feature. I will admit, I definitely go over the recommended weight limit but so far so good...
3. Miscellaneous + Checkout Items
Business Cards: I buy a couple thousand at a time from Vistaprint! Solid quality and they almost always have a good sale going.
Don't forget a holder or two for your cards!
Signage: I have small signs made up of prices as well as a QR code for social follows. Both of these were printed on general copy paper. I also have a vinyl banner for outside (made by Vistaprint too) and a larger print of my logo, framed, for inside my booth.
Other:
It's important to note that while I love having all these things (and a few other random ones) you don't NEED the best of the best right off the bat. You don't even need all this stuff to get started. A tent, some art, and some way for people to pay will be enough to get your foot into the door.
I try to live by the rule of, "the best I can afford". And when I can (or want to) replace it with something better than I will. Until then, don't stress out about trying to make your booth feel like a store. You are NOT a store (or maybe you are!) but you probably aren't so don't try to make it feel like Bed Bath and Beyond in 2003.
If you're an artist, let your art speak for you and solve any problems as they arise during your market season.
You'll find what you like through trial and error.
I know... I hate that answer too. 😆
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