Are you considering selling your artwork in a local art fair? It’s a great idea but daunting. Where do you even begin? This post will help you get started and point you in the right direction.
You’ll learn about the basic setup and the gear you’ll need. I’ll also give you a few art fair tips and pointers along the way. There’s no reason to go in blind. I’ll give you a helping hand.
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Go Local, Start Small, Get Experience
I really think you should look for small shows right in your area first. Try to find events where the booth fee is $100 or less so you don’t spend too much cash. This is the best way to see if people actually want to buy what you’ve made.
It’s much better to test things out now before you go out and buy expensive gear.
You also need to find out if you even like this kind of work. You’ll be stuck outside for 12 hours a day for three or four days in a row. Sometimes it rains or gets really windy, and you’ll have to deal with that while trying to stay happy. You’ve got to have some real determination to handle the bad days.
There are many, so be warned!
There are times when you might not even make minimum wage for all your hard work. It isn’t always about making a giant profit at first. If people don’t buy much, you might find that you aren’t having a very good time.
It’s better to learn that at a cheap show than via an expensive one. What you can’t know is how trade fluctuates.
There are so many factors that affect business. The local demographic and their income levels, the time of year, the location, the weather, the economy, how the fair was promoted, blah, blah, blah.
Don’t give up because a show was a flop. SOME WILL BE. Let me repeat – SOME SHOWS ARE CRAP!
That takes time to learn and you must be prepared. Get a few art fairs under your belt before you reach any conclusions.
I want you to use these early shows to figure things out. You’ll find out if people like your work and just as importantly, if you enjoy being center stage. Only then should you step up your game.
Your Basic Art Booth Setup
Your setup will be governed by the rules of the event, but on the whole, a local show will probably be pretty basic. Assume that you will need to bring everything with you.
I’d suggest grabbing a pop-up tent to keep you and your art safe from the weather. Make sure it’s water-resistant so you don’t end up having rainwater drip over your art.
It doesn’t have to be the most expensive booth, but don’t go for the absolute cheapest either.
I bought a cheapo fabric parasol once and soon learned they are not waterproof. If you buy a budget gazebo type of booth with a tarp covering, be sure that the seams are sewn well.
I can’t stress enough that you need heavy weights for every leg of your tent. Aim for about 40lb per leg, so your booth stays on the ground. Unexpected wind can easily pick up a tent and send it flying.
I didn;t want to buy heavy weights, instead I bought plastic jerry cans and filled them with water. I strapped them to the base. The main goal is to make sure nothing moves when the wind blows. It’s better to be safe than sorry when a gust of wind hits the fair.
Mesh tarps are a great way to hang your work on the walls for very little money. They’re lightweight and won’t take up much space in your car. This is a much better solution than using heavy and bulky grid walls.
You’ll also need print bins to show off your work. Fabric sling-style bins are a great choice when you’re starting out because they don’t cost much. They fold up flat, which makes them easy to carry and pack away.
I’d suggest going with a medium or large size so you can fit various sizes of art.
You’ll be working 12-hour shifts for a few days in a row, so you need a good place to sit. I suggest you stay away from low chairs that sit close to the ground. They might feel okay at first, but your legs will get very sore from standing up to talk to every person who walks by.
It’s much better to get a tall director’s chair or a bar-height chair. Since you’re sitting higher up, it’s easier to hop up quickly when someone enters your booth. You want a chair that folds down small so it’s easy to pack in your vehicle.
Make sure the chair you pick has good back support for those long hours. I also think it’s helpful to find one with side pockets. You’ll want a spot to keep your phone and hand sanitizer nearby while you work
I’d also suggest bringing a small table to help with your checkout. You can use it to sell smaller items or have a spot for folks to join your email list.
You should find a nice tablecloth or a throw to cover the table. This is a great way to hide your extra gear and boxes underneath so the booth looks neat.
It’s a handy spot to keep your things out of the way while you talk to customers. Plus, having a set place for people to pay makes the whole process easier for everyone.
Art Fair Preparation
You should make a list of every item you need before you start packing. It’s so easy to forget your card reader or the change for your cash box when you’re in a rush. If you miss a big item like your tent or weights, you’ll be stuck driving back home.
Don’t forget to pack your signs and any banners too. Having a sign on the front of your booth attracts attention. It’s a simple way to look like you know what you’re doing.
Pro Tip – Do not advertise your website. You’ll find people will take note of your site and use it as an excuse not to buy right away. This is one of the biggest mistakes art vendors make.
Keep a weather app on your phone and check the radar often. If a storm hits, you need to shut down your booth fast so your art doesn’t get ruined. It can also get dangerously hot out there, so pack plenty of water.
Pack a card reader for your phone and a cash box with plenty of small bills for change.
Remember your chair, print bins, table and tablecloth..
Don’t forget the small things like, business cards, cable ties, scissors (or sharp knife) tape, a pen and paper, a bag of spring clamps, and carrier bags for your sales.
I’d suggest you bring a friend or a family member along to help you out. It’s hard to man a booth alone, and you’ll need someone to cover for you during lunch and bathroom breaks. Some shows have volunteers who can watch your spot for a few minutes if you’re stuck.
If you can’t find help, you might have to ask a neighbor to watch things, but they’ll always care more about their own sales than yours. It’s much better to have your own backup person so you can stay focused on your customers.
You should bring way more art than you think you’ll actually sell. This is going to be trial and error until you can gauge sales properly. Pack as much as you can for your first shows, so your booth doesn’t look empty after a few sales. You don’t want to run out of work halfway through the show.
It’s also a good idea to have items at different price points. It’s good to have smaller impulse buys that anyone can afford for a quick win.
Large art is great for catching a customer’s eye from a distance. They don’t have to be originals. I don’t make large originals, but I did get giant printed enlargements to advertise my work. Having a mix of sizes helps you sell to people with all kinds of budgets.
Try to stay patient with yourself because you’re going to make mistakes at first. You might forget something or get rained on, but it’s all part of the learning process. Every tough show helps you gain the grit you need to handle anything. Having confidence in your plan makes the whole weekend much less stressful
Art Fairs for Beginners: Final Thoughts
Don’t spend too much money at the beginning. Start small and invest when you see some success. This really is the the best market research you will ever do.
The public will tell you what they want. Listen and adapt.
It’s only by putting yourself in front of the public that you really get to know the truth. You won’t get that feedback easily online. You must talk to the public yourself.
You’re going to make plenty of mistakes along the way, but that’s just part of the learning process. Every time something goes wrong, you’re actually learning how to be a better seller.
Get out there and give it a shot.
This is just the foundation of what you need to sell your art in an art fair. The real skill is knowing how to sell your art. You get that by putting in the hours and losing lots of sales in the process.
But there is another way. You need a mentor who knows the ropes.
If you are ready to start selling your art from a market stall, I have written a guide that reveals exactly how I sold my art prints for over 20 years, no secrets. It’s everything I know.
This guide was written for you.
You’ll find these posts really useful too:
- How to Sell More Art: 10 Selling Tips for Art Fairs
- How to Find Art Commissions: A Mega Selling Guide
- Cheap Art Display Panels: Make Your Own For Art Shows
- Are Art Fairs Worth it For Artists? The Pros and Cons
- Art Fair Etiquette for Vendors: How to Fit in
- Art Fair Tips: Ethical Pester Power
- Art Market Tips: Dealing With Awkward Customers
- What Kind of Art Sells Best? The Popular Subjects Revealed
- What Size Art Sells Best? Prints and Frame Sizes
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Hi, I’m Kevin Hayler
I’ve been selling my wildlife art and traveling the world for over 20 years, and if that sounds too good to be true, I’ve done it all without social media, art school, or galleries!
I can show you how to do it. You’ll find a wealth of info on my site, about selling art, drawing tips, lifestyle, reviews, travel, my portfolio, and more. Enjoy