Craft show booth tips

Things to think about:

Theme - It may help to decide on a theme and create a little story behind your display before you begin designing your table.

Packaging/Tags - Your logo and website should be on your tags and packaging so people can find you after the show (especially gift recipients). Package fragile and delicate items so they aren’t damaged by frequent handling – people at shows like to touch! Keep your packaging, pricing, display, and product looking visually cohesive.

Height - Raising your table up using inexpensive bed risers will really help bring your pieces closer to eye level for your shoppers. Use display pieces to raise your items up off the table so they aren't laying flat.

Scale - Use the same display items in different scales for visual interest. For example, use lengths of thick tree branches sawed flat on each end as risers for height, and thinner spindly branches to hang items from.

Texture - Think about textures on your table that will contrast and complement each other. This includes your display materials (tablecloth, risers, decorative items) as well as the items you are selling.

Color - Decide on a color scheme for your table and stick to it! This will help your table look really put together. You might also decide to choose a pattern instead of a color and do everything in polka dots or stripes of different colors.

Materials - Think about the materials you make your merchandise with - is it shiny plastic or metal? Fuzzy fleece? Glittery gems? Now think about the materials your tablecloth and display are made of. Do they blend or contrast? Try unexpected combinations to make your display memorable.

 Check out our Pinterest boards for table and booth design ideas!

Start with your table cloth
Most shows have a rule that table cloths must reach the floor and hide your storage, plus it just looks nicer.  Check out window drapes, bed throws, and other linens when looking for your table cloth.

Don’t forget a memorable sign or banner!
You want people to be able to identify your table from a distance. You can have a sign on a tabletop easel for the most visibility, or a banner hanging over the front of your table (or both). You can always get a commercially printed banner, but it might be nice to make your banner or sign yourself in the material you create your merchandise with. It can be embroidered on fabric and made into a large pillow, screen printed on a tshirt worn by a mannequin, carved into a hunk of tree trunk etc.

You don’t have to spend a lot on premade store displays
Get creative and think about what you can reuse and recycle into something new. Hit the thrift store for serving trays, old suitcases, spice racks, lazy susans, and pieces you won’t find anywhere else. A coat of paint or a wrap of fabric can turn something as simple as an empty food canister into a display piece.

Make it easy on yourself
Use display items you can pack your merchandise in for transport (vintage suitcases, old wine crates, etc).

Rehearse your set up
Each show is a little different - you may have different size spaces from a single 6 foot table to a 10x12 foot mini store! It helps to know exactly what you need and where everything is going to go so you have a smooth set up on the day (usually an early morning when you’ve been rushing and haven’t had your coffee yet!). Set everything up at home, take pictures and/or notes, then pack everything up in the order it goes on the table so that on show day you can just take it out of the bin, unwrap it, set it on the table and move on.

Shop your own table
Set up your full table like you would on a show day, then get in front of it and put yourself in the shoes of a shopper. Try reaching for things, looking from different angles and heights, and finding prices for all items. Is the display confusing? Do the display items look like they might be for sale? Is the table too cluttered or too sparse? Are delicate and valuable pieces in the reach of little hands? Can you see the unfinished backs of any display items or risers? Do the display accessories look more inviting than or overwhelm the merchandise? Have some friends shop your practice table and give you their thoughts so you can make changes before your show.

Things to invest in:
-Tables! Those that fold in the center and have a handle for easier carrying are so much more convenient for packing in the car, carrying to the venue, and are easy to set up.
-Wheeled dolly for moving your items from car to booth
-5-7” bed risers - under $15 for a set to add height to your table and bring it closer to eye level (at Bed & Bath stores and the like)
-Pop up tent for outdoor shows (with white canopy). These are technically able to be set up by one person, but it’s tricky. It’s a great way to make friends at the show - you can help each other get your tents up. Side walls and a zippered door are an optional accessory (until it is rainy and windy!), but weights, stakes, and ropes are a must for even slightly windy days.

Have a checklist
Once your have your table set up ready, make a checklist with all the items you will need for setting up your display, accepting payments and packaging sales, your own comfort for the day, and just-in-case items because you never know what may come up! It’s also really easy to make friends if you’re the only one with extra safety pins or sunblock. Check out our checklist here!