Setting up your first craft fair booth? Whether you're starting from scratch or upgrading your setup, this comprehensive gear guide covers everything you need — from essential equipment to nice-to-have upgrades that can boost your sales.
🎪 Canopy & Shelter: Your Foundation
Your canopy is the single most important piece of equipment. It protects you and your products from sun and rain, defines your space, and serves as a giant billboard for your brand. Don't cheap out here.
What to Look For
- Size: 10x10 feet is standard (and usually required). Some fairs allow 10x20.
- Frame material: Steel is heavy but durable; aluminum is lighter but pricier.
- Canopy fabric: Look for 500+ denier polyester with UV protection.
- Leg height: Adjustable legs let you level on uneven ground.
- Water resistance: At minimum, water-resistant; waterproof is better.
Recommended Canopies
| Product | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| E-Z UP Endeavor | Professional vendors, frequent use | $400-600 |
| Eurmax Premium | Great mid-range option | $200-350 |
| ABCCANOPY | Budget-friendly starter | $120-180 |
| Caravan Canopy Titanshade | Value + durability | $180-250 |
Pro tip: Most fairs require weights of 25-40 lbs per leg. Budget for weight bags or concrete weights — your tent WILL blow away without them.
Essential Canopy Accessories
- Weight bags (fill with sand) — $30-50 for a set of 4
- Sidewalls (for weather protection and branding) — $50-150
- Stakes and ropes (for grass setups) — $20-30
- Repair kit (replacement parts, duct tape) — $15-25
🪑 Tables & Furniture
Tables are your primary display surface. You'll need at least one, probably two. Standard sizes are 6-foot and 8-foot folding tables.
Table Recommendations
| Type | Pros | Cons | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifetime 6' Folding | Sturdy, affordable, everywhere | Heavy (37 lbs) | $50-70 |
| Cosco 6' Centerfold | Folds in half, easy storage | Seam in middle | $45-60 |
| Aluminum Folding Table | Lightweight (15 lbs) | Less stable, pricier | $80-120 |
Tablecloths
Never show bare table legs. Tablecloths should reach the floor on all sides — it looks professional AND hides your storage underneath.
- Polyester tablecloths — Wrinkle-resistant, easy to wash, $15-30 each
- Fitted tablecloths — Stay in place, look cleaner, $25-50 each
- Custom printed tablecloths — With your logo/brand, $80-200
Get tablecloth clips! A $5 pack of binder clips or tablecloth weights saves your display on windy days.
Seating
- Director's chair — Tall enough to see customers, $30-80
- Anti-fatigue mat — Save your feet on concrete, $25-50
- Folding stool — Compact backup seating, $15-30
📦 Display Fixtures
Great displays create visual interest and help customers see your products. The goal: create height variation, make everything visible, and guide the customer's eye.
Risers & Shelving
- Wooden crate risers — Rustic look, stackable, $10-25 each
- Acrylic risers — Modern, clean, great for jewelry, $15-40 for sets
- Tiered display stands — Pre-made height variation, $20-50
- DIY risers — Upside-down boxes under tablecloth, FREE
Grid Walls & Pegboard
Vertical displays maximize your 10x10 space and create a "store" feel:
- Gridwall panels (2x6 feet) — $30-50 each
- Gridwall connectors — Build any configuration, $5-15
- Gridwall hooks — Various sizes, $10-20 per pack
- Pegboard panels — Cheaper alternative, $15-25 each
Specialty Displays
| Product Type | Display Solution | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Jewelry | Bust displays, velvet trays, rotating stands | $10-50 |
| Clothing | Garment racks, hangers, dress forms | $30-150 |
| Art/Prints | Easels, print bins, wall grids | $20-100 |
| Candles | Tiered stands, wooden shelves | $15-60 |
| Pottery | Sturdy shelving, individual stands | $25-80 |
🏷️ Signage & Branding
Your signage is your silent salesperson. It should be visible, professional, and tell customers exactly what you're about.
Main Business Sign
- Retractable banner stand — Professional, reusable, $50-150
- Vinyl banner — Affordable, durable, $30-80
- Wooden or acrylic sign — Unique, on-brand, $50-200
Rule of thumb: Your business name should be readable from 20+ feet away.
Price Tags & Product Signs
- Kraft hang tags — Rustic look, $8-15 per 100
- Small acrylic sign holders — Clean, professional, $10-25 for sets
- Chalkboard signs — Reusable, flexible, $5-20 each
- Label maker — Quick, consistent pricing, $20-40
Business Cards & Marketing
- Business cards — 500 for $15-40 (Vistaprint, MOO)
- Postcards/flyers — Larger format, $30-60 for 250
- Stickers — Great for packaging, $20-50 for 250
- QR code sign — Link to your website/social, $10-20
💳 Payment Processing
In 2026, cash-only booths lose sales. Most customers expect to pay by card. Here are your options:
Mobile Payment Solutions
| Service | Reader Cost | Processing Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square | Free (magstripe) / $59 (chip+tap) | 2.6% + $0.10 | Most vendors, great app |
| PayPal Zettle | $29 (first reader) | 2.29% + $0.09 | PayPal integration |
| Clover Go | $49 | 2.6% + $0.10 | Full POS features |
| Shopify POS | $49 | 2.4-2.7% | Shopify store owners |
Cash Handling
Always be ready for cash payments too:
- Cash box or apron — Keep money secure, $15-40
- Starting change — $100 in small bills recommended
- Calculator — For quick totals, $5-15
💡 Lighting
Good lighting makes your products look better and draws customers in. Even at daytime outdoor events, additional lighting helps.
Lighting Options
- LED string lights — Warm, inviting atmosphere, $15-30
- Battery LED strips — Flexible, no outlet needed, $10-25
- Clip-on LED lights — Spotlight specific products, $15-35
- Rechargeable work lights — Bright, functional, $25-60
- Solar lights — For evening outdoor events, $20-50
Pro tip: Bring an extension cord (heavy-duty, outdoor-rated) and power strip even if the fair doesn't guarantee electricity. Some do, some don't.
📱 Tech & Power
- Phone/tablet stand — For payment processing, $10-25
- Portable battery pack — Keep devices charged, $25-60
- Extension cord (25-50 ft outdoor rated) — $20-40
- Power strip — Multiple outlets, $15-25
- Bluetooth speaker — Subtle background music, $30-80
🛍️ Packaging & Supplies
How you package purchases matters. It's part of the customer experience and protects items on the trip home.
Bags & Boxes
- Kraft paper bags — Eco-friendly, affordable, $15-30 for 100
- Branded bags — Custom printed, $50-150 for 100
- Tissue paper — Protective and pretty, $10-20 for large packs
- Boxes (for fragile items) — $20-50 for assorted sizes
- Bubble wrap — Essential for breakables, $15-30 per roll
Booth Supplies
- Scissors — Heavy-duty, $10-15
- Tape — Packing tape, clear tape, $10-15
- Zip ties — The most useful thing ever, $5-10
- Sharpies & pens — For notes, receipts, $5-10
- Notebook — Custom orders, contact info, $5-10
🌦️ Weather Gear
Weather happens. Be prepared for anything:
Sun Protection
- Sidewalls for shade
- Sunscreen and hat
- Portable fan ($20-50)
- Cooler with cold drinks
Rain Gear
- Waterproof sidewalls
- Tarps (for product protection)
- Plastic bins (instead of cardboard)
- Rain poncho for yourself
- Towels for drying
Wind Protection
- Extra weights (can't have too many)
- Bungee cords (secure everything)
- Low-profile displays (skip tall stuff on windy days)
🧰 Emergency Kit
Keep a small toolkit ready for anything:
- Basic tools (screwdriver, pliers, hammer)
- Duct tape (fixes everything)
- Super glue
- Safety pins
- Needle and thread
- Extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Pain relievers
- Band-aids
- Hand sanitizer
💰 Budget Guide: What to Spend
Here's a realistic breakdown of what to budget for your booth setup:
Starter Setup (~$500-800)
- Budget canopy: $150
- Weight bags: $40
- 2 folding tables: $100
- Tablecloths: $40
- Basic displays: $75
- Signage: $50
- Square reader: Free
- Cash box + change: $50
- Bags & packaging: $50
- Miscellaneous: $50
Professional Setup (~$1,500-2,500)
- Quality canopy (E-Z UP or similar): $400
- Weights + sidewalls: $150
- Tables + nice tablecloths: $200
- Grid walls + risers: $200
- Lighting: $100
- Professional signage: $200
- Premium card reader: $60
- Branded packaging: $150
- Weather gear: $100
- Supplies & tools: $100
🛒 Where to Buy
The best places to find craft fair equipment:
- Amazon — Wide selection, reviews, fast shipping
- Displays2Go — Professional display fixtures
- ULINE — Packaging supplies in bulk
- Costco/Sam's Club — Canopies, tables, chairs (great value)
- Facebook Marketplace — Used equipment from retiring vendors
- Michaels/JOANN — Display supplies, craft storage
- Dollar Tree — Risers, baskets, small displays
- Vistaprint — Business cards, banners, signage
Before Your First Fair: The Checklist
Before you set up at your first event:
- Practice your full setup at home. Time yourself.
- Take photos of your display for applications.
- Load your car strategically (tent last, so it comes out first).
- Create a packing checklist and laminate it.
- Test your payment system before show day.
- Prepare change and a float for your cash box.
- Check the weather and pack accordingly.
Final Thoughts
You don't need everything on this list to get started. Begin with the essentials — a solid canopy, tables, and a way to take payment — and upgrade as you go. After a few fairs, you'll know exactly what you need.
The best investment is equipment that makes YOUR life easier and YOUR products look amazing. Every booth is different because every maker is different.
Ready to put your gear to use? Browse craft fairs on TheCraftMap and find your next event. Don't forget to check application deadlines so you don't miss out!