Taking payments at a craft fair shouldn't be complicated — but choosing the wrong setup can cost you sales, eat into your margins, or leave customers frustrated. Whether you're a first-time vendor or a seasoned craft fair pro looking to upgrade, this guide covers everything you need to know about accepting payments at craft fairs in 2026.
Why Payment Options Matter at Craft Fairs
Here's a stat that should make every vendor pay attention: studies consistently show that customers spend 20-30% more when paying with cards compared to cash. At a craft fair where your average sale might be $25-$40, that difference adds up fast over a full weekend.
Beyond just making more per transaction, offering multiple payment methods means:
- Fewer lost sales — Customers who don't carry cash won't walk away
- Faster checkout — Tap-to-pay takes seconds, no making change
- Higher impulse purchases — Card payments feel less "painful" than handing over physical cash
- More professional appearance — Signals you're a real business, not a hobby seller
The days of "cash only" booths are numbered. Let's look at your options.
The Best Payment Processors for Craft Fair Vendors
Square: The Craft Fair Standard
Square has become the default payment processor at craft fairs for good reason. It's simple, reliable, and designed for exactly this kind of selling.
What you get:
- Free card reader (magstripe) shipped to you
- Tap-to-pay reader ($59 one-time purchase — worth it)
- Free POS app with inventory tracking
- Next-day deposits to your bank
Pricing:
- 2.6% + $0.10 per tap/dip/swipe
- No monthly fees
- No contracts
Why vendors love it: The Square Reader works offline, which is critical at outdoor fairs with spotty cell service. It queues transactions and processes them when you get signal back. The app also lets you track sales by event, so you can compare which fairs are actually profitable.
Best for: Most craft fair vendors. If you're only going to set up one payment system, make it Square.
PayPal Zettle (formerly PayPal Here)
PayPal Zettle is PayPal's in-person payment solution, and it's a solid Square alternative.
What you get:
- Card reader for $29 (first one)
- Tap, chip, and contactless payments
- Integration with PayPal business account
- Basic inventory and reporting
Pricing:
- 2.29% + $0.09 per transaction
- No monthly fees
Why consider it: Slightly lower transaction fees than Square (saving about $0.50-$1.00 per $30 sale). If you already use PayPal for your online shop, having everything in one ecosystem is convenient.
Best for: Vendors who already use PayPal and want slightly lower per-transaction fees.
SumUp
SumUp is popular in Europe and growing in the US market.
What you get:
- Card reader for $54
- Accept chip, contactless, and magstripe
- Simple reporting dashboard
Pricing:
- 2.75% per transaction (no per-transaction fee)
- No monthly fees
Why consider it: The flat percentage with no per-transaction fee is actually better for small transactions (under $15). If you sell a lot of small items like stickers, ornaments, or individual soaps, SumUp could save you money.
Best for: Vendors with lots of small-ticket sales.
Stripe Terminal (For Tech-Savvy Vendors)
If you run an online store on Shopify, WooCommerce, or a custom platform, Stripe Terminal lets you use the same payment system in person.
Pricing:
- 2.7% + $0.05 per in-person transaction
- Reader hardware: $59-$249 depending on model
Best for: Vendors who want unified online + in-person inventory and reporting.
Mobile Payment Apps: Venmo, Cash App, Zelle
You'll see QR codes for Venmo and Cash App at many craft fair booths. They work, but there are trade-offs.
Pros:
- No card reader hardware needed
- Many customers already have these apps
- Lower fees for personal accounts (but business accounts have fees)
- Good as a backup payment method
Cons:
- Slower than tap-to-pay (customer opens app, scans code, enters amount)
- No automatic inventory tracking
- Harder to track sales by event
- Looks less professional than a proper POS
- Potential tax reporting issues if not using a business account
Our recommendation: Set up a Venmo/Cash App QR code as a backup, but don't make it your primary payment method. The checkout friction costs you sales during busy periods.
How to Display Your QR Codes
If you do accept mobile payments:
- Print QR codes on a sturdy sign (laminated cardstock works great)
- Display at eye level near your checkout area
- Include your handle name so customers can verify
- Consider a small acrylic stand — they look much more professional than a taped-up printout
Cash: Still King at Many Fairs
Don't ditch cash entirely. At many craft fairs, especially smaller community events and outdoor markets, a significant portion of customers still prefer paying with cash.
Cash Handling Best Practices
Starting float: Bring $100-$150 in mixed bills:
- 20 × $1 bills
- 10 × $5 bills
- 5 × $10 bills
- 2 × $20 bills
Security tips:
- Use a cash box or apron with zippered pockets (never a visible pile of bills)
- Periodically move large bills to a secure, hidden location
- Count and separate your starting float from sales throughout the day
- Never leave your cash unattended
Pricing for easy change: Price items at round numbers ($10, $15, $25) or increments of $5 to minimize change-making. This also speeds up checkout.
Setting Up Your Payment Station
Your checkout area is the last impression customers have of your booth. A smooth, professional setup matters.
Essential Equipment
- Card reader — Charged and tested before the fair
- Phone/tablet — With POS app installed and logged in
- Phone mount or stand — Keeps your device visible and accessible
- Portable charger/battery pack — At least 10,000mAh; your phone will drain fast running a POS app all day
- Cash box or money belt — With starting float
- Receipt paper or email receipt option — Most customers prefer digital
- QR code signs — For backup mobile payments
- Bags — Branded if possible, or kraft paper bags
Pro Tip: The Checkout Flow
Arrange your checkout station so the flow goes:
Product hand-off → Payment → Bag → Business card/thank you
This natural sequence keeps the line moving and ensures every customer leaves with your contact info. Tuck a business card or loyalty card into every bag.
Handling Connectivity Issues
The #1 payment fear at craft fairs: "What if I don't have cell signal?"
Good news — this is a largely solved problem in 2026:
Offline Mode
Both Square and PayPal Zettle support offline payments. The transactions are stored on your device and processed when you reconnect. Square specifically allows up to 24 hours of offline transactions.
Boosting Your Signal
- Hotspot your phone if your tablet doesn't have cellular
- Position your device near the front of your booth (tent canopies can block signal)
- Consider a signal booster if you frequently work at remote fairgrounds
- Download your product catalog before the fair in case the app needs it
The Nuclear Option: Manual Card Entry
If all else fails, most POS apps let you manually type in card numbers. The fees are higher (typically 3.5% + $0.15), but it's better than losing a sale. Only use this as a last resort.
Taxes, Fees, and Record Keeping
Sales Tax
Most states require you to collect sales tax on craft fair sales. This varies by state and even by city/county. Before your first fair:
- Get a sales tax permit in your state (usually free or cheap)
- Know the rate for the fair's location (not your home address)
- Build tax into your prices or add it at checkout — either works, but be consistent
- Keep records of every sale, including cash transactions
Tracking Your True Costs
Payment processing fees are a cost of doing business, but you should track them:
| Processor | Fee on $30 Sale | Fee on $50 Sale | Fee on $100 Sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square | $0.88 | $1.40 | $2.70 |
| PayPal Zettle | $0.78 | $1.24 | $2.38 |
| SumUp | $0.83 | $1.38 | $2.75 |
| Stripe Terminal | $0.86 | $1.40 | $2.75 |
At a typical craft fair where you might process $500-$1,000 in card sales, you're looking at $15-$30 in processing fees. Factor this into your pricing strategy.
Need help tracking craft fair expenses? TheCraftMap's vendor dashboard lets you log booth fees, travel costs, and revenue for every event — so you always know which fairs are actually profitable.
Choosing the Right Setup for You
Here's our recommendation based on where you are in your craft fair journey:
Just Starting Out
- Square free reader + cash box
- Total investment: $0 (Square ships free readers)
- Accept: Cards (swipe) + cash
- Upgrade to tap reader ($59) after your first few fairs
Regular Vendor (5-15 fairs/year)
- Square tap reader + cash + Venmo QR backup
- Total investment: ~$59
- Accept: Tap, chip, swipe, cash, Venmo
- Use Square's reporting to track per-event profitability
Full-Time Vendor (20+ fairs/year)
- Square or Stripe Terminal with tablet POS
- Portable receipt printer
- Cash management system
- Integrated inventory tracking with your online store
- Total investment: $200-$400
Common Payment Mistakes to Avoid
- Not testing your setup before the fair — Arrive with your reader charged, app updated, and a test transaction completed
- Forgetting your starting cash float — Hit the bank the day before, not the morning of
- No backup power — A dead phone means no card sales. Bring at least two battery packs
- Only accepting one payment method — Every method you add captures more sales
- Not tracking per-event revenue — If you don't know which fairs make money, you can't optimize your schedule
- Ignoring processing fees in your pricing — Build that 2.6-2.75% into your prices from the start
Ready to Find Your Next Craft Fair?
Now that your payment setup is dialed in, it's time to find the best craft fairs in your area. Browse upcoming craft fairs on TheCraftMap — filter by state, date, booth type, and more to find the perfect events for your business.
Already tracking your craft fair schedule? Sign up for free to save your favorite fairs, get deadline reminders, and track your vendor expenses all in one place.
Looking for more vendor tips? Check out our guides on craft fair pricing strategies, booth display ideas, and how to get repeat customers.