Before your first show: apply early, get your seller's permit, and check whether the show requires insurance. Then build a clean, inviting booth: table and fitted cover, eye-level display, clear price tags, card and cash payments, packaging, and (outdoors) a weighted canopy. Arrive early, track your sales, and you are set.
Handle the boring parts first, because some take time. Apply to shows early, the good ones fill months ahead. Then square away the legal basics:
Here is the gear most vendors actually use, grouped by job. You do not need everything at once, but this is the full picture so nothing surprises you on show day.
The gear above, in one place
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Arrive at least an hour early (more for a big outdoor build), weight the canopy before you do anything else, and have your float of small bills ready. Greet people without hovering, keep your display tidy as the day goes, and note what sells. A power bank keeps your card reader alive through the afternoon.
Tally your sales against the booth fee and expenses while it is fresh, so you know whether the show was worth it. Our booth ROI calculator and the vendor dashboard make that quick, and the same records feed straight into your tax deductions at year end.
The core kit is a table and a fitted cover, a way to display products at eye level, clear pricing, a way to take card and cash payments, bags or packaging, and (for outdoor shows) a canopy with weights. Bring a chair, water, and a small toolkit too. The full checklist is below.
No. Canopies are only for outdoor shows. Indoors you just need your table, cover, display, and signage. Always check the organizer's rules, since some indoor venues prohibit canopies and some outdoor shows require a white 10x10 specifically.
A simple indoor setup (table, cover, signage, a card reader, packaging) can come together for a couple hundred dollars. An outdoor setup adds a canopy and weights, which pushes a starter kit toward $300 to $500. Buy the basics first and upgrade displays as you learn what sells.
Most vendors use a phone card reader (Square is the common choice) plus a cash box with small bills for change. Bring a backup power bank, since a dead phone means no card sales. Display that you accept cards; it noticeably increases sales.
Cover your materials and your time, then add margin; many makers start around materials cost times two to three, adjusted to what similar items sell for. Use clear, individual price tags so shoppers do not have to ask. Our booth ROI calculator helps you check whether a show's fees leave room for profit.
Plan to arrive at least an hour before doors, more for a first show or a large outdoor setup. You want time to unload, build the booth, weight the canopy, arrange the display, and still have a breather before the first customer.
Often yes on both. Most states require a seller's permit or sales tax registration, and many shows require liability insurance. Sort these before you apply. See our state permit guides and the craft vendor insurance guide.
Browse upcoming craft fairs with booth fees and application deadlines, compare gear in the supplier directory, and check the vendor guides for permits, insurance, taxes, and more.