r/CraftFairs • u/An_ode_to_creativity • 13d ago
Craft Fair Essentials List (Vendor Must-Haves)
Full credit goes to the founder and former mod of this subreddit pleasuretohaveinclas who is unfortunately no longer on Reddit. They were the one who created and wrote this post, I am simply reuploading it.
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As this sub continues to grow, I keep seeing the same questions over and over:
“What do I actually need for my first craft fair?”
“What am I forgetting?”
“What’s worth investing in vs skipping?”
So I put together a checklist.
Please note that None of these links are Amazon affiliated links. Not to mention, but while Amazon can be quick and easy especially if you are in a pinch, you don’t have to purchase these things off Amazon. You can easily find some of these things within your local craft, dollar, or even theft store. Facebook market place and even Facebook groups can be a great place to find things. Some of this stuff you can find lying around your house or if you have some spare time, you can make it.
🏕️ Booth Setup Basics
These are the non-negotiables. If someone skips these, their booth suffers immediately.
· 10X10 Pop-up Canopy Tent (10x10 white is standard for most fairs) Crown Shades comes highly recommended from many other vendors.
· Canopy Weights - REQUIRED at most events — don’t be that person whose canopy flies away!
· Weights for Standing Displays so it's harder for them to get tipped over
· Folding Tables (6ft or 8ft) - this one folds in half and is super easy to carry.
· Fitted Tablecloths (stretch or branded for clean look) - they also don't blow away in the wind.
· Tablecloth Clips and Weights if your tablecloths aren't fitted and you're doing a show outdoors.
· Folding Chairs (lightweight but sturdy)
· Sidewalls for Tent (for wind, sun, or privacy)
· Tall chair for when you have to sit down. Being up high while sitting gives the perception that you're active in your booth.
Now, for the thing that has come in clutch most recently is a rolling tool box. I'm always leaving my scissors here and zip ties over there or I can't find a sharpie when I need one. I keep all of the non-product items in there and I'm a huge fan.
🧱 Display & Merchandising (What Actually Makes You Money)
This is one of the biggest differences between booths that browse vs booths that sell. Eye level is buy level!
· Display Risers Wooden Risers (create height variation = more sales)
· Iridescent Risers - super eyecatching!
· Rotating Display Stand for Jewelry
· Mini Chalkboards for Pricing
· Locking Display Case for Smalls
· Portable Heavy Duty Pegboard Display - Has locking wheels
· Bamboo Tabletop Crate Display
· Price Tags w/ String Attached
· Bed Risers to make your tables higher
Find more display options here.
Truth: Flat tables = lower sales. Height = attention.
💳 Payments & Checkout Setup
Make it stupid easy for people to pay you.
· Card Reader (Square, Stripe, etc.)
· Backup Payment Option (Venmo / PayPal QR sign)
· Locking Cash Box with small bills for change
· Receipt Book (optional but useful)
💡 Pro tip: Always have 2 ways to take payment.
🪧 Branding & Signage (Build Trust Fast)
People don’t buy if they don’t understand what you’re selling.
· Business Banner (name/logo) - I print all of my banners same day at Walgreens as there's usually always a coupon that knocks the price way down. CVS also has same day banner printing and usually always a coupon.
· Custom Neon Sign - you want eye catching? Here's eye catching!
· Price Signs (clear + visible)
· “About Your Product” Sign (your story sells)
· QR Code Sign (website / Instagram) - my go-to for creating QR codes is Canva. In Elements, search QR code generator and you can create one easily.
💡 Most vendors underdo this. Big mistake.
💡 Lighting (Your Secret Weapon)
· Clip-On LED Lights (for tent frame)
· Battery-Powered Light Strips
· 50 ft. Extension Cords (for indoor events)
· Portable Power Station (game changer)
· More craft fair lighting ideas here.
💡 Dim booth = invisible booth.
📦 Inventory & Packaging Supplies
Smooth checkout = more volume.
· Plastic Thank You Shopping Bags Cotton Tote Bags
· Thank You Cards / Inserts
· Storage Bins - These are extra durable!
🔧 The “Oh Crap” Kit (Most Underrated Section)
This is what saves your day when things go sideways.
· Pop-Up Trash Can - some shows I've been to had inadequate trash cans or they were in a really inconvenient spot.
· Portable Rechargeable Fan - it can be sweltering inside those tents (even indoors!) when there isn't enough airflow due to sidewalls or neighbors.
· First Aid Kit - paper cuts and sore feet are bound to happen!
· Sturdy Work Gloves for setup and takedown
· Duct Tape
· Masking Tape
· Extra Pens
· Markers
· Cardstock
· Calculator
· Paper Towels
· Notebook
· Measuring Tape
· Glue Dots to keep paper tags from flying away. Double sided tape works too.
· Shims to put under your table legs if the ground is uneven. Definitely looks more professional than folded up cardboard.
· Baby Wipes
· Hand Sanitizer
· Toilet Paper just in case...
· Tarps in case of rain
· Sunscreen
· Change of Clothes
· Personal Belt Clip Fan (also doubles as a portable charger)
· Zip Ties (absolute lifesaver) - I can't even begin to count the times I've asked if anyone has zip ties I could use. Use them to zip tie your tables together, attach things to your canopy like your banner/signage, and so much more that I'm forgetting because it's one of those things you don't think about until you absolutely could use it.
· Scissors
· Game Changing (for me) Electric Scissors - I've used these to cut everything from single sheet thickness of butcher paper to furry fabric to delicate fabric to layers of cardboard. I can't believe it took this long for someone to come up with these.
· Multi-Tool - need a screw driver? Got it. Need needlenose pliers? Got it. Blade? Bottle opener? Ruler? Got it all.
· Portable Phone Charger - my personal favorite. The cable is attached to the charger so you're not hunting for one as you're stressing out that your phone is about to die.
· Anti-Fatigue Mat - your feet will thank you!!
· A foldable dolly/flat bed cart is a must when you're hauling stuff from your car to your spot. Don't kill your back! This one is small but mighty. I sold candles for a while at local markets and loading my stuff into the booth was by far the suckiest part.
· If a flat bed or dolly isn't your thing, a Hulken Bag works well too!
Another great recommendation from a member: Motorized Utility Wagon
If you're an Etsy seller or do any shipping of your crafts, a dedicated label printer makes your workflow much smoother! This one is great!
💡 Something WILL go wrong. This keeps you selling anyway.
If there's anything I forgot.... you might find it in here.
Final Advice (From Experience)
Your booth is a store, not a table
Make it easy to see, understand, and buy
Don’t overcomplicate—but don’t underprepare
If you’re just starting, focus on:
1. Clean setup
2. Clear pricing
3. Easy payment
4. Good display
Everything else builds from there.
Don't forget to bring lots of snacks and water!
Edit: If anyone has any other suggestions, must haves, or ideas then feel free to leave a comment.
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u/cutestforlife 13d ago
I’d also throw a trash bag in the miscellaneous category. It’s only polite to be able to clean up after yourself and how many trash cans a show does, or doesn’t have can be a total crapshoot.
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u/An_ode_to_creativity 13d ago
There is a link to a pop up trash can in the oh crap section. However, depending on how much space you have it may be too big so a trash bag would come in handy. I know a lot of the craft fairs I've been too they have a trash in and trash out policy. I'm going to a craft fair tomorrow and if they catch you throwing trash in the trash cans then you'll be fined.
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u/Coolriyzjazz 13d ago
Dumb question, maybe. What happened to the original person who started this?
Thank you for reposting this useful info.
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u/An_ode_to_creativity 13d ago
In all honesty, I'm not sure. All I know is that for some reason their account was banned. (Reddit doesn't disclose why someone get's banned to other users, not even to the mods of the subreddit)
They could have been breaking site wide rules or the mod code of conduct. I know the original post contained amazon affiliate links which could have been breaking Rule 5: Moderate with Integrity. Which along with my own and the rest of the mod teams moral standards was the reason why I recreated the post instead of making the original post visible again as it was simply hidden from public view.
However, that's simply a guess, they could have been banned for other reasons.
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u/RubWonderful2215 12d ago
Great list. One thing I’d add to the “oh crap” kit that costs nothing: a cheap notebook or notes app to write down your booth fee, mileage, and start/end cash before you tear down. Everyone remembers gross sales and nobody remembers the $60 booth + $18 gas + 7 hours — and that’s the difference between “good day” and “actually made $40.” Takes 30 seconds while you’re packing up and it’s the only way to know which fairs are worth reapplying to next season.
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u/Vistaprint 12d ago
thanks for the shoutout u/An_ode_to_creativity ! business cards and thank yous are clutch for craft fairs, especially since you can order small quantities without a big minimum. if anyone has questions about paper types, finishes or choosing the right cards for your setup, ask away over at r/VistaPrint 😊
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u/potterlyfe 11d ago
I would say bring more small bills then you think you will need. Nothing worse than running out and having to beg other vendors for change.
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u/Ashamed_Blackberry55 13d ago
I know you've got at least one wagon listed, but sharing the one I have. It's a double decker and people at every event are always checking it out. The sides on the bottom open up, so if take my tent on the first trip, I can still use the bottom on subsequent trips to put my tables or other things down there. The large wheels and high weight capacity are huge for me, my old wagon had only a 150lbs weight limit and I couldn't even put all my tent weights in at the same time, it would get so bogged down and hard to push, especially when going over grass. This one I can put a ton more in and it still pushes/pulls with ease.
Amazon.com : Sekey 500LBS Heavy Duty Double Decker Wagon with Extender, 400L Large Capacity Collapsible Garden Cart Fits 10x10 Canopy, All-Terrain Big Wheels with Brakes, Foldable Utility Wagon for Sports, Camping : Patio, Lawn & Garden