Imagine this: Someone admires your product, picks it up or tries it on, and then pays you for it in front of your eyes. There’s something about this feeling that selling exclusively online just can’t match.

Call it connecting with your customers or getting a crash course in retail, but in-person selling at craft fairs and art shows can be a rewarding experience. Markets and fairs afford small brands and new markets a sample-size chance at retail.

It’s all too easy to see a listing for a craft fair and purchase a booth, arrive with your products, and leave without having sold enough to even cover your costs. Many people will testify that they’ve been there and done that.

To save you from going through a similar experience, we’ve built this guide with craft fair tips and resources to help you properly prepare for your next (or first) craft fair or art show.

The benefits of in-person selling at craft fairs and art shows

Things made by hand are meant to be experienced by hand. 

No technology can replace the one-to-one contact with the artist behind the masterpiece, or replicate a tactile encounter with a macramé plant hanger. The value for both the maker and the customer is obvious.

Moreover, for many smaller craft businesses, a brick-and-mortar location is beyond the scope of reality. Craft fairs, art shows, music festivals, and other temporary retail experiences are the compromise. 

Why should you take your online brand offline? The benefits are plenty:

• Make connections. Meet with fellow entrepreneurs and makers in your area to share ideas, provide support, and pool resources.
• Test your products IRL. Get insights via what products attract the most attention, what questions people ask, and which products perform better in person versus online.
• Meet potential wholesale clients. Many curated lifestyle shops source products at maker markets.
• Use it as a stepping stone to popup retail or a brick-and-mortar shop. Experiment with merchandising, display, and customer experience.
• Collect customer information. Even if you don’t make a sale, an interactive experience in your booth space can potentially rack up a sizable email list.

📚Read: Turning a Hobby Into a Business in 9 Easy Steps

Before the fair: Your seven-step preparation guide 

1. Find and apply to the right events
2. Understand the business basics
3. Price your products for profit
4. Plan your inventory
5. Market your appearance
6. Design an eye-catching booth display
7. Prepare your payment and checkout system

Step 1: Find and apply to the right events

Before you apply, attend any events you’re considering for your business. Talk to the people behind the vendor booths and get a feel for the quality, price, and nature of the products being sold—and whether your products would fit in. 

Read the fine print about a popup event, and be sure it answers the following:

• Where are the power outlets?
• Is power included, or will access cost extra? What about extension cords?
• What are restrictions around lighting, staff, and booth materials?
• Does the venue have adequate wifi?

It’s also important to conduct your own venue research:

• How many people attend the shows on average?
• What are people saying online about the show? Did it get any press last year?
• Does the show have a strong social presence, and are they running any paid ads? What are the vendor’s responsibilities for marketing?
• Who were past vendors? Ask for a list of other participating merchants to be sure your product is a good match, and that their target demographic matches your own
• Check your contract for exclusivity clauses. Are you restricted from selling at other markets in the same region or season?

Once you’ve done your research, apply. Organizers of curated events want to see that your products fit their event’s style and feeling. You’ll likely have a better chance of being accepted if you’re active on visual forms of social media like Instagram and Pinterest—especially if you showcase photos of prior events and craft shows.

Sarah Power, founder of INLAND, a Toronto-based show supporting independent fashion in Canada, carefully considers a brand’s overall online presence when reviewing applications. “It’s through social media and the website that I’m able to capture the real perspective of where that designer is in terms of their business development, brand, and customer awareness,” she says. “How are they creating unique opportunities for engagement?”

Pro tip: Make sure you configure the correct sales tax rate for the event location before you start selling—this is especially critical if the event is in a different state or jurisdiction than your usual business location.

Make sure to read the application requirements and instructions thoroughly, and reach out to event organizers if you’re unsure about something. If you’re new to the process, give yourself enough lead time to be able to ask questions and prepare any information you might need to include with your application.

Step 2: Understand the business basics

First things first, you need to be legally set up to sell. What you need exactly depends on the event’s location and the organizer’s rules.

Find out precisely what paperwork you need. This might include:

• A general business license
• A seller’s permit
• Proof of insurance 

Many states have special permits for temporary events like fairs. For instance, California and Idaho both offer temporary seller’s permits. However, Iowa will require you to have a permanent sales tax permit even for a one-day event.

As the seller, you are responsible for collecting and paying the correct sales tax. Shopify Tax can do the math for you, but you have to make sure the rate is right and file your taxes on time.

Step 3: Price your products for profit 

To actually make money at a fair, you need a pricing strategy that covers all your expenses.

Start by calculating your total costs. This includes your supplies, time, and general business expenses. Then, add in the costs for the event, like your booth fee, travel, and credit card processing fees, to figure out the minimum you need to sell just to break even.

Step 4: Plan your inventory

Inventory planning is hard for even the biggest retailers in the world. You want enough of your popular items to avoid selling out, but you don’t want to haul unsold products back home.

The easiest way to plan ahead is to use an ABC analysis:

• Your A items are your bestsellers.
• Your B items sell moderately well.
• Your C items are your slow movers.

The strategy is simple—bring more units of your A items and only a few of your C items. 

Next, calculate your safety stock. This is a small buffer of extra inventory for your A and B items to prevent sellouts if demand is higher than expected.

Step 5: Market your appearance in advance 

Start building excitement for the fair through your own channels weeks before it happens. 

Create a central hub for information, such as a dedicated page or collection on your ecommerce website. Include all the key details, like the date, time, a map to the event, and a sneak peek of the products you’ll have. Then, schedule a series of social media posts and emails to promote it.

Step 6: Design an eye-catching booth display

Order and print promotional materials and signage. Think outside of business cards and postcards. 

How can you convey your brand in a memorable way, or with something useful? Can you incorporate a sample of your product into your customer takeaways? Beware of wasting money printing high quantities of items that can’t be reused (e.g., seasonal or time-sensitive materials like lookbooks).

Read: 14 Popup Shop Ideas and Examples (2025)

Step 7: Prepare your payment and checkout system 

To make your (and your customers’) in-person sales experience run as smoothly as possible, it’s important to remember everything you’ll need to track your sales. 

First things first, you’ll need point-of-sale (POS) software for popup sales. This enables you to sync your in-person sales with your online store and allows you to track your sales, manage your inventory, and create detailed reports to help you to clearly see any trends—all from a smartphone or tablet. 

To accept tap, swipe, or chip card payments, you’ll also need a card reader. You can either use a simple swiper that plugs into a smartphone or tablet or invest in a Bluetooth hardware option like Shopify’s Card Reader.

Pro tip: If you want to open a temporary retail location like a popup shop or kiosk at a concert, you don’t need to buy your hardware. Sign up for Shopify’s Hardware Rental Program to start selling quickly risk-free.

If you already use Shopify for online sales, Shopify POS seamlessly integrates with your online shop and inventory. Not only will it allow you to take payment via credit and debit cards, but it will also integrate with your already existing inventory system and allow you to sell from anywhere.

The ultimate craft fair packing checklist

A great market day starts with excellent preparation. Use this checklist to make sure you have everything for a smooth and profitable event.

Booth and display essentials 

Bring everything you need to assemble your popup storefront. 

• Canopy and walls: A 10 x 10-foot canopy is standard. Pack sidewalls for protection from sun or wind.
• Canopy weights: For outdoor shows, bring at least 40–50 pounds of weight for each canopy leg.
• Lighting: Pack battery-powered lights, like LED clip-on lamps, to keep your booth bright.
• Power supply: If you need power, bring properly-rated extension cords and a surge protector. 
• Floor and fasteners: Use gaffer tape to secure cords and prevent tripping hazards.
• Signage: Pack clear, easy-to-read signs with your business name, product prices, and payment policies to attract customers.

Products and inventory 

A little organization goes a long way before you get to the event. Things can get hectic, so don’t just throw everything in a crate and be off. Be sure to pack:

• Labeled products: Make sure every single item has a clear price tag or barcode label. This speeds up checkout and cuts down on errors.
• Inventory list: Bring a printed copy of your inventory list so you have a physical record of everything you brought.
• Packing supplies: Remember to pack bags, wrapping paper, or boxes for your customers.
• Backup supplies: Pack extra price tags, pens, and tape just in case.

Sales and business supplies 

Don’t forget everything you need to actually sell your products.

• Payment system: Have your fully-charged phone ready with the Shopify POS app. If you use a card reader, make sure it’s charged, too.
• Backup power: Pack a portable power bank to keep your phone or tablet charged all day.
• Cash box: If you plan to accept cash, bring a cash box with enough small bills and coins for making change.
• Business documents: Keep a folder with copies of all required documents, like your seller’s permit, business license, and certificate of insurance (COI).
• Receipts: If you offer printed receipts, pack your receipt printer and extra paper rolls.

Personal comfort items 

A long day on your feet requires some self-care. Don’t forget to pack things for yourself, too.

• Food and water: Pack plenty of water and high-protein snacks to keep your energy up.
• Comfort: Bring a portable stool or chair for moments of rest, and wear comfortable shoes.
• Weather gear: Be prepared for anything with sunscreen, a hat, and a jacket or extra layers.
• Personal kit: Pack a small bag with hand sanitizer, tissues, a mini first-aid kit, and any medications you might need.

During the fair: Make a good impression

The doors are open and your booth is ready! The party has only just begun—now it’s time to connect with your customers. Here’s how to make the most of every opportunity. 

Engage with customers without being pushy

The vibe at a craft fair is light and friendly. You don’t want to hound people to buy from you. Instead, a friendly and helpful approach builds trust and makes people want to explore your products further.

Chat with folks stopping by. Briefly offer useful information about your products, like what they’re made of or how to care for them, and then step back. Let them browse without feeling watched.

Match each shopper’s energy. Some people want to chat, while others prefer to look quietly. Adapting to their style leads to happier customers and better craft fair sales.

Shopify Power-Up: Use your Smart Grid. Add tiles to your Shopify POS home screen that link to product info or FAQs. You can quickly answer questions without having to search and keep your attention on the customer.

Capture leads for your email list 

When a customer is paying, simply ask, “Would you like your receipt emailed to you, along with occasional updates from us?” You can also use a QR code that links to a signup page. Offer a small incentive, like a future discount or a heads-up on your next product drop.

Shopify Power-Up: Use the customer profile feature in Shopify POS to add an email address and check the marketing consent box right at checkout.

Network with other makers 

Connecting with other vendors is one of the best parts of doing a fair. It can lead to new opportunities, valuable advice, and a strong sense of community.

Prepare a one-sentence summary of what you sell and who your ideal customer is. Ask other makers about theirs so you can find ways to help each other. You can even work together to promote each other’s products and send shoppers their way. 

Don’t forget to get their contact information so you can plan a future brand collaboration. 

After the fair: Turning one-day sales into long-term customers 

Packing up the booth is always a bittersweet moment. You met so many great people, made sales, and now the hard work is over. But really, you’re just getting started. 

Post-fair follow-up is an opportunity to continue leveraging the success of a successful fair day.

Follow up with new email subscribers 

Send a specific email just to the people who signed up at the fair. You can mention the event, thank them for stopping by, and even link to some of the popular items you had at your booth. Reach out within 24–48 hours of the fair.

Shopify Power-Up: Build and send your welcome series using Shopify Email. You can easily create a customer segment for just the fair attendees to send them a message based on your interactions. 

Analyze your sales and profitability 

Finally, the moment of truth. Now it’s time to dig into the numbers to see what really works. Shopify Analytics can tell you which products were hits and how profitable the event was. 

Shopify Power Up: If you have Shopify POS Pro, you can see an on-device dashboard showing net sales, average order value (AOV), and items per order for the day of the event.

Ask for feedback and plan your next event 

If more popup events are in your future, the best way to improve is to ask customers for their feedback. 

Email a simple, one-question survey like the what’s used for the Net Promoter Score (NPS), which asks customers how likely they are to recommend your brand. You can also add an open-ended question like: “What could we do to make your experience even better?” Surveys work best when they’re short and sent soon after the event.

Send the survey specifically to the segment of customers who bought from you at the fair, and maybe offer a small thank-you incentive for their time, like a discount on their next purchase. 

Shopify Power Up: Use Shopify Email to send a survey link directly to your event customer segment.

Book your next craft fair or art show

The in-person experience has evolved significantly in recent years, with vendors stepping up their game with branded photo booths and experiential retail experiences.

To stand out, small merchants and handmade brands need to think beyond foldable card tables and clipboard email signup sheets. Employ the best practices and equipment recommendations made here, and your next craft fair or art show experience will be successful beyond measure.

This article originally appeared on Shopify and is available here for further discovery.