How My Artist Booth Setup has Evolved
My market table setup has evolved significantly since I embarked on this art business journey. In August 2022, I didn’t even have a proper setup and relied solely on the growth of my online presence to support me. However, little did I know that I would need to do much more to develop my brand and ensure its success. In February 2023, I participated in my first local market, which took place in my neighborhood every weekend. While I had prepared products in advance, I didn’t have a well-thought-out plan for my booth. Consequently, I quickly devised a booth setup. I sold t-shirts, prints, and some figurines that I had previously showcased in a gallery. Looking back, I realize that my primary concern was merely displaying my items without considering the efficiency or effectiveness of these displays.
My First Set-up
My first setup was a simple structure consisting of a 10×10 tent with a 4 foot long table. On top of the table sat a tiered magazine display for my prints, a smaller tiered 3 level display of my figurines, and finally two clothing rack stands for my t-shirts.
The First Booth Analysis
Looking back at this booth now I can name some things that I dislike and some that I like about the display.
Likes
- Simplicity – A very basic set up that almost “gets to the point” of things.
- Business Name – coming up to my booth, people can clearly see my business’ name and have an expectation: “Art”
- Prices on Clothing Rack – I has prices of all the shirts listed on the poles of both clothing racks so as to avoid customers wondering the prices.
Dislikes
- Visibility – Some prints can’t be seen at on magazine display
- Repetition – multiples of the same print on top shelf of magazine display
- location of clothing racks – the customer would have to walk in-between the table and the rack in order to look through the clothing options
I would say for a first time setup, it wasn’t too bad. It felt like a mini shop and I did get enough sales to not only pay off my booth fee, but to make a little bit of profit. Albeit, not enough to make me feel like this would be sustainable but enough to get my spirits up about this venture.
Second and Third Booth Set-ups
During my first market, I got to walk around and see how others set up their booths. I took a lot of notes on what I wanted to do to improve. I would also go online and see how others set up their booths to make them more interesting and interactive. At a few subsequent markets I had a little bean bag toss game where if you got a certain amount of points, I’d take 20% off the customers purchase. Even though it was a cute idea, I only had about one customer out of the 10 or so I got that day utilize it. The reason had a lot to do with the placement of my products, which, at the time, I didn’t know was a big issue. But I really wanted to have an interactive booth so I worked on a more “open floor plan”.
The Second Booth Analysis
This is probably one of my least favorite setups.
I like walking up to a booth and having an expectation as to what will be in it, but this booth gives me little to no context.
Likes
- Hanging of Shirts – People walking by can clearly see t-shirt options
- Interactive touches – It’s hard to see in this picture, but I had some games, puzzle pieces, and other toys to make the booth more interactive.
Dislikes
- Logo Sign – Poster board that was really bend and it looks really tacky.
- Openness – I feel like this aspect is the main reason why I can’t easily tell what is being sold here.
- location of clothing racks -The customer has to go all the way to the back of the booth to see the shirts. Shirts were popular for e, should’ve been in the front.
The Third Booth Analysis
I feel like this setup is a cute standard market set-up
Likes
- Organization – Everything seems like it has a place
- Versatility of Whiteboard – I could easily write down different deals and offers I was having that day/weekend
- Organization of keychains – The keychains that were laid out flat on the table brought a lot of eyes downwards towards the options
Dislikes
- Whiteboard logo – Hard to see if you are just passing by
- Tiny home-made keychain stand – It wasn’t at eye level so most people didn’t notice it.
- Sticker box – I used a plastic box to hold my stickers. customers felt reluctant to open it and browse so i had to constantly invite them to.
After a few revisions of this set up, I pivoted a bunch as I began looking into more anime-con setup styles. In these, the customer sees a lot of things at eye level and I wanted to utilize that approach.
Revised Setup – First Anime style set up
The Anime Convention Set-up
After going to a few markets, I was determined to find my niche. Some customers would tell me how well I’d do at anime conventions and markets so I began building my booth for them.
Likes
- Shirt Location– Customers always viewed the shirts
- Logo Sign – A new addition that made my booth look more professional
- Eye Level Merchandise – Prints and keychains were more eye level to the customers
Dislikes
- A bit small/too simple – I feel like I needed more print options and the lack of variy makes the booth look small
- Painting is a bit crowding – The painting I made next to my logo just seems out of place.
- Tent was a bit short – For taller customers, they struggles with the tent height.
Current setups
My Anime convention setups are my most recent style of booth. They mostly focus on keeping products in eye level and also focusing on interactivity and variation
Indoor, Size Limited, Anime-Con Booth Analysis
My first anime convention (Anime STX in San Antonio TX) and indoor market. I had only a 6×8 foot space allotted to me so I had to come up with a compact design.
Likes
- Grid of Shirts – Easy to see all designs
- Print display – The prints really colorize the booth
- Compact and Cohesive Look – Everything was visiable and had clear labeling
- Pricing Guide – The pricing guide in the corner added a quick way to see prices beyond the displayed labels
Dislikes
- Logo Sign Location – I wanted it more aligned to the center front of the table.
- Keychain location – The keychains felt like there were in the midst of it all. It made it hard for customers to notice them.
- Sticker Display – Although I liked having a sticker book and also displaying some stickers, I kind of wished they were on a tiered display or just more prominent
- Location of Artist – People found it hard to spot me because the grid allowed only a little bit of space to see me
Outdoor, 10×10 tent, Anime-Con Booth Analysis
My most recent setup and what I used at my second anime market/con (Anime Village- Summer Matsuri Market in Houston TX) and a few other markets
Likes
- Location of Pricing Guide – People walking by can clearly see t-shirt options
- Keychain Location – Low eye level items are hard to see sometimes but because I’m right next to them, people tend to look down more towards them.
- Open Grid Squares in the middle to see Artist (me) – People can interact with me easier
- Additional grid wall for smaller prints – A cute addition and it gives the smaller prints more love
Dislikes
- Low grid walls – I’m now a high supporter of eye level merchandise.
- Size of Sticker book – I have to always tell people it’s there but I’d be nice if it was more eye catching.
- Only one table – I think I could expand my sticker display with a tiered stand if I had more space
Conclusion
My current setup is one of my favorites, but I still believe there’s room for improvement to achieve the desired look for my brand. I aim to enhance the aesthetics of my booth, incorporating my white and blue-grey branding while adding brightness. Perhaps using a baby blue tablecloth or grid covers would help. As stickers are becoming top sellers, I also want to find a better way to display them, possibly through a more tiered approach. Needless to say, my booth setup is still evolving, and there will be many more iterations before I achieve the desired look and feel. Nonetheless, I’m pleased with the valuable lessons I’ve learned through trial and error.
Now, I would love to hear your thoughts on these designs! If you’re an artist, how have your booth setups evolved over the months, years, or even decades? Please share your questions, comments, and concerns in the comment section below!
Neato!
this is a great run down of your process so far! i love seeing the progression from your very first set-ups to the ones now. the last one looks super professional and i can’t wait to see where you go from here. good luck, mackattacksart!!!