Posted by Peter Coskun on March 8, 2012 at 9:11 PM
I've been digging and digging through threads about art fairs and some tips and suggestion on how to succeed with them. Some of these questions may have already been answered, so forgive me for that. I will possibly be participating in a art festival this coming november (maybe sooner) and wanted to get some input from those that have done these gigs for quite some time. One of my first questions, and this was partially answered in a post I saw earlier, is does the event provide the tent as well as the space? The lots for this event are 11x14 and while walking about the recent art fair, I noticed almost all of the booths had the same tent set ups with the more well known artists taking up more than the 11x14 space. I've read that many of you provide your own tents, but wasn't sure if maybe some of these events provide for you. My next question, is how many prints of each size/image do you take? I will likely only provide three sizes (8x12, 12x18, and 24x36 at the largest). Obviously I will need to narrow down what images I am going to sell, and as it is a three day event I will need enough to sell through the weekend (if any at all). I am trying to do enough research so I can have everything ready by then as well as a few other art fairs. My last question is again regarding prints. As I will likely need to get bulk quantities of various images/sizes. Do you go through a printer done by a photo printing lab or find a cheaper alternative (i.e Costco) and lower the prices of the prints for sale? Obviously I really don't want to skimp on print quality. Any tips and advice are greatly appreciated. I may have more questions, but these were the ones I wanted to ask first. Thanks!
Have not been in art fairs. I have an image of a night time civil war cannon shoot that thrills many folks. Use it as my website banner. People have asked for it and paid for it (that's nice!). More of them have been re-enactors of the Civil War cannon shots that I give the image to at cost. I used Staples (what???) to do the print and mount it on backing board for them. They have been totally pleased with the end result. So have I. I really cannot see what a more expensive printer could have done to make the print better. Times have sure changed. Staples uses probably the same printers that SOME more expensive printers use. So, why pay more? Of course, some of the expertise depends on how long the HUMAN has been at Staples or the more expensive printer company. So, a short time printer may not know how to best use super expensive equipment while a long time printer will know how to get better prints form a less expensive printer. You have to test what they do!!!
Posted by Spencer Cake on March 9, 2012 at 8:28 AM
Peter,
I'm unsure of the term "Art Fair." I set up an 10 x 10' booth at what our city called an "Arts and Crafts Holiday Show" last November. I spent weeks preparing framed photos, matted photos, and note cards w/4x6 glossy photos for the show. Cost to enter was $260, plus $10 entry fee. Cost to rent a van to transport everything to/from show was another $105. Cost for purchasing the 10x10 booth was $1200. Lamps an additional $150. I printed photos in my office on Epson 3800.
Lessons learned:
1. It was not an art show. It was a craft's fair. Guess this was my error.
2. Four other photographer's at the show did not sell.
3. Mostly women looking for knick-knacks and Christmas decorations/gifts.
4. I won't do the show again.
I'm sure this will generate comments from others. I'd like to read them.
Best of luck on your show but don't be too disappointed if sales are minimal.
I have done numerous art and craft fairs. I have yet to do an outdoor fair where they offered to provide individual tents. Occasionally a fair will have a large party/circus type tent and offer space in that. Also you need to know if electricity will be available. Not all fairs do and and those that do don't always have it for all sites. You really need to contact the fair organizers to find out what they provide. You will need all your own displays.
As for what prints to bring and how many that varies a lot. I've had fairs where I sold a dozen prints (one day fair) and others where I only sold a couple of note cards. Last year was a miserable year for fairs. I had planned to do 5 but ended up doing only 3. One was the fair where I only sold 2 cards. I barely broke even on the other two and decided to can it for the year. When things are good different things sell in different places so if you can find out about the type of crowd that usually attends that can be helpful. For example if the fair is attended mostly by locals they will be more interested in local scenes. OTOH if you are selling wildlife or flower photos that won't enter into it. My advice would be to treat your first fair as a learning experience. Take at least 4 dozen assorted prints but consider making some note cards too to encourage impulse buyers. I print my own note cards on stock from Red River Papers, http://www.redriver.com. Don't forget a sales book to record your sales, bags/wrapping paper for sold work, etc. If have a smart phone and plan on getting into regular direct sales get a Squareup account https://squareup.com so that you can process credit & debit cards. There is no up front cost and the transaction cost is small.
Good luck with it. Fairs are a good opportunity to meet your audience on-on-one and get a feel for their reaction to what you are doing.
Posted by Barry Vangrov on March 9, 2012 at 10:15 AM
For pretty much all art festivals you provide your own tent but some shows do offer tent rentals. The tent is the easy part. You'll still need to provide your own "walls" to hang you photographs on. There are a few options for that, the least expensive are grid walls like you see in retail stores. Mesh panels and Pro Panels (those carpeted walls you see in some booths) are more expensive options. You might see if you know a local artist you can borrow from for one show or find a rental place that rents tents and Pro Panels so you don't invest in your own and then discover that the art festival scene isn't for you. Most people don't realize how much work it is to do these shows - both prep work and doing the actual show.
Regarding the size question, I suggest keeping it simple with 2 sizes - one small and one large. Don't confuse your customer or give them too many options. I have large framed images hanging on my walls and then 2 sizes of unframed matted images 11x14 and 16x20 in browse bins. You'll find that the large framed images are mostly to attract people into your booth (and sell a few) but the less expensive unframed pieces are much bigger sellers.
Check out an online community called Art Fair Insiders (http://www.artfairinsiders.com/). It's a great place to gather information and is a better place to answer your questions that are specific to art fairs.
Posted by David Mayhew on March 9, 2012 at 10:28 AM
I make most of income at Art Fairs. I use a trimline booth, but you'll shell out alot for that. 1st year I used an EZ up/ Caravan - they cost about $200. Not good for wind or rain, but a good trial solution until you decide if you want to take the plunge. Show rental booths tend to be sturdy, some use water barrels for weights. Some do not even have sides so you'd have to take everything out at night - check with the show - and tend to cost $250, more than an EZ up. They also have thick roof material that lets in no light.
As for prints I do 12x18s matted to 16x20 printed at costco. I find large prints help sell small. This video might give you some ideas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUZJUmQWEZM&feature=email
(sorry not finding the posting on how to activate the link)
Big difference between art fairs and craft shows. Art fairs have clientele that are there with money to spend. Craft fairs have people with only a few dollars to buy trinkets. Investment in tent (as mentioned you will need your own tent) and panels to hang images is high. You must have a method of accepting credit cards. Investment in printed and matted inventory is high. So you need to sell enough to cover costs. If you have to travel and stay over night up front costs are higher. You can make some money but it may take a few art fairs to develop a reputation. If you do what ever you can to garner a following of people who want to collect your work. The economy has reduced the number of my sales over the past 2 years.
These are my random thoughts. Hope they help.
Posted by Peter Coskun on March 10, 2012 at 12:03 AM
Thanks for the tips everyone. My biggest concerns were with the tent/display and the prints.
Ed, the town classifies the event as a art festival and I live fairly close to where the event is held so I will be able to go home each night. I've been looking into getting the device that attaches to smart phones to swipe debit/credit cards, but probably won't get that till I'm certain I am accepted into the event.
Discussion
7 repliesI'm unsure of the term "Art Fair." I set up an 10 x 10' booth at what our city called an "Arts and Crafts Holiday Show" last November. I spent weeks preparing framed photos, matted photos, and note cards w/4x6 glossy photos for the show. Cost to enter was $260, plus $10 entry fee. Cost to rent a van to transport everything to/from show was another $105. Cost for purchasing the 10x10 booth was $1200. Lamps an additional $150. I printed photos in my office on Epson 3800.
Lessons learned:
1. It was not an art show. It was a craft's fair. Guess this was my error.
2. Four other photographer's at the show did not sell.
3. Mostly women looking for knick-knacks and Christmas decorations/gifts.
4. I won't do the show again.
I'm sure this will generate comments from others. I'd like to read them.
Best of luck on your show but don't be too disappointed if sales are minimal.
Sincerely,
Spencer
Brenner Pass Photography
Fairfax, Va.
As for what prints to bring and how many that varies a lot. I've had fairs where I sold a dozen prints (one day fair) and others where I only sold a couple of note cards. Last year was a miserable year for fairs. I had planned to do 5 but ended up doing only 3. One was the fair where I only sold 2 cards. I barely broke even on the other two and decided to can it for the year. When things are good different things sell in different places so if you can find out about the type of crowd that usually attends that can be helpful. For example if the fair is attended mostly by locals they will be more interested in local scenes. OTOH if you are selling wildlife or flower photos that won't enter into it. My advice would be to treat your first fair as a learning experience. Take at least 4 dozen assorted prints but consider making some note cards too to encourage impulse buyers. I print my own note cards on stock from Red River Papers, http://www.redriver.com. Don't forget a sales book to record your sales, bags/wrapping paper for sold work, etc. If have a smart phone and plan on getting into regular direct sales get a Squareup account https://squareup.com so that you can process credit & debit cards. There is no up front cost and the transaction cost is small.
Good luck with it. Fairs are a good opportunity to meet your audience on-on-one and get a feel for their reaction to what you are doing.
Regarding the size question, I suggest keeping it simple with 2 sizes - one small and one large. Don't confuse your customer or give them too many options. I have large framed images hanging on my walls and then 2 sizes of unframed matted images 11x14 and 16x20 in browse bins. You'll find that the large framed images are mostly to attract people into your booth (and sell a few) but the less expensive unframed pieces are much bigger sellers.
Check out an online community called Art Fair Insiders (http://www.artfairinsiders.com/). It's a great place to gather information and is a better place to answer your questions that are specific to art fairs.
As for prints I do 12x18s matted to 16x20 printed at costco. I find large prints help sell small. This video might give you some ideas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUZJUmQWEZM&feature=email
(sorry not finding the posting on how to activate the link)
These are my random thoughts. Hope they help.
Ed, the town classifies the event as a art festival and I live fairly close to where the event is held so I will be able to go home each night. I've been looking into getting the device that attaches to smart phones to swipe debit/credit cards, but probably won't get that till I'm certain I am accepted into the event.