Craft show tents are a great way to advertise your business and craft offerings. Having a display area that is also protected from weather conditions and prying eyes is important.
Craft shows are a great place to sell your work, but if you are new to the craft world, it can be daunting to know where to start. Many times, new crafters do not know how to market themselves or their work, so less people visit their booths!
Having a popup tent for your craft show displays is an easy way to get started with displaying your crafts. Buying a good quality tent will last you many shows and prevent poor weather conditions from ruining your display.
Tents come in many sizes and shapes, so look for one that fits your space requirements and matches your style.
Buy a quality pop up tent
When shopping for a tent, make sure it is made of a sturdy material. You do not want to risk it tearing while you have customers in your booth!
Pop up tents are very easy to set up so this is a plus. You will have enough time to test set up before the event starts so you are not rushing.
There are many different sizes of pop up tents so find the one that best fits your needs and customer amount. If you have a lot of inventory, go for a larger tent so your customers can browse your goods easily!
The most important tip is to re-sell your pop up tent after using it! People love getting deals so try putting an ad up for the tent for a reasonable price. This way, you can get some money back and buy some new supplies for your next event.
Get some help setting it up
Once you have your tent, it is time to set it up. This can be a tricky process if you have never done it before. A good way to learn how to set up a tent is to watch a YouTube video or search for tips online.
Many people use stakes to anchor the tent in the ground, then use rope or wires to attach the poles and then pull up the fabric covering. Once this is done, you just have to lay out the flooring and you are ready!
If you are setting up your tent outside in windy conditions, make sure to tie down all of the corners and edges so that it does not fly away. Also make sure your floor is tight so that water does not get inside.
Try getting some help setting up the tent from friends or family members.
Make sure you have enough stakes
Once you have put up your tent, the next step is to put in the stakes. These are the pieces that hold down the tent in windy conditions.
A rule of thumb is four stakes per side of the tent. This ensures that you have enough to hold it down in heavy winds. More stakes mean more safety for your tent!
Once these are put in, you are ready to store your tent. A good way to do this is to fold it in half and then roll it up. This way, it takes up less space and you can keep it for next time.
If you do not plan on using your tent again, then a good tip is to wash it due to dust or mud accumulation.
Get some lighting for inside the tent
Once you have the tent, you will need to put it up. Some tents come with instructions, but if not, look up a tutorial online. It is always good to have extra tape and mange available as well.
Many popup tents have easy set-up systems where you simply push the poles into place and then fill with the tent material. These are very easy to set up by yourself!
Once your craft show popup tent is set up, make sure to test how lightproof it is. Pull down the sides and top and see if light streams in anywhere. If so, add some lighting inside your tent using string lights or battery powered lanterns.
Plan your display area
Before purchasing a tent, make sure you have enough space to properly set up the tent. The width of the display area must be wider than the length of the tent by at least two feet per side.
This is required to place the side poles into the ground and for adequate space to walk around your display. If you have a very large display, then additional clearance is needed to fold up the tent.
Coordinate your decor with your theme
If you are planning to have your craft show at a specific place, like a mall or a library, check with the management to see if they have any special requirements.
Many require you to use special tents due to weather concerns or safety issues. If this is the case, be sure to ask for recommendations on quality vendors.
You can also ask the management if there is space available to set up your own tent. This way, you can blend your own decorations and themes with the venue’s decorations and themes to create a cohesive look.
Using similar colors or themes for your tent, decorations, and packaging can help draw more attention to your products. People will feel like they are part of something when they notice all of the details connected to your artwork.
Decide what to sell in your tent
Next, you will want to decide what you will sell in your tent. You can sell crafts that you make, supplies that people can use to craft, or both!
If you choose to sell craft supplies, you can opt for cheap ones or high-end ones. For example, you can sell pencils, canvas boards, and paint sets for low prices, or you can sell Prang paints and Arton paper for higher prices.
If you choose to sell finished crafts, then you will want to have a range of prices depending on how long it took to make the craft and how skilled the maker is.
Practice setting up your pop up tent before the event
Even though pop up tents are considered easy to use, it is always a good idea to practice setting it up before the event.
Do this before the event at the site of the event so you are familiar with the terrain. The last thing you want to do is struggle with your tent on site while people are watching.
It takes a few tries to get the hang of it, but once you do, you will be an expert!
Before buying a pop up tent, look for brands that have good reviews and are durable. Buying a cheap tent that does not last or does not keep you sheltered will not help you profit at the end of the day.
Sale: Check out local craigslist listings to see if anyone is selling any tents for a good price. Or ask friends or family if they have one they no longer use and would like to give away.