10 Essential Tips for Your First Market Stall or Trade Show as an Artist
If you’re preparing for your first market stall or trade show as an artist, congratulations! Stepping out from behind the canvas (or sketchbook) and into a live selling environment is a huge (and nerve-wracking) step in growing your business.
With the right preparation, it can be a hugely rewarding experience! Not just financially, but in terms of networking, feedback, and creative inspiration.
1. Plan your display like a pro
Your art needs to shine, and presentation matters! Invest time in designing a stall that reflects your brand and catches attention from a distance. Use vertical space with stands, easels, or hanging displays to create levels and draw the eye. Tablecloths, signage, and branding (like colours and fonts) make your setup look polished and professional. If they don’t end up purchasing, you want to make sure they remember and recognise your brand for the next time.
Tip: Do a mock setup at home before the event to avoid surprises and calm the nerves!
2. Don’t just sell, tell a story
People love knowing the artist behind the work. Have a short, engaging explanation ready about your process, inspiration, or themes in your art. This can turn a browser into a buyer. Include a printed artist bio or story on your table for those who prefer to read rather than chat. Remember you’re the face of your own brand, and the personality behind it! Sometimes people will be interested in you first, so make sure you give a good first impression!
3. Offer a range of prices
Not everyone will be ready to buy your original pieces, but offering prints, postcards, stickers, or small merch items can help convert casual interest into a sale. It also gives people a way to support you even on a budget.
4. Bring more than you think
Extra stock, business cards, packaging supplies, price tags, and even pens or tape, just bring it all! You’ll be surprised what you end up needing. A small kit with scissors, zip ties, blue tack, markers, and safety pins can be a lifesaver (especially those events in the winter months!)
5. Price clearly and confidently
Make it easy for people to know what things cost. Clearly label your items, and avoid making people ask unless you're intentionally keeping prices flexible. Do your research ahead of time so you feel confident in your pricing, but don’t undersell your worth. By all means, if you receive an uncommon request, feel free to work out a good price for both parties that reflects your worth.
6. Accept card payments
This is a biggie! Cash is great, but most people expect to be able to pay by card. Services like SumUp offer affordable and easy-to-use card readers. Make sure your phone is charged and your payment app is working. This can be a make or break between the peron making a purchase so don’t give them a reason to walk away from buying!
7. Prepare for questions
People will ask things like:
“Is this original?”
“Do you do commissions?”
“What materials do you use?”
“Do you have a website?”
Have clear, friendly answers ready and make it easy for them to follow up. Have business cards, a QR code to your Instagram or shop, or even a mailing list sign-up sheet.
Top tip: make sure you follow up with these the same week of the event, this is the prime time to keep the interest going!
8. Stand (and smile)
It can be tempting to sit behind your table, scrolling your phone, especially during slow times, but people are more likely to stop and engage if you’re up, present, and approachable. Even a simple “hello” can open the door to a sale.
9. Network with other stallholders
Remember the saying ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’? Well this definitely applies here! Some of the best value you’ll get from the day isn’t from customers, it’s from the community of small businesses. Chat with other stallholders, follow them online, and support each other. You’ll learn a lot and maybe even make some creative collaborations down the line.
10. Reflect and improve
After the event, take notes. What sold well? What didn’t? What questions did people ask repeatedly? Did your display work the way you intended? Every stall is a chance to learn and refine your approach. The more you do, the more confident and effective you’ll become for the next one, you’ll be a pro before you know it!
Final Thoughts
Even if you don’t sell out, every interaction, every compliment, and every lesson is a building block. Stay open, stay adaptable, and most importantly, have fun with it. You’re putting your art into the world, and that’s something to be proud of.
Bonus Checklist: What to Bring
Art & merchandise
Business cards
Display stands
Tablecloth
Signage
Price labels
Card reader + charger
Cash & change
Snacks & water
Notebook or logbook
Weather protection (if outdoors)
Pens, tape, string and blue tack!
