Free Craft Show Checklist (with printable!)

Congratulations on taking the next step in your craft-selling journey! You’re probably feeling the butterflies of excitement and the worries that come with preparing for your first show. We’ve been there, so we’ve compiled this handy craft show checklist to help make sure you have everything you need for a successful event.

Before the Day

Make sure you’ve done the math on how much to charge for each of your products and have them clearly marked with a visible price tag.

Ensure you have the technology in place to provide customers with different payment options. Test that your phone connects to your reader correctly before the day and that you have plans in place to accept offline payments if you have some tech issues on the day.

Don’t forget to make plans to look after yourself too: bring a snack, some water and a few other items that will help you stay refreshed and energized throughout the day. Also think about how you’ll take breaks, and who (if anyone) will be looking over your stall to ensure everything is safe.

More tips on how to prepare for your first craft show »

The Craft Show Checklist

Download the summarized checklist for easy printability here: Free craft show checklist (printable)

Technology

• Phone - Having a phone on hand is crucial for communication purposes and to be able to look up any information you may need.
• Phone Charger - This will ensure your phone stays powered so you can stay connected throughout the day.
• Screen Wipes - Keep your device clean and fingerprint-free with a pack of handy screen wipes.
• Credit Card Reader - Offering customers the option to pay by card will increase sales, so make sure you have a credit card reader with you.
• Business Cards - Hand out your business cards to potential customers who may be interested in your products or services.

Marketing

• Business Cards - Hand out your business cards to potential customers who may be interested in your products or services.
• Newsletter Signup Sheet - Collecting email addresses is a great way to stay connected with customers and inform them of any upcoming events or product releases.
• Booth Setup Design - Plan your booth layout ahead of time so everything looks professional, organized and inviting.

Packaging

• Paper Bags - Have paper bags on hand to pack customers’ purchases in.
• Boxes - The same goes for boxes, if you have items that may require a box to protect them during transporting or shipping.
• Tissue Paper - Present your products in the best light with some colorful tissue paper added to the bag or box.
• Repeat Purchase Cards - Give customers a card asking them to come back and shop with you again.

Payments & Inventory

• Product Inventory List - Have a list of your products on hand so you can quickly tally up orders or check if items have sold out.
• Receipt Book - Always give customers a receipt for the items they’ve bought, as this will help build customer loyalty.
• Custom Order Forms - If customers want a custom order, make sure you have the forms ready for them to fill in.
• Cash Apron or Box - Be prepared to handle cash transactions by having an apron or box with change readily available.
• Notepad - Have a notepad to jot down any notes about customers or orders.
• Price Labels - Make sure all your items have price labels attached.

Handy Miscellaneous

• Tools of Your Craft Bring along the tools you need to demonstrate and create products if this is a part of your booth set up.
• Multi Tool - Handy for when you need to adjust things on the spot.
• Scissors - Cut price labels, tissue paper or product materials with a pair of scissors on hand.
• Duct Tape - You never know when duct tape will come in handy in an emergency!
• Scotch Tape - To keep boxes and bags closed and secure.
• Safety Pins - Attach price labels or repair clothing items with these little pins.
• Pens - Use a pen to fill out forms, take notes and more.
• Sharpies - Mark items with sharpies if you don’t have time to make price labels.
• Small Bags - To put smaller purchases in.
• Binder Clips - Clip together paperwork or secure your booth banner.
• Trash Bags - Have a couple of trash bags on hand to quickly clear up messes or waste.
• Sewing Kit - If you do any sewing at all, make sure you have a sewing kit with you.
• Tape Measure - Check measurements or quickly measure customers’ sizes.

Self Care

• Water Bottle - Stay hydrated to keep your energy up throughout the day.
• Snacks - Keep a few snacks on hand to munch on and help stave off hunger.
• Band Aids - Be prepared for any unexpected accidents or mishaps.
• Lip Balm - Keeping your lips moisturized will help prevent chapping, especially in over airconditioned environments.
• Wet Wipes - For quick and easy clean ups.
• Pain Reliever - To ease any aches or pains that might occur from long days of standing or working.
• Tissues - Handy for wiping down tables or cleaning up spills.
• Hand Sanitizer - To keep your hands clean and germ-free.
• Breath Freshener - In case of unexpected bad breath during the day, keeps you confident in front of customers.
• Comfy Shoes & Clothes - Wear comfortable shoes and clothing for a long day of being on your feet and setting up/breaking down your booth.

Now that you know what to prepare in advance of your craft show, it’s time to put it into action! Pack everything carefully and double-check your list at least once before heading out – this will help ensure you have all the necessary items for a successful event. Best of luck and happy crafting!