In the bustling world of art fairs, festivals, and conventions, standing out isn’t just a challenge—it’s an opportunity to showcase your brand’s unique personality and creativity. Your vendor booth is more than just a display; it’s a statement about who you are as an artist. We reached out to some incredible artists from the Threadless Community who have fine-tuned their booth setups and asked them to share their insights. Here’s a look at their experiences, along with some inspiring vendor booth ideas you can use to make your next event a success.
Pablo Marin, creator of Dega Studios (Nashville, TN)
As Seen At: art shows and festivals throughout Tennessee, including RAW Artists, Nashville Cars n’ Coffee, and Streetside Classics Spring Car Show | Bestsellers: tees, prints, and stickers
For Dega Studios, the vendor booth is as much a piece of art as the products themselves. Operating out of a retro 1970s van affectionately named Vandega, the booth doubles as a mobile blacklight art gallery. “It’s a vision I’ve been building towards for years,” says Pablo. “I operate out of an original survivor 1979 Dodge street van—wood paneling, shag carpet, and all.” This unique setup not only draws attention but creates an immersive experience for visitors.
★ Pro Tip: Incorporate unique and thematic elements into your booth design to create an experience, not just a display.
Looking ahead, Pablo is eager to expand his offerings. “One of my best friends since we were kids now presses, shapes, and skates his own boards. I’m hoping to work with him to get a line of custom cruiser decks going. I’d like to bring back some cool old-school shapes and revive the golden years of skateboard graphics,” he shares.
Brian Cook Art, AKA “Butts on Things” (Portland, OR)
Brian Cook’s booth is all about organization and efficiency, with a focus on keeping everything within arm’s reach. “I’ve been adapting my current setup for a few years. I like that everything stays organized outside the display and that I also have a good way to keep things stored and organized behind the display,” he says. His bestsellers—pins and stickers—are displayed in a way that’s easy for customers to browse and for him to manage.
★ Pro Tip: Efficient organization not only streamlines operations but also enhances customer satisfaction with prompt service.
Brian is always looking for new ways to engage customers. “I’m thinking about designing a walk-in space for my booth in the future that has custom cut-outs and photo ops,” he shares.
I Heart Guts (Los Angeles, CA)
As Seen At: New York Comic Con and Museum Store Association Expo | Bestsellers: Plushie organs, cute organ pins, keychains, and stickers
Creating an inviting atmosphere is key for I Heart Guts. “I love creating an inviting and pretty space for my stuff!” they share. Their booth, which features plushie organs, pins, keychains, and stickers, is designed to be approachable and engaging. Essential tools like Square POS make transactions easy and smooth.
★ Pro Tip: Focus on creating a welcoming and aesthetically pleasing environment that encourages visitors to explore your products.
I Heart Guts is also thinking ahead about how to improve their setup. “Any display structure that’s light, packs small, and is easy to get into a convention center without paying an arm and a leg,” they say.
Effin’ Birds (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
As Seen At: Megacon (Orlando), FAN EXPO (Philadelphia, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Cleveland), and Nerd Street (Des Moines and Lakeland) | Bestsellers: books, calendars, and playing cards
Effin’ Birds is known for its quirky and humorous approach, both in products and booth setup. “I always have something weird / new / absurd (this year it’s Hawaiian shirts),” they share. A free “EAT FARTS” sticker serves as an icebreaker, making the booth approachable and fun.
★ Pro Tip: Use humor and quirky elements to make your booth more approachable. Flexible signage options can also simplify logistics.
Effin’ Birds is continually experimenting with new ideas. “Over my next few shows, I’m experimenting with hanging flags instead of pop-up banners for signage—much easier to pack, don’t cost extra as checked baggage, and cheap enough that I can change them all the time or even sell them / give them away at the end of a show,” they explain.
Emily Morgan, AKA Lovely But Dead (Columbus, OH)
As Seen At: Worthington Arts Festival (where they won best in show!) and and markets around Columbus | Bestsellers: prints, stickers, and art originals
Emily Morgan’s booth is designed to be open and welcoming, offering a stark contrast to more cluttered setups. “It’s open and bright and airy—I find a lot of other art booths make it look like you’re inside someone’s house,” says the artist. They’ve found that simplicity and accessibility are key to making customers feel comfortable and engaged.
★ Pro Tip: Prioritize openness and light in your booth design to create a welcoming atmosphere that invites customers in.
Looking to the future, Emily sees room for improvement. “I think an outdoor rug would look nice! I would also like to upgrade my grid system,” they mention.
Sigaluna (Israel)
Sigaluna’s booth stands out for its simplicity and elegance, perfectly reflecting the minimalist style of her black-and-white illustrations. “It delivers what my art is about—it’s all black and white with minimal but meaningful illustrations,” she shares. To display prints, Sigaluna uses IKEA dish dryers, which are both portable and effective. “The IKEA dish dryers—I put the prints in them, and it’s lovely presented and easy to carry.”
★ Pro Tip: Sometimes, less is more. Use practical, everyday items creatively to enhance your booth’s aesthetic and functionality.
Sigaluna is always looking to improve their setup. “I wish I had a good setup for the postcards, something black with levels which I haven’t found yet,” she says.
Yay! It’s Vica (San Francisco, CA)
As Seen At: Head West Marketplace, West Coast Craft Market, and Union Street Festival | Bestsellers: stickers, tees, and totes
Vica’s booth is a reflection of her brand’s mission to spread joy and positivity. “I love that it perfectly encapsulates the warmth, joy, and vibrance that I always strive to share through my illustrations,” she explains. Vica’s booth features a wide variety of vinyl sticker designs, shirts, and tote bags, all displayed in a way that draws customers in and keeps them browsing.
★ Pro Tip: Ensure your booth reflects your brand’s core message. A cohesive theme that resonates with your art can create a memorable experience for visitors.
Always looking to elevate her setup, Vica has plans for future upgrades. “I already have plans of upgrading my set up to have my illustrations on the walls and/or roof of my canopy tent. I think extending the cozy and kawaii world that exists in my products to the tent itself will be a fun way to make my booth stand out even more,” she shares.
Queerage (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Queerage transformed their booth by rethinking the way products are displayed. “I realized I needed a new way to display all my tote bags,” they explain. “I rearranged my metal grid panels and wove the handles of the bags through them to keep them straight and showing forward!” This change not only improved visibility but also increased sales.
★ Pro Tip: Strategically arrange your products to ensure they’re fully visible to customers. A small adjustment can make a big difference.
Queerage has plans to refine their display further. “I’d love one of those displays that are actually made for hats. As much as the hangers are working, the hat displays are so much cleaner,” they add.
JeffreyAvilesArt (Los Angeles, CA)
For Jeffrey Aviles, consistency is key. “I loved that I worked really hard to make everything in my booth look cohesive with my brand and image,” they share. By using racks to elevate merchandise like t-shirts, Jeffrey maximizes space and ensures that products are visible from afar, leading to better sales and a more organized setup.
★ Pro Tip: Focus on maximizing both space and visibility. Thoughtful product arrangement can help you make the most of a smaller booth while still showcasing your brand effectively.
Jeffrey is already thinking about the next step. “Definitely more space. Pay for a larger booth,” they say, reflecting on the need for room to grow.
TITTYBATS (Savannah, GA)
As Seen At: Punk Rock Flea Market Knoxville, Milk Mart Orlando, Raleigh DIY Punk Rock Flea, and Y’all Mart in Columbia, SC | Bestsellers: tees, specifically hand-dyed t-shirts and crop tops
TITTYBATS is always looking for ways to improve their booth, learning from each event. “I learn something new at every single event, so the booth just keeps getting better,” they say. The setup includes unique items like a Bic lighter display, which adds a quirky and memorable touch to the booth.
★ Pro Tip: Continuously refine and adapt your booth setup based on your experiences. Unique and unexpected elements can set your booth apart.
TITTYBATS is constantly thinking of new ways to stand out. “A branded tent canopy is in my future. Otherwise, I’m always scavenging alleyways and dumpsters for useful retail fixtures,” they mention.
Creating a standout vendor booth is both an art and a science. By incorporating these vendor booth ideas from experienced artists, you can design a space that not only draws in visitors but also effectively showcases your brand. Whether through unique setups, strategic product displays, or quirky touches, let these insights inspire your next booth to be both functional and unforgettable.
Related Posts
