8 Ways to Make a Craft Show Display Look More Professional

There’s a lot you can do to improve your craft show display. But if you’re not ready to dive into branding your display, using line and composition, telling a story, etc. there are some simple steps to take to ensure your display looks professional and increases the perceived value of your products.

Here are 8 simple changes you can make to elevate your craft show display.

 

1) Add levels

Displaying everything on the same level will hide details, make it harder for people to shop, and create more of a discount table feel rather than a merchandised table that belongs in a boutique.

Use a variety of fixtures and props to elevate your products and add interest that draws the eye around the table.

 

2) Stick to one fixture finish

Chances are, your products bring plenty of visual variation to your display. So you don’t want variation in your fixtures to distract from your products or create too much visual noise.

Create cohesion in your display by using one finish or colour for your display fixtures and signage.

It’s okay if the finishes aren’t an exact match. For example, these wooden fixtures and baskets are all different materials. But they look similar and have a similar tone of colour.

 

Spray paint can be your best friend when you’re on a tight budget and gathering items from around your home, thrift shops, or dollar stores to use as craft show fixtures.

If everything you have is a different colour, try spray painting them all white to create a more cohesive look. Or choose a colour that goes with your brand (here’s how to brand your craft show table).

 

3) Invest in proper display fixtures

As soon as your profits allow, invest in the right kind of fixture to display your products.

For example, if you sell jewelry, buy necklace stands and jewelry busts. If you sell cards and stationery, buy card racks. If you sell items that are best displayed on hangers, invest in fixtures that allow you to hang them.

Choosing display fixtures that are the right size for your products and make it easy for people to shop will elevate your display.

 

3) Display & stock

Try to have a mix of your products displayed and stocked.

“Displaying” is showing one (or more) of your products in their best light. While “stocking” your product is grouping like-products and requires shoppers to sift through folded, stacked, hanging, etc. items.

In a store, a top may be displayed on a bust form and then stocked on a table with different sizes and colours folded and stacked.

Adding just one display element to your craft show table can make it look more professional.

That might be:

>> Displaying one piece of art framed and displayed with another home decor item or prop that helps tell a story while multiple un-framed prints are stocked below.

>> Displaying one scarf on a bust form with additional scarves folded on the table.

>> Displaying one necklace on a bust with additional stock in it hanging on a t-stand.

 

5) Mind your tablecloth

Attention to detail when it comes to tablecloths is such a simple step but many vendors leave it as an afterthought.

First and foremost, your tablecloth should be a colour, print, and fabric that goes with your brand and complements your products (find examples of that here).

Next, ensure your tablecloth is ironed before the event and then mist it with water and smooth it out once you place it on your table. Try choosing a wrinkle-free tablecloth or one in a fabric that doesn’t hold wrinkles. You may want to invest in a handheld steamer if your products could use a quick touchup once you take them out of bins, as you can use the steamer on your tablecloth as well.

Lastly, ensure your tablecloth is positioned so it almost touches the floor at the front of your table. Don’t let it drape on the floor or it may become a tripping hazard for shoppers or get ruined by muddy shoes or strollers. This will create a clean look and hide your bins and other items being stored under your table.

Adding layers to your tablecloth can also help elevate your display. A table runner, placemats, fabric charger plates, etc. can help communicate your brand, create interest, and highlight products.

 

6) Create a clean backdrop

In most situations, your craft show table won’t be against a clean white wall. The back of another vendor’s table may be behind you, or an aisle, sidewalk, etc. This can create visual noise in your display and distract shoppers from your products.

Try to choose display fixtures that will create a clean backdrop for your products. Alternatively, you may use craft paper or fabric to add a backing to your fixtures or create a tabletop backdrop.

Depending on the size of your space, you may be able to create a backdrop that sits behind you. Tall signage, fabric backdrops, or even room dividers can help brand your space and elevate your display.

If you’re selling at a larger event or trade show, your space may already have white or black curtains separating each booth and acting as a clean backdrop.

 

7) Reduce stock

It’s common for vendors to want to fit as much product on the table as possible to have more options and sell to more people.

However, too much stock can lower the perceived value of your products and cheapen your display.

Every retail store has a stockroom so they don’t have to cram products on the sales floor. When sales associates are attending to each customer, they can help them find what they need and check the stockroom if a size or option isn’t on the sales floor.

Create a “stockroom” under your table to free up space in your display.

You don’t need to display every item you’ve made. If a shopper is looking at an item and you have it in another colour, you can let them know and pull it out from under the table if they’re interested.

 

8) Be a guide

Shoppers are looking for you to be an expert in your field and guide them through their shopping experience.

Your display should show shoppers which products look great together and how to use/display/wear them.

If a vendor is displaying a pearl necklace next to plastic bracelets and earrings that don’t match, it doesn’t instill a lot of confidence that the vendor knows how to match accessories.

Make sure all the products on your table make sense together and that you create smaller groupings on your table that guide shoppers on what to buy together.

 

Let me know in the comment section if you have any questions!