10 Ways to Display Tote Bags at a Craft Show

Tote bags are one of the trickier items to display on a craft show table. Some styles don’t stand on their own and the styles that do, tend to take up a lot of table space. 

So here are my tips for creating a craft show display that includes totes, the fixtures and accessories I recommend, as well as some DIY suggestions. 

 

Displaying tote bags versus Stocking tote bags

I have broken ideas into 2 sections:

1. Displaying tote bags
2. Stocking tote bags

Let me quickly explain the difference between the two.

Imagine a top shown on a mannequin versus it being folded on a table or side-hung on a rack among dozens of other tops. 

The top displayed on the mannequin will grab more attention and get shoppers interested in it. 

But shoppers need to be able to pick up the top, see the front and back, feel the material, find their size, etc. 

So both ways of merchandising the top are essential; on the mannequin to grab attention and stacked/hung for people to shop the top and find their size/color.

>> Top shown on mannequin = Display

>> Top folded or side hung with additional sizes/colors = Stock

Your craft show table or booth should both display a few tote bags and house stock.

There isn’t a right or wrong way to display purses and bags at a craft show. 

However, based on my visual presentation education and experience, a well-merchandised display has a mix of display and stock.

 

How to Display tote bags at a craft show

Here are a few ideas to add a “display” element to your craft show table and showcase your most popular style of tote.

1) Bag Stand

A bag stand is the type of display fixture most retailers use to display tote bags. 

When I worked as the regional visual merchandiser for a major retailer, they would use these types of stands on table displays. One bag would be showcased next to a bust form, and that bag would be a color/style that complimented the top and bottom stocked on the table.

These display stands are designed to display one bag only.

Purse stands come in a variety of colors and finishes. Amazon has a good selection, but you may be able to find some in a local store. 

This is the one I purchased and is shown in the photo below. The quality is okay. I do have to constantly tighten the screw and on one of them, if it’s extended all the way, the extension doesn’t sit perfectly straight.

Tip

When purchasing a bag display stand, make sure the height is adjustable and that it extends to the height you need for your tote bags.

 

2) Hang bar with S-hook

When you use a regular S-hook on a hang bar, it will allow you to display a tote bag; meaning, it faces forward.

There are several ways you can incorporate hanging space into your craft show display, depending on how much space you have:

Over the table rod

I purchased mine from Ikea. You can find them on Amazon as well, but I liked how Ikea’s is a round rod, so hangers and hooks easily fit on it. 

Tabletop hanging fixture

You may find various options for these types of fixtures. I purchased a children’s dress-up hanging rack (you can find it here), which is a good height and size to fit on a small craft show table. This one also folds up, so it’s easy to transport and store. However, there are many options if you search “kids clothes rack”.

DIY table rod

You can easily make hanging space by using two crates, pieces of wood and a dowel. I cut 2 pieces of wood and drilled holes in the top to fit my dowel through. I then pre-drilled two holes at the bottom of the 2x2s so I could screw them into my crates. 

Rollbar

If you have a larger space, you can use a rollbar. If you only have an 8 foot space, you may opt for a shorter table and place a rollbar at the end of it. Remember, your fixtures can’t spill out of your allotted space (organizers do NOT like that).

You may also have the option to set the rollbar behind your table and use it to display bag styles. You may even be able to set the rollbar up so the top sits over your table. Just be sure it doesn’t create a tripping hazard for shoppers.

I purchased my rollbar from IKEA for less than $20. It doesn’t fold down without unscrewing the bolts (but it is quick and easy to take apart/set up). It’s lightweight, so easy to transport.

There are many rollbar options on the market. A collapsable one may be preferable if you don’t have a lot of trunk space.

If you’re selling at an outdoor event and have a 10×10 tent, you can even create a hanging bar. Use a sturdy dowel, drill a hole on each end big enough to fit an S-hook or a sturdy piece of rope through. The tie the rope to the roof supports of your tent.

 

3) Clothesline

If you have a way to string a rope from one side of your table or booth to the other, you can use clothes pins to clip the tote bags to that rope and display the different styles you offer.

This type of display would be cute for a more casual style of bag or brand. 

It won’t work for anything heavy, such as a leather tote, unless you use heavier rope and use more heavy-duty clothespins. 

 

4) On a bust form

If you have a bust form, dress it in a top and place a tote bag on the shoulder (you may need to clip it in place so it doesn’t slide off).

It’s important to dress the form in a way your ideal customer would dress when wearing the style of bag you’re displaying.

For example, if you’re selling a winter line of tote bags that are going to be worn with winter jackets and heavy sweaters, don’t dress your bust form in a tank top. Dress it in a cozy sweater or a jacket.

Tip

I was able to acquire my bust form from the retailer I was working for when they were introducing a new style of bust form in their stores. They were going to toss the old ones so I asked to take one home. It’s a little worn and sun-bleached, but nothing some spray paint can’t fix.

You can find bust forms on Amazon or look for used ones on Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace. If you happen to come across a clothing retail store that’s closing, ask if they’re selling their bust forms. You may be able to get one for a good price.

 

5) Grid shelving

This is my least favorite option, just because it doesn’t create a clean background for my products. 

If you imagine the back of another vendor’s table being behind this grid fixture, there will be a lot of visual noise that can distract from my products. 

As well, the gridlines create some visual clutter. 

However, I could find a way to attach a piece of white foam core to the back of the unit, which would clean things up. 

The pros of this type of display fixture are:

It’s lightweight and breaks down into a stack of 1’ x 1’ squares and the small attachment pieces, so it’s great for transporting.

• It offers flexibility for set up. You can create cubes, risers, or a unit similar to mine. 
• It can be used for displaying tote bags and for stocking tote bags.
• It’s economical.

This is the one I purchased and then I added these hooks. I also have baskets that can hook on.

If you go this route, be sure to play around with different configurations to find what works best for the weight and style of your tote bags. 

If you create a backdrop/wall with the grid pieces, and shoppers will be able to touch items displayed on that grid wall, make sure it’s nice and sturdy.

You may need to purchase 2 sets so you have enough pieces to make it stable. 

 

6) T-Stand

A T-Stand fixture will allow you to both display a bag (because it’s forward-facing), and house stock in it. 

If you’re using this type of fixture, it’s important to only stock one or two styles of bags on each arm.

If you stock too many styles of bags on the T-stand, shoppers will have to remove the front bags to get to bags in the back, which makes it more difficult to shop. 

You can purchase T-stands online (however they tend to be expensive because they’re used in retail stores, here’s an example of one), but it wouldn’t be hard to make one.  

I drilled a hole in the top of a 2” x 2” piece of wood, big enough to fit a sturdy wooden dowel. Then I pre-drilled two holes at the bottom (so the screws wouldn’t crack the wood) and used two screws to secure the 2 x 2 to the back of my crate. I cut a wooden dowel to length and threaded it through the pre-drilled hole.

You could use a longer piece of 2 x 2 so it reaches the floor and then build a sturdy base for it.

A floor T-stand could sit next to your table and a dowel that extends out the front and back of the 2 x 2 gives you more room to house stock.

 

 

How to Stock Tote Bags at a Craft Show 

“Stock” is product that is stacked, side-hung, folded, filed, shelved, etc. The shopper must sift through these items.

Here are ways to “stock” tote bags at a craft show.

 

7) Hanging

You can hang tote bags by their handles, as long as it’s easy for shoppers to remove items. As mentioned, you don’t want shoppers to have to remove 10 bags to get to one to get to one hanging in the back.

If you’re hanging totes on a rollbar or hangbar, use accessories such as:

• Twisted S-hooks
• Pant hangers
• Shirt hangers

 

Again, there are many options for hanging your stock:

• Over the table rod
• Tabletop hanging fixture (i.e. kids’ clothes rack)
• DIY table rod
• Rollbar
• T-stand

 

8) Folding Totes

Depending on the style of your tote bags, you may be able to fold or roll them, add packaging (e.g. a paper sleeve or twine to keep them tidy), and place them in a basket, box, or other display fixture.

This won’t work for leather tote bags or bulkier purses but may be an option if you’re selling totes made from lightweight fabric.

 

9) Standing/Filing Totes

If you’re selling flat-bottomed tote bags, you can use tissue paper to stuff the bags so they’ll sit on a flat surface. 

If needed, you can make “bag weights” to ensure they don’t easily fall over. 

I made this “bag weight” out of some scrap material and filled it with rice. I set it in the bottom of a flat-bottom tote bag and then added tissue paper to help fill out the bag.

When you sell a bag, just remember to remove the tissue paper and bag weight.

The bags will take up more room this way, but it may work if you offer limited styles/options.

 

10) Pegboard

If you have a sturdy way to stand your pegboard on your table, or in your booth, pegs are another way to hang your stock.

Mix & Match Display & Stock Elements

As mentioned, a mixture of displaying and stocking your tote bags is ideal. Here are a few examples of how I might combine display and stock elements on a craft show table.

 

Merchandising Tips

Here are few other merchandising tips to keep in mind. 

Please remember, if you’re preparing for your first craft show, don’t stress about everything being perfect. Work with the stock, fixtures, and time you have, and do the best you can. With each event, you can make small improvements and eventually perfect your display. 

 

Plan product collections

Your products are the foundation of your craft show display, so it’s important to consider how fabrics, colors, patterns, styles, etc. will look together in a small space and how you’ll display products, before making them. 

When you keep your craft show display in mind when developing products, your display will come together much easier. 

If you have a smaller space (like my 5’ table), stick to 1 – 3 collections that focus on 1 – 3 dominant colors. 

For example, on my 5’ table, I feature 2 product collections (a blue collection and a pink collection). Blue and pink are the dominant colors, but there are touches of yellow, green, and orange.

You can learn more about developing product collections here: 5 Steps to Create a Product Collection that Sells

 

Make it shoppable

If shoppers must remove 3 bags to get to one, you’re making their job more difficult. 

Choose fixtures that allow shoppers to access each product, without having to shuffle too many items around. 

Limiting your options is also key in creating a shoppable tote bag display.

When you have 50 different color options, it’s difficult to make each color accessible. 

It also makes it difficult for shoppers to make a purchasing decision. 

Although loads of variation may attract more shoppers to your booth, studies have proven fewer people buy when presented with too much variation.

 

Make it sturdy

Be a shopper at your craft show table and test grabbing items and putting them back. If your products are easily knocked over or other products or fixtures block them, re-work your setup. 

Also, test bumping your table and removing items from fixtures to ensure your fixtures and display are solid (I wouldn’t want the dowel to fall out of my T-stand when someone grabs a bag).

 

Group by color

To instantly make your display more visually pleasing, group your tote bags by color. 

Here are 4 quick steps to follow when creating color stories for your craft show display: Craft Show Display 5-Minute Fix: Color Groupings

 

Add negative space

When you try to cram too many products into a craft show display, it gives more of a flea market vibe, which can lower the perceived value of your bags. 

Limiting how much you display and giving each style of bag its space to shine will instantly make your bags seem more expensive.