How I Made a Craft Show Display Riser (for under $10)

This riser is simple to create, lightweight, and budget-friendly so it’s perfect for craft show displays.

It can be used for a variety of items:

• Bags
• Bath and body products
• Jewelry (that’s displayed on cards)

If you add a little ledge at the front of each step, it would also work well for:

• Art prints
• Cards and stationery
• Stickers

You can make it the size you need and simply adjust the measurements in the following steps.

*This article includes affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Read full disclaimer here

Materials

• Foam core board (22″ x 28″ or bigger for these instructions)
• Ruler
• X-acto knife
• Pencil
• Hot glue gun & glue
• Square (optional) (I used a carpenter square, similar to this one. You can use a square ruler or anything that has a precise 90-degree angle)

I created the smaller riser using one piece of 3/16” thick 22” x 28” foam core board.

>> You can purchase the same ones here: 22″ x 28″ foam board (5 sheets)

However, there are many sizes and other color options here (or at your local craft store).

The finished riser is 12.5” tall by 11.5” wide by 10” deep with 3″ deep steps and 3″ high risers.

You can alter the depth and height of each step and riser to fit your products. If you want to go more than 3” x 3” steps and risers, you’ll need a second piece of foam core board.

 

Step-by-Step Video

Some steps are a little harder to explain, so please watch the video for extra guidance.

 

Step 1 – Cut foam core board in half

You’ll have two pieces that are 11” wide by 28” long.

Set one piece aside.

 

Step 2 – Mark riser steps and risers

Mark 7 lines that are 3” apart.

Cut the foam core board at the last line, so you now have a piece of board that is 11” x 21”.

Score each line and then snap so the foam core board along each scored line.

Step 3 – Create mitered edges

*This step takes some practice and is harder to explain in words; the video will help. Be sure to use a sharp blade to get clean lines, and consider practicing your cuts on a scrap piece of foam board first.

Every other scored line needs to have mitered edges so the foam core board can fold in and create a 90-degree corner.

*To help explain this process, the following photos are shown up close on a smaller piece of foam board.

Mark half the thickness of your foam core board on either side of a scored line.

I find it easiest to centre a piece of scrap foam core board on the scored line and mark on either side of it.

Score those new lines; you simply need to go through the paper.

Place your X-acto knife at a 45-degree angle and run it along the outside scored line, in toward the centre scored line.

Repeat this cut on the other side.

You’ll now have a channel, which will allow you to fold the board inward to create a clean 90-degree corner.

Make this mitered cut on every 2nd scored line.

 

Step 4 – Glue mitired edges

Run a bead of hot glue down the centre of one mitered edge and close the edges together.

Use a square to check that you have a 90-degree angle and hold in place until the glue starts to dry.

(This was about 30 seconds for me)

Repeat this for the other two mitered edges.

 

Step 5 – Cut riser sides

We’ll use the other half of the foam core board for the sides of the riser.

Set your riser onto the other piece of board, lining up the bottom corner and front edge of the riser with the bottom corner and front edge of the side panel.

Dry-fit into place and mark where the top and back of the riser will end.

Mark 1” in front of where your riser will end and 1” up from the bottom step.

Use a ruler and pencil to connect those two marks (to get the angle of your sides) and mark the top and back of your side piece.

Cut along those lines.

Trace that piece to cut the second side panel.

Step 6 – Glue riser to sides

Line up the bottom and front edge of the riser with the bottom front edge of the side panel.

Run a bead of hot glue on the side panel along the back side of the first step and riser and then press the riser into place.

Repeat this for each step and riser, using a square to ensure 90-degree angles.

Once done, glue the other side panel into place.

 

Options

This riser is quite sturdy on its own. However, if you plan to use it at outdoor shows, you may want to add some weight to it.

In which case, you could add a piece of foam core board to the bottom and back of the riser, adding small rocks or a few cups of rice before closing it in.

You want to add enough so that it will keep the riser in place if a gust of wind comes up, but not so much that it might break open the glued edges.