Setting Up at Craft Events

Pick events that actually convert

Not all craft events are equal. A £15 village hall fete and a £150 city makers market attract very different crowds. Before you book, ask the organiser three questions: average footfall, typical visitor demographic, and whether other 3D print sellers will be there.

First-time sellers should aim for events with at least 500 expected footfall and a stall fee under 10% of your realistic revenue target. If the maths doesn't work on paper, it definitely won't work on the day.

Plan stock from a revenue goal — not a vibe

Decide what you want to take home, then work backwards. If your target is £400 profit and your average margin is 55%, you need ~£727 in revenue. If your average price point is £14, that's ~52 items sold.

Use the Craft Stall Planner to enter your stall fee, products and quantities. It calculates break-even units, units to hit your goal, and estimated profit live as you type.

The 80/20 of stall stock

The biggest stall mistake is bringing 30 different products with one of each. Buyers get overwhelmed and you look like a hobbyist. Bring fewer SKUs in deeper stock.

• 3–5 hero products in volume (10–25 of each) — these will do 70% of your revenue
• 1–2 statement pieces priced higher (£40+) — they anchor your prices and give browsers something to admire
• Impulse items under £10 — fidgets, keyrings, small dragons. These convert browsers into buyers
• 1 personalisation option (e.g. pet name tags, custom keyrings) — drives engagement and repeat customers
• Always bring 20% more stock than you think you'll sell. Running out by 2pm is the worst feeling

Pricing on the day

Every item must have a visible price. Buyers will not ask. They'll just walk past. Use chalkboard signs, hanging tags or printed price cards — never handwritten Post-its.

Bundle pricing works hard at events: '3 for £20' shifts impulse stock fast and increases average order value. Always test one bundle.

Payment setup — don't lose sales

60–70% of craft stall transactions are now card. If you only take cash, you're losing more than half your potential revenue. SumUp Solo, Zettle and Square readers all work via Bluetooth to your phone and cost £20–£40.

Bring a cash float of £40 in mixed denominations: 4×£5, 2×£10. Most cash buyers will hand over a £10 or £20 for a small item.

Print a QR code linking to your Etsy or website for buyers who want to browse later — easily worth 2–3 extra sales per event.

Stall layout — height, depth, eye-level

Flat tables kill sales. Buyers can only see the front row. Use risers, crates, picture stands or stacked boxes covered in fabric to create three height tiers. Hero products go at eye level (around 1.4m).

Front-load impulse items at the table edge where buyers can pick them up without 'committing' by stepping onto your stall. The act of touching dramatically increases purchase likelihood.

Keep your card reader, cash tin and bags directly behind you — never on the customer-facing side of the table.

On the day — the non-negotiables

Use the Stock Checklist in the Craft Stall Planner to make sure nothing gets left at home. The classics that always get forgotten:

• Card reader fully charged + backup power bank
• Phone charger and extension lead (events rarely provide power)
• Bags — paper for small items, mailers for fragile pieces
• Float and a secure cash tin
• Tablecloth (floor-length looks professional)
• Backup stock in boxes under the table
• Business cards or QR sign linking to your shop
• Water, snacks and a comfortable folding chair
• Pen, notebook, and gaffer tape (you'll need it for something)

After the event — review honestly

Within 48 hours, log: stall fee, total revenue, units sold, average transaction value, and which 3 products did best. Save it as a plan in MakerMind so you can compare events over time.

If you didn't break even, don't bin the event yet. Review whether it was the wrong audience, the wrong stock mix, or just a slow day. One data point isn't a pattern.