What to pack for a craft fair booth
Almost every vendor has driven two hours and discovered they left the card reader, the tent
weights or the cash float at home. A checklist you run every time is duller than relying on
memory, and it works.
Structure
- Tent or canopy, and the weights — the single most commonly
forgotten item, and mandatory at most outdoor events
- Tables, chairs, and tablecloths long enough to hide the storage underneath
- Display risers, shelving, grid walls, hooks
- Sidewalls, in case of wind or a wet forecast
Taking money
- Card reader, charged, plus its cable and a power bank
- Cash float in small notes — see the change calculator
- A lockable cash box or apron
- Phone charger and a backup battery
Signage and paperwork
- Business name sign, price tags or signs, and a card or QR code for your shop
- Vendor permit, sales tax licence, insurance certificate — some events check
- Booth assignment and event contact details
The things nobody lists
- Zip ties, gaffer tape, scissors, a box cutter, string
- Bags and tissue for wrapping
- Water, food, sunscreen, layers — the weather will not be what was forecast
- A trolley or hand truck, and a chair you can actually sit in for eight hours
Load the van in reverse order
Whatever goes up first should come out last. Tent, weights and tables load
last so they are nearest the door; stock and display pieces load first.
It sounds fussy until you are unloading in a fifteen-minute window with a queue of vans
behind you.
Related tools
Count stock in and out with the inventory counter, print
your prices with the price tag maker, and check the show
is worth the drive with the break-even calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to bring to a craft fair?
Tent and weights, tables and chairs, tablecloths, display risers, a charged card reader, a cash float, signage and price tags, your permits, bags for customers, and a repair kit of tape, zip ties and scissors.
What do vendors most often forget?
Tent weights, the card reader charger, and small notes for change. All three can cost you either the whole day or a share of your sales.
Do I need tent weights?
At virtually every outdoor event, yes, and organisers frequently refuse to let you set up without them. An unweighted canopy is genuinely dangerous in wind.
How should I load the van?
In reverse setup order. Tent, weights and tables go in last so they come out first; stock and display pieces load first. Load-in windows are often short.
What paperwork should I have with me?
Your vendor permit or licence, sales tax registration, proof of insurance if the event requires it, and your booth assignment. Some organisers check on arrival.
Is the packing checklist free?
Yes — no sign-up, and your list is saved in your browser on your own device.