Let’s be real: planning your artist alley table (especially if its your first time) can be overwhelming 🫠 Between stock, pricing, and display stuff, it’s easy to just throw it all on the table and hope for the best.
But your display matters so much more than you think! It’s the first thing people see, and it can literally make or break your sales 💔✨
If your artist alley display isn’t giving ✨pro artist✨ yet, don’t worry. Here are some easy fixes that’ll make a massive difference next time you table, whether it’s your first con or your fifteenth.
🎨 1. Pick a Limited Colour Palette (And Stick to It)
Choose 2–5 colours as your main display theme. This becomes your brand palette. It helps people recognise your table at a glance, and makes everything feel intentional! 💖
Most people go for black or pink at cons, which is fine- but think outside the box too. Why not try green, purple, or pastels? Alternate your colours across tablecloths, signage, displays, and even your outfit if you want ✨
🛒 Pro tip: If you sell different themes (e.g. gaming, witchy, kawaii), consider colour-coding your sections to make browsing easier.
🪧 2. Price Signs Everywhere!! (Seriously)
You can never have too many price signs. Make them visible, bold, and clear- don’t make people guess or ask.
If you offer bundle deals or discounts, write those up too! You can print them at home (I use a Canon printer) and laminate them, or grab a label printer like the Dymo for on-the-go tags.
Your introverted customers will definitely thank you 😌💸
🌟 3. Fill Every Gap (Creatively!)
Empty space = missed opportunity. Spread out your stock so your display feels full and intentional, not empty and sad.
Got props that match your brand? Use them! Think about:
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Plushies
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Themed risers (shoeboxes under fabric work in a pinch)
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Grid cubes and hangers
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Small decorative items (crystals, toys, flowers, etc.)
The goal is to make your display feel like a shop, not a folding table with merch thrown on top.
🧳 4. Always Remember to Pack:
This is your survival checklist 🧠 Save this somewhere!
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Phone + iPad chargers
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Water bottles
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Snacks + lunch (don’t rely on con food- its expensive!)
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Card machine
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Tablecloth + cover
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Extra grid cube connectors (you’ll always somehow loose these)
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Deodorant / spray
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Medication
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Headphones
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Stickers, signs, pins, magnets (for last-minute fixes)
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things for downtime (notepad, drawing tablet, book etc)
I also keep a box of “emergency items” at the table just in case! blue tack, extra hooks, backup signs… life saver 🫶🏼
💖 Final Thoughts
Your display doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be intentional. With just a few changes, you can make your artist alley setup feel like your brand in real life, and create something people are excited to walk up to.
If this helped, feel free to share it with a fellow artist 💌 Or drop a comment on my socials and let me know what kind of guide you'd like next (I’ve got lots more ideas where this came from 😎)
If you’d like, you can check out my full shop of Nostalgia themed products that I bring to events around the UK.
Click on my Instagram for more biz tips and con inspo: