Artist Alley Check List

I have been selling my work at different Artist Alleys for over 5 years now, so I hope this video can help you are your art career journey
Links to items discussed in the video and more are below, Hopefull some of these things can help you find what you need for your artist alley display. None of these products are sponsored, All are just based on my own experience from running my own Artist Alley table for over 5 years
Table Dressing
Lightweight Tablecloth amzn.to/3zAX581
Table Runner amzn.to/3Kbur2x
Table Infrastructure
Grid Cubes amzn.to/3GapGoD
Pink Grid Cubes amzn.to/40VuO7Z
Portfolio book amzn.to/3Gj6iG9
Large Print Rack amzn.to/3ZyS8Y8
Wooden Table Print rack amzn.to/3zsqh16
Black Table Print Rack amzn.to/3m2ShFp
Flat Table Print Rack amzn.to/40FWg9Y
Metal Gold Table Easel amzn.to/435OKGW
Standard foldable table Easel amzn.to/3nKXz9e
Black Adhesive Easel Back Self Stick amzn.to/40VWEB8
Wooden Table Top Shelves amzn.to/3lYn5ax
Foldable Storage Cubes amzn.to/413JodQ
Product Storage
Small Print Organizer amzn.to/40iHTYq
Print Suitcase fits 13x19 prints amzn.to/3L8biQC
Print Suitcase fits 11x17 suitcase amzn.to/3UPUxgr
Foldable Utility Cart amzn.to/3og9oUY
Luggage Scale amzn.to/41B3dt4
Gulf Bag amzn.to/40toUdO
Rifle case amzn.to/43F3FbL
Self-printing
Canon Pro 1000 amzn.to/3GgrkF4
Luster paper amzn.to/3m3eOlw
Matte Paper amzn.to/3KvA4tB
Red River Aurora Art Natural www.redrivercatalog.com/brows...
Print Sleeves www.clearbags.com/shop?q=Crys...
Credit Card Swipe Reader amzn.to/3m6F6n0
Credit card tap reader amzn.to/3zuktUR
Credit card terminal amzn.to/3Gb3YAM
Back Drop Stands
8x8 foot backdrop stand amzn.to/3KuMe5T
Lightweight backdrop Stand amzn.to/3U6UBrC
Tension Fabric Displays www.nextdaydisplay.com/tensio...
Pro-Panels www.propanels.com/product-cat...
Booth lights
Budget Ring light amzn.to/3m5dazY
Budget lights amzn.to/3m8Z0h9
Highend booth lights siliconlightworks.com/
Some of these are affiliate links so I do get a small % of the sales profit. this doesn't affect the price you pay whatsoever nor the products that I have recommended.
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Artists Featured in this Video
Erik Ly / eriklyart
Celtis / celtis_
Andrew Thompson / schmandrewart
Allen Panakal / allenpanakalart
Shawn Russell / shawnerussell
Babs Webb / babswebb
Beth Radloff / bethberad
Sean D Price / artofprice
Chance Miller / fortuitus
Alex Dos Diaz / alexdosdiaz
VonnArt / vonnart
Sang Lam / sanglamart
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Video Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:23 - Checklist
00:29 - Presentation
02:31 - Table Dressing
03:05 - Table Structure
03:42 - Backdrop
05:24 - Products
06:54 - Self Printing
07:39 - Product Storage
09:07 - Things to Not Forget
10:31 - Artist Alley Process
12:19 - Dont Steal Dont Copy
13:28 - Outro
Music by Streambeats
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www.etsy.com/shop/Inkwellillu...

[@sonyalei]

Thank you for explaining to all us Americans what infrastructure is 🤧

[@Inkwell]

I’m still learning myself 🤣

[@CryptidRoots]

The look is giving nerdier (and cooler) Steve from blues clues. And yes, that is 100% a compliment. Another tip: bring water and snacks for other vendors! That's how you can make friends! :D

[@Inkwell]

Lol thanks

[@ywlumaris]

This series is honestly so inspiring. The transparency and links to stuff is going to help me a lot. I’ve been getting discouraged from trying to be a full time artist for years now, and had no idea it’s still a possibility. Thanks to this series, I’m looking up what cons I have around me throughout the year and going to plan and try to get in to 2-3 just to start dipping my toes in it and see if it’s something I want to pursue - as I know it isn’t for everyone, and I have a habit of investing first before testing things 😅 so I’m trying to do better and just start small before making that kind of decision/investment. Thanks again for making these!

[@the.uglyface808]

I have your art hanging in my living room ( Studio Ghibli variation set in Goldleaf bought off Etsy) and I just wanna say coming from a artist who still grinds a 9-5, this is so encouraging to see another full-time artist honestly divulge the ins and outs of it all. Gambling against the unknown is always going to be there but it's refreshing to see at least a little glimpse of what to kinda expect. Thanks for taking to make these videos. Bought my tickets to my first big con (Anime Xpo) in July to see what to expect in the Artist Alley and while I can't speak for everyone, I will say these videos helped me a lot. Thanks!

[@Inkwell]

So happy to hear it helped, and I’ll see you at Anime Expo!

[@the.uglyface808]

@Inkwell whaaaaat awesome man! Looking forward to it!

[@FilomenaJackStudio]

Great video! Something I always bring is a pillow/cushion for my chair and an anti-fatigue mat to stand on.

[@cobaltplasma]

This is the exact informative video younger-me wishes he saw before starting. "Bring some goddamn water!" made me laugh out loud but is supremely important advice :)

[@bhunyee]

a dapper artist with shitpost humor. i must subscribe immediately.

[@MissLalaClips]

The storage section showcased some general nice storage ideas for merch- great and helpful video, thank you!

[@Inkwell]

Any time, thanks for watching.

[@ArtofTZU]

Thank you for taking to make these super helpful videos, especially for conventions. Keep up the awesome work!

[@dianaormanzhi]

These videos have been beyond helpful. Thank you for your transparency! It would be helpful to have an inventory specific video (if you haven't made one already) that goes into how many prints/skus you pack on average. I'm struggling to visualize how much inventory to bring to avoid running out midway.

[@bridgetteswenson52]

Your videos are so helpful! Thank you so very much for sharing!

[@kuraidoscope]

Being called out on my arthritis ass, wallet too heavy, four eyes look was not on my bingo card today. 10/10 will practice mom jogging. P.S. So that's what the fish animation was for.

[@canvasdrop_art]

Thank you so much for these videos. I am not at a point where I can set up my own booth, but I have taken some notes for future use. If I work hard enough, I'll get there😊

[@alfredmanzano680]

Super informative! And man you are so good at finding the right clips to cut in lol. All might ✊🏽

[@pstormblessed4387]

ha just left a comment on a different video of yours like a fool asking for this info when boom you already had the video! Thanks for the awesome info! I have always wanted to try getting a table at a con myself

[@KawaiiStarz]

Thanks for making another informative and fun video! I love your work ❤

[@Inkwell]

Thank so much!

[@takkariarmstrong8736]

Loved this!!!

[@SketchingWithSarah]

It was so cool to see you and all the other artists in the Artist Alley at C2E2! I’ve always wanted to have a booth but it’s so overwhelming thinking of all of what does into it! Thank you for sharing this and breaking it down it’s so helpful! And I love the editing of your videos 😭👌🏻

[@Inkwell]

ahhhh thank you, and just take things one step at a time, you don't have to figure out everything at your first show!

[@smunchyart]

great information as always Inkwell

[@CoreYZX]

Been watching alot of these lately! found this super helpful!

[@Inkwell]

so happy to hear it helped thanks for watching!

[@scarlethawkeye3473]

Always nice to see and hear from your perspective. I love your set-up a lot and it's one of my goals to have a solid setup that just represents my brand that people can recognize. I learned a lot from my first convention and I look forward to improving it slowly but surely. I look forward to seeing your next video regarding manufacturing! Cheers!

[@Inkwell]

Thanks so much, and best of luck!

[@DoomCMYK]

Great video! The info is very useful. Thanks for sharing.

[@apocalypso3427]

Thank you for yet another amazing video. I'm not an artist, but I'm a writer and am currently getting ready to launch my first TTRPG system/game (hopefully in the beginning of next year, depending on when I can find artists, etc.). I'll end up having to hit cons pretty hard after launch and I've been stressing about it since I have NO clue what I'm doing lol. This video is a big help and covers some stuff I hadn't thought about. Thanks so much! You're a lifesaver

[@Inkwell]

Best of luck with your game!

[@apocalypso3427]

@@Inkwell Thank you! It just got out of the first round of alpha testing and now I'm elbows deep in rewrites before we hit round two. I'm just hoping I survive this project lol. I might have to jump over to your etsy shop and buy some emotional support art to stare at during this process :D

[@sketchypeoplepdx]

I can't stress the power of bringing water and food with you to a show. The food options at cons are gonna be so busy! Bring snacks! Keep your blood sugar up! Cuz that keeps your energy up and that makes for an all around better experience for everyone! Great vid, great tips!

[@teteotolis]

Great tips ! "Saving for later"

[@Inkwell]

Thanks so much, hope they help!

[@WildwoodStudio]

I really appreciate you sharing your experience, these are great tips! I did some smaller craft shows for a while but a lot of them are not worth the cost of a table. I’ve been thinking about trying a convention booth but I don’t know if my art would really sell to that sort of crowd.

[@iixenn]

v good, wow, i love all the hot TIPS

[@Inkwell]

Lol 🤣 I hope they help

[@diegolenzmatins2035]

Amazing video, keep up!!!

[@Inkwell]

Thank you!!

[@Ouchthathurt843]

Thanks a lot for this man, I found you out from your art talk at Herron school of art in Indy. I aspire to be like you some day.

[@Inkwell]

Ahhh thanks for watching 😊 I hope it helps on your art journey

[@MissChibiArtist]

Those naked tables scar my eyes. Great videoooo! This was what I was looking for when I was starting cons. (and couldn’t find) lol

[@Inkwell]

Same tho, 😊

[@v4l324]

¡Gracias!

[@vonnart]

First and Such a great video Dustin!🏆

[@Inkwell]

Ahhhh thank you 🙏🦑

[@felixoesinghaus]

My first convention is only like 2 months away so this will be a treat :D

[@Inkwell]

Best of luck at the show!!

[@driadraws]

That’s awesome Felix ❤

[@MrTayseanpwns]

Thank you so much Dustin! This knowledge is super helpful. I'm a working illustrator/concept artist but never did the the convention circuit. I know about CTN, Lightbox, Anime Expo and SDCC. Do you have any recommendations for other conventions? I'm super new to the space. Trying to get some independent revenue outside of just corporations.

[@becjenkins8033]

I know this may be a weird request, but I'd love to know more about state to state rules, taxes, etc. The boring but must do type stuff.

[@user-sq3yo7bj4w]

what did you search to find those arms and the secondary crossbar stand for your back drop? looks great!

[@thenekobean]

"Here are my wares!!" *dumps everything on a naked table*

[@Inkwell]

Don’t hurt me like this 🤧

[@MiaAraujo]

This was so helpful! How do you keep wrinkles out of your display fabric/tablecloths? I haven't found a great solution for this when traveling to shows :')

[@Inkwell]

I normally bring a spray bottle and just spray them with water on set up day and by the morning wrinkle free, the type of fabric can help a lot too, cottons are super annoying.

[@zzzeus78]

Quick question ( and I tried looking for this information online but I couldn't find a pinpoint answer), I am aware that when you make sales on Square for example you add the sales tax. What about when your customers pay in cash? Do you end up with a lot of coins, or do you just round the sum up/down so you don't get stuck with hundreds of pennies and nickles?

[@Inkwell]

With cash i pay the sales tax out of the profits of the original price, so the price the customer sees is the price they pay. Obviously you need to price your iteams accordingly to account for what ever % getting taken off top, I find this to be the these easiest way to deal with cash and sales tax at least for the customer, it gives me a bit of math to do on the back end. but it depends really on you, as long as your paying your taxes there isn’t really a wrong way on how you collect it.

[@sarjslack]

I’ll take a potato chip… and eat it! 🤭

[@driadraws]

Coffee has water….riiiight?

[@Inkwell]

As long as Diet Pepsi dose to?!

[@ErikLyart]

You sassy boy you.

[@Inkwell]

You know me 🦑

[@maddkrakken3068]

Bring some fuckin watttterrrr!!!! Hahahahah… love you videos man! Keep it cracking and you’ll blow the hell up! Keep it lite and please kill the kitty voice!!!! Please kill the high tone voice….

[@MsFanpireProductions]

You realise some people just have high voices and that’s okay

[@AlexsaurusRex]

This guy looked British somehow

[@ThePigeonmilk]

Face masks for the scared.

[@danas986]

Y'all are allowed your own water and food inside a venue? It's not allowed where I'm from, so I have to buy the overpriced water at the venue 🥲

[@Inkwell]

the quickest way to get vendors to blacklist a show here

[@NoodleBoiWasTaken]

I’m trying to get into cons myself and I keep going back to that awning he has on his photo backdrop Does anyone know if it’s a screw or not for his shelf rack? Love your stuff as always Inkwell 🫡