Successful Artist Alley Table Display Tips for Beginners in 2024 (With Photo Examples!)

There's many ways to set up your Artist Alley display with the goal of actually making you money. I share advice from my experience selling at anime cons and examples of successful artists' displays ✨ #animecons #artistalley #vendortips
💖 Support me on Patreon! / mualcaina (+ get Artist Alley reviews and tips I don't share on KZbin 👀)
🌸 Shop my stuff! mualcaina.com/
♥️ Thanks to the wonderful artists who contributed their displays!
Dreamcreamco / dreamcreamco
Mimopuffs / mimopuffs
GirthyBobaStraw / girthybobastraw
Coco Choon / coco.choon
Haiyun / haiyunee
JYK Doodles / @jykdoodles
Onicake / onicakeco
Stardrop Design / stardropdesign
Otabi Neko / otabineko
Cloris Creates / cloriscreates
DrawnbyIvy / drawnbyivy
Goobers Only / @goobersonly
Sugarhime / _sugarhime
Maintaining Mediocrity / maintainingmediocrity
Nyoot / shopnyoot
Single Sploot / singlesploot
📌 Helpful Resources
Rewnyd Print Studio rewyndstudio.com/
Le Spirit Designs tiktok.com/les...
✨ Follow me ✨
Instagram: / mualcaina
TikTok: / mualcaina
Twitter: / mualcaina
🛍 Shop my entire Artist Alley display! (affiliate links have *): www.amazon.com...
*Flat footed photo stand: amzn.to/3Y84buJ
*Pin mini clamps: amzn.to/3GKLgRH
*Sakura flower garland: amzn.to/3uhuvXY
*Removable sticker label roll: amzn.to/3G8AvEM
*Grid cubes: amzn.to/32PwOGA
*S-hooks: amzn.to/3uiWIOl

[@XenaAndKin]

Tip for print artists: Have a binder out on your table with all your print designs, use coloured round stickers to indicate what sizes they come in so customers can flip through and choose. No vertical display space needed!

[@JM_Bunny]

Just letting some newbies know! U DONT HAVE TO HAVE ANYTHING CRAZY FANCY. You don't need A banner and stuff if your literally just starting

[@MichaelisMoshu]

Shower curtains also surprisingly work as an emergency table cloth. The solid color fabric ones have slits in the top for the rings which means that the holes will be pretty much invisible. Plus the shower curtain can double as a way to hang prints/apparel in the future so once you outgrow them for some proper tablecloths you can still have use for them.

[@LeSpiritDesigns]

Aahhh I didn’t expect to make a cameo~ I’m glad the hot glue trick is so helpful!! This whole video is gold, thank you for putting it together!!

[@Mualcaina]

Yes!! It just occurred to me that I first knew you from TikTok before I knew you for your vlogs 😂

[@evkey1150]

Literally did a con last week and feeling like I needed a display refresh. This video came at the most opportune moment, thank you!! 🌸

[@Mualcaina]

Glad you found this helpful!

[@dydreemblvr]

Thank you for breaking everything down so clearly! I'm just getting started with local events, and it's a lot to think about on top of the actual product line...

[@Mualcaina]

Glad you found this helpful! It's definitely a lot to think about, but it gets easier as you do more events and figure out what works best for you

[@leacipurr]

I was searching on how to display my antique clothing buttons and came across this. Im sure I will never have to do any sort of displays like in this video, but I found your art displays amazing and I love your color formats. This has given me some inspiration for displaying things at home in my personal collection. Thank you!

[@spiritualcosmeticss]

I have been watching videos like this on and off for months in preparation for doing artist pop up shops, and this is by far the best most detailed video. Thank you.

[@Mualcaina]

I'm glad you've found this helpful! Thank you for watching :)

[@SpyroShurtagul]

I've been doing Artist Alley tables for about 3/4 years now plus a little before COVID and this is by far the best guide I've seen on the topic! Thank you so much! I've been wanting to refresh my table because I just have way too many characters to try to display in different size/media options and was frustrated that my table just looked the same no matter where people looked. I feel like I've gotten so many more ideas now! As a side note, I do stickers and prints primarily while also offering my originals (traditional artist 😅) and the wire cubes have been my best friend! Just recently got the covered ones with sticky dots for my stickers. Stickers are seriously the best thing I've done for my business. People are obsessed and it is my best seller! Because of that, I've invested in a cricut and sticker paper/laminate so I get to make them at home for an even lower production cost. I can't recommend stickers enough. It can feel daunting when you start but consider that you really need a cheap option at your table since a lot of people are more prone to holding onto their money at big cons where they have to pick and choose what they buy. Stickers allow them to feel like they got a special piece of art for not much money at all!

[@sabimaki4269]

My current setup for keychains is using thumbtacks on corkboard and people often just rip them off, sending the thumbtack flying...I'm definitely going to try the command hooks with hot glue for displaying them instead!

[@Mualcaina]

It's definitely a game changer!

[@thatWonKrnGuy]

Super informative content! I have no idea how I even ended up here, but this was a very fun video to watch during my lunch break. You have a great stage presence, your video is structured very thoughtfully, and there's basically zero filler or fluff. You were introducing new concepts and ideas to me without going too fast, which kept me engaged throughout the whole video. I also had a bunch of "ah ha" moments that I really enjoyed. I could totally see you becoming an artist alley consultant or something!

[@Mualcaina]

Thank you so much for the thoughtful review!! Glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@camillakhau3170]

Really appreciate that you made this video! I'm an Canadian artist that has been selling for many years and my display needed some much needed TLC since 2020. I've also re-branded with now too many charms and stickers to fill in my old set up with no proper way to display them in a better way. This was a great refresher for things like branding with a solid display. This was also super helpful to me because I don't focus on prints as much, but I do sketch cards instead. So I'll find a good way to display them one day!

[@lildreamysoul3791]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge on these sorts of things! I'm not sure if you've thought about making a video about this, but I'm sure people would be interested in hearing the steps on how to start a business like yours! Such as what permits are needed to start, tax things, etc... It's kind of the boring things, but really necessary!

[@Mualcaina]

Glad you found this helpful :) While that video shouldn't be considered legal or financial advice (for legal reasons), I wouldn't mind sharing some of the paperwork I needed to start my business in California!

[@SheekaKibaNejiItachi]

@@Mualcaina i second this! im a new pin maker in california but so not have any sort of licenses yet. it would be pretty cool to see on your end how u got started!

[@alehra]

This is so helpful! I'm not necessarily going to sell at a convention, but this gives me a great idea for what I need to do to make it look nice! Thank you!

[@Mualcaina]

I'm glad you found this helpful!

[@BeansproutPost]

I've been trying to get ideas for going to craft shows and have been stuck on how to display my stickers and pins. This video is perfect! Great modular ideas, and as an anime con-goer, it makes me feel right at home.

[@nely11111111111]

Thank you so much!! I asked before about the adhesive tabs behind your display and I'm really glad you covered how you use them. I think in another video you mentioned keeping higher priced items higher and lower priced items lower, I've kept it in mind since ! I've tabled at very small cafe events and after every one I always have so many notes on what worked vs what didnt. I look to your channel for inspiration and this might be my favorite video of yours so far

[@Mualcaina]

Thank you so much! Glad you’ve been finding these tips useful :)

[@trainingwheelstunes9847]

Omg thank you! I had been wanting those boards for my booth this year and didn’t know what they were called ;-; you’re the best and so amazing for sharing with other sellers 💓

[@Mualcaina]

Glad you were able to find this helpful! 😊

[@lahyte_5925]

This is an amazing guide!!! Thank you for making this!

[@classicalfengshuiwithgeorge]

Thank you for this! I am having my first vendor/booth in a few months. I appreciate it!

[@dolly_milk]

This has been super helpful! I’ve done a couple small pop up markets and I got another one coming up this week. This’ll be my first time using the square shelves so it’s great to have this video as a reference to use ❤

[@legallyrequired]

I love watching these like its something I would actually be able to do

[@PossessedSquid]

Good video! Thanks for sharing

[@Mualcaina]

Thanks for watching! Hope you found it helpful :)

[@kyndall2086]

This was incrediby helpful. thanks so much for putting in the time. detail. and effort!

[@Cosmignon]

I have my first con coming up in November so I’ve been collecting resources, ty for the helpful video! Gave me some good goals to work toward for my table 😊

[@kawaii_crossing]

this was very helpful! thank you so much!

[@dawnsullivan6233]

Great video! I really like your set up and it’s very attractive

[@VicHollinsart]

Thank you for making this video! Extremely helpful for an upcoming convention I'll be vending at.

[@ZephyrsZenZone]

such a professional and informative video. thank you very much

[@augustawickmanart]

This video is full of so many useful tips! Ive watched it multiple times now. ☺️

[@yoquincy3731]

This was INCREDIBLY helpful!! Thanks so much for these tips!! Also your display is SO cute!! ✨🎀

[@senihani6634]

Thank you for your tips! I'm just gonna have my first booth in a few months!

[@MidnightTheGothArtist]

Im so grateful I found this video. I’m actually doing my first con this year and it gave me a lot of good advice! Thank you sm💖 (Your art is adorable btw! I hope to buy from you in the future ^^)

[@chea_98]

Good luck on your first con I’ll be doing my first con too! mines this week

[@beandon9475]

I sooooo needed exactly this video, thank you so much!!!!

[@lizandkeegan]

You are literally so helpful, thank you so much!

[@Mualcaina]

Glad you found this helpful!

[@feymous]

Great video! I have my first con in two weeks so this will be helpful

[@Mualcaina]

How exciting, best of luck with your first con!!

[@mrs.quills7061]

This was such a helpful and informative guide! I had no idea some applications require pictures of your set up, sheesh, it must be hard to get into some.

[@AidenFeltkamp]

So, so helpful!! Thank you

[@Bada-s6s]

you are angel !!! thanks for the tips💕💕💕💕

[@Saorfhlaith]

This is so helpful! I do have a silly question though; what do you for for set-up and take down in 3 day events? I have done 1 day conventions and use to setting up before the event starts and taking it down slowly before it ends. What would one do for multiple day events? Take only the art work down, but leave the displays up, and reset everything up the next day? Or do you not do anything at all? (I would be afraid of someone stealing my work)

[@sayasumi_]

Thank you for sharing this informative video!! Your art is wonderful and I love your video editing! I'm glad I found your channel 😊

[@Mualcaina]

Thank you and glad you found this helpful!!

[@natashac2108]

Great tips! Love your stuff. 😊

[@ShanoaValkyrie]

Thank you for this video! You truly inspire me to become an Independent Artist, and I hope I get to be in an Artist Alley in the near future ^^ Keep up the amazing work!

[@extremesubtlety]

Thank you for sharing this!!

[@LittleParade_]

Me and my friend love how the cube paneling looks in a lot of table set ups, and want to put only display stuff on the outside of it, but how do you prevent theft of the display items? You kind of put a big wall with a small window in front of you and your items, so I'm curious how you work with not being able to have full visibility over your table?

[@Sushiio]

where did you get the heart hooks for your lanyards? I can't find them anywhere wowee

[@qualifiedcornstarch6859]

Thank you so much! This was super helpful

[@tinkerandteal]

just found you throuhg this video and how have i not found you before!!!! I love your stuff gaaahh!! Hello fellow kawaii lover and artist!!!

[@lowenergyblob]

Where did you get your tablecloth? I like the idea of it fitting 6ft and 8ft tables, makes it versatile. :)

[@kathrineprincess14]

Do you have any recommendations of how big of a sheet to get to cover up the booth?

[@annamariajung]

Thank youuuuu! These are all great infos!

[@sallyweigand8144]

excellent!

[@Lompyy]

Could you share the dimensions of the tablecloth that you use for both 6ft and 8ft tables? I appreciate all the tips!

[@nutbranch]

thank you so much for this! my first con is K-Play Fest / Anime Impulse SD in the upcoming weeks and I've been frantically preparing my display T__T

[@Mualcaina]

How exciting! Best of luck!!

[@myhealthyaddiction1703]

Hi there! I've been binging your videos I LOVE THEM! I have a question- I wanted to open up a small business and sell at a con eventually. I have tons of ideas but my problem is, would it go against some laws to sell products based off of characters? I saw a lot of your merch had anime characters. Would I be able to sell lets say pet toys that are based off of anime characters? I keep seeing its illegal but then I keep coming across shops that sell and I remember buying at conventions and people had anime merch and Im just so confused on how it works! Thank you for any feedback, Id really appreciate it!

[@chea_98]

Hey Maulcaina thank you for the tips I wanted to ask you what are the containers called that you have you stickers in to help organize them? And also the grid(not the storage grid) that holding them?

[@pathofthen7988]

Hi! At 7:10, where did you find the rigid boards? Rewnyd Print Studio does not have them so wondering which site those can be purchased from. Thank you!

[@tnt.moon.02]

Omg I made the same comment lol we need alternatives;;

[@wannawandaart]

hi! i've been rewatching this video bec i love how detailed your explanations are! i was wondering if you've ever tabled outdoors?

[@Mualcaina]

Yes! Most of my outdoor events have been with 626 Night Market and OC Japan Fair

[@DokiDecals]

thank you for the great video ;) im trying to get accepted into my first con!

[@Jijis.DeliveryService]

Omfg I gotta go to the 626 night market now.

[@inhobiswinecellar9571]

U r amazing for this❤

[@yeanazz]

Can u make a video on how you set up the cubes . I can't find anything):

[@graveofbutterflies]

I were on my 2nd con as a seller 2 days ago and I'm (obv) very unhappy with my current booth. My biggest problems are that I'm easily stressed and always feel like I got no time for stuff, also my things are sooo heavy brooo like I dont even have all the stuff I need by now.. but I already feel like dying every time😿 and the last problem is that Im not a very aesthetic person when it comes to decorating or setting up a booth like I'm so god damn bad at this lmaooo this video was quite helpful but I got several heart attacks noticing what I still need to have a good looking booth😩💔

[@dawnsullivan6233]

How did you get the pink plastic between the wire cubes?

[@itzpupcake]

where did u buy the heart hooks?

[@ratter1023]

Great video! Straight to the point, very informative. I'm glad I found this video on tumblr :) Followed!

[@Mualcaina]

Thanks for watching, I'm glad you found this helpful!

[@misoandtofustudio]

omg thank you so much i got so many new tips! one that im trying to do myself is the corgi example? she printed it and foam board? how exactly do you do that when u go to print shop? im not sure how i would ask?

[@Mualcaina]

You can ask your local print shop if they can do die cut foam boards and show them photo examples of what you’re looking for!

[@SamPockerOfficial]

Which are the reusable adhesive dots you use for the stickers, please? Thanks!

[@freyanakapadia8547]

hey! do you know where I might be able to find those heart hooks? they're really cute :")

[@healingbone]

Great vid thanks ❤

[@PokeshadowYT]

Quick question, is there a template you used for your ridged boards, or did you hand measure and design all the squares and stuff for them? Wanting to give boards a shot for my badge display but wanted to see if there was a template out there before I tried to hand draw nice squares aha

[@THEYTHEM_ANIME-gp7fz]

Hay were did you get those Hart hooks?

[@mssaid3227]

HI, do you have any advice on how you would display custom cards? Having my first Artist alley con and I dont sell any stickers or pin just Custom Playing cards ( EX: Pokemon/Yugioh etc) should i display them like pins and stickers?

[@kychevalia1799]

Hi! excuse me but I was wondering what you meant by "clamp it on your table"? Is there an extension that allows you to do that? What would it be called?

[@losersweepers.]

I was wondering how you find applications in time before they close? I just did my first con and I'm trying to get into doing more! If you have any advice, that'd be awesome!

[@Mualcaina]

My next video will actually be about finding and applying for cons!

[@losersweepers.]

@@Mualcaina Oh, perfect! Thank you so much!

[@metalkingtohorses]

where do you have your artwork turned into pins

[@groovybaby7623]

Help do you need a license to be able to sell a tabling event its my first one and first time getting myself out there. Im still starting out so i haven't sold lots. Please help.

[@zaffie730]

Thank you for this video!! What're the heights of your hanging fabric banners? The 4ft and 10ft ones

[@Mualcaina]

They're 1ft tall!

[@Emperor_Diegozilla_rex]

Hi I have a few questions I am not trying to start a business or anything I just want to sell art but do I have to make a table display or can I just wear a backpack and sell my art and do I have to tell the place that is having the convention that I'm selling art or can I just go in and sell it I just want to sell art I don't want to make it a business I'm young I need some help on this stuff

[@tnt.moon.02]

I checked out the Rewynd Print Studio, but they no longer sell rigid boards due to print issues. Do you know any alternatives?

[@alicepuyong]

Also looking for this 😅

[@Furfrouu]

One bit of advice I'll offer is if your table is overshadowed by a neighbouring table, compensate by being happy and polite to passing customers and say, "I've made this all myself" which surprises me that people still go to cons not knowing artists are there?!?! Totally not my own experience or something. >_>

[@Mualcaina]

Totally agree with this, thank you for the tip!

[@bungod8716]

I've been frantically looking everywhere for those pink plastic square pieces but I can only find transparent ones, where did you find yours???

[@Mualcaina]

This is the one I bought! amzn.to/3QV3y7U

[@Foxandbrambles]

What material are the rigid boards? Doesn’t look like coroplast

[@julayneo5472]

How do you feel about self serve booths?

[@Olliecosplays]

7:26 LITERALLY DIED WHEN I SAW ONE PIECE STOP

[@trapsensation9555]

My only issue is im not sure what to sell my products for 😅😅

[@benglyhunter4145]

hey first time vendor here! where did you get those cute heart hooks from! i tried looking on amazon but i dont think i put the right keywords in :’^)

[@Mualcaina]

I got them from alibaba!

[@mariahminner1334]

@@Mualcaina I’m so sorry, but do you happen to have a link? I tried searching as well and can’t find them. I even tried reverse image search. 😅

[@haloviians]

do you need to own a web shop to start selling at an artist alley?

[@acidrefluxxxxx]

Since I dont carry a lot of merch im able to just take it and all my signage and stuff back to the hotel room with me. any display thing that gets left there for any reason gets zip tied to the table as it'll take longer to steal and draw more attention to thieves

[@brendafromhuckleberries3897]

I am posting here because I do not know if there is an option to contact you. I am wondering if you would consider making me a past item you sold on Etsy? My daughter is celebrating a special milestone and I cannot find your item ANYWHERE! Can you help me? I’m not certain how to get my email to you without posting it! I did find an old gmail address to you and sent a message but I’m unsure if it is still active. Please advise if time permits THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@infogs-jj93]

would you like to try our enamel pins？We are willing to offer a free chance for you to test our enamel pins.

[@AngryDemonBowser]

I am sorry Maulcaina. I like how this helped you, but you are speaking in terms that aren't very accessible for BEGINNERS but rather artists that have already been going. Branding, though a basic part of your identity, I do not see any reason for any beginner to spend money on custom banners or displays. I really do appreciate what you are able to bring as an intermediate, but i have the feeling like what you are suggesting is not very realistic.

[@nightmareindreamland]

They're not saying you HAVE to have a banner, you can accommodate to what fits your budgets and/or needs