Summer 2019 I took a comics workshop at Center of Cartoon Studies (CCS). I’d been making comics and zines for a few years before, and wanted to try taking a class for it. The comics classes at my college were hard to get into as a sophomore, and I’d just finished my freshman year. CCS was really fun, though while I spent the day in workshops I was up at night in the hostel designing prints for my first artist alley in DC. While I’d also gotten into SPX, a fantastic indie comics fest in Maryland, I got off the wait list for an anime convention with a month to spare. I was excited, terrified, and had very little idea what I was doing.
I’ve been tabling at events for years since and have often had pals come for advice for what to do, so basically this is a little help for those interested in trying it out.
Tabling at events can be very expensive and not everyone enjoys it, so try at your own risk. A lot of young artists don’t like the idea of art as a business, and I’ll admit it was scary at first. However, if you have a goal of something like selling a plush character you’ve designed someday, having other kinds of products and experience selling them helps a ton! Most of this advice applies generally to selling your work, but my experience tends to lie in mainstream comic cons and indie comic events (there’s a bit of a difference in the market, we’ll get into it).
Let’s start off with the spooky part: money. Tabling at events will always cost something, so at the very least production costs matter. This may sound silly to some, but when you make anything for the purpose of selling it, you need to sell it for more than it’s worth. this includes: production/ shipping costs, labor, and (for card sales) sales tax. It can be tricky if you’re making something handmade, but helps to look at what others are selling similar pieces for so you get a sense of the market to get a worthwhile deal for your hard work. I’m not going to make this a guide to pricing work though, as that can feels like a separate conversation entirely, but if you are interested in tabling at events as a source of income it’s important to treat your table as a business.
When it comes to comic cons versus indie cons, there can be a big difference in what people want at each and what is allowed at each. For instance, some events require all vendor’s work be suitable for all ages, have a minimum number of zines/ comics for sale per table (to emphasize that it’s a comics show), or will have restrictions on display sizes or how much of your work can be fan art compared to original pieces. These are all things you should check before applying.
Larger events have larger costs to get in. the smallest amount I’ve paid for a table at an event is $10, and the most is over $500. Events like New York Comic Con are among the most expensive I’ve done, and I only spend that amount because I’m confident I can make back that expense while I’m there (this was not always the case). I don’t do many out of town events anymore but it’s also important to keep in mind any travel expenses when considering if certain shows would be worthwhile for yourself. This includes physically getting to the event, hotel costs, and food. A lot of people split tables and hotel rooms to save and I’d absolutely recommend it.
Personally, I find that I change my setup a lot depending on the event I’m planning for. For something like MoCCA Fest, SPX, or any indie comics fest I’d suggest prioritizing original work and things for people to flip through such as zines, buttons, and stickers. These events tend to be smaller and less mainstream than comic cons, so people tend to gravitate towards more tactile and personal pieces. Comic Cons are also really fun, but definitely put more weight onto fan art. A lot of people go into these events with certain franchises in mind, though I’d say it’s definitely possible to be ok without it. Still, when people recognize something they care about it can help draw them into checking out your work.
Before we get to more general advice, I’d highly recommend getting a table cloth even if you prefer to keep your display minimalistic or light on costs. Not all events provide one, and sometimes the ones they do provide are bright red. Additionally, be sure to have a business card, QR code, or some kind of signage so people can find you and continue to support your work elsewhere.
To finish off, Here’s a quick list of Do’s and Don’ts for tabling to consider
DO be patient and present
DO take bathroom and food breaks
DO try to make friends
DO offer and accept trades (to an extent)
DO track your inventory (keep track of what sells)
DO carry lots of change (in bills not coins, prepare this before the show)
DO feel free to reject accepting coin change. (it can make it harder to keep track of personally)
DO consider getting a square reader to take card sales
DON’T expect to sell out. It might happen, but most likely not when you’re first starting out. Your first few events will probably be your worst for sales.
DON’T accept haggling. You deserve to be paid properly.
DON’T worry about the first 2 hours. They usually don’t reflect on the rest of the day’s pay or traction.
Tabling can be overwhelming for a lot of people, so don’t beat yourself up if you hate doing it. I wanted to keep this brief, but it’s a very subjective thing to figure out what works from artist to artist. Some people mostly sell prints, others prefer smaller items like stickers. Bigger items can help make a bigger profit, but that’s not everyone’s priority. Still, even if you’re not selling, chatting up your favorite artist at a con can be life changing or meaningful on its own so take it easy and try to have fun.
-Jayme
This is great stuff Jayme! Thanks for sharing.