Packing list for vending

A packing list with many ideas — you can copy and paste this into a document of your own and edit to suit what you bring. Then use your personal template as a base checklist for events you go to.

Things to sell

• Books, zines, publications
• Art prints, cards
• Other merch with your art/designs to sell (tshirts, totes, sculptures, keychains, pins, pens/pencils, etc)
• Inventory count sheet/spreadsheet (record of items to sell and cash on hand before and after event)

Ways to accept money

• Phone
• Phone charger, portable charger block
• POS app that works with tap with your phone (Square, Shopify, SumUp, Zettle/PayPal, etc) with things you'll sell loaded into it
• Credit Card reader (tap and/or chip)
• Cash with small bills to be able to make change (e.g. $25 in ones, $60 in five dollar bills, $50 in ten dollar bills, a few $20s... depends on the event)
• QR code for any cashless payment methods (venmo, paypal, etc)

Ways to display things

• Tablecloth
• Paper bags/sleeves
• Plastic sleeves for prints (if packaging sets of prints from stock as buyer picks them out), potentially chipboard
• Pricing signs/stickers, optionally with name of publication + blurb
• Display racks, stands, boxes
• Business cards, publication catalog, free items with purchase (postcards, bookmarks, small art prints)
• Signage (Name of your project/press. Perhaps signs that answer any repeat questions in advance "Cash, card, or tap to pay." "Everything risograph printed and assembled by us." "Feel free to pick up the books.")
• Newsletter signup sheet or QR code
• Extras that come in handy: Scissors (if a local fair or you're checking a bag), tape

Self care

Staying fed and hydrated

• Water bottle
• Thermos for tea/coffee
• Cooler full of ice and drinks to share, if it's hot and you're at an event with a lot of people you know, maybe go in together for it?
• Electrolytes?
• Food to eat - snacks, lunch. Ideally something that’s easy to eat and won’t leave your fingers or clothes messy.

Staying comfortable

• Cough drops or throat lozenges for after you've talked a lot
• N-95 or KN-94 masks

• Medicines (prescriptions, over the counter things, etc)
• Layers of clothing to adapt to temperatures
• Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, sunscreen chapstick (esp. if it is an outdoor event)
• Anti-fatigue standing mat
• Earbuds, noise-reducing earplugs, other hearing aids. (e.g. Loop or Flare Audio calmer earplugs that don’t block sound, or noise canceling ones for listening to music on breaks)
• Face mist, moisturizer, hand salve or lotion

Travel packing

If you're traveling overnight or further afield for the event, you might want to add:

• Rolling suitcase
• Mailing boxes of books ahead (with LOTS of advance lead time)
• Toiletries
• Changes of clothing and layers/shoes appropriate for the weather

Related: Business tips and resources