Packing list for vending

A packing list with many ideas—these are some standards, but each artist and event will have their own needs. This can form the basis of a personal template which can serve as a packing checklist.

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)

Be sure to check the restrictions provided by fair organizers—many fests require some portion of each table's inventory be books/zines.

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