Artist Alley for Beginners: How to Vend Your First Con

Getting a table

Artist Alley tables at small regional cons typically run $50 to $150. Big cons run $300 to $600 or more and often use lottery or juried applications that open 6 to 12 months before the show. Follow the conventions you want on social media, since table applications are usually announced there first.

Start local and small. A one-day comic show in your region is a cheap way to test your setup, learn what sells, and build the confidence (and inventory) for bigger shows. Browse conventions by state to find shows within driving distance.

What actually sells

Every artist's mix is different, but some patterns hold across most shows:

• Prints in 2 or 3 standard sizes, priced simply ($10 / $15 / $25 beats $12.50)
• Small, cheap, grabbable items: stickers, charms, buttons. They catch people who won't drop $25
• Fan art draws people to the table; original work converts them into followers
• Bundle deals ("any 3 stickers for $10") measurably raise average sales

Table setup that works

Vertical displays sell. A flat table full of prints is invisible from ten feet away, while a wire cube rack or PVC stand puts your art at eye level. Bring a tablecloth (many cons require one), a card reader, a cash box with change, and price signs readable from a distance.

Track everything: what you brought, what sold, and what people picked up but put down. Three shows of notes will tell you more about your market than any online guide.

The financial reality

A realistic goal for a first show is breaking even on the table plus travel. Profit comes with reps: returning to the same shows builds a customer base that looks for you. Keep receipts, since table fees, travel, and materials are business expenses.

If you make comics and need print-ready files, check out the free Comic Print tool for bleeds, crops, and format conversion. It's built by the same people who run this site.