A Digital Printing Network
SETTING UP SHOP AT A FAIR
THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT
CANDY
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Jackson on -
We have never set anything up at a fair before with the full transport of machines and equipment. What type of fair is it? And I guess the question for you is, Is it worth it? It takes time and energy to transport and re-setup machines, ensure they are safe/secure overnight if necessary, setup each custom design the day of the fair and print/press things while people are waiting, taking down everything and setting it back up in the shop (plus all the manpower before, during and after).... If what you will profit at this fair would be worth it all.....go for it. I personally don't have the energy to be doing something like this without a huge return....just my opinion.... Let me know what you think - -
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Hirata on -
Candy,
We have never participated in a fair, however we do know people who have, and their results have varied. Here's a list of some of their comments (as far as I can remember).
Participating in a fair takes a lot to time and energy (as Jen said).
For new business owners, a fair could be a good way to get your name out there. Even though you may not make a ton of money or any at all, the leads you generate from the fair could prove to make it worth it.
If you have items on display, you need at least two people working the booth at all times. One to handle the transactions, and another to watch to make sure no one has sticky fingers. If you're producing "stuff" at the fair, you may need at least 3 people.
If you're producing stuff at the fair, build yourself a little partition so that customers cannot see you making the item. Customers may be less willing to pay your price if they saw how easy it was to make the product.
If this is an outdoor event, take several pieces of weights to hold your booth down. Outdoor events can get windy.
Will you be accepting charge cards or personal checks. For charges you will need the equipment to handle the processing of the transaction. With personal checks you run the risk of the checks being bad.
Bring a lot of water.
That's all my tired brain can remember right now. I'll post again if more come to mind.
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Permalink Reply by Candy Mattingly on -
WE FIGURE ON DOING OUT OF THE BACK OF A CAR TRAILER. SO THE MOVING WON'T BE TO BAD. I REALLY LIKE THE IDEA OF A PARTITION. I DON'T THINK WE WILL GET IN THIS YEAR (NO SPACE AVAILABLE) BUT I AM REALLY CONSINDERING IT FOR NEXT YEAR. I THINK WE WOULD DO ABOUT 20 DESIGNS THAT CAN BE CUSTOM WITH YOUR NAME, CITY. THANKS FOR YOUR COMMITTS IT HELP THE THINKING PROCCESS!!
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Permalink Reply by Ken Wagner on -
We attended a couple of bridal fairs. Not to sell any shirts or products but to sell ourselves. We put out several of our embroidered and Versacamm produced items that we have done for others weddings. Even though we didn't take any equipment along the samples and various table displays and signage was a load. We did get business from these fairs since our products were visible and the ideas we showed them gave them incentive to call us in the coming weeks.
I do know of someone that takes embroidery machines to gun shows and does pretty good business. For me taking all that equipment is risky for the possible return. A heat press on the other hand is fairy sturdy although heavy. Limited transfer designs might work if you have some that are already popular to the area. Good luck.
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Permalink Reply by Doug Jones on -
We do events. Our specialty is racing. Road racing cars, road racing motorcycles, and motocross. We get to spend most every weekend at the local track, April thur Oct for these.
We have a to small cargo trailer with a GX24, sublimation printer, heat press and all the misc equipment and supplies to go. We pack in 2 canopies, half dozen tables, and grid wall. We provide cut vinyl, names and numbers for the cars/trailers. Team apparel, event T-Shirts, club logos, signs and banners for teams, and even giclees, working with the various track photographers. Some stuff we have to take orders and run at the shop as we do not take our 300 on the road, at this time. Bigger trailer or step van is needed and then we may just take it also.
And yes, yes...take weights. We use 25lbs on each corner and tie off to the trailer. Spend some time and money on your weights, I've seen to many really ugly weights and trip hazards, as well as not enough weight. These canopies make really good kites, for 10-20 feet and then they land.
It is a lot of work and well the sales of the events itself may not be worth the effort, the contacts are. People race, usually because they love it and can afford it. They either have good jobs, or they own a company doing well. The networking is everything. We just completed two jobs that we got directly from our contacts at the track this week for a total billing of $8000.
Find a niche and work at it, and network, network, network!
Doug
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Lee on
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why not try and get a mobile vinyl shop? Getting into aircraft industries will be an even bigger hit for business... or you can hobby shops where you can provide detailing of aircrafts, cars and boats?
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