What You Need for an Art Market

An art market needs more than tables for displaying work. You also need clearly marked stalls, visitor information, payment equipment, refreshments and practical items for managing cables and moving supplies. This checklist covers the physical setup, from market tables and clothes racks to name badges, signage and a first aid kit. Check quantities against your number of exhibitors and visitors before shopping, then buy or collect anything with a lead time of more than a few days.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Market tablesqty 30
Party tentsqty 15
Chairsqty 80
Beer tablesqty 10
Information desk
Clothes racksqty 6
Presentation boardsqty 20
Bollardsqty 12
Transport cartsqty 4

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 100
Glassesqty 150
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving traysqty 10
Coffee potsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 8

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 35
Buntingqty 12
Booth numbersqty 30
Name badgesqty 80
Badge holdersqty 80
Pavement signsqty 6
Signage boardsqty 12
Info boardsqty 4
Adhesive hooksqty 50

Equipment

Cash registerqty 2
Card machinesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 12
Power stripsqty 10
Cable traysqty 20
Coolersqty 8
Flashlightsqty 6
Portable speakersqty 2

Lighting

LED lampsqty 20
String lightsqty 10
Batteriesqty 40

Kitchen

Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Scissorsqty 8
Cratesqty 20
Ice packsqty 30

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 12
Paper towel dispensersqty 4
Hand sanitizer pumpsqty 6
First aid kit
Tool casesqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Cocoa powder - 1 pack
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Mini bake-off rolls - 100 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilo
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Cucumbers - 3 kilos
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 3 kilos
- Mandarins - 3 kilo
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilo
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Nut mix - 3 kilo
- Rice cakes - 4 packs
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 60
- Mini muffins - 60 pieces
- Lemon cake - 4 pieces
- Vegan cookies - 4 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 4 packs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Napkins - 1000 pieces
- Straws - 300 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 500 pieces
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Organic waste bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 6 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Labels - 300 pieces
- Food cling film - 2 rolls

Tips

Count exhibitors before ordering market tables, chairs, clothes racks and booth numbers. Add one spare table or chair where possible, because late changes and damaged equipment are difficult to solve on the day.
Prepare one complete information point with an information desk, printed map, signage boards, info boards and pavement signs. Visitors should be able to find the entrance and their way around without asking every stallholder.
Check power needs at least 48 hours before the market. Match extension cords, power strips and cable trays to the outlets you have mapped, and keep cables covered or routed away from walking paths.
Set up a payment and cash station before opening. Test the cash register and card machines, and prepare change in advance rather than trying to find coins when the first customer is waiting.
Buy or collect serving supplies according to the refreshment plan, not just the expected headcount. Coffee cups, glasses, plates, cutlery, serving trays, coffee pots and thermos flasks are easy to underestimate when several serving points are used.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for an art market stall?: Start with a market table or beer table, a tablecloth, stall number, signage and any display furniture such as a clothes rack or presentation board. Bring a cash register or card machine, plus packaging and a way to transport stock if those are not supplied separately.
How many tables do I need for an art market?: Plan at least one market table per exhibitor unless the stall layout specifies a different setup. Confirm the final participant count before ordering, then keep one spare table available for the information desk, refreshments or last-minute changes.
What signage is needed for an art market?: Prepare booth numbers for every stall, a printed map, entrance or direction signs and clear information boards. Print the final versions at least one day before the event so missing signs can still be replaced.
How early should I prepare an art market shopping list?: Create the first list at least two weeks before the market, especially if you need tents, furniture or transport carts. Recheck quantities after registrations close and complete the final shopping and collection check 48 hours before opening.

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