Comic festival shopping list

A comic festival needs more than comics and display tables. You will need clear signage, workshop equipment, presentation gear, refreshments and enough tableware for visitors, authors, volunteers and stallholders. Buy or collect the easy-to-forget items first: extension cords, microphone stands, name badges, serving platters and materials for workshops. Use your registration count to calculate food and drinks, then add a buffer for walk-ins and busy sessions.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 18
Chairsqty 110
Foldable tablesqty 12
High tablesqty 4
Coat racksqty 3
Tableclothsqty 20

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Laptop
Projector
Projection screen

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 100
Glassesqty 120
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving plattersqty 12
Pitchersqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6
Kettlesqty 3

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Exhibition wallsqty 8
Poster puttyqty 6
Name badgesqty 140
Pensqty 30
Table numbersqty 20
Tapeqty 8
Ropeqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemon - 2 kilos
- Still water - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa - 6 jars
- Peanuts - 4 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Mini cupcakes - 120 pieces
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Carrots - 5 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 3 kilos
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Vegan cheese - 1.5 kilos
- Hummus wraps - 80 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper cups - 150 pieces
- Paper plates - 150
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Sponges - 12 pieces

Workshop materials

Drawing paperqty 500
Sketchbooksqty 40
Pencilsqty 100
Eraserqty 50
Finelinersqty 80
Colored pencilsqty 40
Markersqty 40
Pencil sharpenersqty 20
Table easelsqty 20
Apronsqty 30

Print materials

Program flyersqty 250
Signage boardsqty 20
Registration listsqty 10
Author informationqty 100

Cleaning

Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Waste binsqty 12

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 6

Safety

Flashlightsqty 4
Barrier tapeqty 4
Cable matsqty 8

Registration

Cash box
Card payment terminal
Wristbandsqty 150
Clipboardsqty 6
Ballpoint pensqty 30

Tips

Plan at least two coffee cups, one glass and one plate per expected guest if you cannot wash up during the day. Keep extra cutlery sets available for catering, workshops and volunteers.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill drinks in coolers before doors open and keep thermos flasks ready for hot drinks.
For talks and author sessions, check the room layout before buying or collecting speakers, microphones, microphone stands, a mixer, a laptop, a projector and a projection screen. Bring enough extension cords and power strips to reach every station safely.
Buy workshop materials for the maximum number registered in each session, plus 10% spare. Pack them by room so leaders can start without searching for cutting boards, knives, serving tongs or other shared equipment.
Prepare signage and author information before the festival day: print one large directional sign per key turn or entrance, plus a few spare copies. Do not leave exhibition walls, tables, chairs, coat racks and tablecloths until the last collection slot.

Frequently asked questions

What food and drinks do I need for a comic festival?: For drinks, plan two to three per person in the first hour and one per person for every later hour. For tableware, provide at least one plate, glass, cup and cutlery set per guest, with a 10% spare stock.
How many chairs and tables do I need for a comic festival?: Count the seats needed for each talk and workshop separately, then add seating for registration, volunteers and visitors taking breaks. For tables, measure every stall, catering point and registration desk before confirming the quantity, and keep two spare tables if space allows.
What equipment is needed for comic festival talks?: Prepare speakers, microphones, microphone stands, a mixer, a laptop, a projector and a projection screen for programmed talks or presentations. Test the full setup at least one day beforehand and bring extension cords and power strips that reach each position.
When should I buy supplies for a comic festival?: Buy non-perishable supplies, tableware, signage materials and workshop materials at least one week before the event. Chill drinks and prepare catering on the day, while printing the program, author information and signs no later than the day before.

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