What you need for a comic strip contest

A comic strip contest needs more than paper and pencils. You need enough drawing supplies for every participant, clear registration and judging materials, and a room that supports both creating and displaying the work. Plan quantities from your confirmed registrations, then add at least 10% spare supplies for broken pencils, lost erasers and last-minute entrants. This checklist also covers practical items people often remember too late, such as extension cords, name badges, score sheets and signage.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 50
Registration desk
Judges' table
Exhibition panelsqty 12
Stoolsqty 6

Sports equipment

Drawing paperqty 200
Sketchbooksqty 40
Graphite pencilsqty 80
Finelinersqty 60
Colored pencilsqty 40
Color markersqty 40
Erasersqty 50
Pencil sharpenersqty 25
Rulersqty 30
Drawing boardsqty 30
Clipboardsqty 10
Apronsqty 30
Kneadable eraserqty 20
Wax crayonsqty 20
Tapeqty 8
Paper clipsqty 200
Painter's tapeqty 6
Scissorsqty 20
Cutting matsqty 6

Equipment

Kitchen timersqty 4
Laptop
Printer
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Reusable platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Coffee potsqty 3
Water jugsqty 4
Serving traysqty 6

Decorations

Competition flagsqty 2
Buntingqty 8
Welcome sign
Directional signsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 10
Name badgesqty 60
Prizesqty 3
Certificatesqty 10

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Bucketsqty 2
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 4 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Ice cubes - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 5 bags
- Paprika chips - 5 bags
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Salted sticks - 3 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 48 pieces
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 4 tubs
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Shoulder ham - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 trays
- Iceberg lettuce - 3 heads
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 shaker
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Disinfectant wipes - 2 packs

Tips

Prepare one complete drawing set per participant: drawing paper or a sketchbook, graphite pencil, fineliner, eraser, sharpener and ruler. Add 10% extra sets so a missing or damaged item does not interrupt the contest.
Allow one table seat per participant, plus a separate registration table and jury table. Keep at least two spare chairs available for helpers, late arrivals or accessibility needs.
Buy or gather display materials before the event, not after judging starts. Exhibition panels, masking tape, paper clips and scissors let you mount finished comics without damaging the drawings.
Test the laptop, printer, extension cords and power strips at least one day ahead. Bring enough outlets and avoid running cables across walkways; tape any unavoidable cable runs to the floor.
Prepare name badges, printed forms, signs, score sheets and the jury briefing together in one labelled folder. Print at least 10% more copies than your expected attendance, especially for registration and judging forms.

Frequently asked questions

How much drawing paper do I need for a comic strip contest?: Plan at least 3 sheets per participant for a short contest, so each person has room for drafts and a final strip. Add 10% extra paper for mistakes, damaged sheets and late registrations.
What art supplies does each comic contest participant need?: Give each participant paper or a sketchbook, a graphite pencil, fineliner, eraser, sharpener and ruler. If colour is part of the contest, add coloured pencils, markers or wax crayons, plus one shared backup set for every 10 participants.
How many tables and chairs are needed for a comic drawing competition?: Provide one chair and one usable table space per participant, then add a registration table and a separate jury table. Keep two spare chairs and at least one extra table available for supplies, display preparation or accessibility needs.
When should I buy supplies for a comic strip contest?: Buy prizes and specialist materials at least 2 weeks before the contest, and complete the main shopping one week ahead. Check quantities again after registrations close, then collect or sort the materials no later than the day before.

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