Craft Tents

Are craft tents worth the investment? These tips will help you decide when it's time to invest in a craft show canopy.

When you start applying to outdoor art and craft shows, inevitably, you'll ask yourself whether it's worth investing in a good outdoor shade canopy. It is wise to be careful about business expenses, but when it comes to buying craft tents, this, in my opinion, is not the place to cut corners.

You may be thinking you'll wait until you are making more money, or until you are accepted into some of the better shows (perfectly reasonable thoughts; I went through the same thought process before I bought my own craft show canopy). However, this line of thinking can be a mistake and may limit the growth of your business if selling at juried art shows is a sizable part of your craft business strategy.

Many of the better (i.e. most profitable) outdoor craft shows require you to have a craft show canopy. When you apply to those shows, they typically ask you to send a photo of your craft booth setup. If you send in a photo of your booth that is not set up under an outdoor shade canopy, it can raise questions about whether you are actually prepared to do that show and meet their standards and expectations.

It may sound harsh, you may be thinking, why do they care if I've sent in a booth photo without a tent when my crafts are outstanding, but maintaining standards is important to good show organizers and part of that includes maintaining the look of the booths at the show.

If you're serious about getting accepted to great shows that are hard to get into, particularly if you're applying in a competitive category like jewelry or painting, then you must ensure that there are absolutely no weaknesses in your application. Jurors can view perceived problems with your booth setup as a weakness that's big enough to take you out of consideration, particularly for the most competitive shows.

Professional craft artists who are committed to selling at craft shows (particularly outdoor shows), benefit from owning a good display canopy in these ways:

• Craft tents protect you from the weather.

  If your booth is set up on concrete in blazing heat, or thunder clouds start rolling by, you'll be happy that you and your products are secure under your canopy.

• Your craft show canopy provides some protection from theft.

  I prefer to pack up my items at the end of the day, so I've designed my display so I can pack it up easily, but some professional craft artists leave their work overnight in their tents. Craft tents with side walls give you this option and provide a bit of protection from theft. I will leave parts of my display, such as tables, overnight and the canopy and side walls provided good protection from the elements.

• You'll look more professional to customers.

  Vendors at outdoor craft shows typically look more professional when their items are displayed under an outdoor shade canopy. Although you can set up a great display without a canopy, there's something about a craft tent that gives your booth and your business a look of professionalism.

• You'll look more professional to jurists.

  With your white canopy tent in the picture, the booth photos you submit to juried shows (particularly outdoor shows) will show that you are prepared to meet show standards with your craft booth.

So, if you are committed to selling your items at outdoor shows, and particularly the more competitive show, then craft tents are worth the investment. If you plan to do several shows, the benefits you'll get from your craft show canopy will make the purchase worthwhile.

Additional Outdoor Shade Canopy Resources:
What to Look for in Craft Display Tents
E-Z Up Eclipse II Commercial Sun Shelter at Dick Blick