It’s been five years since I started selling art at conventions and festivals with mrART. I thought about writing a guide for AA about what to bring or what to expect but luckily they're tons of resources for that already. So instead, I am going to write down things that people usually don’t notice or mention often. Here we go~!
Overstock Troubles
You don’t have to worry too much about stock if you are attending several events, so the amount is up to you and your budget. However! If it’s your first few years of digital art, you’ll improve greatly in a short time! So that means if you stock up too many of your first drawings, you’ll get tired of seeing them and feel like it’s wasting space on your table cause your new work will sell better. So best to start off with nothing over 10 copies an item (per event) when you are starting out.
Display It Upright
Try to have your displays propped up, not completely flat on the table or perpendicular. The shy attendees stand farther away from the table and won’t notice the things not facing the front. This will also make your table look great in photos.
Packaging Promotes Your Work
Do not roll up your posters for your customers (unless you run out of clear bags). Make sure it’s visible and if they buy two prints, place them back to back with art outwards. One of the most efficient ways to advertise your stuff around the event is having your prints carried around and people asking where your table is! Drop a business card in the bag as well.
School resources have been mrART’s biggest money saver. Make use of that tuition money and student account to print at school! Industry print prices are double or triple the expense. Look for button machines in student council rooms or graphics/business departments. Buy and bring your own parts to persuade them. Just be wary that button-making is always noisy so be considerate.
This tidbit became the most prominent one this year when we noticed due to the freezing cold weather up at SFU Burnaby mountain the prints start to curl. Of course sleeving your prints also protect from humidity and the tape you use each time you put them up and tear them down.
First off, make a brand for yourself and your partners. A logo will always help people notice and remember your table better. It took mrART a few years and some achievements to be recognized as “that group with the dinosaur” but it worked out better than expected.
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Now I’m going to talk about deeper topics and how much the Artist Alley atmosphere has transformed from 2010 to 2015.
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Quality of Art
Copyright
The gray area lives on. The world has slowly started being concerned about copyright issues but currently, the artist alley has been pulled both ways. Some companies encourage it for advertising but some specifically say no (it’s best just to check yourself). The important thing to know is that currently if you do not label the series the fanart is from, the AA will allow it. As good business sense, I have also been advised that if the series doesn't allow sales of fan art online, you can label it as "Convention Only". This means the product is only available in person at conventions, which will peak people's interests and save you from troubles.
Staff Involvement
Keep in mind of how the events are run by your local communities. It's great to see how events improved for the AA community. The biggest improvement has been at SFU Summer Festival and Anime Evolution where their staff members are assigned to visit tables and offer help for setup/closing and deliver bottles of water. Other conventions have improved their registration forms by adding extra comments and details for the artist’s table. So it’s great to be able to ask for tables next to friends and perhaps near stage areas if you like to party with the music. Unfortunately in the Dealer’s Area art still gets stolen without the staff checking their products. Anime Revolution has more strict checks in their Artist Alley registration.
Your Involvement
Lastly, the main reason why you join an artist alley is for the community. If you are there to make a huge profit, then honestly it’s not going to help you far along in terms of monetary gain. With all the time it takes to plan your resources, draw the art, make it happen, and sell the merchandise, you would definitely make more with a minimum wage job. It was obvious to me why I wanted to join the community, I fell in love with the atmosphere, the nerdy people and the challenge itself. So do it cause it makes you happy.