3 Must Haves for your Booth Display

When I first started participating in markets, I did what a lot of makers do. I scrolled around on Pinterest, went to Goodwill, and borrowed endless decors from my house (that never made it back, I might add). Since then I've come up with a consistent display for my jewelry that works with my branding, that is designed to move the shopper's eye across the table, and that makes my work look its best! Here are my five essentials that you need for your booth display! 

1. Levels and Risers 

Levels, levels, levels! Trust me. One of the best things you can have for your booth display are multiple levels created from upside down boxes, table top shelves, or vertical display pieces. Why? Levels add more room to your table, move your products up to your shopper's eye level, and make your table more interesting to look at. 

Best ways to create levels? I use some vintage wooden boxes turned upside down, but other makers use magazine racks, table top shelves, changing screens set behind their table, upside down baskets, etc. Anything you can use to create height on your table is a GOOD THING. There is also the option (usually for jewelry) to use vertical display stands- these are great, but they can be pricey. You can find jewelry display's on Etsy that will bring your products up to eye level, but might cost $40-$120. I'm fortunate to have a wood-working dad who built me some awesome arch-shaped display shelves. If you're not into DIY-ing it and don't have someone in your life that can make them for you, Etsy is a great option. You might also consider reaching out to local woodworkers (I have a few maker friends here in Missoula that have had amazing work done locally!). 

2. Bright Table Cloth OR Contrast 

There's a rule about instagram, and its that if you go to your explore page and scroll around, your eyes will be drawn first to images with bright white backgrounds. Try it- its real. This is a great rule for product photography, and it also applies to staging your products on a display table! In most cases, having a white/off-white/or brightly colored table cloth is going to be your best bet for drawing shopper's eyes to your table. Having a bright white table cover creates maximum contrast if your products are colorful, while having a bright colored table cover is going to be best if your products are white. Either way, creating contrast is key. 

What about if black is more your aesthetic? If the color black is part of your branding, its way more important to stick with that (more on branding later). A black table cloth can usually communicate two things: 1) the color black is part of your brand, and matches the products that you are displaying or 2) you're displaying products that are professional. The black table cloth is often taught/used in fine art programs and shows, and there is a whole logic behind that. Black may be best for you, but it should be something you've thought about and know why you're using it. 

3. Branding/Colors 

Your display MUST match your branding- this is key. If your logo is in neon colors and your whole instagram feed is bright neon jewelry, then you're not going to be using natural wood displays and mason jars. Does that make sense? You should think hard about your brand and your aesthetic before picking items for your display. This is why if black is a part of your branding, you should be using a black table cover. Having your branding and booth display match is important for a couple of reasons: 1) it makes you more memorable when you're in a larger market, 2) you'll be immediately recognizable to your online audience that's shopping with you in person, and 3) you'll be consistent, which lends to your credibility. 

How can you do this? For my booth, most of my display items are warm neutrals. This is because my branding (including my earrings cards) is a deep red/orange and yellow with some green accents. I use natural wood displays so that my earring cards pop against them, and have a bright off-white table cloth. I use small items like vintage glass bowls and vases of fake flowers to accent my brand colors. I have a lot of amber-colored glass on my table, varying-colored wood trays or risers, and lots of greenery in the form of fake plants. My branding is immediately familiar because of my earring cards, and everything else on the table is there to accentuate those colors. 

While these are three must-haves for your booth display, there is so much more to having a rocking booth. There are props, furniture (yes), tents, backgrounds, and more! Once you have your three essential parts, you can start to explore other ways to make your booth display super unique and memorable! 

-Bailey 

Montana Clay Creations