[thatreevesgirl]

This is a thread to help artists find cheap supplies to use in their art/display. Okay, I know that some artists do not like sharing where they get certain supplies (because then they have to worry about copycats, or a flood of competitors). However, I know that there are a lot of supplies that many of us use (like print bags, lamination stuff, button supplies, display stuff) that don't really contribute to competition.

Display: I just got a new display. I really like it, and I've had many artists come by and ask me where I got it. I'm using the 5' x 2' grid walls that are connectable (They use a similar size of these in the art show at ACEN, if that gives you an idea). I really liked them. A typical artist will need 2 or 4 and a connector or two. I forgot to take a picture of my display at acen, but I have a really badpic from set-up at Detour. http://thatreevesgir...ost/20337313708 I like these displays since you can get shelf attachments for the grids. http://www.storesupply.com is where I got them and all of the cool accessories (minus my duct-tape covered shelves that work as shelves and are magnetic which I made myself).

Badges: Watch for clearance sales at Laminationdepot.com It isn't the cheapest for day to day lamination pricing, but their clearance prices are unbeatable and the product is quality. The size I use and like are the 3"x4" hunting badge 10 mil.

What I'm looking for: Where people buy the cheapest resealable print bags or ones with die-cut handles? I have a place I buy cheap poly-bags from, but I really want my print bags to look more professional (so I want to get the crystal clear high mil count bags with the reseal strip or handles).

Bonus: I'm starting a tumblr that will show how to make things like my awesome magnetic shelves, or how I set up a display, or whatever anyone else wants to know. I have to finish my finals first, and enjoy my birthday, but it is the next thing on my to do list after that. I'll be testing marker paper and doing a lot of other things that I think you guys will find helpful. It will also put my seven years of artist alley experience to good use.

=====> http://beabetterartist.tumblr.com/ go follow it. I promise that I'll share a lot of good knowledge.

This post has been edited by thatreevesgirl: 16 May 2012 - 03:06 PM

[Karmada]

I very much like this thread! I wanted to add my findings so far:

I too get my display stuff from store supply warehouse! They ship really quickly, it's so nice.

As for my print bags, I get them (and mat backings) from: www.clearbags.com

Hopefully that helps! I'll be curious to see where other people get their things.

[Tokoz]

I can only think of a couple things at the moment, and I don't know how much they apply to anyone else. First is www.dharmatrading.com, which is a fabric arts and painting store where I get my blanks and dyes for silk painting. They ship quickly and have a ton of genuinely useful tutorials on their website to help you use their products. THe other is www.balloonmerchant.com, which is where I go for twisting balloons. Balloon merchant has a lower price-per-bag than most sites and crazy fast shipping, however, it doesn't give as high a discount for large volume orders, so if you're ordering more than about $100 or $150 of balloons, you're probably better off going somewhere like http://www.mbd2.com/online/store/

I feel like I should also plug my local thrift store, the Mission Mart. Thrift stores are great places to pick up sheets and gigantic tablecloths for covering your booth at closing. I found an 8- or 9-foot long fabric tablecloth for something like $1.50. You really can't beat that.

This post has been edited by Tokoz: 11 May 2012 - 07:44 AM

[JujuFox]

I'm following your tumblr!

I only buy bubble mailers in bulk from Royal Mailers, and everything else I get from people on Etsy. I try to stick with people based in the US for things like jump rings and necklace chains.

For business cards I go with Vista Print. They have discounts all time, so you can grab tons of cards for cheap. Their print quality is so-so, but you're giving them out for free to hundreds of people. I went through 200 cards and ran out on Sunday. Last time I ordered I got 500 cards in glossy with my own image on it for $27!

[thatreevesgirl]

JujuFox-I wish I would have wandered the alley more and found your table. You make some really cute stuff. I just overspent my budget in just two rows of artists and had to be done for the weekend. As a one crochet/crafter to another I find your stuff really adorable.

and here's a few links for business cards: http://www.gotprint.com and http://www.uprinting.com is where I use when I'm doing graphic design jobs. gotprint.com has 500 double sided UV coated cards for just $24.64 or $26.74 for 1000, and if you can get 1000 on uprinting.com for just $30 (both of those quotes include shipping to my location, yours might be less or more depending on your distance from where they are located). If you need more than 1000 those site are definitely more economical than vistaprint (and if I recall vistaprint isn't necessarily double sided). I'm just impressed by their products, and I use them for when I do design projects for clients.

Tokoz-I was just looking for some cheap tablecloths for that purpose. Mission Mart sounds like an awesome store to have nearby. I should check and see if any of my local thift/dollar stores have cheap tablecloths since I'm not in IL.

Karmada-I had found clearbags.com, and they looked pretty decently priced. I was going to go with them, but I wasn't sure if they were the best for cheapest/cheap-and-good-service place on the net. I'm glad that you rec them, I'll probably put in an order for the summer soon if someone else doesn't link a cheaper site.

[frzndaqiri]

Moo cards are fantastic - I do vistaprint for the cheapie handouts but Moo has a great feel and thickness. One of the awesome things is you can have as many designs as cards - 50 cards 50 different designs. A fantastic way to show off your work. The mini cards I've seen doubled as item tags - punch a hole and hang jewelry right from it. They are on the pricy side - but if you're using it for the stuff that pays back it's worth the investment.

Moo.com 10% off

[RogueCreations]

I wish I had more to contribute to this thread than I do. I don't have tons of fancy display myself. I have black, wire cubes and I just went to JoAnn Fabrics for my table cloth and some other fabric to help things stand out. I'm a fan of wrapping cardboard boxes in fabric to use as display stands. I usually use the boxes that I packed my merchandise in to help save space. I got a banner this year from Vista Print which was pretty nice and made my table look a little more professional. I usually print all of my business cards myself at home on 110 lb. cardstock and then cut them out with a paper cutter. I can't make them glossy without extra effort, so I usually don't. But I like it because I can do whatever I want with them and they're less expensive just because I don't have to get them shipped!

This has been a super helpful thread for me because I've been wanting to look into other ways to pretty up my table. *super thumbs up*

[frzndaqiri]

Slightly off topic

A fun idea - do a google image search for "artist alley table". Gives you lots of examples of how folks set up their tables.

Another tip: Take a photo of your table!!! It's great to remind you how you set it up, let you see what your customers see, and hopefully inspire you to improve. I love that I have a pic of my (awful!) first table. It is amazing to see what I've got now (that I'm STILL perfecting fyi) in comparison.

[The Chainmail Guy]

A bit hard for me to contribute unless you're also a mailler, and pretty much everyone knows that supplier (theringlord.com). I ordered my business cards from overnightprints.com, got 500 for about $10, and they're really good quality. The cards themselves almost feel like plastic, and they offer double sided printing for no extra charge. Next time I order, I'm going to put QR codes on the back for my deviantart and G+ page.

[The Fujoshi]

If you're looking for general art supplies, such as sharpies and markers, try Blick when they have sales or Walmart. Blick usually have 10-50% off sales if you are a member and Walmart is walmart.

Poster boards try mailing supply offices and other places.

[Ekqo]

Anyone know where I can get 70-100pg art books (of the fan art variety) printed, and does anyone know how many I should get printed? xD;;