How to Make a Simple Backdrop for Craft Show Booth

Making a simple and attractive craft show backdrop can be easy and inexpensive.

Working a craft show to sell your handmade products requires an attractive display area. The simplest form of craft show booth can be a front table, about 10 feet long, covered by fabric. Create simple backdrops that also display your lightweight products by hanging them on the material of the backdrop. As the proprietor of the booth is required to set up and take down the booth, the materials for the backdrop should be lightweight and easy to transport and set up.

Things You'll Need

• Fire-proof fabric, or natural fabric that can be treated with flame-proof spray
• 2 ladders, 6 to 8 feet
• 2 lengths of PVC pipe, 5 1/2 feet
• PVC pipe connector
• 2 U-bolt beam clamps
• Needle or sewing machine
• Thread
• 2 garment racks on wheels, 6-foot tall
• Small sandbags

Instructions

Two Ladders

1. Set the ladders 11 feet apart. Most craft show booths are set at 8 or 10 feet wide. Check the craft show’s specifications.

2. Connect the two PVC pipes with the PVC pipe connector.

3. Screw the U-bolt clamps into the top of the ladders. The PVC pipe will go through the U-bolts, holding the pipe to the top of the ladders. Alternately, attach the PVC pipe with duct tape.

4. Hem the fabric on the sewing machine or by sewing with needle and thread. Leave the edges of one hem open at the sides, so the PVC pipe can go through. Make the hem large enough that the PVC pipe connector can easily fit inside the open-sided hem.

5. Pull the fabric onto the PVC pipe and put the pipe through the U-bolts on the top of the ladders.

6. Display your lightweight items by attaching them to the backdrop fabric. Use the ladder steps and the table fronting the booth to display heavier items.

Garment Racks

1. Hem the fabric as described in Step 4 above. Detach the top pole of the garment racks and thread the fabric through it. Do this with both garment racks.

2. Reattach the top poles of the racks.

3. Place sandbags around all of the wheels of the garment racks to keep them from sliding or falling over.

Tips & Warnings

• You can make your own flameproof solution by mixing 100 parts water, 7 parts borax and 3 parts boric acid. Soak the material, wring it out by hand and iron it when almost dry. Test a tiny piece of the material by trying to set it on fire with a match.

• If you wish, cover the ladders with fabric as well, taping it down on the steps to make shelves for your craft items.

Resources

• Beading Design Jewelry; Planning Your Craft Show Booth