{"id":2892,"date":"2019-05-24T09:52:44","date_gmt":"2019-05-24T13:52:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artik.com\/toronto-blog\/?p=2892"},"modified":"2019-06-19T23:37:19","modified_gmt":"2019-06-20T03:37:19","slug":"tcaf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artik.smartwebsitedesign.com\/toronto-blog\/tcaf\/","title":{"rendered":"How to sell your art and merchandise at TCAF | From Comic Books to T-Shirts and Lapel Pins"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Toronto Comic Arts Festival<\/strong> (TCAF) has become an incredible event drawing artists and crowds from across North America. Every May artists, publishers and writers come to Toronto to show off their latest work, take workshops and sell merchandise. Many thousands of visitors come to the free event to buy some sweet new comics, prints, t-shirts and lapel pins. In this article we’ll explore how to sell your art and merch at TCAF 2020!<\/div>\n
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\"TCAFAdvice from TCAF Co-Founder Christopher Butcher<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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In 2002, Christopher noticed that Toronto didn’t have an independent comic festival. He nagged his friend Peter Birkemoe (owner of The Beguiling comic shop) and together they co-founded the TCAF. The goal is to make the festival open to independent creators. Read the TCAF story in this article.<\/a><\/div>\n
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We spoke to Christopher seeking advice for future exhibitors.<\/div>\n
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Artik: This year I met artists from around the world who came to Toronto to table at TCAF. What is unique about this festival that draws a crowd?<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Christopher Butcher: I think the reason we get lots of folks from around the world is twofold: We try to make it as easy as possible for international creators by offering shipping options, currency conversion, and a few other perks that make the stress of travelling a little easier, and also we actively pursue participants from across Canada and the world, letting people know they’re welcome.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Nice! Where can people go to register for a table in 2020?<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Registration for TCAF 2020, taking Place May 9 and 10 2020, will open on August 1, 2019, at torontocomics.com<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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What advice do you have for an exhibitor looking to make sales and get recognition?<\/b><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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I think if you want to ‘guarantee’ a strong turnout for your work at a show, building an audience and mobilizing them for your appearances in different cities is key. But ultimately, I think recognition begins with the quality of your work–don’t put the cart (audience) before the horse (the comics) in that regard, y’know? Practice, hone your craft, make great comics.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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What are the limitations for participants decorating their tables?<\/b><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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We don’t have hard rules, but we ask our exhibitors to be courteous and even caring to their neighbours, and to the public. Anything taller than 6 feet tall is so imposing, and even potentially dangerous. Keep your displays eye-catching, tasteful, and respectful of your fellow exhibitors.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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I saw a lot of tees, pins and mugs for sale. What role does merchandise have in TCAF?<\/b><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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We’re almost exclusively focused on generating sales for our exhibitors at TCAF and we should probably have a lot more merch each year, but really, merch needs to flow from art for us. We put out a cool mug, or pin, or shirt, because we’re working with a cool artist who made a cool piece of comics or design. I’d like to make more, just because I like making stuff, but from my perspective it has to come from the art–like Angela Pan’s amazing Toronto Postcards this year. We commissioned those after seeing her Vancouver postcards, and jealously wanted something for our hometown. \ud83d\ude42<\/div>\n
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(Scroll to see one of the beautiful Toronto postcards by Angela Pan,<\/a> One of the official TCAF t-shirts and mugs by Hartley Lin<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

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Merch Tips from My Favourite 2019 Exhibitors<\/h1>\n

There were hundreds of creators with thousands of books, apparel and posters for sale. We’re gonna highlight a few booths and share lessons for attracting audiences and sales to your table at TCAF and other events.<\/p>\n

1. Give your screen printed t-shirts personality<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I found the more an artist embraces their style, the better their custom printed t-shirts<\/a> look. Shirts that are uniquely your style is way more interesting than making a fancy logo. Below are some of my favourite unique tees from artists at TCAF 2019:<\/p>\n

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Edi Jim\u00e9nez<\/a> brings unique art style into his merch, making these beautiful gradient tee shirts. It’s cool to see an artist’s style on paper, fabric and now skin with Edi’s tattoo work.<\/p>\n

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Sid Drmay<\/a> had some of my favourite tees at the festival. I love the thin line work and touches of colour.<\/p>\n

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I finished printing the designs for the totes I\u2019m making and I\u2019m EXCITED now I\u2019ve just gotta get them sewn up!! pic.twitter.com\/30kaymlVvA<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 sid drmay (@webspookie) April 6, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n