The art fair debate for painters: what % of originals do you bring vs. prints?

I only hang originals in my art fair tent. I bring a dozen or so mounted prints displayed in a rack for people who love my art but need/want a lower price.

Honestly, I'd probably mix it up, originals for impact, prints to fill space.

The first time I do an art fair, I bring a mixture to see what draws people's interests. After that I bring mostly what generated the most sales and interests.

I've never heard of an art fair that would allow an artist to bring only prints. Most start in their guideline 20% prints, 80% originals.

Depends on the fair. If its gonna be filled with tourists 90-10 originals. If they want a print they should be able to see what one looks like(all media types you offer), but should take in the original.

They will want the print shipped to their house anyway.

If its all local folks that changes things.

For me (never exhibited myself obviously but been to at least a hundred of them at this point) make sure you have a range of pricing most important. Make sure you have big and small. Crap shoot otherwise.

i am going to do an art fair in May. I read the ultimate guide for art shows and art fairs that marketing gave link to today. Ive done a few, and bought just originals. My daughter and her boyfriend, bring prints, originals, merch and do quite well, without the ASF help. ASF says do a give away, get contacts, and do a live streaming of the show, amongst other things. I'm going to try a few of their suggestions. I have a lot of small originals. I will take them and some prints, do a give away and have some merch. I might get the merch locally to keep the cost down. I'm just starting out marketing my work. Ive shown here and there, and won some juried shows been published. ASF has made me aware I have a lot to learn and need to try different things. oh, they also said, collecting emails and making connections, were more important than sales, because they contacts were like future investments. Im excited. I have nothing to loose, and everything to gain.

For most open fairs I lean toward a mix — roughly 60-70% prints to keep the booth accessible and protect originals from wear. But for juried shows, originals are non-negotiable. The sweet spot I've found: bring 2-3 standout originals as anchors that draw people in, and let prints do the selling. Prints also let collectors who love your work but can't afford originals still take something home — those customers often come back for originals later! 🎨

IMHO, I would bring 10% originals and 90% prints, and of those 90% have a mix of open editions (even posters) and limited editions. The idea is to sell as much as you can, and to do that you need a good mix.