What we’ve learnt from UK photo book fairs
Biscuit Books began in the aftermath of the Falmouth University Online MA in Photography. Our cohort was called Biscay, after the shipping forecast. We weren’t quite ready to let the conversations end. After two years of sharing thoughts, drafts and deadlines across screens, it seemed too much of a waste to just say goodbye once the MA was over.
So, Biscuit Books Press was born. We’re a small publishing collective of eight members who continue to collaborate, creating small-run publications, zines, books and prints. The name came from a simple exchange, really. Before long, we began affectionately calling ourselves the Biscuits. The nickname stuck, and from that, Biscuit Books was born.
Building Our Website
We’ve built a simple website to hold everything together, using a free WordPress template called Neve. We use the free version, which works fine for the time being. The only cost has been the hosting and the domain name, biscuitbooks.co.uk. It’s clean, easy to update, and keeps our publications, events and updates in one place without overcomplicating things.
It also includes small profile pictures of each of us, with direct links to our own websites. That way, if someone’s interested in a particular artist, they can follow through to see more of their work. Some of us have online shops, and others can be contacted directly to buy books or prints. The Biscuit Books site also includes our blogs, stories, and a calendar showing where and when you can visit us next.
Why It Matters
Having a shared online home has made a real difference. When someone picks up a Biscuit Books title at a fair, they can visit our website later and find us again. It means the connection doesn’t end at the table. Each of us has our own voice and style, but the site brings everything together in one place. It’s become both an archive and a meeting point where people can explore our publications, follow what we’re doing next, and keep in touch long after the fair is over.
And after four photobook fairs, we’ve learnt a few things worth sharing.
What We’ve Learnt
We’ve now taken Biscuit Books to four fairs: BOP Bristol 2024, Peckham24, Impressions Gallery Bradford 2025, and BOP Bristol 2025. Each one has taught us something new about how to showcase and sell independent publications at a photo book fair.
Presentation matters. Keep things clean and consistent. Prints and postcards need proper backing and sleeves. It’s worth spending a bit to protect them and to present your table neatly.
Think of your table as an exhibition. Keep the middle clear for your feature titles. Use risers or boxes to adjust height, and group similar items together. Visitors need to be able to take everything in at a glance.
Do your research. Every fair has a different crowd. Some are full of collectors, others are full of students. Prices, layout, and conversation style can all vary depending on your location.
Keep your sales system simple. We use SumUp for card payments. Every member of the collective is set up as an administrator, allowing anyone to process payments. We also record cash sales by entering a 100% discount and noting the title and price. That way, everything stays transparent and logged.
One main contact per session helps. At busy times, it’s a good idea for one person to handle payments while another chats to visitors or restocks. It avoids confusion and keeps things flowing smoothly.
What We Bring With Us
Experience has made us practical. We now pack light but smart. A collapsible box with a retractable handle has become essential. It holds everything securely and fits neatly in the car boot. We also keep a small kit of tape, scissors, pens, cards, less-sticky labels for pricing if needed, and remember your phone chargers.
Where you stay makes a big difference, too. Always book a hotel or Airbnb close to the venue. When you’re packing down late or setting up early, you’ll be grateful it’s nearby.
What You Need to Buy
If you’re starting a small press or planning to sell your own zines, books or prints at a fair, here’s what we’ve found useful:
- SumUp card reader and account (set up with shared admin access)
- Display stands or risers for height
- Clear Cello bags for prints
- A good collapsible trolley or box with a retractable handle
- A float for cash sales
- A printed list of your titles, short project descriptions and prices
- Business cards or postcards with your website and social links
And not forgetting, the unique temptation we bring to every book fair is a biscuit selection box, two of them, in fact!
It’s not much, but having these small things ready makes the whole experience calmer and more enjoyable.
Pricing and Sales
Pricing is always a learning curve. We’ve found that small zines tend to sell best between £8 and £15, and books sit comfortably between £20 and £40, depending on size and print quality. Limited edition prints vary, but presentation really affects how people value them.
Keep prices visible and signage clear. Offer bundle discounts if you can. And most importantly, be open and chatty. People remember genuine conversation more than a sales pitch.
How Many People Should Be Behind the Table?
Two works best. One can take payments, the other can talk or restock. Three feels crowded, and one feels like hard work. Rotate through so everyone gets a break and a chance to see what’s happening around the fair.
Looking Ahead
We plan to keep taking Biscuit Books on the road, building our presence at more photobook and zine fairs around the UK. Meeting people face-to-face has become one of the best aspects of what we do. It’s a reminder that the whole point of independent publishing is connection between the maker, the object and the reader.
Our list of upcoming fairs will be updated on the website, so check biscuitbooks.co.uk to see where we’ll be next.
What Experience Has Taught Us
We’ve learnt a lot by being on the road, meeting people and watching how other publishers present their work. Some lessons are obvious, and others you only realise after getting it wrong once or twice. Here are a few things that have stayed with us.
Bring fewer titles, but show them well. A focused, tidy display draws people in far more than a crowded one.
Always have one open copy. Let people flick through without having to ask. It shows confidence in the work and helps them connect with it.
Label everything. Clear prices beside each book stop hesitation. Most people won’t ask if they can’t see a price.
Include edition details and print notes. Collectors and curators like to know edition size, binding and paper type. A small card beside each book works perfectly.
Have a short handout about your collective. A single sheet that says who you are, where to find you online and what you do helps people remember you later.
Be open to trades. Swapping books or zines with other artists keeps your work moving and builds real connections.
Stay visible online during the fair. Post a few photos or short clips, tag the event and location, and invite people to come and say hello.
Talk to the organisers and nearby tables. Conversations often lead to new invitations or opportunities for collaboration. Everyone’s there for the same reason: to share work and keep the community going.
Keep notes afterwards. Record what sold, what didn’t, and what questions people asked. It’ll guide what you take next time.
Look after yourselves. Bring water, snacks and layers. Fairs are long days, and it’s easier to stay upbeat when you’re comfortable.
We’ve also found that driving print sales really helps with costs. We sell small 5×7 prints, each backed with card and wrapped in the correctly sized Cello bag. On the back, there’s a short project description, the photographer’s name and the title of the work. They’re priced between £3.50 and £5, and every sale goes straight towards covering the cost of the next table hire. Little things like this can make a big difference over the course of a weekend.
We also provide recycled paper bags with handles, each finished with a Biscuit Books sticker. They’ve proved popular; visitors appreciate something sturdy to carry not only their books but also others they’ve bought. It keeps our name visible as they walk around the fair.
These are small things, but together they make the experience smoother, friendlier and more professional. They’re the kind of lessons that only come with time, and that’s the fun of doing it … learning as you go.