Cheap vs Pro Art Booth Walls

Setting up a strong, professional-looking art booth doesn’t have to break the bank. In this video, I test out a $65 wall setup against a $332 pro panel to see if there’s a noticeable difference. Watch the full video below to see how each one performs, and keep reading for my tips on choosing the right setup for your booth. I’ve also included my Free Art Fair Supply List to make it easier for you to grab everything you need: Free Art Fair Supply List

Watch the video

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Comparing the Look and Function

The $65 and $332 booth wall options may look surprisingly similar at first glance, especially to shoppers walking by. In fact, when they’re both fully set up with art hanging, it’s difficult to tell which one is the budget version. But when you’re the artist setting up and using these walls regularly, the differences start to show up in functionality, ease of use, and durability.

The cheaper wall is made from a mesh tarp connected with bungee balls. It works fine for small to medium art pieces, but I wouldn’t trust it with heavy artwork.

Drapery hooks are used to hang the art, and while they hold, the tarp can stretch and leave marks if the piece is too heavy. On the other hand, the professional mesh panel walls are built to handle weight. I’ve hung 10 to 15 pound paintings on them without any issues, even in strong winds.

How to Strengthen the Budget Setup

To make the cheaper booth wall more secure, I added stabars along the bottom. These are the same kind used in pro setups and they make a huge difference. The tarp becomes much more stable when pulled tightly across the booth and connected to a stabar. It moves less in the wind and feels more like a pro wall. You can also use two hooks for heavier pieces to help distribute the weight more evenly.

This setup is still very affordable even with the added stability. A stay bar costs around $75 per wall (cheaper if you buy them as a set), so when you add that to the $65 tarp, it’s still less than half the price of the premium wall. If you’re on a budget but want a more secure and professional-looking setup, this combo is worth considering.

Setup Time and Ease of Use

One drawback of the cheaper wall setup is the time it takes to assemble. Attaching all the bungee balls through the tarp’s grommets and wrapping them around your tent frame is tedious and tough on your hands. It took me about five times longer to set up compared to the professional wall, which uses clips and velcro that go on quickly and easily.

Instead of using bungee balls all the way around, you could switch to heavy duty zip ties along the sides which are easier to use to hang the mesh tarps. I’d still recommend using bungee balls across the top so the wall has a little give and can handle the weight of your artwork better. And if it’s going to be windy, it’s a good idea to throw a few extra bungee balls on the sides too, just to be safe.

If you’re doing back-to-back art fairs or want to save energy during setup, this might be an important factor. But if you’re okay with the extra effort and want to save money, the budget wall can still be a great solution—especially with the added stay bar for support.

Art Booth Supplies I Used

Here are the exact products I used in the video. These are linked directly to the sources so you can find what you need easily. I'd also like to emphasize that I tested the brand of mesh tarps that are linked below, not all mesh tarps are created equal! These tarps are particularly heavy duty. 

Cheap Art Booth Setup
Mesh Sidewall Tarps - either 7 x 10' or 6 x 10' size will work
Bungee balls
Drapery Hooks
StaBars

More Expensive PRO Art Booth Setup
Flourish Mesh Panel Walls

Final Thoughts

Whether you go with the cheaper wall or invest in the professional version depends on your needs and budget. If you sell smaller artworks and want to save money, the mesh tarp with stabar is a great option. If you frequently deal with heavy pieces or want quick setup, the pro walls are worth the extra cost. Both can look great and serve your booth well with the right prep and setup.

For more ways to save without compromising quality, check out my article on Affordable Art Booth Setup Tips for Beginners. It’s packed with ideas that’ll help you make the most of your art fair experience.