Staple + Stitch Chicago Art Book & Print Fair 2027: Exhibitor Applications to 30 November
Staple + Stitch, Chicago's annual art-book and print fair, is accepting exhibitor applications for its 2027 edition, taking place on 6 and 7 March at the Chicago Athletic Association. The fair connects book artists, independent print publishers, zine makers, experimental graphic designers, printmakers and publishers with readers and collectors. Applications opened on 1 October and close on 30 November 2026. The organiser plans more than 75 participating vendors. Public admission is free for visitors, but exhibitors who are selected must pay for a table: US$250 for a full table or $125 for a half table. These should not be confused.
Who and what belongs at the fair?
The festival emphasises the intersection of art, text, print and paper. Suitable creative practices include small-batch artist books, risograph publishing, independent comics, original zines, handmade bindings, artist-led periodicals, printed illustration and editions that translate digital visual art into tangible objects. It is primarily an exhibitor sales and exchange fair, not a competition for cash art prizes. An international artist who plans to exhibit should consider immigration/travel and transport conditions carefully, since the public programme does not advertise a universal travel stipend.
Deadline, fair dates and payment
Exhibitor application period: 1 October–30 November 2026.
Fair dates: Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 March 2027.
Venue: Chicago Athletic Association in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Full table price: US$250. Half table: US$125.
Accepted vendor fees are due on 15 January 2027.
Public entry for visitors is free; that does NOT waive the vendor's table charge.
Lodging information and any room-block options are listed as forthcoming, not guaranteed free accommodation.
Preparing a useful submission
Compile photographs of representative books, editions and tables, a concise publisher or maker biography, a clear description of the print processes and a list of the works to sell. The official 2027 homepage advertises the application period but has no universal fixed jury criterion in its introductory text; consult the actual linked exhibitor form for required image counts, stock types and eligibility before uploading. For a small overseas print collective, a shared half-table may be more economical than a larger stand, but only if the organiser's form permits the intended display and attendance arrangement.
Exhibitor costs and revenue uncertainty
Budget for payment processing, local tax requirements, inventory printing and shipping, packaging, display hardware and the two-day staffing. The US$125 or $250 table rental is not a refundable security deposit or a prize. The festival makes no guaranteed sales claims, and it does not promise that an accepted vendor's room, flights or foreign customs fees will be reimbursed. Before confirming, request the final venue rules, cancellation conditions and load-in schedule from the organiser.
Organiser background
Staple + Stitch began in 2024 and publishes previous fair archives. The 2027 edition is supported by fiscal sponsorship from Hive Center for the Book Arts, a book and paper arts organisation that assists its non-profit development. The venue and current exhibitor dates are published through the fair's own official website, which is the proper entry point for prospective vendors. This early-stage history is documented, but it is not comparable in age to a century-old public museum.
Official submission
Staple + Stitch official 2027 exhibitor application, prices and schedule: https://stapleandstitchfair.org/
Verified 24 October 2026. Applications close 30 November. Fees due 15 January after selection; all prices USD. This is paid exhibition space, not a funded artist residency.