Rules are subject to change without notice.
General Rules
- The following general rules apply to all areas within the Katsucon Artist Areas (KAA) that include the Artist Alley, Webcomics, Industry/Guests/Conventions, Katsu Crafters Corner, etc.
- You are required to be pre-registered for the convention in order to apply for a space in the Katsucon Artist Areas (KAA). This can be done through your application process. If you are a panelist, authorizations must be sent from the Panelist Department Head on your behalf to process your application.
- The KAA is intended for amateur artists and crafters only. Businesses are not allowed and must seek space in the Vendors Hall.
- There is no selling merchandise outside of the KAA or Dealer’s Room. NO SQUATTING! Do not assume you can set down in the middle of ANY open space and attempt to sell your artwork. This may cause your attendee badge to be revoked.
- Selling or reselling commercial merchandise is prohibited within the KAA. Artists and/or crafters cannot sell or resell materials that can be bought in the Dealers room or in a store.
- Stickers and/or any adhesive backed materials are not allowed for sale within KAA. The hotel has deemed them as potential for acts of vandalism on their premises and has disallowed their sale. Selling them is grounds for removal without refund. Do not bring or display them.
- Absolutely NO Use of Alcohol or Drugs in Artist Alley will be tolerated! Those caught doing such will have their attendee badge revoked and thrown out on the spot. This includes smoking. All KAA are non-smoking areas.
- Absolutely NO posting of any flyers anywhere in the hotel or in the Convention Center other than clearly marked posting areas
- Katsucon Artist Areas staff and Katsucon will not be held responsible for lost, misplaced, forgotten, or stolen items. Artist Alley and Katsucon will further not be held responsible for any damage that occurs to your table while you are not present. Any damage should be reported to Artist Alley Staff. Watch your table.
- KAA artists & crafters are required to wear their badges visibly at all times and properly hung around the neck.
- Any issues or disputes should immediately be brought to the attention of the Katsucon Artist Areas Dept. head or other KAA staff members.
- No third party sales are permitted in the KAA. Each artist or crafter should be selling their own work, not that of other people. Collaborative works, where multiple artists worked on a single project, are acceptable.
- Artists and/or crafters may not resell their table to a third party. Sharing tables is acceptable within the same area.
- While in the KAA, all convention, Local, State and Federal rules and laws are in effect. Violators will be removed from the convention without refund and turned over to the proper authorities.
Table & Booth Sizes and Rates
- Artist Alley tables are 8′ x 2′ and are divided into a unit of measurement called a Table Unit. 1 Table Unit is equal to a 4′x 2′ area, half of an 8-foot long table.
- Artists can purchase a MAX of 2 Table Units, that’s 1 full 8-foot table. No artist or studio may purchase more than 2 Table Units, no exceptions.
- Before the first day of the convention 1 Table Unit in Artist Alley costs $50, at the convention the price goes up to $60 per Table Unit.
- 1 Artist Alley Table Unit comes with 1 chair. 2 Artist Alley Table Units come with 3 chairs.
- Webcomic tables are 6′ x 1.5′ (30″) and are sold as a single table. There are no half tables. Each Webcomic table comes with 2 chairs.
- Webcomic tables are $100 prior to the first day of the convention. Should any still be available on Friday of the convention they can be purchased for $120.
- Webcomics may purchase a MAX of 1 table. No webcomic or studio may purchase more than 1 webcomic table, no exceptions.
- Booths in the Katsucon Crafters Corner are 8′ x 6′ and come with 1 6′ table and 1 chair. Crafters may only purchase 1 booth.
- Booths in the Crafters Corner are $100 before the convention. Should any still be available on Friday of the convention they can be purchased for $120.
Artist Alley & Webcomics – Rules
- Artist Alley is intended for amateur artists to display, sell and commission their original 2 dimensional artwork. Such artwork should draw upon influences from Japanese culture. In that spirit, artists are required to use at least 80% of their table space for such art. See FAQ for more details.
- Webcomics is intended for all amateur online comic, doujinshi, and zine creators to physically interface with their fans, take commissions, and sell their hardcopy works.
- Artists/Webcomics selling items not approved on their Items to be Sold list will be warned once and instructed to permanently remove said item(s) from their tables. Failure to do so or a subsequent infraction will result in the artist’s removal from Artist Alley/Webcomics without refund.
- The KAA reserves the right to refuse and turn away any artist selling solely fabrics, trinkets, and other merchandise not appropriate for Artist Alley. Such artists should apply to the Katsucon Crafters Corner.
- Cosplay items are not permitted for sale within Artist Alley/Webcomics. These include, but are not limited to: models, ears/tails, jewelry of any kind, costumes, custom plushies or dolls, props, bags, Gothic Lolita clothing/accessories, etc. This includes chain mail. The Katsucon Crafters Corner is for this purpose.
- Artists/Webcomics may not solely display and sell fan art. It is strongly suggested that fan art should not make up more than 20% of your table space. Fan art prints should be kept to 15 or less copies per image.
- Copyright infringement laws are to be followed within the KAA. It is the artist’s responsibility to make sure that their art does not violate copyright and must be able to prove it, if challenged.
- Buttons, pins, hats, t-shirts, and bags bearing the likeness of a licensed character are not allowed. This list is not inclusive.
- T-shirts, calendars, drawings, paintings, prints, comics, doujinshi, zines, sketches, cel art, posters and other 2 dimensional media bearing the artist’s original material are permitted.
- KAA Staff reserves the right to challenge a potential copyright violation and instruct the artist to remove it from their table. Failure to immediately comply will result in removal from Artist Alley/Webcomics, and possibly the convention, without refund.
- There can be no public display of sexually explicit or suggestive material without the proper checking of ID. If you are going to show adult material you MUST make sure the viewer shows proof of being 18+ years of age. This is solely the responsibility of the artist to do so, and as such, the artist will be held fully responsible for any failings to do so, or complaints received about their materials.
- Displaying such materials without proper censoring of sexually explicit or suggestive areas is not permitted. Violators will be told to remove the material permanently from their tables.
- Bootleg or knockoff items are prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: CDs, DVDs, videos, posters, idol cards, and any unlicensed reproductions of any products actually released by an American or Japanese company.
Katsucon Crafters Corner (KCC) Rules
- Many of these rules will be the same or similar to those found in the Artist Alley & Webcomic rules.
- The KCC is for crafters to display, create and commission their own fiber arts or crafts creations (models, ears/tails, jewelry, costumes, custom plushies, props, bags, gothic lolita, etc.)
- Copyright infringement laws are to be followed within the KCC. It is the crafters responsibility to make sure that their art does not violate copyright and must be able to prove it, if challenged.
- Bootleg or knockoff items are prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: CDs, DVDs, videos, posters, idol cards, and any unlicensed reproductions of any products actually released by an American or Japanese company.
- Selling of weapons, reproductions, replicas, or the like is not allowed.
- Selling garage sale-like items is not allowed.
- The head of Merchants relations in the Vendors hall will handle any disputes of copyrighted objects/materials. Their word is final.
- Crafters selling items not approved on their Items to be Sold list will be warned once and instructed to permanently remove said item(s) from their tables. Failure to do so or a subsequent infraction will result in the artist’s removal from the KCC without refund.
General Table Rules
- Absolutely no posting of flyers, posters or art on or against walls and/or columns in the Katsucon Artist Areas.
- In the Artist Alley each Table Unit comes with 1 chair. If purchasing two Table Units, three chairs will be provided. Webcomic tables come with 2 chairs. Crafter booths come with 1 chair.
- Music is permissible, but the volume is to be kept low. If you are asked to turn down your stereo, TV, laptop or other musical device, please respect the wishes of those around you. If KAA staff has to ask you to turn your music down, you will not be allowed to play music at your table for the duration of the convention.
- Food & drink is permitted however if you make a mess, clean it up. Try to keep your area as neat as possible.
- Katsucon and the Katsucon Artist Areas will not supply power for tables.
- Only the artist or their authorized representative is allowed behind the table. Artist must wear their convention badge at all times, easily viewable.
Display Height Restrictions
- All displays must be secured and stable.
- For safety reasons, artists with wobbling or leaning displays will be asked to take them down.
- Displays that go beyond the horizontal boundaries of their table, or impede, or encroach on other artist’s space will be removed. Further infractions will result in the removal of the artist from the area without refund and possibly the convention.
- Height restrictions are in place at the max of 4 feet (48″), and are measured from the top of the table to top of highest object displayed. You will be asked once to adjust your display. Failure to do so will result in the removal from the KAA without refund.
Katsucon Artist Areas artist & crafter Conduct
- Artists & crafters must claim their tables/booth by 9pm on Friday, February 12th. Otherwise, Katsucon Artist Areas will reclaim their table/booth.
- In the event you are unable to arrive before the designated time and wish to have a representative claim your table for you, you must provide all information about this representative to Katsucon Artist Areas at the time of your Reservation.
- The representative must arrive and claim the table before 9pm on Friday the 12th of February.
- Artists in the Artist Alley, Webcomic, Crafters corner areas are required to wear their convention badge visibly at all times, properly hung around the neck.
- Only an Artist(s) or their official representative is allowed behind the table.
- There is no storage of bags, luggage, or other materials not belonging to the Artist(s) behind the table. You will be asked once to move it.
- There is no storage of luggage at your table period. Please leave it with the concierge at the hotel. This does not include storage and transportation devices used to move your materials back and forth to your rooms.
- Artists are to be respectful of those around them while at their table. Disrespect, or acting in a manner inappropriate to members of public will not be tolerated and is grounds for removal from the KAA and the Convention without refund.
- No runnings, screaming, yelling, use of obscene language, or horseplay will be tolerated.
- Any issues or disputes should immediately be brought to the attention of the KAA Dept head or a member of their staff.
Intellectual Property
- Katsucon’s title, logo, and mascots are the trademark of Katsucon Entertainment, Inc. No likenesses there of are permitted to be sold in the KAA.
Noise Restrictions
- Be courteous to your fellow artists next to and nearby your table. Noise from music, videos, chatter, etc. should be kept at a reasonable level. If a warning is necessary, one can be issued up to, but not limited to, complete removal of Artist without refund at the Department Head and Con Chairs discretion. Be nice.
Warning
- Any Artist or crafter that is found to have lied, or misrepresented their information during the application process, may be denied a table/booth and/or removed from their table/booth without refund at the KAA Dept Head’s & Con Chair’s discretion.
