2026 LA Art Book Fair FAQ



What is Printed Matter?



Founded by artists and artworkers in 1976, Printed Matter is the world’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to the distribution, understanding and appreciation of artists’ books and related publications. Our two-story facility in Chelsea, New York, is home to our bookstore, exhibition space and administrative offices. We offer a unique venue for the public to engage with more than 15,000 artists’ books from around the world. In addition to our NY and LA Art Book Fairs, we offer a wide array of free programs and services, including exhibitions and events; a publishing program; bibliographic services; consultation for museums and libraries; class visits and hands-on workshops; and a new Printed Matter Publisher Work Grant in partnership with Wagner Foundation that offers significant capacity-building funds to artist-publishers. 

Visit printedmatter.org to browse our catalogue and learn more about the many ways we serve artists, publishers, and the public.

What is the LA Art Book Fair?



Initiated in 2013, the LA Art Book Fair (LAABF) has grown to be an important moment to gather around artists’ publications, opening space for conversation, discovery and the celebration of recent accomplishments of artists’ book publishers. A signature program of Printed Matter, this weekend-long event in LA furthers the organization's mission of supporting the distribution, understanding, and appreciation of artists’ books by offering an opportunity for global artist-publishers to find new audiences for their work and engage in a dialogue with the public, as well as to build relationships and share resources with their peers.

The Fair hosts between 200–300 exhibitors from around the world, including a broad range of artists and collectives, small presses, institutions, galleries, antiquarian booksellers, and distributors. LAABF draws thousands of visitors each year, including artists’ book professionals, high school and college students, and audiences from every corner of the cultural sector. 

From 2013–2023 the LA Art Book Fair was hosted at MOCA’s Geffen Contemporary. Since 2025 the Fair is hosted at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena. The next iteration will take place from May 7–10, 2026.  

Who is eligible to apply?



Printed Matter’s Fairs strive to showcase a range and scope of artists’ books and publishers. Breadth in both the publication format and how you publish (e.g. collective, institutional, DIY, small press), as well as international representation, scale, and identity, are taken into consideration during the application review process. 

To be eligible to apply:
  1. You must publish, sell, and/or distribute art books or artists’ books.
  2. The majority of your books must be available for sale, although you may include some free items (i.e. digital works, zines, stickers, etc.). 
  3. You must have a publishing practice, whether large or small in scope. We are looking for demonstrated dedication to bookmaking and an engaging catalog of published works. This Fair is generally not suitable for showcasing a single title or single book project. 


How do I apply to the LA Art Book Fair?



Our application is on Submittable. There is no fee to apply. You must create a free account to submit. Please make sure your account is connected to an active email address. The application deadline is Monday, January 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.


What makes a good application?



Your application should include:

  1. A clear and concise description of your practice or project. Please tell us what kind of work you make, what communities you’re a part of (if relevant to your practice), what past fairs or exhibitions you’ve participated in, and what makes your publication practice unique or special.
               We encourage applicants to emphasize new work and/or inventory, and share with us generous responses relating to their interest in participating. If you’re an exhibitor who has participated in many past Fairs, please be sure to share why you’d like to be a part of this one. While we cherish our long-time exhibitors, we also want to make sure we continue to offer new opportunities for artists’ book makers who may not have exhibited before. In reviewing applications a variety of factors are considered in order to expand representation with a focus on identity, geography, scale of publishing operations, and through the welcoming of first-time exhibitors.

  2. Strong images or videos of your publications. You can upload up to 8 files. This can include images of groupings of books, individual books, spreads, detail shots, and photos of past art book fair presentations. Recommended JPG file size: 72ppi and no more than 1000px on the long side. Recommended MP4 length: 3-5min.

  3. Creative ideas for presentation. Give us a sense of how your books will be displayed. If you are applying for an exhibitor table with an accompanying wall, share how you’d like to use the space. You can also share details or anecdotes from past experiences tabling at book fairs and how this may shape your presentation for LAABF 2026.

  4. Feature artists’ books, catalogs, monographs, periodicals, zines, or related printed material. Again, LAABF 2026 is book focused. You are welcome to include other related media such as limited art editions, prints, apparel, performance, original artwork, etc., but these should not be foregrounded in your presentation.


When will I find out whether I’ve been accepted into the Fair?



Participation is confirmed on a rolling basis. Notifications will be sent beginning in February to the e-mail address associated with the Submittable account. Please double check these settings. 

What happens if I’m not accepted into the Fair?



Each Fair, we receive approximately 700–1,000 applications and on average, we are only able to accept 20-25% of those who apply. We recognize that Printed Matter’s Art Book Fairs are a vital platform and anticipate receiving far more applications of merit than we will be able to accept. If you are not accepted, please know that things may shift, and we do maintain a waitlist. Also note, Printed Matter has an open submission policy to stock publications in our Chelsea, NYC store. Please visit our website to submit your publications for review. 


What is the fee structure for exhibiting at LAABF 2026?



Estimated exhibitor fees for LAABF 2026:
  • Zine table: $200
  • 4' table: $400
  • 4' table with wall: $500
  • 5' table: $600
  • 6' table: $800
  • 5' table with wall: $900
  • 6' with wall: $1200
  • 6’ table with wall, rare/OP: $2500
  • 6’ table with wall, gallery: $2700

Available spaces include 4’–18’ of table presentation space, both with and without a wall. Larger areas are available for Special Projects, and also include select additional furniture. 

Fees include tables and chairs, exhibitor badges, and inclusion in printed and online materials.


How are exhibitor fees determined?



Printed Matter is a non-profit organization. As is the case for all Printed Matter Art Book Fairs, fees will go directly toward the hard costs of this non-profit production. These include space, equipment, and furniture rental, operations and staffing costs, and programming expenses, including honoraria for artists, speakers, and publishers.

Price ranges noted in the application are approximate. An exhibitor’s fee is determined by the size and location of their Fair presentation space and category (i.e. zinemaker, distributor, gallery, small press, arts institution). Fees are also determined by the pricing of applicant’s publications and the scale of operation. Preference will be noted, but due to space limitations exhibitors may be offered placement that differs from their request.

The fee does not include associated exhibitor travel and lodging costs. 

Exhibitor fees are due approximately 10 days from the date of acceptance. 


Are there opportunities for financial support?



  1. The Shannon Michael Cane Award grants four emerging first-time exhibitors (artists, artists' book publishers, or collectives in the early stages of their career) complimentary Fair participation, including an exhibitor table and a modest stipend that may be applied towards travel, publication production costs, or other related expenses. To apply, please see details in the application.

  2. The Volume Grant is a funding opportunity for BIPOC artists and publishers, launched in an effort to provide a meaningful step toward increasing representation and access at Printed Matter’s Art Book Fairs. Applications are reviewed by the Fair team and a rotating guest jury. Recipients will receive a complimentary table at the Fair, as well as an unrestricted stipend. This grant supports the ongoing creative work happening in these communities through assistance with production, travel, and other necessary expenses.  This opportunity is for publishers in all stages and experience in publishing, and we hope to prioritize those who haven’t participated in our Fairs before. Applicants will be reviewed based on demonstrated need and merit. Details on how to apply can be found in the application. 

  3. If accepted and if there are funding resources available through your government, universities, or other channels, we are happy to provide an official invitation letter from Printed Matter as well as discuss helping with other related paperwork. These processes can take time, so please compile information as soon as possible.