Art & Craft Materials Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Basic Materials/Supplies, Marking Materials/Supplies), By Application (Household, Educational Institute, Office, Other), By Distribution Channel (Convenience Store, Hypermarket/Supermarket, Online, Specialty Store), By Region & Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

Global art & craft materials market was valued at USD 23.76 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 33.32 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period. The global art and craft materials market is experiencing steady growth, driven by increasing demand from diverse end-user segments such as households, educational institutions, offices, and professional artists. 

Market Drivers

Rising Popularity of DIY Culture and Creative Expression Across Age Groups

The growing interest in Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects and creative hobbies has significantly fueled the demand for art and craft materials globally. This trend is driven by increasing consumer inclination toward personalization, mental well-being, and hands-on activities that provide a sense of fulfillment and self-expression. Social media platforms such as Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube have amplified this movement by offering creative inspiration, tutorials, and crafting challenges that attract millions of users—particularly Millennials and Gen Z. Furthermore, adults are increasingly engaging in crafting as a form of stress relief and mindfulness, while children and teens participate in arts-based activities as part of cognitive development and entertainment. This cross-generational appeal has led to a broad consumer base actively purchasing basic supplies (e.g., paints, glue, paper) and advanced tools (e.g., cutting machines, embossers), bolstering market growth.

Integration of Arts & Crafts into Educational Curricula and Skill Development Programs

Educational institutions are emphasizing the incorporation of arts and crafts into school curricula to nurture creativity, critical thinking, and motor skills among students. This shift is not only limited to early education but extends to specialized programs in higher education and vocational training that focus on design, fashion, architecture, and fine arts. Additionally, governments and NGOs in developing regions are promoting skill-based learning and artisan training programs, often involving traditional craft techniques. These initiatives generate demand for a wide range of art materials, especially marking supplies like colored pencils, markers, and sketchbooks. The increasing recognition of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education over STEM alone also highlights the importance of creativity alongside technical skills. As educational infrastructure grows globally—especially in countries like India, China, and Brazil—the institutional demand for cost-effective yet quality craft supplies is expected to steadily rise.

Rapid Expansion of Online Retail and Customization Platforms

The emergence and maturation of e-commerce platforms have transformed the way consumers access and purchase art and craft materials. Online marketplaces offer greater product variety, ease of comparison, and access to international brands—especially beneficial for niche or specialty crafting segments like resin art, decoupage, and paper quilling. Moreover, platforms like Etsy, Amazon Handmade, and other B2C websites support small-scale crafters and home-based entrepreneurs by offering both supplies and selling opportunities. Personalization tools and DIY kits with pre-packaged materials are increasingly popular among hobbyists and gift buyers, fueling demand for customized craft solutions. Subscription boxes for crafts and digital design files for printable art are additional innovations in online distribution. As digital penetration grows and logistics improve even in remote areas, online channels are expected to play a pivotal role in market expansion, especially among younger and tech-savvy consumers.

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Key Market Challenges

Environmental Concerns and Shift Toward Sustainable Alternatives

One of the most pressing challenges in the art and craft materials market is the growing environmental scrutiny of traditional products. Many commonly used supplies—such as plastic-based glitters, synthetic paints, chemical adhesives, and non-recyclable packaging—pose environmental hazards, leading to increased consumer awareness and regulatory pressure. As sustainability becomes a central purchasing criterion, manufacturers are compelled to develop eco-friendly alternatives without compromising performance or affordability. However, producing sustainable materials like biodegradable glitter, plant-based paints, and recycled paper often comes with higher production costs and limited scalability. This price sensitivity may deter widespread adoption, especially in price-conscious developing markets. Balancing innovation with environmental compliance while remaining competitive in terms of pricing poses a considerable challenge for brands across the value chain.

Market Fragmentation and Quality Inconsistencies

The art and craft materials industry is highly fragmented, with a mix of global brands, regional players, and unorganized local suppliers. While this fragmentation offers consumers a wide variety of options, it also results in significant inconsistencies in product quality, safety, and performance. In regions lacking robust quality control and regulatory oversight, substandard or counterfeit products often flood the market, negatively impacting consumer trust. This is particularly concerning in educational and children’s segments where safety standards for materials like paints, glues, and modeling clays are critical. Additionally, the lack of standardization in packaging, labeling, and instructions can hinder user experience, especially in export markets. For global brands, competing with low-cost local alternatives while ensuring quality assurance and brand consistency remains a persistent challenge.

Digital Displacement and Declining Physical Engagement in Some Segments

Despite the growth of DIY culture, certain segments of the population—particularly children and young adults—are increasingly shifting toward digital platforms for entertainment and education. The rise of digital art, design software, and online gaming has, in some cases, replaced traditional hands-on crafting activities. This digital displacement is especially evident in urban households where screen-based hobbies are more accessible than physical craft projects. Additionally, budget constraints in educational institutions may lead to reduced investment in art supplies in favor of digital tools. While the digital space also offers new opportunities for hybrid models (e.g., digital crafting templates), the challenge lies in keeping traditional art and craft practices relevant and engaging in a rapidly digitizing world.

Key Market Trends

Rise of Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Art Supplies

A prominent trend in the art and craft materials market is the growing emphasis on sustainability and eco-conscious consumption. Consumers, especially millennials and Gen Z, are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of the products they use. This shift is prompting manufacturers to innovate and offer art supplies made from recycled, biodegradable, and non-toxic materials. For example, companies are launching plant-based glues, beeswax crayons, sustainably sourced paper, and refillable markers. Even packaging is being redesigned with minimal plastic usage and more recyclable or compostable alternatives. Educational institutions and parents are also opting for eco-friendly supplies to ensure the health and safety of children. This trend is not only reshaping product portfolios but also influencing branding and marketing strategies, with “green labeling” becoming a strong value proposition for manufacturers and retailers.

Digital Integration and Hybrid Art Practices

As digital technologies continue to permeate every aspect of life, the boundaries between traditional and digital art forms are increasingly overlapping. This has led to the emergence of hybrid art practices where physical materials are combined with digital tools such as drawing tablets, augmented reality (AR) apps, and 3D printing. Artists and educators are integrating software-based design with conventional techniques like sketching, painting, and sculpting to create multidimensional art experiences. This integration is fostering demand for products like digital pens that mimic brush strokes or styluses compatible with drawing software. Additionally, some brands are developing "phygital" kits—art kits that include both physical materials and access to digital tutorials or platforms. This trend not only adds value to traditional materials but also caters to the tech-savvy younger demographic who seek interactive and immersive creative experiences.

Personalization and DIY Gifting Culture

Another major trend is the rise of personalization and DIY gifting culture, especially driven by social media and e-commerce platforms like Etsy and Pinterest. Consumers are increasingly seeking unique, handcrafted products for gifting or personal use, fueling interest in custom art and craft kits. Products such as personalized scrapbooking supplies, calligraphy sets, DIY candle-making and jewelry-making kits, and embroidery sets have gained massive popularity. Many brands now offer customizable art supplies like engraved brushes, monogrammed sketchbooks, and paint-by-numbers kits with personal photos. This trend is also being leveraged by retailers through curated subscription boxes that deliver thematic, seasonal, or skill-based art materials. The growing appeal of thoughtful, handmade gifts is expanding the market for both beginners and hobbyists while simultaneously creating niche opportunities for premium product lines and small-scale artisans.

Segmental Insights

Type Insights

Basic materials and supplies form the foundation of the art and craft materials market. This segment includes products such as paper, glue, scissors, cardboard, craft sticks, clay, foam sheets, and fabric. These items are essential for nearly all creative activities and are widely used across households, schools, and professional studios. Due to their broad utility and relatively low cost, basic supplies account for a significant share of the market. They cater to beginner and intermediate-level users, including children and casual hobbyists, making them a staple in homes and educational institutions. Demand for these products remains steady due to their recurring usage and necessity across a wide range of projects. Moreover, many emerging manufacturers focus on this segment due to its low barrier to entry and wide market applicability.

Marking supplies consist of items such as markers, crayons, pens, pencils, paints (watercolor, acrylic, oil), chalks, pastels, highlighters, and inks. These materials are not only integral to fine arts and illustration but are also heavily used in design and professional applications. This segment caters to a more diverse customer base, from children in preschools to professional illustrators, animators, and design studios. With increasing trends in digital-to-traditional art integration, marking supplies have seen a surge in innovation—such as dual-tip markers, alcohol-based inks, brush pens, and pigment-based paints that replicate digital rendering. While these products typically have higher price points than basic supplies, the segment's profitability is also higher due to brand differentiation, performance attributes, and user loyalty.

Basic materials currently lead the market in terms of overall share, owing to their mass-market appeal and indispensability across all levels of artistic engagement. Their affordability, widespread usage, and high turnover in educational and household settings make them the backbone of the market. Marking materials are the fastest-growing segment, driven by the surge in hobbyist art, professional design needs, and demand for high-performance, multi-use marking tools. The rise of social media-based art challenges and online tutorial content further fuels interest in premium markers, brush pens, and paints.

Application Insights

The household segment includes individual consumers and families using art and craft supplies for leisure, DIY home décor, scrapbooking, handmade gifting, and hobby-based art. This is one of the most stable and consistent segments in the market, as families with children and creative adults continuously invest in supplies for fun and relaxation. The pandemic period saw a surge in demand within this segment, as people turned to at-home crafts to reduce stress and screen time. Today, the household user base continues to grow, especially among millennial and Gen Z consumers who engage in weekend crafts, content creation, and home-based projects. Moreover, gifting trends that emphasize handmade and personalized items also support this segment.

Educational Institute segment comprises schools, colleges, art academies, and training institutions that incorporate arts and crafts into their curriculum or offer specialized art programs. With art education gaining more attention as a tool for cognitive and emotional development, schools are increasingly integrating craft-based learning. Public and private educational institutions represent a major bulk buyer of art supplies, especially basic and marking materials. The demand here is recurring and high in volume, with a preference for safe, non-toxic, and eco-friendly materials. Institutions are also moving toward project-based learning, which increases the variety of materials needed across different age groups and art formats.

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Regional Insights

North America currently leads the global art and craft materials market, driven by a well-established DIY culture, strong presence of leading brands, and high consumer spending on creative hobbies and educational tools. The United States, in particular, has a mature retail landscape with widespread access to specialty stores, craft chains like Michaels and JOANN, and robust e-commerce platforms. Crafting is a popular pastime across demographics—from children engaged in school projects to adults involved in home décor, scrapbooking, and handmade businesses on platforms like Etsy. Additionally, school curricula in the U.S. and Canada emphasize arts education, sustaining institutional demand for high-quality, non-toxic supplies. Innovation, premiumization, and growing interest in sustainable and specialty materials continue to strengthen North America's market leadership.

Recent Developments

• In April 2024, D & L Craftworkz, an Australia-based manufacturer, introduced a comprehensive range of arts and crafts supplies tailored for both enthusiasts and professionals. This new collection includes versatile materials like D & L Air-dry clay, suitable for various projects from preschool art to handmade wedding decorations. The launch aims to cater to the growing demand for accessible and high-quality crafting materials in the Australian market.
• Paperworld Middle East, a leading international trade show for stationery and office supplies, announced the launch of 'Battle of the Brushes,' an international competition designed to spotlight emerging artists. Scheduled for November 2024 in Dubai, the event will feature live painting challenges across categories like abstract, realism, pencil/charcoal, and watercolor, aiming to foster artistic talent and innovation in the region.
• In October 2024, Indonesian artisans expanded the use of eco-friendly materials by transforming water hyacinth, an aquatic plant often considered a nuisance, into high-value craft items. Products such as fashion bags, storage baskets, and decorative lamps made from water hyacinth have gained popularity among eco-conscious consumers, reflecting a broader trend towards sustainable crafting practices.

Key Market Players

• Faber Castell
• Crayola LLC
• Fabbrica Italiana Lapis ed Affini S.p.A
• STAEDTLER Mars GmbH & Co. KG
• Newell Brands
• Colart International Ltd.
• Kokuyo Camlin Ltd.
• DA VINCI PAINT CO
• General Pencil Company Inc.
• Langridge Artist Colours

Report Scope:

In this report, the global art & craft materials market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

·          Art & Craft Materials Market, By Type:

o   Basic Materials/Supplies

o   Marking Materials/Supplies

·         Art & Craft Materials Market, By Application:

o   Household

o   Educational Institute

o   Office

o   Others

·         Art & Craft Materials Market, By Distribution Channel:

o   Convenience Store

o   Hypermarket/Supermarket

o   Online

o   Specialty Store

·         Art & Craft Materials Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Europe

§  France

§  Germany

§  Spain

§  Italy

§  United Kingdom

o   Asia-Pacific

§  China

§  Japan

§  India

§  Vietnam

§  South Korea

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

§  Turkey

§  Kuwait

§  Egypt

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the global art & craft materials market.

Available Customizations:

Global Art & Craft Materials market report with the given market data TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

·         Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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