Art and Craft Market Overview, 2024-29

The global art and craft market offers a diverse range of products, including traditional handicrafts, modern art works, and DIY craft materials. The Arts & Crafts Movement fuelled a renaissance in interest in handcrafted and artisanal products throughout the twentieth century. This movement, which originated in the late 1800s, emphasised workmanship, the value of handcrafted goods, and the necessity to restore to old ways. The art and craft sector began to regain importance, eventually growing into a global industry that includes not only artisans and craftspeople, but also contemporary artists, designers, and amateurs.

During lockdowns, many craftsmen encountered difficulties in getting supplies and contacting customers, resulting in a temporary drop in sales. However, the epidemic caused a shift in consumer behaviour. Workshops and workshops moved to virtual formats, allowing participants to engage in creative pursuits from the comfort of their own homes. This transition not only helped the sector survive difficult times, but it also introduced new customer demographics to art and crafts, broadening the market's reach. Digital printing and laser cutting have transformed the way artists and craftspeople make and personalise things.

This technical innovation has made it easier for craftspeople to experiment with new patterns, decrease waste, and provide personalised things to customers. Furthermore, the emergence of sustainable and eco-friendly materials has sparked interest in the market. As people grow more environmentally concerned, there is a greater demand for products created from recycled or organic materials.

According to the research report "Global Art & Craft Market Overview, 2029,", the global art and craft market is anticipated to grow at more than 5.85% CAGR from 2024 to 2029. Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Joann, and Blick Art Materials are some of the well-known brands in this industry. These retailers have established themselves as significant suppliers of craft materials and supplies, serving a diverse range of customers, from amateurs to professional artists. In addition to established businesses, many independent artisans and craftspeople play an important part in the market.

These individuals frequently work through online sites like Etsy, where they can promote and sell their handmade goods directly to customers. The transition to direct-to-consumer sales has changed the traditional retail scene, allowing craftsmen to achieve notoriety and create dedicated customer bases. According to the research report "Global Art & Craft Market Overview, 2029,", the global art and craft market is expected to reach a market size of more than USD 63.21 billion by 2029. Countries with a strong cultural legacy and workmanship, such as India, Mexico, and Morocco, have a robust export market for handmade goods.

These countries frequently rely on the art and craft sector as a major source of income, employing innumerable craftspeople. Major import markets for art and craft products include the United States and Germany. The influx of imported materials, tools, and finished items from various places helps to boost the craft industry in these countries. Trade agreements and programs encouraging handicrafts help to improve the international flow of goods, facilitate cultural interchange, and assist artisanal communities.

Market Drivers

Increasing Interest in DIY Culture: The increased popularity of do-it-yourself (DIY) projects has driven up demand for art and craft equipment. Consumers are increasingly turning to crafts for self-expression, leisure, and to personalise their living surroundings.

Social Media Influence:Platforms such as Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok have played an important role in spreading art and craft trends. Influencers and crafters share instructions, project ideas, and show off their work, encouraging others to express their creativity.

Increased disposable income: As disposable incomes improve, consumers are willing to pay more for high-quality art and craft products. This trend is especially evident in emerging nations, where a burgeoning middle class seeks hobbies and recreational activities.

Market Challenges

Competition from mass production: While there is a growing interest in handmade things, competing with mass-produced items remains a struggle. Large merchants might charge less for similar products, making it difficult for local craftspeople to compete.

Changing Consumer Preferences: Consumer preferences are always changing, affected by trends and cultural shifts. Keeping up with shifting tastes and preferences may be challenging for firms, necessitating continuous market research and innovation.

Market Trends

Focus on mental health and wellness: Crafting is being recognised for its therapeutic effects, which promote mental health and well-being. Many customers are turning to art and craft hobbies to relieve stress and promote mindfulness.

Increased attendance at art and craft fairs: Art and craft fairs and festivals are becoming increasingly popular as venues for artists to present their work and interact with customers. These events support local communities and promote handcrafted goods, which helps the market flourish.

In the global art and craft market, painting and drawing materials are currently leading in terms of demand and market share.

Painting and drawing have grown in popularity because they appeal to people of all ages, from hobbyists to expert artists. This category offers a wide range of materials, including acrylic paints, watercolour sets, canvases, sketch pads, and drawing pencils. The growing popularity of self-expression through art, fuelled by social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, has increased demand for painting equipment. The COVID-19 epidemic also contributed to this spike, as more people turned to artistic hobbies like painting to relieve stress and pass the time during lockdowns.

While other areas, such as paper crafts and children's crafts, are equally important, particularly in educational settings and among younger customers, painting and drawing materials are frequently perceived as more versatile and adaptable. The United States has prominent domestic companies in this market, such as Crayola (known for its wide range of drawing and colouring materials for both children and adults) and Blick Art Materials. Faber-Castell and Staedtler, both established in Germany, are global market leaders in drawing materials, offering high-quality pencils, markers, and art tools. Shachihata and Sakura Colour Products from Japan are Asia's top makers of creative art materials, particularly for drawing and colouring media such as markers and inks.

In the global art and craft market, personal use is the leading application segment, as its increasingly used as a hobby.

The advent of sites such as Etsy and Instagram has encouraged people to pursue arts and crafts as both a hobby and a side business, hence fuelling the personal use market. During the COVID-19 epidemic, personal handicraft increased as people sought creative outlets to relieve stress and pass the time during lockdowns. The demand for goods such as paint, drawing tools, paper crafts, and DIY kits has increased significantly. Commercial applications of art and craft supplies are frequently associated with businesses such as education, interior design, and large-scale art installations. While important, these sectors do not create the same volume as individual customers who engage in art for personal enjoyment or small-scale sales.

Crayola is a leading domestic company in the personal use segment in the United States, where it controls the children's and amateur artist markets with a diverse range of accessible items such as crayons, markers, and craft kits. Michaels and Joann Fabrics are two other major businesses in the United States that largely cater to personal-use customers, offering a wide range of products for home-based crafting projects. Companies in Europe, such as Faber-Castell in Germany and Sennelier in France, manufacture high-quality art supplies for personal use, such as paints, coloured pencils, and brushes. Sakura Colour Products, based in Japan, is the market leader in Asia, specialising in art supplies for individuals and enthusiasts.

North America now leads the worldwide art and craft market, owing to a mix of factors such as high consumer demand, a thriving DIY culture, and a well-established market infrastructure.

The United States and Canada have long had a thriving craft community, with a vast number of hobbyists, artists, and DIY enthusiasts driving industry growth. North America's leadership is additionally strengthened by the existence of big retail chains such as Michaels, Joann Fabrics, and Hobby Lobby, which cater to a wide range of customers, from casual hobbyists to professional artists. The region's supremacy is also due to the growing popularity of social media platforms like as Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube, which are popular for sharing craft tutorials and DIY projects. These platforms have increased customer demand in personalised and handmade products, encouraging more people to pursue crafting as a hobby or side business.

The emergence of online craft marketplaces such as Etsy has also boosted North America's art and craft business, giving creators global venues to sell their creations. While other regions, like as Europe and Asia-Pacific, play an important role in the art and craft business, North America leads due to its great consumer interest, technological integration, and retail presence. However, as emerging economies like Asia-Pacific continue to expand, the global scenario may change in the future years.

Furthermore, North America has a well-established school system that encourages arts and crafts from a young age, resulting in a consistent need for art supplies in both educational and personal settings. The region's advanced e-commerce infrastructure improves access to a diverse selection of art and craft supplies, making it easier for customers to browse and buy items.

• Etsy IPO (April 2015): Etsy, a global marketplace for handmade and crafted goods, went public in April 2015. This event emphasised the growing demand for handcrafted goods while also providing a global platform for craftsmen and craftspeople to reach a larger audience. Etsy's success has inspired many craftspeople to convert their passions into businesses.
• In July 2020, Michaels, one of the major arts and crafts merchants, will expand its e-commerce platform in July 2020 as part of its digital transformation strategy. Customers were able to access a broader choice of art and craft supplies online, meeting the increased demand during the pandemic.
• In October 2018, Faber-Castell, a leading global company, introduced its "Greenline" line of items, which focusses on environmentally friendly materials. This decision was part of the brand's broader commitment to sustainability and ethical production, which aimed to satisfy increased consumer demand in environmentally friendly products.
• In 2019, Subscription-based craft kits, such as those from Cratejoy and KiwiCo, became a popular trend, with curated boxes of art supplies and project ideas sent monthly. This style provided convenience and gained popularity, particularly during the pandemic.

Considered in this report

• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report

• Art & craft products market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product Type

• Painting and Drawing
• Paper Crafts
• Kids Crafts
• Arts and Crafts Tools
• Others

By Application

• Personal Use
• Commercial Use

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases.

After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Art & craft products industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.