11 Essential Craft Supplies for Beginners

A well-stocked craft kit is essential for any crafter, but if you’re just starting, this can be overwhelming. How do you know what you need to have in there, and where do you begin?

No matter where you are starting, there are a number of different tools that can be used universally, and they’re absolute essentials for any craft room. So, here’s our list of the 11 craft supplies every crafter should have.

1. Scissors and cutting tools

Cutting tools are a must-have for every crafter, no matter what your preferred style or medium. A good pair of scissors is incredibly versatile—perfect for everything from trimming card blanks to cutting out detailed centrepieces, frames, and borders. They work beautifully on paper, card, and even adhesive-backed materials, making them a true staple in any craft kit.

For more intricate work, precision snips are a great addition. Smaller than standard scissors, with a fine 4.5” blade, they’re designed to handle delicate, detailed cutting with ease—ideal for those finishing touches that need a little extra control.

A craft knife is another essential tool to consider. Its sharp blade allows for clean, accurate cuts, making it perfect for techniques like decoupage or working with finer materials. It’s also a handy alternative to scissors when you need extra precision for smaller elements in your designs.

2. Cutting mat

A cutting mat is a worthwhile addition to almost any craft setup. Not only does it protect your work surface from sharp tools like craft knives, but it also guards against pen marks, glue and accidental spills. With a firm, flat base to work on, it makes measuring and cutting far more accurate—giving you the confidence to create clean, precise results every time.

It’s practical, too. Once you’ve finished crafting, a quick wipe down is all it takes to keep your mat clean and ready for your next project, helping to prevent any unwanted marks or smudges from transferring onto your work.

3. Glue and adhesives

Adhesives are an essential part of any craft kit, and with so many options available, there’s something to suit every project. From versatile all-rounders to more specialised solutions, the right glue can make all the difference.

Collall All-Purpose Glue is a reliable go-to, offering a strong, long-lasting bond across a wide range of materials—from paper and card to fabric, glass, and plastic. For quicker makes, Collall Tacky Glue dries fast and features a precision tip for easy, mess-free application—perfect for layering and detailed work.

If you prefer a no-mess option, a Glue Tape Pen is ideal. Simply roll and stick for instant adhesion, making it perfect for smaller elements and embellishments.

With everything from wet glues to tapes and sprays available, it’s easy to find the perfect adhesive for every craft.

4. Ruler

Rulers are indispensable additions to any crafter’s kit. They can be used to measure, mark, and add straight lines to any craft, including papercraft, cardmaking, and even fabric projects. Rulers are super useful to have to hand for everyday things as well, so make sure you add our metal-edge acrylic ruler to your craft kit.

5. Card and paper

Whether you’re making cards, gift boxes, or scrapbooking, paper and cardstock are at the heart of almost every project—so it’s always worth having a good selection to hand.

White card is a great place to start. It offers a smooth, high-quality surface that’s perfect for stamping, cutting, and folding, giving you crisp, clean results every time. It also works beautifully as a blank base for a wide range of makes.

Coloured cardstock is just as versatile, available in a variety of shades and finishes. Perfect for adding layers and textures to your designs, from pearlescent to glitter for an extra touch of sparkle.

Paper pads are another must-have. Filled with coordinating patterns and designs, they make it easy to add colour and personality to your projects—whether you’re creating backgrounds, layering elements, or adding decorative details.

6 . Tape

Tape is great to use during the planning and layering stages of your craft. Use Low Tack Tape while you arrange layered designs for a temporary fix before you go in with more permanent glue or mark off sections of colour to fill in later. You can also use it to fix your card to the cutting mat to stop it from moving and all without leaving a residue or damaging the surface of the paper.

7. Pens, pencils and markers

Add colour, detail and personality to your projects with a range of pens, pencils and markers from Spectrum Noir.

ArtLiner pens are ideal for fine details, delicate outlines and hand lettering, giving you crisp, precise results. For something more bold and expressive, Classique and Illustrator markers are perfect for adding smooth colour, striking lines and beautiful blended effects to your designs

8. Embellishments

Whether you’re embellishing a card or a hand-sewn project, having decorations to hand can be really useful. You can gather items from around your home, such as spare buttons, scraps of ribbon, or loose sequins.

Adding ribbon, metal charms, and pre-cut toppers is a quick and easy way to give your makes texture, dimension, and personality!

9. Stamping Platform

Stamping is a fun and easy hobby, and it’s so simple to pick up, even if you’re a total beginner! This craft technique opens up so many creative possibilities with a world of stamp designs and inkpads to choose from. With our Stamping Platforms, you can line up your stamp perfectly before pressing straight down onto your material for a pristine, smudge-free, stamped image. So you can create professional stamped designs straight out of the box!

10. Die-Cutting Machine

A die-cutting machine is a fantastic addition to any craft kit, allowing you to create intricate, professional-looking designs in a fraction of the time it would take by hand. It’s incredibly versatile, and there are plenty of beginner-friendly options if you’re not ready to invest in a larger machine.

The Gemini Mini is a great place to start. Compact, portable, and easy to use, this manual machine comes with everything you need to begin die-cutting straight out of the box. It’s perfect for trying out a new technique and building confidence as you develop your crafting skills. For more inspiration, take a look at our Beginner’s Guide to Die Cutting.

11. Storage

All of these essential craft supplies need a place to stay! Keeping your craft collection organised is key to making your creative time more enjoyable and stress-free. With everything stored neatly and easy to find, you can spend less time searching and more time crafting.

Using practical storage solutions helps protect your materials, keeps your workspace tidy, and ensures your tools are always within reach when inspiration strikes. A well-organised craft space not only looks great but also makes it easier to stay creative and productive.

We hope this guide has given you a helpful starting point for building your craft kit. With so many supplies available, you can tailor your collection to suit the crafts you love and enjoy discovering new techniques along the way.