How to Choose the Right Craft Supplies for Your Project: A Step-by-Step Guide from A.C. Moore
Choosing the right craft supplies can make the difference between a project you’re proud to display and one that falls short of your vision. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just starting out, understanding which materials and tools best suit your specific project saves time, money, and frustration.
At A.C. Moore, we’ve helped thousands of crafters find exactly what they need for everything from scrapbooking to home décor. This guide walks you through the essential considerations when selecting craft supplies, so you can approach every project with confidence and the right materials in hand.
Match Your Materials to Your Project Type
The first step in how to choose craft supplies is identifying what kind of project you’re tackling. Paper crafts require different adhesives and cutting tools than fabric projects, while painting demands brushes, mediums, and surfaces specific to your chosen technique.
Consider the project’s end use as well. A scrapbook page needs archival-quality materials that won’t yellow over time, while temporary decorations can use budget-friendly options. If you’re working on mixed-media art, you’ll need supplies that layer well together—water-based markers that won’t smudge oil pastels, or gesso that prepares surfaces for acrylic paint application.
Think about your skill level too. Beginners often benefit from starter kits with pre-selected coordinating supplies, while experienced crafters may prefer building their own custom collections piece by piece.
Understanding Quality Versus Budget Considerations
Not every supply needs to be professional-grade, but knowing where to invest makes a real difference. Cutting tools like scissors and rotary cutters perform better and last longer when you choose quality construction—dull blades create ragged edges and make intricate cuts nearly impossible.
Paints and adhesives typically show their quality in coverage and longevity. Student-grade paints often require multiple coats where artist-quality versions achieve opacity in one or two layers. According to studies of acrylic paint formulations, pigment concentration and binder quality directly affect both color intensity and archival stability.
When to Splurge and When to Save
Invest in tools you’ll use repeatedly across many projects: a good pair of craft scissors, a self-healing cutting mat, precision rulers, and quality brushes. Save on consumables for practice projects or items hidden in the final piece, like backing papers or interior adhesives.
Selecting the Right Tools for Your Technique
Every crafting technique has signature tools that make the work easier and results more professional. Die-cutting machines require compatible dies and the right paper weight to cut cleanly. Hand lettering needs markers or pens with tips suited to your chosen style—brush tips for modern calligraphy, fine points for traditional script.
Painting techniques vary widely in their tool requirements. Watercolor demands absorbent paper and soft-bristle brushes, while acrylic work on canvas needs stiffer brushes that can move thicker paint. Stamping requires ink pads formulated for your surface, whether that’s porous paper or non-porous metal and glass.
Don’t overlook preparation and finishing tools either. Sandpaper smooths wooden surfaces before decoration, sealants protect finished pieces, and proper storage containers keep supplies organized and ready for your next project.
Planning for Color Coordination and Material Compatibility
Successful projects often depend on how well your supplies work together visually and physically. When selecting papers, fabrics, or paints, consider the color palette you’re building—complementary colors create vibrant contrast while analogous schemes feel harmonious and calm.
Material compatibility matters beyond aesthetics. Water-based adhesives can warp thin papers, while thick cardstock needs stronger bonding agents. Fabric glues remain flexible after drying, unlike rigid white glue that cracks with movement. Test adhesives on scrap materials before committing to your final piece.
Building a Coordinated Supply Collection
Many crafters find success starting with a core color family, then adding accent colors gradually. This approach keeps your stash manageable while ensuring you always have coordinating options on hand. Neutrals like white, cream, kraft, and black anchor nearly any palette and make smart foundational purchases.
Storing and Organizing Your Craft Supplies
How you store supplies affects their longevity and your ability to find what you need when inspiration strikes. Adhesives dry out when exposed to air, paints separate when stored upside down, and paper warps in humid conditions.
Clear storage containers let you see contents at a glance, while drawer organizers keep small items like brads, eyelets, and buttons sorted by type and color. Vertical storage for papers and fabrics prevents creasing and makes browsing your collection easier.
Regularly audit your supplies to identify what you actually use versus what sits untouched. This practice prevents duplicate purchases and helps you recognize your true crafting preferences, so future supply choices better match the projects you genuinely enjoy creating.
Building Your Craft Supply Collection with Confidence
Selecting the right craft supplies becomes easier with each project you complete. Pay attention to which materials you reach for repeatedly and which sit unused—your crafting style reveals itself through these patterns.
Start with quality basics in the categories that match your most frequent projects, then expand your collection as your skills and interests grow. Remember that the best supplies are the ones you’ll actually use, not necessarily the most expensive or extensive options.
At A.C. Moore, we’re here to help you find exactly what your next project needs. Whether you’re exploring a new technique or perfecting a familiar one, choosing supplies thoughtfully sets the foundation for craft work you’ll be proud to share.
Notes
Calculate materials based on your project dimensions plus 10-20% extra for mistakes and experimentation. For paper crafts, this might mean one extra sheet per design element. For paint projects, check coverage information on labels—most list square footage per ounce—and round up. Having slight excess prevents mid-project trips to the store.
Buy individually when trying new techniques or testing whether you enjoy a particular craft. Once you’ve committed to a hobby and know your preferences, bulk purchases of frequently-used items like cardstock, adhesive, or basic paint colors offer better value. This approach prevents investing heavily in supplies for crafts you may not continue.
Artist-grade supplies contain higher pigment concentrations, purer materials, and more durable binders. They offer better color intensity, smoother application, and longer archival life. Student-grade versions use fillers and less expensive ingredients, requiring more product to achieve similar results but costing significantly less upfront. Choose based on whether your project needs to last decades or serves as practice.
Check product labels for compatibility notes—many manufacturers specify which surfaces and other products work together. Look for shared base types: water-based supplies generally work together, as do solvent-based products, but mixing the two often causes adhesion or blending problems. When in doubt, test on scrap materials first.
Many household items work as substitutes for practice and casual projects. Wax paper can substitute for parchment in some applications, cotton swabs make decent small paint applicators, and old credit cards work as scrapers. For projects you want to preserve or give as gifts, invest in proper craft supplies designed for durability and performance.
Maintain a simple inventory of your supplies, even if it’s just a photo on your phone showing drawer contents. Before shopping, check your stash and make a list of only what you actually need. Organize supplies by category and color so you can quickly see what you have. This system prevents impulse purchases of items you forgot you already owned.