Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Est. Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arteza Acrylic Paint Set | Best Overall | ~$30-50 | 4.7/5 |
| Crayola Signature Set | Best Budget | ~$15-25 | 4.6/5 |
| Faber-Castell Polychromos | Best Premium | ~$180-230 | 4.7/5 |
| Prismacolor Premier Pencils | Best for Drawing | ~$60-90 | 4.5/5 |
| Tombow Dual Brush Pens | Best Compact | ~$25-40 | 4.6/5 |
After three years of active adult crafting across paper, painting, textile, and mixed-media projects, I have a clear picture of which supplies are genuinely essential and which are category-specific additions. Building a practical adult craft supply set does not require buying everything at once; a thoughtful core kit handles most initial projects and points clearly toward category-specific additions as you specialize.
Why trust this review
Three years of active crafting across multiple categories, with a focus on understanding which supplies overlap most across project types. All products evaluated were purchased at retail.
How we evaluated craft supplies
We assessed each supply across multiple project types and use cases, evaluating whether the product’s quality was consistent across different applications, how long the supply lasted before needing replacement, and whether the quality matched the price point. For the Arteza paint set specifically, we tested across canvas, paper, and wood surfaces and compared pigment strength against both cheaper and more expensive alternatives.
Who should buy the Arteza Acrylic Set?
Buy this if you want a comprehensive paint range in one purchase for painting-based projects, if you want a non-toxic formula for household use, or if you want to explore acrylic painting without committing to premium artist-grade prices.
Skip it if you are an experienced painter who needs specific professional-grade pigment densities for fine art work. The Arteza is a craft-grade acrylic, not a fine-art-grade paint.
Pigment quality: the honest assessment
The Arteza 60-color set includes strong pigment density across the primary and secondary colors and most popular mixed colors. Where it falls short is in some of the extended palette colors (certain greens, browns, and violets) that are noticeably less opaque than the core colors. These require more layers to achieve full coverage on dark surfaces. The Liquitex BASICS set at $49 has more consistent pigment density across its full range but includes fewer colors.
For craft projects where coverage is important but absolute pigment precision is not critical, the Arteza set performs well. For fine painting work where consistent opacity across every color matters, consider the Liquitex.
The essential toolkit beyond paint
The Arteza paint set is one component of an adult craft toolkit. The other essentials to build around it: Fiskars Classic scissors ($8) for general cutting, an Olfa self-healing cutting mat ($20, 12x18 inch), a Fiskars 5-inch precision scissors ($10), Aleene’s Tacky Glue ($6), and a Bostitch Arrow hot melt glue gun ($15). This $94 toolkit handles the majority of adult craft projects and will last years with basic care.
Frequently asked questions
What are the essential craft supplies every adult crafter should own?+
The core kit that handles most project types: quality scissors (one general, one precision), a self-healing cutting mat, a bone folder for clean paper folds, a craft knife with fresh blades, acrylic paint set, reliable PVA-based craft glue, a hot melt glue gun, and a basic watercolor set. This toolkit handles paper, fabric, mixed media, and most three-dimensional projects.
Is acrylic or watercolor paint better for beginner crafters?+
Acrylic paint is more forgiving for beginners because it is water-soluble when wet but dries permanently and can be painted over if mistakes occur. Watercolor requires more technique to control, particularly for blending and preventing accidental bleed. For adults starting out, acrylics are the more practical first medium.
What quality of supplies should adults buy when starting crafting?+
Mid-range quality is the right starting point for most adults. Budget supplies often have quality inconsistencies that make technique harder to learn (paints with weak pigments, scissors that cannot cut cleanly, paper that buckles). Professional-grade supplies are more than needed initially. Mid-range brands like Arteza, Faber-Castell, and Bazzill Basics offer reliable quality without professional pricing.
What craft supplies are most versatile across different projects?+
Acrylic paint is the most versatile medium, working on canvas, wood, fabric (when heat-set), paper, and most other surfaces. Quality scissors are used in every craft category. A cutting mat protects surfaces across paper, fabric, and three-dimensional projects. Adhesives and a bone folder serve paper crafters, bookbinders, and mixed-media artists equally well.