Given the steady demand from schools, creative studios, stationery shops, and independent artists, selling art supplies in bulk is a lucrative prospect.

The data supports this; the market is projected to see a 1.6-fold increase in its value from 2020 to 2030, with a CAGR of 4.5%.

A primary driver of this growth rate is e-commerce and this has been confirmed by a 2022 global annual survey where a staggering 78% of the respondents said they purchased art products online.

This emphasizes the prominent role that digital platforms play in this sector.

So, the strategy is simple: you’ve got to choose the supplies that sell quickly, buy them in bulk, and sell them for a profit as high as 30-50%.

Top Categories

Sketching & calligraphy: Graphite pencils, erasers, sketchbooks, easels, drawing pens, mechanical pencils, charcoal pencils, sharpeners, drafting brushes, rulers, calligraphy pens and nibs, fixatives, chalks, inks, etc.
Painting supplies: Filbert brushes, paint brushes, watercolors, soft pastels, oil paints, acrylics, colored pencils, canvases, colored markers, crayons, plastic color palettes, brush soaps, etc.
Crafting essentials: Scissors and cutting tools, paper plates, glue sticks, pom poms, buttons, glass/sequin embellishments, beads, foams, glitters, needles and threads, punches, etc.
Printing art: Colored papers, illustration and mixed media boards, printed stickers and cards, printed envelopes, stencils, print plates, etc.
Sculpture art: Stone, wood, clay, ivory, plaster, marble, wax, bronze, hammers, needles, rasps, bankers, grinders, etc.

Art Supplies: Market Segmentation

Here is the market analysis of art supplies based on:

1. Product type

Among all the art supplies, writing pens have gained more than 50% of the total market share in 2020. This rise is primarily driven by factors such as an increase in literacy rate and the extensive use of pens in educational & professional settings.

But remember, the market is much more diverse than this single segment.

While pens are undoubtedly a lucrative product to stock, you must not overlook the potential of other art products.

According to Google Trends data from the past five years, products like pencils, markers, pastels, and watercolors are not just popular, but they’re soaring in demand.

Each product type caters to different artistic needs and styles. So, if you diversify your art supply inventory, you can:

Cater to a wider customer base
Insulate your business from fluctuations in demand for a single product type

Region

North America holds the largest share (more than 35%) of the global art supplies market, followed by East Asia with 1/4 of the total share. This could be attributed to the rising per capita income and the consumer’s willingness to spend.

Knowing this, you can focus your marketing and distribution efforts in these regions.

Generation type

Millennials and Gen Z are the demographics known for their desire to express individuality and creativity.

And it’s evident in their shopping habits, especially when it comes to innovative art supplies.

Understanding the preferences of these younger generations, you can promote your products on social media.

Distribution channels

From the past distribution data, stationery stores dominated the sales of art products.

So, as a wholesaler or distributor, supplying products to these stores can provide a consistent and reliable sales outlet.

That’s because these stores typically have a loyal customer base that is likely to make repeat purchases.

Also, by offering art supplies in supermarkets and departmental stores, you can increase your product visibility and sales.

Top Trends in the Art Supplies Industry

Let’s have a look at some noteworthy trends in the art supply industry:

1. DIY

The growth of the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) trend has increased the demand for art supplies across the globe. People use art supplies to make paintings or decorate their homes.

Given the growing interest in DIY projects, selling DIY kits that contain all the necessary materials for a particular project can be a profitable option.

2. Sustainability

The global art market players are now focusing on using natural and recyclable art supplies to reduce their carbon footprint. This is because customers have become more concerned about the eco-friendliness of art materials and tools.

So, you should prioritize sustainable products in your inventory such as paints that are non-toxic and water-based or brushes made with bamboo handles or synthetic bristles rather than human hair.

Maximize Profits During The December Peak Season

Ever explored the Google Trends past 5-year data for ‘‘art supplies’’? It’s pretty interesting. In the US, the interest spikes in December every year.

And this isn’t just a random blip; it’s a consistent pattern that offers valuable insights for wholesale and retail businesses in this space.

Why December? Holidays roll around, gifts are exchanged, and schools are out ─ this means there’s more free time for art.

So, as a business owner, what does this mean for you? Two things:

Be prepared for the December rush
Ensure you’ve ample stock during the peak sales period

This is what you can do by maintaining strong relationships with suppliers.

Legal and Regulatory Guidelines

Selling art supplies in the US requires compliance with industry standards.

Every manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, or retailer must adhere to the guidelines set by LHAMA (Labeling of Hazardous Art Material Act) to ensure the safety of art supplies being sold in the market.

This Act assures that the art materials are completely free from any hazardous chemicals or substances and are safe for use.

To demonstrate compliance, the art and craft materials ─ such as colored pencils, paints, inks, brushes, etc. ─ that do not pose any health hazard must bear a conformance label ‘ASTM D-4236’ on their product packaging.

Marketing Tactics for Selling Wholesale Art Supplies

Below are some marketing strategies for promoting your products/business:

Create a website

As many customers are now tech-savvy and prefer online shopping, you should prioritize building or strengthening your digital presence to:

Reach customers across the globe

Increase brand visibility

Drive more sales

You can do this by creating an E-commerce website or listing your products on marketplaces.

This provides you with an opportunity to advertise your collection and enable your customers to purchase from the convenience of their homes.

Leverage social media marketing

By leveraging social media, you can expand your business’s reach and build customer loyalty.

There are several social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram ─ you should choose the one that aligns with your target audience.

These platforms enable you to post images, videos, discount offers, or anything about your store that increases customer engagement. Among these content types, video content is king!

A recent report shows that videos on social media generate 1200% more shares compared to images and text content combined.

Attend art events & fairs

Attending events such as art fairs, workshops, and gallery openings is a great way to stay updated with the latest trends.

These events also help you build relationships with professional artists, gallery owners, and collaborators.

Don’t forget to bring your business card to these art events, and hand them out to artists or business owners so they can contact you afterward.

Launch a referral program

A referral program is launched to incentivize existing customers to refer others within their network.

By offering rewards and incentives such as a 20% discount on their next purchase for each successful referral, you can encourage satisfied customers to actively promote your products.

This often results in new orders and increased revenue.

Invest in print marketing

Print marketing is a traditional yet effective strategy that involves distributing your business cards, flyers, and posters in public places such as cafes, galleries, or shopping malls.

Using this approach, you can gain visibility, making it easy for buyers to access your products.

Top Art Supplies Wholesale Stores in the US

Three Leaf

Main Products: Notebooks, filler papers, index cards, art paper, ink pens, and colored pencils.

Native Crafts Wholesale

Main Products: Beads, feathers, bows & arrows, dance sticks, dream catchers, talking sticks, knives, and decorative toys.

FLOMO

Main Products: Acrylic paints, gel pens, sketchbooks, paint brushes, gift bags, fashion stationery, DIY craft kits, gift wrap accessories, and more.

Twist Kits

Main Products: Metal bases, aluminum wire (Red), loincloth, base clips, decorative beads, wires, and feathers.