8 Secrets for Scoring the Best Craft Supplies Online

With online shopping, where you have literally everything at your fingertips, how can you evaluate quality before you buy? The challenge of sourcing craft materials and tools is different when you can’t see or touch them. If your favorite brick-and-mortar has gone digital, let these tips help you navigate the world wide web of craft stores. 

How to Buy Craft Materials

You're wise to question the quality of the craft item in your online shopping basket. Not every "deal" is true or good. We found these pro shopping guidelines to be helpful in discerning the good buys from junk.

1. Check Price Per Unit

No matter the material, check the cost per ounce, yard, or piece. Also known as the “cost per unit,” this number can help you decipher if you’re getting a lot for your money. On the flipside, if you’re getting too much for your money, it might signal that the item is junky.   

2. Evaluate the Product Description

A good description of the product indicates that the vendor is reliable. “Look for information concerning the material, size, and application of the product, as this indicates that the vendor wants to ensure customer satisfaction,” says Andrew Witkin, founder and CEO at StickerYou. For craft supplies, details about the type of fabric, thickness of the paper, or tool specifications are necessary. If the description is bad or lacks significant information, keep shopping.

3. Verify Seller

Check the seller's profile rating for sales history. Sellers with high ratings and many sales are usually safer. One way to evaluate reputation is to see if they are professional and timely with customer questions. It’s a sign that they value service.  

Any product sold under the tag “Ships from and sold by Amazon” is more reliable.

4. Read the Reviews

Crafter Ashley Parker of The Loopy Lamb says it’s important to read the reviews and not just the top ones. “One of my top tips is to sort the reviews by ‘most recent’ to get a better sense of how the product is currently performing. Sometimes a product may have been great two years ago, but has since declined in quality.” 

Take caution with general, duplicative praise as it might be a sign of fake reviews.

5. Zoom in on the Images

A good online vendor will have good photos on the listing, including details. Limited photos, low-quality images, or a listing that doesn’t show the product in use might be a red flag.

6. Research the Brand

An established brand, one that you know or one that you know other crafters use, is a valuable bit of info. You can look up well-known craft brands directly on Amazon or your favorite online seller to avoid knock-offs or misleading listings.

If it’s a brand you don’t know, search their social presence and website. Be sure to evaluate the return policy, too. If you receive a product that doesn’t meet your needs, you want to be able to return it, so do this legwork before buying.

“A good and reasonable return policy is a source of peace of mind. Check on the return policy of the seller before purchasing so you can return the item if it doesn't meet your expectations. A generous return window and easy return process indicate that the seller believes in the product,” says Witkin.

Read for any repeat chatter about late or missing shipments, especially if a business hasn’t posted any updates or changed their website messaging. “I always look for clear shipping policies and FAQs before placing an order. Transparency matters. I want to see that a company is proactive, communicates clearly, and sets realistic expectations upfront,” says Jennifer Street, founder and creative director at Forged Flare. 

7. Beware of the Bundle

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. A massive bundle of tools for under $20 might sound like a steal, but chances are you’re getting subpar materials that won’t hold up and make crafting frustrating rather than fun. “When I first started out with crochet, I bought a full set of ‘ergonomic’ crochet hooks that cost me less than $12. They actually weren't ergonomic at all. They ended up hurting my hands, and their handles were all sliding off before the end of the week,” says Parker.

If you see a top-quality tool that should sell for $100 selling for $20, that’s a fake. 

8. Ask Your Community

Tap online community forums to obtain info on the best materials and tools and where to buy them. Seek out the opinions of trusted crafters on blogs, YouTube channels, and social platforms.

“Over time, I’ve become something of an online sourcing sleuth. I always do my due diligence before buying anything, especially as a maker whose products depend on quality materials. I’m a member of several craft and small business groups (Facebook and other groups), and honestly, word-of-mouth recommendations from fellow makers carry the most weight for me. When you’re trusting a supplier to deliver materials that could make or break your product line, the personal experiences of others is gold,” says Street.