what do you really need!

While you can create cards using card, a pen, ruler and scissors you can spend a lot of money on crafting equipment. Crafting can be an expensive business, and I am sure there are crafters, myself included, who have a lots of card and equipment they never use but bought because they were sure they would use it someday.

While I won't recommend items, I will try and give guidance on what to you look for if you are thinking of buying a new piece of equipment.

equipment

The basics you will need for any project.

materials

Depending on your projects this is what you will need.

equipment

cutting mat

A cutting mat is a protective surface designed for crafting to prevent damage to worktops from blades, such as rotary cutters and knives. They are often "self-healing," featuring a soft, layered vinyl surface that closes up after being cut, leaving no permanent scarring. They come in sizes from A0 120cm x 90cm to A6 11cm x 15cm, choose the largest mat that comfortably fits your dedicated cutting space.

ruler

You would think a ruler was just a ruler but do you go for wood, metal or plastic. Metal rulers are generally considered the best for durability, precision, and cutting, as they offer long-lasting accuracy and won't melt or chip. Plastic is lightweight, inexpensive, and often transparent for precise placement, though easily damaged when used for cutting as it is possible to cut through the ruler. Wood can be rigid and may warp or marking wear off after time. I have three metal rulers 15cm is ideal for smaller projects, 30 cm is great when using A4 paper and 60cm for those bigger projects.

knives

Choosing the right craft knife depends on matching the blade type to your material e.g. lightweight knives for paper and delicate tasks, or heavy-duty handles for thick cardboard, leather, or foam. Consider comfortable grips for long use and ensure the blade is replaceable. If you are using a knife to cut out most of your project then it might be worth spending a bit more for a knife where you can insert different types of blades.

A rotary cutter is a handheld tool with a sharp, circular blade that rotates as it moves, used to cut through single or multiple layers of fabric, paper, or thin materials. While you can use with paper and other materials you will find the blade dulls quicker so try to use a different blade for different materials. It is a staple used in quilting and sewing, offering faster, cleaner, and more accurate straight cuts compared to scissors, often requiring use with a self-healing mat and acrylic ruler.

scissors

When choosing which crafting scissors to buy, prioritize sharp, high-quality stainless steel or carbon steel blades and choose an ergonomic design with comfortable handles for long sessions. Keep separate pairs for fabric, paper, and adhesive materials to maintain blade sharpness, with 8–9 inch shears for general use and smaller ones for detail. This is an area where I haven't followed the available advice and have bought decorative scissors as I loved the designs. I use these when I am doing cross stitch or embroidery.

tweezers

These are essential for my crafting projects. They make it easier to handle tiny components without damaging them or leaving fingerprint smudges.

Self-Locking: These remain closed automatically, requiring a squeeze to open, which is ideal for holding items while glue dries.

Angled: Designed to make it easier to place stickers or delicate items in tight, hard-to-reach areas without covering your view.

Flat end: A wider, blunt tip useful for picking up stickers or holding items without damaging them.

Needlepoint: Excellent for picking up tiny embellishments, stickers, and paper pieces.

pencils, erasers and sharpeners

Lead pencils no longer contain lead; the core is a non-toxic mix of graphite and clay. They are graded H, HB and B -

H (Hard) has a higher clay content, creating a lighter mark.

B (Black) has a higher graphite content, creating a darker, softer mark.

HB is the ideal blend, resulting in a medium-softness and medium-blackness and is ideal for most projects.

A mechanical pencil uses a replaceable, thin solid graphite core housed inside a durable casing, which can be advanced mechanically as it wears down. Unlike wooden pencils, they do not require sharpening, maintain a consistent line width, and usually include an eraser. I tend to use one of these for most of projects.

A non-photo blue pencil (often cyan-coloured) is designed to be "invisible" the pale blue lines can be easily ignored by scanners or cameras. They are ideal for sketching and under drawing as you develop your drawing.

Depending on the glue and the quality of the paper that you use you may find marks left on the paper.

glues, adhesive and tape

The adhesive you use will depend on the materials you are using. The main types include

PVA Glue which is a versatile, water-based glue ideal for paper, wood, and cardboard; dries clear. Don't use too much as it can cause the paper to buckle. Not ideal if you want an instant or fast bond.

Tacky Glue which is thicker than PVA, it provides a stronger, faster hold on porous materials like fabric and wood.

Hot Glue Gun uses specialist glue sticks for instant bonding on materials like floral, fabric, or heavy decorations. Can you be useful for projects that need a stronger bond but can be messy.

Glue Sticks / Tape Pens are ideal for clean, precise paper projects like scrapbooking, preventing wrinkling. I have found that it can be difficult to extract the glue and it may not always have a stong bond.

Acid-Free/Archival Glue are ideal for scrapbooking and photo projects to prevent yellowing or damage over time.

Epoxy Resin is a two-part adhesive providing the strongest bond for hard materials like metal, plastic, and ceramics.

Spray Adhesive is perfect for mounting large sheets of paper or fabric without creating wrinkles or mess. I have found that some spray adhesives don't always have a strong bond, can have a strong smell so need well ventilated area and the paper can peel away after time.

Fabric Glue remains flexible and permanent on textiles, often washable.

Glue tape craft gun is a handheld dispenser that applies a continuous line of double-sided adhesive. It is a popular, mess-free alternative to liquid glue for paper crafts, scrapbooking, and card making. The gun instantly bonds materials and removes the backing liner automatically.

Double-sided tape is an adhesive coated on both sides of a carrier usually in a roll. Protected by a release liner, it provides a clean, fast, and durable alternative to fasteners for mounting and crafting.

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