Best Art Subscription Boxes UK — Honest Roundup 2026
Last updated: April 2026
Right, let me be upfront about something before we start. I run a UK art supplies deals site. My audience are people who want to pay as little as possible for their art materials. So you’d think a subscription box article might be a bit of a stretch for me.
But here’s the thing — I get asked about art subscription boxes constantly, and I’ve never actually given a straight answer on which ones are worth it and which aren’t. So this is that article. No fluff, no generic lists copied from everywhere else, just what I actually think after spending 16 years working in and around the UK art supplies industry.
I’ve also kept this strictly to UK-based boxes — no American ones that ship here. The international shipping costs on US boxes genuinely affect the value and I don’t think it’s fair to recommend them without being very upfront about that. If it’s UK delivery, UK pricing, you’ll find it here.
Who Are Art Subscription Boxes Actually For?
Let’s get this out of the way first because most articles skip it entirely.
Art subscription boxes are not for the serious practicing artist who already knows what they want to buy. If you’ve been painting for five years and you know you need Winsor & Newton Series 7 brushes and Arches watercolour paper, a curated mystery box is going to frustrate you more than inspire you. You’d be far better off tracking deals on the specific products you actually use — which is exactly what we do on the deals pages here on DAS.
Subscription boxes are genuinely brilliant for:
- Artists who want to try new mediums without committing to a full set
- Beginners who don’t yet know what they like
- People who want a creative treat through the post every month
- Gifts — they make genuinely excellent presents for creative people
- Artists who’ve got stuck in a creative rut and want someone else to push them somewhere new
If you’re in any of those catagories, read on. If you’re not, honestly just bookmark the clearance deals page and save yourself the subscription fee.
The Best UK Art Subscription Boxes in 2026
1. ScrawlrBox — Best for Drawing and Mixed Media Artists
Price: From around £15-30/month | Free UK delivery | Based: UK
ScrawlrBox is probably the most well known UK art subscription box and for good reason — it’s been around for years, has a genuinely loyal following, and the quality of what you get is consistently good.
Every month you get a mystery box of around 6 premium art supplies — pens, inks, markers, brushes, paper — with a guaranteed value higher than the price of the box. That last bit matters. You’re not paying £25 for £15 worth of stuff. The value equation actually works, which is more than you can say for a lot of subscription boxes across any category.
Each box also includes an original artist print and a creative prompt, which I think is a nice touch that a lot of the competitors don’t bother with. It gives you something to work toward rather than just a pile of supplies you might or might not use.
Who it’s best for: Artists who work primarily in drawing, inking, mixed media and experimental mark-making. If you’re a watercolourist or oil painter this probably isn’t your box — the content leans heavily toward drawing tools. But for the right audience it’s excellent.
Honest verdict: One of the better value boxes in the UK market. The mystery element is genuinely exciting and the quality hasn’t dropped off in the years it’s been running.
2. Craftiosity — Best for Trying New Crafts
Price: £24.95/month | Free UK delivery | Based: UK
Craftiosity is slightly different to the others on this list in that it’s less about supplying your existing art practice and more about taking you on a completely new creative project each month. Macrame, lino cutting, book binding, Japanese dyeing — each box is a self-contained project with all the tools, materials and step-by-step photo instructions included. There’s also an online video tutorial for each project which is a nice bonus.
The eco credentials are worth mentioning too — no plastic packaging, responsibly sourced materials. If that matters to you, Craftiosity takes it seriously in a way that most competitors don’t bother with.
At £24.95 a month it’s not the cheapest option but you’re essentially paying for a craft class delivered to your door. Compare it to the cost of an actual in-person workshop and it’s pretty reasonable. You can also cancel anytime which I always think is important — a subscription that tries to trap you is a red flag.
We’ve also negotiated an exclusive 10% off your first box — only available through DAS.
Who it’s best for: Creative people who want variety and to try genuinely new things rather than develop one specific skill. Also a brilliant gift subscription — it’s one of those boxes that feels exciting to receive and photographs well, which matters if you’re buying it for someone.
Honest verdict: If the idea of discovering a completely new craft every month appeals to you, Craftiosity delivers on that promise consistently. If you’re a serious fine artist who wants professional supplies for your existing practice, this probably isn’t the right fit.
→ Get 10% Off Your First Craftiosity Box
3. Curious Octopus — Best for Community and Guided Learning
Price: Check website for current pricing | Based: UK
Curious Octopus does something genuinely different to every other box on this list. Yes, you get a monthly box of quality materials and a creative project — but the real selling point is the live online workshop on the second Wednesday of every month where subscribers all work through the box together in real time.
That community element is either going to appeal to you massively or not at all. If you’ve ever wished you could take a monthly art class but can’t commit to physically going somewhere, this is probably as close as you’ll get through the post. If you’re a solitary creator who just wants the supplies and your own space to work, you’d probably be happier with ScrawlrBox.
Who it’s best for: Artists who want the social and educational element of a class combined with the convenience of a subscription box. Particularly good for people who want creative accountability — knowing there’s a live session on a specific date is genuinely good motivation to actually sit down and make something rather than let the box sit on the shelf.
Honest verdict: The most unique offer in the UK subscription box market right now. The live workshop genuinely differentiates it from everything else. Worth the fee if you’ll actually show up for it — less so if you won’t.
4. Cosy Craft Club — Best for Supporting Independent UK Makers
Price: £24/month + £4.50 postage (or prepay options with postage included) | Based: UK
Cosy Craft Club has a slightly different philosophy to the others on this list — each month’s kit is sourced from an independent UK maker who has put together a project to teach their specific craft. So when you subscribe you’re not just getting a craft kit, you’re directly supporting a small UK creative business. That’s a genuinely nice thing that I don’t think gets said enough about them.
Past boxes have covered everything from blackwork embroidery to paper cutting, punch needle to glass painting, lino printing to jewellery making. The range is wide and they publish what the next month’s craft will be on the 20th of each month so you can swap if it’s not your thing — which is a thoughtful bit of flexibility that most competitors don’t offer.
There’s also a monthly Zoom makealong session which gives it a similar community angle to Curious Octopus, though perhaps slightly less structured. Worth noting there’s a first-month half price offer available when you commit to 6 or 12 months — worth checking the website for current offers before you subscribe.
Who it’s best for: Crafters who love variety and who appreciate knowing their subscription is supporting independent UK makers rather than a large commercial operation. The ability to swap boxes is genuinely useful if you already have experience with a particuarly craft.
Honest verdict: A well run, thoughtful subscription with good community values behind it. Not the slickest box on this list but arguably the one with the most heart. Worth it if the ethos resonates with you.
Are Art Subscription Boxes Actually Worth the Money?
I know this is what most of you are really asking, so let me give you a straight answer.
For ScrawlrBox the value of supplies typically exceeds the box price, so on a purely financial basis you’re getting more than you’re paying for. The question is whether you’d have chosen those specific supplies yourself. If you wouldn’t, then the financial equation is less relevant — you’re paying for curation and discovery, which has its own value.
For project-based boxes like Craftiosity, Curious Octopus and Cosy Craft Club — it depends entirely on whether you’d otherwise pay for a workshop or class. If you would, the monthly fee represents excellent value. If you’d just buy supplies you already know you want, you’d be better off tracking deals on specific products.
The honest truth is that the best value in UK art supplies is still buying strategically when retailers have sales, clearances and discount codes — which is literally what this site tracks every single day. Check the exclusive discount codes page and the clearance deals regularly and you’ll consistently pay less for supplies you’ve actually chosen than any subscription box will offer.
But subscription boxes aren’t really about price. They’re about discovery, surprise, motivation and creative accountability. If those things matter to you — and for a lot of artists they genuinely do — the right box is absolutely worth it.
Quick Comparison
| Box | Price | Best For | Free UK Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| ScrawlrBox | From ~£15-30/mo | Drawing & mixed media artists | ✅ Yes |
| Craftiosity | £24.95/mo | Trying new crafts each month | ✅ Yes |
| Curious Octopus | Check site | Community & guided learning | ✅ Yes |
| Cosy Craft Club | £24 + £4.50 postage/mo | Supporting independent UK makers | ❌ Postage extra |
One More Thing Worth Knowing
We track deals on art subscription boxes right here on DAS — including discount codes, trial offers and past-box clearances. If you’re going to subscribe to any of these, check our art subscription box deals page first to see if there’s a first-month discount or introductory offer running. There usually is on at least one of them.
Disclosure: Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you sign up via our link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we genuinely believe are worth it.
