--- title: Who are Paper Crafters? Insights and Demographics description: In this article, we'll discuss the most important paper crafting demographics and facts you need to know. image: https://blog.anthonythomas.com/hubfs/2017%20-%20Maker%20Assets/2017%20Maker%20Image%20Assets/2017%20Maker%20Image%20Assets%20-%20Crafters/UA-_-4.jpg --- [![](https://anthonythomas.com/wp-content/themes/ata2017/img/ata_logo_tan.png)](https://anthonythomas.com) - [Why ATA?](https://anthonythomas.com/why-ata/) - [The Short Story](https://anthonythomas.com/why-ata/) - [About Us](https://anthonythomas.com/why-ata/about-us/) - [Our Space](https://anthonythomas.com/why-ata/our-space/) - [What We Do](https://anthonythomas.com/what-we-do/) - [What We Do](https://anthonythomas.com/what-we-do/) - [Inbound Marketing](https://anthonythomas.com/what-we-do/inbound-marketing/) - [Commercial Process Engineering](https://anthonythomas.com/what-we-do/commercial-process-engineering/) - [What We've Done](https://anthonythomas.com/what-weve-done/) - [Who We've Worked With](https://anthonythomas.com/brands/) - [We Know Makers](https://anthonythomas.com/we-know-makers/) - [What We Know About Makers](https://anthonythomas.com/we-know-makers/) - [The Maker Files](https://anthonythomas.com/the-maker-files/) - [Marketing Resources & Downloads](https://resources.anthonythomas.com/see-what-weve-learned-about-makers-diyers) - [We Blog](https://blog.anthonythomas.com) - [Contact ATA](https://anthonythomas.com/contact-ata/) ![The Maker Files Blog](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/hubfs/2018%20ATA%20Assets/2018%20Blog/The-Maker-Files-EB5937-456F74.png) # Our blog for brands looking to create authentic connections with makers & DIYers ### Popular Posts: [Knitting and Crochet Today: Statistics, Trends, and More](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/knitting-and-crochet-today-statistics-trends-and-more) [Who Are Today's Cosplay Makers? \[Statistics and Demographics\]](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/who-are-todays-cosplay-makers-statistics-and-demographics) [Automotive Enthusiast Demographics and Statistics Aftermarket Brands Should Know](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/automotive-enthusiast-demographics-and-statistics-aftermarket-brands-should-know) [Who Are Modern Crafters? Demographics, Craft Categories, and More](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/who-are-modern-crafters-demographics-craft-categories-and-more) [Needle Craft Statistics, Insights, and More](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/needle-craft-statistics-insights-and-more) [Is the Scrapbooking Market Segment Still Valuable for Brands to Pursue?](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/is-the-scrapbooking-market-segment-still-valuable-for-brands-to-pursue) - [The Maker Files](https://blog.anthonythomas.com) - [Marketing to Makers](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/marketing-to-makers) - [Makers 1-on-1 Interviews](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/makers-1-on-1) - Choose Your Target Audience - [Woodworkers](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/woodworkers) - [Cosplay Makers](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/cosplay-makers) - [Makers Who Sew](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/makers-who-sew) - [Automotive Enthusiasts](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/automotive-enthusiasts) - [Artists & Illustrators](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/artists-illustrators) - [Crafters (General)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/crafters) - [Metalworkers](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/metalworkers) - [Food Artisans](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/food-artisans) - [Paper Crafters](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/paper-crafters) - [Jewelry Makers](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/jewelry-makers) - [Ceramicists](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/ceramicists) - [Fibers Artists](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/fiber-artists) - [Knitters & Crocheters](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/knitting-and-crochet) - [Glass Artists](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/glass-artists) # Who are Paper Crafters? Insights and Demographics Posted by [Ivy Decker](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/author/ivy-decker) on May 2, 2018 ![](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/hubfs/2020%20Blog%20Images/Staff%20Banners/DSC_6658%20copy.jpg) Find me on: [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivy-decker-7b1319119) ![Paper Crafting Supplies](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2017%20-%20Maker%20Assets/2017%20Maker%20Image%20Assets/2017%20Maker%20Image%20Assets%20-%20Crafters/UA-_-4.jpg?width=383&height=255&name=UA-_-4.jpg)The AFCI (formerly the Craft & Hobby Association) [defines paper crafting](https://www.craftandhobby.org/eWeb/pdfs/AFCI%20MASTER%20Report_020117.pdf) as creating albums, cards, or other keepsakes using tangible materials like paper, photos, memorabilia, journaling, embellishments, and more. Examples of paper craft include scrapbooking, card making, and origami, but these hobbies are a lot more than just cutting and pasting. Across the various sub-categories of paper crafting, makers use techniques from rubber stamping and embossing to die-cutting and even digital photo editing. If your brand supplies any of the products that paper crafters need, the first step to connecting with your maker audience is to learn what makes them unique. In this article, we'll discuss the most important paper crafting demographics you need to know. [![62-million-people-did-a-craft-in-the-past-year](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2203947/6e20e20f-65d4-4743-80eb-1b47a5e89b9e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2203947/6e20e20f-65d4-4743-80eb-1b47a5e89b9e) ## Types of Paper Crafting While paper crafting at it's core is the art of arranging paper and embellishments to make a design, the craft is probably much more diverse than many would suspect. Here are just some of the most popular categories of paper crafting. - **![Scrapbooking](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2017%20-%20Maker%20Assets/2017%20Maker%20Image%20Assets/2017%20Maker%20Image%20Assets%20-%20Crafters/Fotolia_198012510_Subscription_Monthly_M.jpg?width=300&height=200&name=Fotolia_198012510_Subscription_Monthly_M.jpg)Scrapbooking:** Preserving photographs and other personal or family keepsakes in an album with decorative or themed layouts and creative embellishments. - **Card making:** Creating handmade, original greeting cards using paper crafting techniques. - **Origami:** The traditional art of paper folding to create three-dimensional figures and shapes. Origami is associated with Japanese culture, but the word can encompass all paper folding, regardless of origin. - **![Collage](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2017%20-%20Maker%20Assets/2017%20Maker%20Image%20Assets/2017%20Maker%20Image%20Assets%20-%20Crafters/UA-_-9.jpg?width=300&name=UA-_-9.jpg)Journaling:** Decorating written pages or planners with illustrations or embellishments. [Bullet journaling](https://www.bohoberry.com/bullet-journal-hacks/) is an especially popular format. - **Collage:** The art form of arranging different forms into a new design or image. - **Paper Flowers:** Crafting flowers and floral embellishments from different textures and thicknesses of paper. - **Decoupage:** Pasting paper designs onto other objects as decoration. - **![Paper Quilling](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2017%20-%20Maker%20Assets/2017%20Maker%20Image%20Assets/2017%20Maker%20Image%20Assets%20-%20Crafters/Fotolia_161905067_Subscription_Monthly_M.jpg?width=300&name=Fotolia_161905067_Subscription_Monthly_M.jpg)Papier-mâché:** Using a composite material made of paper and an adhesive/paste to cover objects or mold shapes (like bowls or piñatas). - **Paper cutting:** Cutting intricate relief designs from paper with small scissors or blades (sometimes known as papel picado). - **Book binding:** Joining collections of book pages by sewing or adhesives. - **Quilling:** Rolling, twisting, and arranging thin strips of paper into intricate, multi-dimensional designs. ## Paper Crafting Demographics Thanks to all the information available to potential makers in the form of [online tutorials, blogs, and how-tos](https://crafts.tutsplus.com/series/paper-crafting-the-craft-that-anyone-can-do--craft-11791), crafts like paper crafting are continually growing in accessibility and popularity. Here's what you need to know about the makers behind this passionate craft segment ([courtesy of research by AFCI](https://www.craftandhobby.org/eWeb/pdfs/AFCI%20MASTER%20Report_020117.pdf)). ### Who are today's paper crafters? - **36.5 million Americans** participated in paper crafting in 2016. - 35% of paper crafters consider themselves beginners, and 51% rank their skills as intermediate *(that's an opportunity to help them learn more!)* - 63% of paper crafters are female. 37% are male. - 51% live in suburban areas, and 42% work full time. - 42% of paper crafters are aged 18-34, but older age brackets are also well-represented in the segment. ### What are their buying habits? - ![Paper Collage](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2017%20-%20Maker%20Assets/2017%20Maker%20Image%20Assets/2017%20Maker%20Image%20Assets%20-%20Crafters/UA-_-13.jpg?width=322&height=214&name=UA-_-13.jpg)Paper crafters in America spent **$4.57 billion** on their craft in 2016. - This accounts for 10% of all craft and hobby spending that year. - 72% of paper crafters buy supplies in store, 6% buy outside a physical store, and 22% buy both ways. *(But almost all crafters are researching supplies and tools online prior to purchase, no matter where they buy!)* - 49% only purchased what they needed for their current project. However, 15% stocked up, and 36% did a bit of both. ### What are their motivations? - Paper crafters exhibit a lot of passion for what they do: they strongly agreed with the statements "I would really miss participating if I stopped" and "paper crafting is special to me." - Paper crafting is most strongly associated with feelings of relaxation. - Paper crafters **value the sense of accomplishment** they get from working on their projects, too. ## Getting to Know Today's Papercrafters Paper crafting in general is low-stress, low-cost, and easy to learn and practice, making it an enticing activity for new and experienced crafters alike. Additionally, in our increasingly digital culture, paper crafting can be an enjoyable escape from the various screens in our lives. For collage artist Karen Koch, the ability to craft in a tactile, colorful way feels essential (read our full interview with Karen [here](https://anthonythomas.com/the-maker-files/karen-koch-life-needs-art/)). Paper crafting is also anything but outdated: due to technological advancements and the sharing of inspiration over social media channels, [paper crafting trends](https://blog.hobbycraft.co.uk/5-papercraft-trends-for-2018/) continue to shake up the industry every year. Though paper crafting is just [a sub-segment of the broad craft industry](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/who-are-modern-crafters-demographics-craft-categories-and-more), learning more about today's paper crafters continues to reveal how unique this activity truly is. [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2203947/e2baace6-f1e1-4e82-930a-ba69e83a36bd.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2203947/e2baace6-f1e1-4e82-930a-ba69e83a36bd) Topics: [Marketing to Makers](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/marketing-to-makers), [Crafters](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/crafters), [Paper Crafters](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/paper-crafters) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Related posts [Best DIY Resources for Automotive Maintenance](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/best-diy-resources-for-automotive-maintenance) [Creating Effective Tutorials for Fiber Artists](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/creating-an-effective-tutorials-for-fiber-artists) [What You Should Know About the Resin Jewelry Trend](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/what-you-should-know-about-the-resin-jewelry-trend) ### Most Popular Posts [Knitting and Crochet Today: Statistics, Trends, and More](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/knitting-and-crochet-today-statistics-trends-and-more) [Who Are Today's Cosplay Makers? \[Statistics and Demographics\]](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/who-are-todays-cosplay-makers-statistics-and-demographics) [Automotive Enthusiast Demographics and Statistics Aftermarket Brands Should Know](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/automotive-enthusiast-demographics-and-statistics-aftermarket-brands-should-know) [Who Are Modern Crafters? Demographics, Craft Categories, and More](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/who-are-modern-crafters-demographics-craft-categories-and-more) [Needle Craft Statistics, Insights, and More](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/needle-craft-statistics-insights-and-more) ### Recent posts [Best DIY Resources for Automotive Maintenance](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/best-diy-resources-for-automotive-maintenance) [Creating Effective Tutorials for Fiber Artists](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/creating-an-effective-tutorials-for-fiber-artists) [What You Should Know About the Resin Jewelry Trend](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/what-you-should-know-about-the-resin-jewelry-trend) ### Posts by Topic - [Marketing to Makers (100)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/marketing-to-makers) - [Makers 1-on-1 (46)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/makers-1-on-1) - [Woodworkers (26)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/woodworkers) - [Crafters (24)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/crafters) - [Automotive Enthusiasts (21)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/automotive-enthusiasts) - [Cosplay Makers (18)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/cosplay-makers) - [Makers (16)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/makers) - [Makers Who Sew (15)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/makers-who-sew) - [Marketing (10)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/marketing) - [Jewelry Makers (9)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/jewelry-makers) - [The Maker Movement (8)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/the-maker-movement) - [Inbound Marketing (7)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/inbound-marketing) - [Metalworkers (6)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/metalworkers) - [Paper Crafters (6)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/paper-crafters) - [Social Media (6)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/social-media) - [Artists & Illustrators (5)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/artists-illustrators) - [Food Artisans (5)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/food-artisans) - [Ceramicists (4)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/ceramicists) - [DIYers (4)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/diyers) - [Fiber Artists (4)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/fiber-artists) - [Knitting and Crochet (4)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/knitting-and-crochet) - [ATA Focus Group (3)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/ata-focus-group) - [Content Development (2)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/content-development) - [Content Marketing (2)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/content-marketing) - [Creative Process (2)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/creative-process) - [Glass Artists (2)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/glass-artists) - [Online Connections (2)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/online-connections) - [Pinterest (2)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/pinterest) - [Video (2)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/video) - [Apps (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/apps) - [Calligraphers (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/calligraphers) - [Candemakers (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/candemakers) - [Edible Arts (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/edible-arts) - [Kids Crafts (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/kids-crafts) - [Luthiers (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/luthiers) - [Maker Industry (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/maker-industry) - [Needle Crafts (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/needle-crafts) - [Painting and Drawing (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/painting-and-drawing) - [Podcasts (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/podcasts) - [Soapmakers (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/soapmakers) - [Trade Shows (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/trade-shows) - [blogging (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/blogging) - [challenges (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/challenges) - [designers (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/designers) - [maker trends (1)](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/topic/maker-trends) see all [![](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ata_logo_tan_stacked.png?width=301&height=188&name=ata_logo_tan_stacked.png "ata_logo_tan_stacked.png")](https://anthonythomas.com) 727 South Broadway Street Akron, OH 44311 330.253.6888   [![Facebook](https://anthonythomas.com/wp-content/themes/ata2017/img/icon-Facebook-F2EEE2.png "Facebook")](https://www.facebook.com/pg/ATAWeMovePeople/) [![Instagram](https://anthonythomas.com/wp-content/themes/ata2017/img/icon-Instagram-F2EEE2.png "Instagram")](https://www.instagram.com/ata_we_move_people/) [![YouTube](https://anthonythomas.com/wp-content/themes/ata2017/img/icon-YouTube-F2EEE2.png "YouTube")](https://www.youtube.com/ATAWeMovePeople) [![LinkedIn](https://anthonythomas.com/wp-content/themes/ata2017/img/icon-LinkedIn-F2EEE2.png "LinkedIn")](https://www.linkedin.com/company/anthony-thomas-advertising/) [![Twitter](https://anthonythomas.com/wp-content/themes/ata2017/img/icon-Twitter-F2EEE2.png "Twitter")](https://twitter.com/ATA_MovesPeople) ###### Useful Links - [Why ATA](https://anthonythomas.com/why-ata/) - [What We Do](https://anthonythomas.com/what-we-do/) - [What We've Done](https://anthonythomas.com/what-weve-done/) - [Who We've Worked With](https://anthonythomas.com/brands/) - [We Know Makers](https://anthonythomas.com/we-know-makers/) - [The Maker Files](https://anthonythomas.com/the-maker-files/) - [We Blog](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/) - [Contact ATA](https://anthonythomas.com/contact-ata/) - [Terms & Conditions](https://anthonythomas.com/terms-and-conditions/) ###### Get Our Newsletter Sign up to receive updates from us (no more than 1-2 per month, we promise). We'll send you cool projects we've completed, new Maker Profiles and even some free "stuff". Sign up today! ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=217949611932239&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=193225&fmt=gif)