Great Art Supplies Made Right Here at Home
Australia makes some really good art supplies, and this is where you’ll find them. Shop Australian-made paints, mediums, screen-printing inks, adhesives, pottery supplies and more from local manufacturers including Matisse, Atelier, Jo Sonja’s, Art Spectrum, Helmar, Permaset and Blackwattle.
Every product in this category is understood to be manufactured in Australia, not simply sold or owned by an Australian company. We’ve reviewed the manufacturing information supplied or published by each brand because Australian-owned and Australian-made are both worth supporting, but they don’t mean the same thing.
Art Supply Brands That Manufacture in Australia
- Matisse by Derivan: Acrylic paints and mediums manufactured in Rhodes, New South Wales.
- Atelier by Chroma: Artist acrylics developed and manufactured in New South Wales.
- Jo Sonja’s by Chroma: Artist acrylics and mediums manufactured in New South Wales.
- Art Spectrum: Artist paints manufactured in Melbourne, Victoria.
- Boom Gel Stain: Gel stains bottled by hand in Mandurah, Western Australia.
- Blackwattle: Pottery and clay supplies produced in Sydney, New South Wales.
- Helmar: Adhesives manufactured in Riverstone, New South Wales.
- Chromacryl, Permaset and Uni-Pro: Selected Australian-made products from Australian brands.
Local manufacturing can change, and not every product sold by an Australian brand is necessarily made here. This category includes the products we understand to be manufactured in Australia based on information supplied or published by the brands.
Frequently Asked Questions About Australian-Made Art Supplies
Which art supply brands manufacture products in Australia?
Australian art supply manufacturers include Matisse by Derivan, Atelier, Jo Sonja’s, Art Spectrum, Boom Gel Stain, Blackwattle, Helmar, Chromacryl, Permaset and Uni-Pro. This category brings together selected products from these brands that are understood to be manufactured in Australia.
What types of art supplies are made in Australia?
Australian-made art supplies include acrylic paints, artist mediums, adhesives, screen-printing inks, gel stains and selected pottery and clay supplies. Local manufacturing is stronger in some art-material categories than others, so an Australian-made option may not be available for every product type.
Are these products officially Australian Made certified?
Not necessarily. Art Shed’s classifications are based on manufacturing information supplied or published by each brand. Unless a product displays the official Australian Made logo, Art Shed is not claiming that it is licensed or certified by Australian Made Campaign Limited.
What’s the difference between Australian-owned and Australian-made?
Australian-owned means the business or brand is owned by Australians. Australian-made means the product itself is manufactured in Australia. Plenty of brilliant Australian-owned brands manufacture some or all of their products overseas, and they’re still well worth supporting. This particular category is reserved for products made here.
Are Australian-made art supplies better than imported ones?
Not automatically. Quality comes down to the individual product, formulation and manufacturer, not its postcode. Buying Australian-made supports local manufacturing, skills and jobs, and can also mean a shorter supply chain. That’s a pretty good reason on its own.
Are Australian-made art supplies more expensive?
Not always. Prices vary between products depending on ingredients, formulation, size and brand, just as they do with imported art supplies. Locally made doesn’t automatically mean more expensive or cheaper.
Does Art Shed sell Australian-owned brands that manufacture overseas?
Absolutely. Australian-owned and Australian-made are different, and we proudly support both. This category is specifically for products made in Australia, while our wider range also includes Australian-owned brands whose products are manufactured overseas.