DREADFUL Extremely…read morerude manager, terrible manner with customers. Actually told me to F**k off when I returned to collect original artwork that a member of staff had forgotten to wrap up with copies made and left on copier. Very over priced products on offer, taking full advantage of the students in the nearby university facilities. Not very competent staff , very easily 'challenged' with simple requests. Would suggest giving both the outlets a wide berth.

Great print shop in Greenwich with friendly and helpful staff! They also carry some nice art and…read morepaper supplies. Would definitely recommend going here for printing, scanning or some art supplies.

Wandering around Cowling and Wilcox makes me long to be an arty type, someone with some real…read morecreativity that could put all these chalks and canvases to goo use. Unfortunately I never got much further than the Blue Peter school of glitter glue so a lot of the stock in this shop goes a bit over my head. Sticking to what I can understand, Cowling and Wilcox has a really nice card and gift selection with a bit more personality than anything you'll find in Clinton's. The writing sets are particularly stylish although they can be quite expensive. Similarly, they have a great selection of Moleskin diaries and books but these can cost anything upwards of £15. On the other hand they have a great selection of arty presents for kids which all seem very reasonably priced and a lot of fun too for that matter! I defy anyone to be too old for face-paints. Cowling and Wilcox is a lovely shop which is well worth a look around if you're in need of anything a bit arty or looking for a more personal present for that difficult someone.

I could spend hours in art shops. I always end up spending a fortune. It is just something about…read morenew paper and sketch books and paints. Mindlessly wandering through the store, picking up colourful bottles and textured paper. The mind can run wild with new ideas. Cowling and Wilcox is a huge store situated on Shoreditch High Street. They have everything from portfolios, to canvas, paints, spray paint, paper, printer ink cartridges and much more. A light and airy shop pack fill of supplies all organised clearly on shelves and stands making for easy spending. It is a little on the expensive side, however the quality and quantity of supplies is impressive. Especially if it is a final year portfolio or important presentation. To top it off the staff are very helpful and inspiring if stuck for colour choices or alternative solutions to presentation.

My absolute dream independent bookstore. I visited the area just to pass by this bookstore and it…read morewas everything I could have hoped for. Everything you could want about philosophy, art, photography, erotica. Little zines and cool things. Leave some space in your suitcase if you're visiting, you'll want to bring a few books home. Since it was before Christmas, It was quite packed with people and I loved the vibe. The person at the counter was incredibly helpful and friendly, too. Highly recommend a visit, I hope to attend one of their readings in the future!

A beautiful independent bookshop that stocks beautiful, beautiful books - forget Amazon, this is…read morewhere you should be spending your cash. Donlon houses books on music, art, philosophy, esoterica, fashion design, and gay and erotica, but their particular speciality is artists' bookworks and photobooks. They also regularly host book launches, readings, screenings and curated window displays. Nothing is better than ducking out of the well-dressed chaos that is Broadway Market on a Saturday, to spend the morning flicking through one of their titles and going home with something special.

I love card factory, it sell cards and gifts at a very cheap bargain price and what makes it great…read moreis that the cards and gifts are in good quality condition and don't look cheap. You will get all that you need for cards and gifts, the shop is well organised and staff are helpful. The shop has bright lights so it outstands from other shops, however it can gt busy during seasonal perioas and weekends. Overall a great bargain shop:)

For the best cards to suit any special day, look no further than Card Factory! In season and out of…read moreseason decorations are in stock all year round and these do not cost a fortune! Whatever the size of the card you are looking for, be it small to medium or large-sized cards, these could be purchased for only a pound! Now if that's not a phenomenal deal, then I do not know what else could possibly be!

This place is very cute! Had to work hard not to spend my dosh on some fun items. Will come back…read morenearer to Xmas when I have an excuse ;) Particularly liked the prints of the number 38 bus! Lovely oasis in an area that is mostly quite beaten down...

Snap is this hidden treasure on Roman road! Amongst all the mini markets and rather awful cafes you…read morecan find this wonderful shop that is particular a beacon of hope for all design creatives. It's full of gifts, cards, posters and toys for all to enjoy! Love the place, do swing by!

Greetings is not a generic card shop. The whole store carries a multitude of greeting cards that…read morecover every occasion and every personality type. Some of their cards are not politically correct and others are extremely formal. They also carry wrapping paper, bags and even alarm clocks in the back, so if you're hunting for a gift and a card you may only have to go to one place. No card in this place would cost more than £4. You're in for a bargain and you're guaranteed to find what you're looking for.

This is my favourite gift shop, move away clintons.... this shop sells various cards, uniques gifts…read moresuch as teddies and glassware gifts, unique boutique style jewellery, mens-womens-kids gifts and party essentials. I always buy gifts from here because you won't find these products anywhere else, they truelly are beautiful, sometimes I spoil myself and buy myself a treat from here. They also sell the best scented candles and oils, do visit this shop, based in lordship lane, east dulwich:)

A bit of nudity here, a fifties pin up there, cards replete with Latin poverbs and stocking their…read moreCivil Partnership cards next to their Marriage cards, Scribbler is so right on that it's easy to forget that it's a humble card shop. Hands down the best card shop in the Liverpool Street Station area, Scribbler is the place to go if the recipient of theoretical card has a) taste, b) eyes, or c) all of the above. Quite simply a really great card shop.

This has got to be the tiniest card shop ever. But it's lack of size is well and truly made up by…read moreit's stock: the most amazing range of inappropriate (and appropriate!) greeting cards ever. They do have a huge range of 'proper' cards too, you know, one you could send your Grandmother. But they're not quite as funny! It doesn't matter if you're in the market for a greeting card or not, pop in and spend half an hour laughing your face off!

As a stationers this place certainly has a great range. All the basics: from paper to pencils and…read morepens. And plenty of envelopes. It also sells art supplies, including papers, coloured pencils, paints, brushes, etc. The range isn't as 'fabulous' as you'd get in some of the more specialist art stores, but prices are reasonable. It's always worth dropping in here before you go somewhere further away and possibly more expensive! The staff are nice too, and willing to help you find what you want. Though maybe they are less 'posh' than some art stores, it's surprising what they have squirreled away somewhere if you ask! Perhaps not a shop you'd travel miles to, but the sort of local store you want to support.

Having shopped there on several occasions over the past five years. I an genuinely say the prices…read moreare very reasonable. The staff are always helpful and knowledgable. They know where everything is located within the shop, so if you need something they can direct you straight to the correct place or shelf within the shop. Would highly recommend not only for stationery but for artist supplies.

The shop is kitch all over. I wouldn't call it terribly original but there are certainly gifts here…read moreyour novel gift craving friends will like. This store has a lot of 50's retro things with snarky sayings on them. You'll memorabilia with sayings on it like" I wanted to save the world but I couldn't find a baby sitter". Thank god, this isn't my problem. I'm just lazy. This store is reminiscent of many small gift shops. You know the ones like Cards Galore or Maps of Holloway or Cherry Tree of East Finchley. You catch my drift.

Chain Reaction is a really cute little shop just before you go into Camden Market. It has a…read morenostalgic feel to it because of items they sell in there. There's floral jewellery boxes and European style coat hooks and wall signs. It's a great gift shop with funny books and joke place mats, cards and posters to name just a few things. The staff in here are really sweet and friendly and I love the laid back feel to the shop. There's girly gifts for the ladies in your life and silly gifts for the blokes. It's a great little place and I always make a point of popping in when I'm near by as the prices are so, so good. This is definitely one of my fave shops in the area.