Numerous scientific reports devoted to the synthesis of carbon nanostructures (CNS) are published as a way of searching for industrially feasible processes. Researchers try to find efficient and at the same time cheap, affordable and easy-to-use sources of carbon, catalysts and methods of carbon nanotubes production. The present review article highlights research on the synthesis of CNS from gas and liquid feedstock which appears to be the most amenable for large-scale production. Carbon sources, types of catalysts used as well as methods for production of various carbon nanostructures are sequentially described.