The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 12 letter word CRAFTSPERSON
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
C
R
A
F
T
S
P
E
R
S
O
N
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Creative type" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case creative type = craftsperson.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does CRAFTSPERSON mean?
CRAFTSPERSON noun- Someone who is highly skilled at their trade; an artificer.
- A person who produces arts and crafts.