I recently discovered that Staples, the office supply chain store, also carries an impressive selection of art supplies. For some reason, they don’t mention this on their website or advertisements. It took actually going into their store on an unrelated errand and walking past the art supply aisle for me to realize what they sold. So I’m passing this information along to others like me who don’t otherwise have easy access to a physical art supply store. I’m not affiliated with Staples or otherwise receiving compensation for this post—I’m just really happy to find quality art supplies close to home.
Staples Art Supply Selection
Here’s a quick rundown of the art supplies I saw for sale at Staples. Again, I’m writing this because I didn’t see these products on their website while shopping online. All of the products listed below are grouped together in the same aisle of art supplies, so you don’t need to go running around the store to find each section.
Pens
In my opinion, Staples’ pen selection is better than what’s currently available on Amazon and in that major arts and crafts chain store.
- A wide variety of Sakura Pigma Micron pens. Staples also sells single packs of pens for under $3.00, which made my day. I’m tired of other stores only selling the Pigma Microns in sets. Sometimes I only need one pen.
- Nearly every type of Staedtler pen ever made: Pigment fineliners, Triplus fineliners, markers, and even a calligraphy set that I never even knew Staedtler made. If you’re a fan of Staedtler products, you’ll be in heaven.
- A few other products I saw on the shelf: Tombow markers, Marvy Le Plume fineliners, Faber-Castell products.
Artist Paper
Staples’ paper selection is the main reason why I wrote this post. I hate buying paper online. Not only does it carry a high risk of getting damaged in shipment, but I need to physically feel the paper before purchasing it. When it comes to certain brands of notebooks and sketchbooks, I’ve noticed that the paper quality varies between each individual product. For example, I’ll pick up two identical notebooks off the shelf, feel the paper of each one, and notice right away that paper quality of one feels slightly better than the other. I’ve even had other people try this, and I’m not the only who notices a difference. So that’s why I’m absolutely thrilled to find a paper source close to home.
- Types of paper I found at Staples: sketchbooks, watercolor, mixed media, toned, black, calligraphy, vellum, and drawing paper.
- Staples carries nearly every type of Strathmore paper, although the variety of paper sizes for some of the more “specialty” items is limited.
- Wide selection of Bienfang paper products.
- A few other brands I saw on the shelf: Canson, Pacon, and Cachet.
Acrylic Paint
What surprised me the most was the entire section devoted to acrylic paint. I didn’t have enough time to thoroughly browse this section, but I saw over a dozen color varieties of Liquitex Basics paint, plus painting supplies like brushes and palettes. Note: Staples’ website claims that Liquitex Basics isn’t available in their stores, but I can confirm that I saw it on the shelf with my own eyes. This is what I mean when I say Staples does a poor job of advertising their art supplies.
Other Notable Art Supply Finds at Staples
- Again, the selection of Staedtler products is massive. Not only is the pen selection huge, but they also sell Staedtler erasers, compasses, pencil sharpeners, and so on. If Staedtler makes it, it was on the shelf at my local Staples.
- The Prismacolor selection is also huge. In addition to many sets of Prismacolor colored pencils (Premiers and Scholars), other Prismacolor products like pencil sharpeners and erasers are available.
- There were more calligraphy supplies than I expected—entire calligraphy sets, calligraphy practice paper, etc. Unfortunately, I forgot to look at their ink selection.
Staples, if you’re reading this, you need to get the word out that you carry art supplies now. I would have visited sooner if I had known!
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