How to save money on art supplies

By Catalogs Editorial Staff

Save money on art supplies with these tips for both beginners and experts

If you love making art, you already know the joys of browsing through supply stores, considering new paint colors or checking out new drawing pens. You also know how many of these visits inevitably relieve you of a large chunk of money. No doubt these items are important, but that doesn?t mean you have to break the bank to get them.

There are several ways to save money on art supplies. Whether you?re a student, hobbyist or artist trying to earn a living, a little effort towards finding the deals will save you big money. Following the deals is smart and it just makes sense when it comes to feeding your craft.

What may surprise you is the high quality of discount art supplies. Often we associate affordability with defective or low quality products. Finding a precise item or brand on sale takes some research and these know-how tips below.

Bulk shopping

If you have the space to store extra supplies without damaging them, buying in bulk is the way to go particularly on the items you use the most. As is often the case when you?re looking to save money by buying in bulk, the method is only useful if you?re disciplined about it. Don?t stock up on a material you?ve never used just because it?s a good deal!

Loyalty programs

Look into which supply shops offer loyalty programs. Why not support businesses that reward you for patronizing them? Before signing up, look around to make sure they carry your go-to supplies at affordable prices ? if they?re a high end store their ?discounts? may be comparable to other stores? regular prices.

Remember coupons

If you want to save money on art supplies, cast a wide net by expanding not only where you shop but how you shop. This includes paying attention to those sheets of coupons tucked inside of newspapers. Sometimes the free alternative papers are where you?ll find coupons and sale announcements for local supply stores.

Another place to find coupons is the internet. Consider it going old school in a most modern way. A quick search for your store and the word ?coupon? or ?discount? will pull up deals to print or store on your phone and have scanned at the register. If the store offers a newsletter, sign up as these often include what items are on sale for the week so you can plan your shopping ahead of time.

Shop from home

Depending on where you live, large retailers with lower prices may seem out of reach, but they?re not. Many have online stores that?ll ship to anywhere in the country and because these businesses sell in higher volumes, they can offer lower base prices and frequent discounts.

On the flip side of online shopping is the opportunity to make a little money. Many artists have begun to dip their toes in selling their art online, but few have tapped another smaller revenue stream. If you have supplies taking up space that you know you?re not going to use, sell them through Craigslist or auction sites. You?ll be helping out another artist by selling cheaper than the original price, and increasing new supply funds for yourself.

Don?t buy on impulse

Look at a few old receipts and you may cringe as the splurges add up. The truth is that art supply stores are candy shops for creative people. You?re surrounded by temptation from the moment you walk in!

Help yourself resist temptation and stick to your budget by making a list of only the items you need right now. Keep another list of things you?ll need soon and things you want. Keep an eye out for the items that can wait and get them when you find them on sale. You can probably edit the Need list by striking off things like a palette by using a Styrofoam tray for now.

Learn to save money on art supplies and your financial situation will continue to improve along with your craft.