SINCE 1973
Five Decades of Fueling American Creativity - Michaels Art
What began as a single store in Dallas in 1973 has grown into a creative institution woven into the fabric of towns across America. For over fifty years, Michaels has stocked its aisles with the brushes, canvases, yarns, and adhesives that turn weekend ideas into finished projects and first sketches into lifelong passions. Today more than 1,250 locations serve as neighborhood hubs where parents, students, and…
Year Founded
U.S. & Canada Stores
of Creative Service
THE SIX PILLARS
What Exactly Is in the Michaels Art Section?
Michaels organizes thousands of products into six core art-supply categories-so you spend less time searching and more time making.
Painting
From student-grade acrylics to professional oil sets, the painting aisle stocks tubes, jars, palettes, and brush lines from Liquitex, Winsor & Newton, and Artist’s Loft. You’ll also find canvas panels in sizes up to 48 × 60 inches-fewer trips to the framing counter.
Drawing
Graphite, charcoal, pastel, and ink-Michaels keeps every mark-making tool under one roof. Prismacolor colored-pencil sets of 72 and 132 sit alongside Strathmore sketch pads in weights from 50 lb to 80 lb, so beginners and illustrators alike pick what fits their paper tooth.
Mixed Media
Collage artists and art-journal keepers find adhesive sprays, gel mediums, washi tape, and ephemera packs in a dedicated mixed-media zone. Golden and Mod Podge formulas cover everything from matte sealing to dimensional glaze-no scavenger hunt across aisles required.
Printmaking & Stamping
Speedball rollers, brayers, carving blocks, and re-inkable stamp sets let you pull multiples without a full press setup. Lino-cut kits start under $15, making it easy to test relief printing before investing in larger equipment.
Surfaces & Substrates
Stretched canvas, wood panels, illustration board, watercolor blocks, and canvas rolls live here in depths and textures that suit nearly any medium. Bulk-buy discounts kick in at three or more panels-handy when you’re prepping for an art fair.
Easels & Studio Furniture
Tabletop sketch easels, plein-air tripods, and heavy-duty H-frame models stand alongside taborets and rolling carts. One honest trade-off: the largest studio easels require in-store pickup because they exceed standard shipping dimensions.
Start Creating for Under Ten Dollars
Building your art kit doesn’t require a big budget. These essentials deliver real performance at prices that let you experiment freely.
Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint (2 oz)
Vivid, water-based color that dries quickly on canvas, wood, and fabric-ideal for beginners testing new techniques.
Artist's Loft Fundamentals Brush Set
Six synthetic brushes in popular shapes cover detail work to broad washes without shedding bristles.
Artist's Loft Sketch Pad (9 in × 12 in)
Smooth, acid-free paper holds graphite, colored pencil, and light marker without excessive bleed-through.
Loew-Cornell Plastic Palette (9.5 in)
Lightweight white surface lets you see true color mixes; wells along the rim keep shades separated.
Prismacolor Scholar Graphite Set
Six graded pencils from hard sketching to soft shading give you tonal range without a big investment.
CUSTOMER FAVORITE
Strathmore 400 Series Sketchbook
★ 4.8 · 2,147 reviews
Ask any sketch artist what pad they reach for first, and chances are they’ll name this one. The Strathmore 400 Series has earned its place as our single best-selling sketchbook-accounting for 64% of all sketchbook sales at Michaels. The medium-weight, toothy surface grabs graphite, charcoal, and light washes without buckling, while the acid-free sheets keep drawings crisp for decades. It’s the kind of reliable…
- Medium-weight, 80 lb (120 gsm) paper with a subtle tooth-ideal for graphite, colored pencil, and light ink work.
- Acid-free construction prevents yellowing, so finished sketches stay archival-clean.
- Available in 5.5" x 8.5" through 18" x 24" sizes for quick gestures or full compositions.
- Spiral-bound spine lays completely flat on any desk or easel.
PAINT SELECTION GUIDE
Acrylic vs. Oil vs. Watercolor: How to Choose
Picking the right paint changes everything-from how your brush moves to how the final piece ages. Here’s a straightforward breakdown of the three most popular types so you can match medium to method without second-guessing yourself.
Drying Time
Acrylics dry in 15-30 minutes, oils in 1-3 days, and watercolors in minutes. Faster drying suits layered techniques; slower drying favors blending.
Forgiveness
Watercolor mistakes are hardest to fix. Acrylics can be painted over once dry. Oils stay workable longest, letting you reposition without starting over.
Surface Compatibility
Acrylics adhere to canvas, paper, wood, and fabric. Oils need primed canvas or wood. Watercolors require specific paper to prevent buckling and warping.
Cleanup & Safety
Acrylics and watercolors wash out with soap and water. Oils need mineral spirits or turpentine, requiring better ventilation and more careful disposal.
Color Intensity
Oil paints deliver the deepest, richest pigments. Watercolors are transparent and luminous. Acrylics fall in the middle but darken slightly when they dry.
Cost of Entry
A basic acrylic set like Liquitex Basics runs under $20. Winsor & Newton watercolor tubes cost more per unit but a small palette lasts months with careful use.
Verdict
4.6 Stars Across 180,000 Art-Category Reviews
“A 4.6-star average over 180,000 reviews signals strong, sustained satisfaction with Michaels’ art supplies. While no retailer is perfect, this rating reflects dependable quality at accessible price points-enough to keep painters, drawers, and mixed-media creators coming back.”
What we like
— Massive selection covering acrylics, oils, watercolors, and specialty paints under one roof
— Frequent BOGO and 40%-off deals make premium brands like Artist’s Loft and Liquitex affordable
— Store associates often have hands-on art background and can give real technique advice
— Consistent quality on house-brand canvases and brushes at budget-friendly prices
What to watch
— Online stock counts occasionally lag behind actual warehouse availability
— Some premium imported pigments carry a markup compared to specialty art-supply websites
Online Ordering & Returns FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about shopping Michaels online, from pickup options to returning supplies.
01
Can I return opened paint tubes or partially used supplies purchased online?
Yes. Michaels accepts returns of opened and even partially used art supplies within 60 days of purchase with a receipt or order confirmation. Pack the item securely-if you still have the original box, use it-and bring it to any Michaels store for an immediate refund to your original payment method. Online orders can also be mailed back, but in-store processing is usually faster and skips the shipping wait.
02
What is Buy Online, Pick-Up In Store (BOPIS) and how fast is it?
We offer a hassle-free return policy with a receipt within 60 days of purchase.
03
Is there a minimum order amount for free shipping?
Standard shipping is free on qualifying orders of $49 or more shipped to the contiguous U.S. Orders below that threshold incur a flat-rate shipping fee calculated at checkout. Oversized items-like large stretched canvases or easels-may carry an additional freight surcharge regardless of order total.
04
Can I use coupons or promo codes on online orders?
Absolutely. Michaels regularly offers percentage-off and dollar-off coupons that apply to online purchases, including BOPIS orders. Enter the code at checkout in the ‘Promo Code’ field. Keep in mind that some coupons exclude certain brands or already-reduced clearance items, so check the fine print before placing your order.
05
Do you price match?
Once your order ships, Michaels sends a confirmation email with a tracking number and carrier link. You can also sign in to your Michaels account and visit the ‘Order History’ section to see real-time status updates, estimated delivery dates, and carrier information for each package.
06
What happens if an item I ordered online is out of stock?
If a product becomes unavailable after you place an order, Michaels will notify you by email and issue a full refund for that item to your original payment method. The rest of your order ships as scheduled. For BOPIS orders, store associates may offer a comparable substitute in stock at that location-just let them know your preference when you arrive.
SHOP WITH CONFIDENCE
Secure Payments for Every Creative Project
Every transaction at Michaels is protected by industry-leading security standards, so you can focus on your next masterpiece.
Norton Guarantee
Encryption
Price Protection
Fraud Monitoring