When you are in the middle of a creative project or preparing for the upcoming school year, finding the right colored pencils quickly becomes a priority. Whether you need professional-grade artist pencils or a simple set for a child’s coloring book, knowing which local stores carry the specific brands and quality you require can save hours of driving.

To find colored pencils near you right now, the most reliable options include big-box retailers like Target and Walmart, specialized craft stores like Michaels, and office supply hubs like Office Depot. For those who cannot leave their home or office, instant delivery services like Instacart and Uber Eats can bring art supplies to your door in under an hour.

Quickest Local Stores to Buy Colored Pencils

If you need to walk into a store and pick up a set immediately, several national chains consistently stock colored pencils. Depending on your location, one of these is likely within a few miles.

Big Box Retailers for General Use

Big-box stores are the go-to destination for student-grade supplies and budget-friendly sets.

  • Target: Known for its organized stationery section, Target usually carries brands like Crayola, Mondo Llama (their house brand), and occasionally mid-tier sets like Prismacolor Scholar. They are excellent for back-to-school shopping.
  • Walmart: Offering perhaps the widest variety of budget pencils, Walmart stocks everything from bulk 64-packs for classrooms to basic professional sets in their expanded craft aisles.

Dedicated Craft and Art Stores

For those looking for higher pigmentation, better blending capabilities, and individual open-stock pencils, craft stores are superior.

  • Michaels: This is a premier destination for artists. They carry a massive range of Prismacolor Premier, Faber-Castell, and Derwent. One major advantage of Michaels is the ability to buy individual pencils to replace specific colors you’ve used up.
  • Hobby Lobby: Similar to Michaels, they offer a vast selection of professional and hobbyist sets. They often have weekly rotations of sales that make high-end brands more affordable.
  • JOANN Fabric and Crafts: While focused on textiles, most JOANN locations have a dedicated fine arts section with quality colored pencil sets.

Office Supply Stores

Often overlooked, office supply stores are excellent for finding high-quality "office grade" and professional pencils.

  • Office Depot / OfficeMax: They frequently stock Prismacolor and Staedtler sets. They are particularly useful if you are looking for erasable colored pencils or drafting-quality leads.
  • Staples: Staples carries a reliable selection of school and office-ready colored pencils, often available for 1-hour store pickup.

How to Check Local Inventory Before You Leave

There is nothing more frustrating than driving to a store only to find the shelves empty. Modern retail apps have made it much easier to verify stock in real-time.

Using Retailer Apps for Real-Time Stock

Most major retailers like Target and Walmart have highly accurate inventory tracking in their mobile apps. By setting your "Home Store" to your current location, you can search for "colored pencils" and see exactly how many are on the shelf. In many cases, the app will even tell you the specific aisle and bay number (e.g., Aisle G24), saving you time once you are inside.

Google Maps "In-Stock" Feature

When you search for "colored pencils near me" on Google Maps, look for the "See what's in store" section under the business listing. Many local shops feed their inventory data into Google, allowing you to browse their current catalog without leaving the map interface.

The Power of Store Pickup

If you are in a rush, the most efficient method is to place a "Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store" (BOPIS) order. Retailers like Michaels and Office Depot often have these orders ready within 20 to 30 minutes. This guarantees that the item is physically held for you before you start your commute.

Getting Colored Pencils Delivered Instantly

If you are stuck at home or in the studio, you don't actually need to go "near me"—the store can come to you.

Grocery and Pharmacy Delivery

Platforms like Instacart, Uber Eats, and DoorDash have expanded far beyond food. You can now order art supplies from:

  • Walgreens and CVS: Ideal for basic 12 or 24-packs of Crayola or store brands.
  • Major Grocery Chains: Stores like Safeway, Kroger, or Meijer often have a "School and Office" aisle that can be shopped via these apps.
  • Staples and Michaels: Both are now partners with major delivery apps, meaning you can get professional-grade Prismacolors delivered to your door in as little as 45 minutes.

Which Stores Carry Professional Grade Pencils?

Not all colored pencils are created equal. If you are an illustrator or a serious hobbyist, the "student grade" pencils found at a local pharmacy will not suffice. You need to know which stores carry "Artist Grade" supplies.

Prismacolor Premier Locations

Prismacolor Premier is the most popular wax-based pencil for professionals due to its soft, buttery core. You can reliably find these at:

  • Michaels (Full sets and individual open-stock)
  • Hobby Lobby (Full sets)
  • Office Depot (Usually 12, 24, and 48 sets)
  • Blick Art Materials (If you have a physical location nearby)

Faber-Castell Polychromos Availability

These are oil-based pencils known for their hardness and lightfastness. They are harder to find than Prismacolor. You should check:

  • Specialty local art supply stores (independent shops).
  • Select Michaels flagship locations.
  • High-end stationery boutiques.

Student vs. Artist Grade: What to Look For

When browsing the aisles of a store near you, look at the packaging.

  • Student Grade (Crayola, Cra-Z-Art, Target brands): These have more filler and less pigment. They are harder to blend and may appear "waxy" or faint on the paper.
  • Artist Grade (Prismacolor Premier, Faber-Castell, Caran d'Ache): These have a higher pigment-to-binder ratio. They offer vibrant colors that can be layered and blended almost like paint.

How to Find Independent Art Supply Stores

While big chains are convenient, local independent art stores often provide a superior experience for serious artists.

  1. Search Terms: Use Google Maps and search for "Fine Art Supplies" rather than just "Art Supplies." This filters out general craft stores like JOANN and focuses on shops catering to painters and illustrators.
  2. Benefits of Local Shops: Independent stores often carry premium European brands like Caran d'Ache or Derwent that are rarely found in big-box retailers.
  3. Expert Advice: The staff at independent art stores are usually artists themselves. If you are unsure which pencil lead is best for the paper you are using, they can provide hands-on demonstrations.

Buying Colored Pencils for Specific Needs

Your destination should depend on what you intend to do with the pencils.

For Adult Coloring Books

If you have recently taken up adult coloring, you want pencils that are soft enough to blend but firm enough to stay within thin lines. Michaels or Hobby Lobby are your best bets, as they offer mid-tier sets like Prismacolor Scholar or Staedtler Ergosoft which are perfect for this hobby without the professional price tag.

For School Projects

If your child needs pencils for a geography map or a science poster, Walmart or Target are the most cost-effective. During the late summer months, these stores often have "Back to School" sales where 12-packs of quality student pencils can be found for less than a dollar.

For Professional Illustration

If you are working on a commissioned piece, do not settle for what is available at a convenience store. Take the time to find a Blick Art Materials or a local boutique art shop. The quality of the pigment and the lightfastness (resistance to fading over time) is critical for professional work.

Practical Tips for Buying In-Person

When you arrive at the store, there are a few things to check to ensure you are getting the best value and quality.

Inspect the Packaging

Colored pencil cores are fragile. If a box looks heavily dented or has been dropped, there is a high probability that the internal leads are shattered. When you sharpen a pencil with a shattered core, the lead will simply fall out repeatedly. Look for pristine boxes.

Check for Open Stock

One of the best ways to test a brand is to see if the store has "open stock" (pencils sold individually). Buy one or two colors and test them on a piece of paper (most art stores provide scrap paper for testing). This allows you to feel the "tooth" and the softness of the pencil before committing to a 72-color set.

Price Matching

Many office supply stores like Staples or Office Depot will price match their online competitors. If you see a set of pencils cheaper on their own website or a major online retailer, show the cashier at the register to save money on your local purchase.

What are the best colored pencils available near me?

While "best" is subjective, here is a breakdown of what you will likely find in local aisles:

  1. Prismacolor Premier: Best for blending and vibrant, saturated color. Available at most craft and office stores.
  2. Crayola: The gold standard for durability and safety for children. Available everywhere.
  3. Faber-Castell Polychromos: Best for fine detail and long-lasting professional art. Found mostly in specialty art stores.
  4. Staedtler: Great "middle ground" pencils, often featuring a protective coating around the core to prevent breakage. Common in office supply stores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get colored pencils delivered in an hour?

Yes. By using apps like Instacart or Uber Eats and selecting stores like Staples, Michaels, or even local pharmacies like Walgreens, you can often have colored pencils delivered to your doorstep within 45 to 60 minutes.

Which store has the largest selection of colored pencils?

Nationwide, Michaels typically has the largest variety of colored pencils, ranging from beginner sets to professional 150-color collections. Blick Art Materials is the leader for professional-only supplies if you have one in your city.

Are expensive colored pencils worth it?

For artists, yes. Professional pencils have higher pigment concentrations and use higher-quality binders that allow for layering and blending. For casual use or children's schoolwork, student-grade pencils like Crayola are more than sufficient and much more durable.

Do pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens sell colored pencils?

Yes, but the selection is usually limited to basic 12-packs or 24-packs of student-grade brands like Crayola or the store's budget brand. They are great for emergencies but not for artistic projects.

Can I buy individual colored pencils instead of a full set?

Yes, but generally only at specialized art stores like Michaels, Blick, or local independent art shops. Big-box retailers like Walmart and Target only sell pre-packaged sets.

Summary

Finding colored pencils near you is a matter of matching your needs to the right type of retailer. For basic school needs, Target and Walmart offer the best value. For artistic endeavors requiring high-quality blending and pigmentation, Michaels and Hobby Lobby are the most reliable local destinations. If you are unable to travel, utilize instant delivery apps to source supplies from local office stores or pharmacies. Always check the store's app for real-time inventory to ensure the specific set you need is sitting on the shelf before you head out.