PaintingProGuide is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
You can buy acrylic paint cheaply in four main places: online marketplaces such as Amazon, where multi-color sets bring the cost per bottle down; big-box stores like Walmart and Target, which stock craft-grade paint year round; craft chains such as Michaels and Hobby Lobby when you combine weekly sales with coupons; and dollar and discount stores for basic craft paint. Online art retailers like Blick and Jerry’s Artarama are the cheapest route to student- and artist-grade paint during their frequent sales. Which is cheapest depends on whether you need one color, a full set, or better-quality paint.
Quick answer: For the lowest cost per color, buy a large set online: the Shuttle Art 36-color 2 oz set and HissiCo 36-color set both include brushes and a palette. For single colors, Apple Barrel 2 oz craft paint and FolkArt 2 oz bottles are among the cheapest bottles available anywhere. If you only need small amounts to try acrylics, the Kolor Kingdom 24-tube set is the lowest-cost full palette.
Where to Buy Acrylic Paint Cheaply
Online marketplaces (Amazon)
Amazon is usually the cheapest place to buy multi-color sets, especially from brands like Shuttle Art, Nicpro and HissiCo that sell 24 to 36 bottles with brushes included. Single bottles of craft brands such as Apple Barrel and FolkArt are also inexpensive, though some low-priced items are add-on items that ship only with a larger order. Price tracking and Subscribe and Save, where available, can lower costs further.
Big-box stores (Walmart, Target)
Walmart carries Apple Barrel, FolkArt and its own craft paints at low everyday prices, plus a rotating selection of sets. Target stocks fewer acrylics but has occasional budget sets in its craft and back-to-school sections. The advantage is no shipping wait.
Craft chains (Michaels, Hobby Lobby)
Shelf prices at craft chains are often higher, but they run frequent sales on craft paint and offer coupons through apps and email. Combining a sale with a coupon, or using a coupon on a single expensive artist-grade tube, can beat online prices. Ask about teacher discounts if you buy for a classroom.
Dollar and discount stores
Dollar Tree and similar stores sell small bottles of basic craft acrylic and inexpensive kids’ sets. Quality varies a lot, but they are fine for kids’ crafts, basecoating cardboard and practice. Five Below and discount chains like TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods sometimes carry art sets at clearance prices.
Online art supply retailers
Blick Art Materials and Jerry’s Artarama sell student and artist acrylics, often with steep sale discounts and free shipping thresholds. They are usually the best value for brands like Liquitex Basics, Golden, Winsor and Newton Galeria and Amsterdam, particularly in larger tubes and jars. Our guide on where to buy heavy body acrylic paint compares sources for thicker, artist-grade paint specifically.
Hardware stores
For big jobs like murals or painting large canvases, sample pots of interior latex wall paint can be mixed with acrylic for underpainting and backgrounds. They are not artist paint, but they cover a lot of surface for little money. Wall paint can work on hobby projects, though it is less lightfast and flexible than artist acrylic.
Secondhand and community sources
Thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, Buy Nothing groups and estate sales often have lightly used paint and supplies. Some cities have creative reuse centers that sell donated art supplies cheaply. Check that paint has not dried, separated irreversibly or developed a sour smell.
How to Save Money on Acrylic Paint
- Buy sets for variety, singles for refills: sets give the best cost per color; buy single bottles of the colors you use most.
- Buy white in a large size: titanium white runs out first in almost every palette.
- Mix your own colors: a limited palette of primaries, white and black mixes nearly everything.
- Use student grade for practice: save artist-grade tubes for finished work.
- Stack coupons and sales: craft chains frequently discount paint, and app coupons often apply on top.
- Keep paint from drying out: close caps tightly, store upright and use a wet palette to avoid wasting paint on the palette.
- Use mediums to stretch paint: a matte or gloss medium extends paint for glazes and backgrounds without losing as much color as water.
A wet palette is the single cheapest way to stop wasting paint, since it keeps squeezed-out acrylic workable for days instead of minutes. For large flat surfaces, spray paint can also be more economical than brushing; our guide on where to buy acrylic spray paint covers the best sources.
Cheap Acrylic Paint: Craft, Student and Artist Grade
| Grade | Typical Brands | Pigment Load | Best For | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craft | Apple Barrel, FolkArt, DecoArt Americana | Lower; more filler | Crafts, kids, wood, basecoating | Lowest |
| Budget sets | Shuttle Art, Nicpro, HissiCo, Kolor Kingdom | Varies | Beginners, practice, hobby painting | Low |
| Student | Liquitex Basics, Amsterdam, Galeria | Moderate | Learning, studies, most hobby work | Moderate |
| Artist | Golden, Liquitex Heavy Body, Winsor and Newton Professional | High | Finished and sold work, lightfastness | Highest |
For most beginners, a budget set or student-grade paint offers the best balance. Craft paint works well for crafts and decor but tends to dry less opaque and can look chalky in fine art.
What to Check Before You Buy Cheap Paint
- Volume per bottle: 2 oz (about 60 ml) bottles are common; tiny 12 ml tubes go fast.
- Finish: craft paints usually dry matte; many budget sets dry glossier.
- Safety labeling: look for ASTM D4236 for kids and classrooms.
- Included extras: brushes and palettes in sets are basic but useful for starters.
- Color range: sets with many near-duplicates offer less value than fewer, distinct colors.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- Shuttle Art 36-Color Acrylic Paint Set, 2 oz — Best overall value set
- HissiCo 36-Color Acrylic Paint Set, 2 oz — Best value set with thick paint
- Nicpro 24-Color Acrylic Paint Set, 2 oz — Best 24-color set with a color-wheel guide
- Apple Barrel Vibrant Spectrum 16-Color Set, 2 oz — Best craft-paint bundle
- Kolor Kingdom 24-Color Acrylic Set, 12 ml — Best lowest-cost starter palette
- Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint, 2 oz (single) — Best cheap single bottles
- FolkArt Acrylic Paint, 2 oz (single) — Best cheap single bottles in matte
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shuttle Art 36 Colors | Best overall value | 36 x 2 oz, 12 brushes, palette | Large palette with metallics | $$ |
| HissiCo 36 Colors | Thick paint value set | 36 x 2 oz, 12 brushes, palette | Holds brush and knife marks | $$ |
| Nicpro 24 Colors | Learning color mixing | 24 x 2 oz, 12 brushes, palette, guide | Includes color wheel guide | $$ |
| Apple Barrel 16 Colors | Crafts and decor | 16 x 2 oz, matte | Made in the USA | $$ |
| Kolor Kingdom 24 Colors | Trying acrylics | 24 x 12 ml, 3 brushes | Lowest-cost full palette | $ |
| Apple Barrel 2 oz | Single-color refills | 2 oz, matte | Very low cost per bottle | $ |
| FolkArt 2 oz | Single-color refills | 2 oz, matte | Creamy craft paint | $ |
How We Chose
We chose these paints from Amazon listing details and prices checked in October 2026, focusing on cost per color and per ounce, paint volume, included accessories and how well each suits beginners, crafters and classrooms. We also considered how widely each product is reviewed by Amazon buyers. We have not painted with these sets; product details come from the listings. Prices change often, so we show price tiers rather than exact figures.
- Cost per color: sets that bring the per-bottle cost down.
- Volume: 2 oz bottles versus small tubes.
- Usefulness of extras: brushes, palettes and guides.
- Safety labeling: ASTM D4236 for kids and schools.
- Brand availability: easy to reorder single colors.
Best Cheap Acrylic Paint Reviewed
1. Shuttle Art 36-Color Acrylic Paint Set, 2 oz — Best for Overall Value
Shuttle Art’s set includes 36 colors in 2 oz (60 ml) bottles, metallic gold and silver among them, plus 12 brushes and a palette. The listing describes creamy paint that blends and layers well, dries fast, and is waterproof and fade resistant once dry. It conforms to ASTM D4236.
Thirty-six full-size bottles is a lot of paint for the price tier, and it is a common pick for beginners, families and classrooms who want variety without committing to artist-grade tubes.
Best suited for: Beginners, hobbyists and families who want a big palette at a low cost per bottle.
Key features:
- 36 colors x 2 oz (60 ml)
- Includes metallic gold and silver
- 12 brushes and a palette
- ASTM D4236, non-toxic, acid-free
Pros:
- Low cost per bottle
- Full-size bottles
- Broad surface list including canvas, wood, rock, fabric
Cons and limitations:
- Gloss finish may not suit every project
- Included brushes are basic
- Some colors are close to each other
Buying consideration: Buy an extra bottle of white early; it will run out long before the other colors.
2. HissiCo 36-Color Acrylic Paint Set, 2 oz — Best for a Thick Paint Value Set
HissiCo’s 55-piece set includes 36 colors in 2 oz bottles, 12 brushes and a palette. The listing highlights a thick consistency that keeps brush and palette knife marks, which suits textured painting, and flip-top squeeze bottles for controlled flow.
It lists ASTM D4236 and EN71 conformity and a long list of surfaces from canvas and wood to glass, ceramic and craft foam.
Best suited for: Painters who want a large budget set with enough body for texture.
Key features:
- 36 colors x 2 oz
- 12 brushes and a palette
- Flip-top squeeze bottles
- ASTM D4236 and EN71 per the listing
Pros:
- Thick paint for texture work
- Large palette
- Controlled squeeze bottles
Cons and limitations:
- Thicker paint may need medium for smooth glazes
- Basic brushes
- Box storage only
Buying consideration: Add a little water or flow medium when you need thinner washes.
3. Nicpro 24-Color Acrylic Paint Set, 2 oz — Best for Learning Color Mixing
Nicpro’s set includes 24 colors in 2 oz bottles, 12 brushes, a palette and a beginner’s guide with a color wheel. The listing describes creamy paint, quick drying and fade resistant, conforming to ASTM D-4236.
The color-wheel guide is a small but meaningful extra for beginners learning to mix instead of buying every shade.
Best suited for: Beginners and students who want guidance on mixing.
Key features:
- 24 colors x 2 oz
- 12 brushes and a palette
- Beginner guide with color wheel
- ASTM D-4236
Pros:
- Teaches mixing, which saves money long term
- Full-size bottles
- Good classroom set
Cons and limitations:
- Fewer colors than 36-bottle sets
- Basic brushes
- Gloss finish
Buying consideration: Practice mixing secondary and tertiary colors from the primaries before buying extra shades.
4. Apple Barrel Vibrant Spectrum 16-Color Set, 2 oz — Best for Crafts and Decor
Apple Barrel’s Vibrant Spectrum collection bundles 16 matte craft paints in 2 oz bottles, including white, black, red, orange, bright blue, pink, brown, yellow and green. The listing says it can be brushed, stamped, stenciled or sponged on wood, Styrofoam, plaster and terra cotta, and that it is made in the USA.
Craft paint is ideal for wood signs, pots, kids’ projects and home decor, where a flat matte finish looks right.
Best suited for: Crafters, teachers and families decorating wood, pots and paper crafts.
Key features:
- 16 x 2 oz bottles
- Matte finish
- Brush, stamp, stencil or sponge
- Made in the USA
Pros:
- Trusted craft brand with easy single-color reorders
- Matte finish suits decor
- Soap-and-water cleanup
Cons and limitations:
- Craft grade, less pigment than artist paint
- Fewer colors than 36-bottle sets
- Less suitable for fine-art layering
Buying consideration: Reorder single Apple Barrel bottles of your favorite colors rather than buying another full set.
5. Kolor Kingdom 24-Color Acrylic Set, 12 ml — Best for Trying Acrylics for Less
Kolor Kingdom offers 24 colors in 12 ml tubes plus three brushes. The listing describes a buttery consistency with good coverage, ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3 certification and suitability for canvas, paper, wood, fabric, leather, ceramic and MDF.
Small tubes keep the total cost very low, which makes this a smart way to test whether you enjoy acrylic painting before investing in larger bottles.
Best suited for: Absolute beginners and kids trying acrylics, or anyone wanting a travel palette.
Key features:
- 24 colors x 12 ml tubes
- 3 brushes
- ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3
- Gloss finish
Pros:
- Lowest total cost for a full palette
- Tubes are compact and portable
- Good for small paintings
Cons and limitations:
- Small volume runs out quickly
- Higher cost per ounce than 2 oz bottles
- Only three brushes
Buying consideration: Use it for small studies and switch to 2 oz bottles once you know which colors you use most.
6. Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint, 2 oz (single) — Best for Cheap Single Bottles
Single Apple Barrel bottles are among the cheapest acrylic paints sold anywhere. Each 2 oz bottle dries matte and works on wood, paper, canvas, Styrofoam and paper mache, with soap-and-water cleanup.
Buying the exact colors you need, especially white and black, is cheaper than buying another set for a few missing shades. Low-priced singles may ship only as add-on items with a larger order.
Best suited for: Crafters and painters refilling specific colors.
Key features:
- 2 oz bottle
- Matte finish
- Multi-surface craft paint
- Soap-and-water cleanup
Pros:
- Very low cost per bottle
- Wide color range sold individually
- Easy to find in stores too
Cons and limitations:
- Craft grade
- May be an add-on item online
- Less opaque than artist paint in some colors
Buying consideration: Stock up on white and black in this format; they are the colors most palettes burn through.
7. FolkArt Acrylic Paint, 2 oz (single) — Best for Cheap Matte Singles
FolkArt’s 2 oz bottles are a long-standing craft favorite, described in the listing as rich and creamy with a matte finish, suitable for basecoating and stenciling on wood, paper, canvas, Styrofoam and paper mache. They are made in the USA.
FolkArt offers a huge range of individual colors, which makes it easy to match a specific shade for decor projects.
Best suited for: Crafters who want a specific color for decor, stenciling or basecoating.
Key features:
- 2 oz bottle
- Matte finish
- Basecoating and stenciling
- Made in the USA
Pros:
- Huge individual color range
- Creamy consistency for a craft paint
- Low price per bottle
Cons and limitations:
- Craft grade
- Single colors add up if you need many
- Matte only
Buying consideration: Compare FolkArt and Apple Barrel on the same color; FolkArt is often slightly creamier, Apple Barrel slightly cheaper.
Buying Guide: Getting the Most from Cheap Acrylic Paint
Set or singles
Sets are cheapest when you need many colors. Singles are cheapest when you need a few specific colors or refills.
Bottle size
Two-ounce bottles offer far better value per ounce than small tubes. For murals or large canvases, look for 8 oz or larger student-grade jars from art retailers.
Grade for the job
Craft paint for decor and kids, budget sets for practice, student grade for learning fine art, artist grade for finished pieces you want to last.
Hidden costs
Shipping, add-on minimums and paint wasted on the palette all raise the real cost. A wet palette and tightly capped bottles save more than a coupon.
Surface needs
Painting on fabric needs fabric medium; glass and ceramic need special preparation or enamel paints. Check before buying a large quantity for a specific project.
Safety for kids
Look for ASTM D4236 labeling and non-toxic claims for classroom and family use.
More on Acrylic Paint Uses
Cheap acrylic paint works on many surfaces with the right prep. See our guides on using acrylic paint on glass jars and using acrylic paint on clothing before you start a project.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying a large set of craft paint for fine-art painting and being disappointed by chalky results.
- Squeezing out more paint than you can use before it dries.
- Buying tiny tubes for big canvases, which ends up costing more per ounce.
- Ignoring sales cycles at craft chains and paying full shelf price.
- Leaving caps loose so bottles dry out.
- Buying every color instead of learning to mix from a limited palette.
FAQs
Where is the cheapest place to buy acrylic paint?
For full sets, online marketplaces like Amazon usually have the lowest cost per color. For single craft colors, Walmart, Amazon and dollar stores are cheapest. For student and artist grades, online art retailers during sales offer the best value.
Is cheap acrylic paint good enough?
For practice, crafts and many hobby paintings, yes. Cheap paint has less pigment and may need more coats. For work you plan to sell or keep long term, student or artist grade is worth it.
Does Dollar Tree sell acrylic paint?
Dollar Tree and similar stores often carry small bottles of craft acrylic and kids’ paint sets. Selection and quality vary by store.
Is craft paint the same as acrylic paint?
Most craft paints are acrylic-based, but they usually contain less pigment and more filler than artist acrylics, and dry with a matte finish.
How can I make acrylic paint last longer?
Use a wet palette, squeeze out small amounts, close caps tightly, store bottles upright away from heat, and extend paint with acrylic medium instead of only water.
Should beginners buy cheap acrylic paint?
A budget set is a sensible way to start. Once you know which colors you use most, upgrade those to student or artist grade.
Final Recommendation
For the cheapest full palette with brushes, buy the Shuttle Art or HissiCo 36-color sets online; choose Nicpro if you want a color-wheel guide. Crafters should pick the Apple Barrel 16-color bundle and refill with single Apple Barrel or FolkArt bottles. If you only want to try acrylics, the Kolor Kingdom 24-tube set costs least overall. For student and artist grades, watch online art retailers and craft-chain sales, and combine them with coupons.
One Comment