For adult coloring, you need three things: a set of colored pencils or markers ($8-25), quality paper or cardstock ($5-10 for 100 sheets), and free printable coloring pages from a site like PrintableDrops. A complete starter kit costs under $25 and lasts for months.
| Supply | Budget Pick | Best Value | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colored Pencils | Crayola 50-ct ($8) | Prismacolor Scholar 48-ct ($20) | Prismacolor Premier 72-ct ($45) |
| Markers | Crayola SuperTips 50-ct ($10) | Tombow Dual Brush 10-ct ($18) | Copic Sketch 12-ct ($60) |
| Gel Pens | Sakura Gelly Roll 10-ct ($8) | Uni-ball Signo 12-ct ($15) | Sakura Gelly Roll 74-ct ($35) |
| Paper | Standard 20lb printer paper ($5/500) | Neenah 65lb Cardstock ($10/100) | Neenah 80lb Cardstock ($14/100) |
Start with Prismacolor Scholar colored pencils ($20) and standard printer paper. Download free pages from PrintableDrops to practice without any additional cost.
Prismacolor Premier colored pencils are the gold standard for adult coloring. Their soft, wax-based core blends smoothly and lays down rich, vibrant color. For a budget alternative, Prismacolor Scholar pencils offer 80% of the quality at less than half the price.
For colored pencils, standard 20lb printer paper works perfectly. For markers, upgrade to 65lb cardstock to prevent bleed-through. PrintableDrops pages are formatted for standard letter-size paper (8.5 x 11 inches).
Mid-range supplies ($15-25 per set) offer the best value. The jump from budget to mid-range matters more than mid-range to premium. Start mid-range and upgrade individual colors you use most often.
Browse 500+ free coloring pages at PrintableDrops. No ads, no signup, just free pages for your family.
Browse Free Coloring Pages