Finding the right gift for someone who loves coloring is easier than you think — and harder than it should be. Walk into any craft store and you will see walls of pencils, rows of books, and gadgets you have never heard of. Most of it looks the same. Some of it is genuinely good. This guide cuts through the noise.
Whether you are shopping for someone who just picked up their first coloring book or a seasoned colorist with three pencil cases, these are the gifts that actually get used. Every pick below has been tested, compared, and chosen for a specific reason — no filler, no “gift sets” that include things nobody wants.
Under 15 Dollars: Small Gifts That Make a Big Difference
You do not need to spend a lot to give something useful. These are the items colorists reach for every day but rarely buy for themselves.
1. Kum Automatic Long Point Sharpener (8 to 12 Dollars)
Ask any experienced colorist what their most essential tool is, and you will hear “sharpener” more often than you expect. The Kum sharpener uses a two-step process — one hole shapes the wood, the other hones the point — that creates a long, fine tip without snapping soft colored pencil cores. It works with Prismacolor, Arteza, and every other wax-based pencil on the market.
- Two-hole system — shape the wood, then sharpen the core
- Works with soft wax pencils without breaking them
- Small enough for a pencil case or stocking
Best stocking stuffer for colorists: Kum Automatic Long Point Sharpener — the one tool every colorist needs but forgets to replace.
2. Kneaded Eraser Set (5 to 8 Dollars)
A kneaded eraser is the colorist’s best friend. Unlike hard erasers that tear paper, these soft, moldable erasers lift graphite and colored pencil gently. You can shape them into a point for tiny areas or flatten them for broad strokes. They do not leave crumbs, and they last for months.
- Soft and moldable — shape to any size you need
- Lifts color without damaging paper
- No crumbs or residue left behind
Best eraser for coloring: Kneaded Eraser — gentle on paper, versatile enough for detail work or broad strokes.
3. Mindfulness Coloring Book by Farrarons (8 to 12 Dollars)
If you are buying for someone new to adult coloring, this is the book. The designs range from simple to moderately detailed, printed on thick paper that handles pencils, gel pens, and light markers without bleed-through. Therapists recommend it more than any other coloring book, and the price makes it an easy add-on gift.
- Mixed complexity — simple and detailed pages in one book
- Thick paper stock — works with pencils and gel pens
- Designed specifically for mindfulness and stress relief
Best coloring book for beginners: Mindfulness Coloring Book — approachable designs, quality paper, and a price point that works as a standalone or add-on gift.
15 to 35 Dollars: The Sweet Spot
This is where most of the best gifts live. For 15 to 35 dollars, you can give something that becomes someone’s daily go-to.
4. Prismacolor Premier 72-Color Set (25 to 35 Dollars)
The Prismacolor Premier set is the most recommended colored pencil set for adult coloring, and for good reason. The soft wax core lays down smooth, vibrant color with almost no pressure. Beginners love them because they are forgiving — you can blend and layer without advanced techniques. Experienced colorists love them because the pigment is rich and the color range covers nearly everything you will need.
- Soft wax core — smooth application, minimal pressure needed
- 72 colors — wide range without decision fatigue
- High pigment load — vibrant results even with light strokes
- Compatible with the Prismacolor Colorless Blender for smooth transitions
Best colored pencils for most people: Prismacolor Premier 72-Color Set — the gold standard for adult coloring, period.
5. Derwent Chromaflow 72-Color Set (25 to 35 Dollars)
If the person you are shopping for already owns Prismacolors and wants something different, Derwent Chromaflow is the answer. These pencils use an oil-based core that feels different from wax — slightly harder, which means crisper lines and less wax bloom on dark areas. They blend beautifully and hold a point longer than Prismacolor.
- Oil-based core — crisper lines, less wax bloom
- 72 colors — full spectrum coverage
- Holds a point longer than wax-based pencils
Best for experienced colorists: Derwent Chromaflow 72-Color Set — a fresh alternative to Prismacolor with a different feel and finish.
6. Secret Garden by Johanna Basford (10 to 15 Dollars)
Johanna Basford is the name in adult coloring books, and Secret Garden is where it all started. The illustrations are intricate, detailed, and beautiful — the kind of pages that make you want to frame the finished result. The paper quality is solid for colored pencils, and the book itself is a gorgeous object that feels like a real gift.
- Intricate botanical illustrations — hours of detailed coloring
- High-quality paper — handles pencils and fine-tip markers
- Perforated pages — easy to remove and display finished work
Best coloring book for experienced colorists: Secret Garden by Johanna Basford — the book that launched the adult coloring trend, still one of the best.
35 to 50 Dollars: Gifts Worth Splurging On
These are the gifts that say “I pay attention to what you love.” They are the things colorists covet but hesitate to buy for themselves.
7. Faber-Castell Polychromos 60-Color Set (35 to 50 Dollars)
If there is one pencil set that serious colorists dream about, it is Polychromos. These oil-based pencils from Faber-Castell are legendary for their lightfastness (colors do not fade), their buttery-smooth application, and the fact that they never develop wax bloom. They cost more than Prismacolor, but the quality justifies the price — especially for someone who colors regularly and wants professional results.
- Oil-based — no wax bloom, ever
- Superior lightfastness — colors stay vivid for decades
- Smooth, consistent application across all 60 colors
Best premium pencil set: Faber-Castell Polychromos 60-Color Set — the gift for someone who already loves coloring and is ready to upgrade.
8. BTSKY 200-Slot Colored Pencil Case (15 to 20 Dollars)
A good pencil case might not sound exciting, but talk to any colorist who has owned one and they will tell you it changed their daily routine. The BTSKY 200-slot case holds up to 200 pencils in individual elastic loops, with a zipper closure and carrying handle. It lays flat when open so you can see every color at once. No more digging through tins or rolling pencils across the table.
- 200 individual slots — every pencil visible and accessible
- Lays flat when open — see all colors at once
- PU leather exterior — looks good, wipes clean, holds up over time
Best pencil organizer: BTSKY 200-Slot Colored Pencil Case — the gift they did not know they needed until they use it once and never go back.
9. Cricut BrightPad Go (50 to 60 Dollars)
A light pad might be the most underrated tool in coloring. Place your coloring book on the illuminated surface, and you can see the lines through the paper clearly — perfect for tracing designs onto thicker paper, transferring patterns, or working on pages printed on both sides. The Cricut BrightPad Go is cordless with adjustable brightness, so you can use it anywhere without being tethered to an outlet.
- Cordless and portable — use it anywhere
- Five brightness levels — adjust for paper thickness and ambient light
- Works for tracing, pattern transfer, and double-sided pages
Best light pad for coloring: Cricut BrightPad Go — the upgrade they will wonder how they lived without.
50 Dollars and Up: The Ultimate Gift Bundles
If you want to go all-in, these combinations give someone everything they need to start or upgrade their coloring practice.
10. The Complete Starter Bundle (55 to 75 Dollars)
For someone who has expressed interest in adult coloring but has not taken the leap yet. This combination covers the essentials without overwhelming them.
- Arteza Professional 72-Color Pencils — soft, vibrant, forgiving, and a great value
- Mindfulness Coloring Book — approachable designs for building confidence
- Kum Automatic Long Point Sharpener — keeps pencils ready without breakage
Why this works: The Arteza pencils are soft and easy to blend, which makes them ideal for beginners. The Mindfulness Coloring Book has a range of simple and detailed pages so they can grow into it. And the Kum sharpener eliminates the frustration that makes new colorists quit.
11. The Serious Colorist Upgrade (80 to 120 Dollars)
For someone who already colors regularly and is ready to level up their tools. This is the “I see how much you love this” gift.
- Prismacolor Premier 72-Color Set — the standard for vibrant, blendable color
- BTSKY 200-Slot Pencil Case — keeps everything organized and visible
- Secret Garden by Johanna Basford — a book worthy of their best pencils
Why this works: The Prismacolor set gives them the color range they have been wanting. The BTSKY case means no more dumping pencils on the table to find the right shade. And Secret Garden provides the kind of detailed, satisfying pages that make premium pencils worth using.
What Not to Buy
Just as important as knowing what to buy is knowing what to skip. Here are the gifts that sound good but disappoint in practice.
Cheap Pencil Sets (Under 10 Dollars for 50+ Colors)
These pencils are hard, waxy, and barely lay down color. They require heavy pressure that fatigues your hand, and the colors look washed out on paper. Spending a few dollars more for Arteza or Prismacolor makes an enormous difference in the coloring experience.
Coloring Books Printed on Thin Paper
Many bargain coloring books use paper so thin that markers bleed through and pencils show every stroke. Look for books printed on at least 80 lb (120 gsm) paper, or check reviews for “bleed-through” before buying. The Secret Garden and Mindfulness Coloring Book both use quality paper.
“Complete Art Kits” from Big Box Stores
You know the ones — a zippered case with 100 pencils, 24 markers, 12 watercolors, and a sharpener for 20 dollars. The pencils are mediocre, the markers dry out in weeks, and the watercolors are unusable. You are better off buying one good set than three bad ones.
Bottom Line
The best gifts for coloring fans are the things they use every day but would not necessarily splurge on for themselves. A Prismacolor pencil set for someone still using Crayola. A BTSKY pencil case for someone whose pencils live in a tin. A Secret Garden coloring book for someone who has been working through the same book for months.
Start with their skill level, buy quality over quantity, and know that for most colorists, a good set of pencils and a fresh book is all they really want.
Last updated: May 2026 | By ColoredCalm