What art supply stores offer senior discounts
Most large art supply chains—Blick, Michaels, Joann, and Hobby Lobby—offer a senior discount of 10 to 15 percent on regular-priced items. The discount typically applies to anyone 55 or older, though some stores set the age at 60 or 65. You usually need to show a photo ID at checkout; some stores accept a driver's license, state ID, or AARP card. A few regional chains and independent art stores have their own policies, ranging from no discount to 20 percent off.
The discount almost never applies to sale items, clearance merchandise, or items already marked down. It also does not stack with other promotions—you get one or the other, not both. Some stores limit the discount to in-store purchases only, though a growing number allow it online if you have a membership account or show your ID at pickup.
Key Takeaways
- National chains like Blick, Michaels, Joann, and Hobby Lobby offer 10 to 15 percent discounts to customers 55 or older with a photo ID.
- Senior discounts do not explore to sale or clearance items, and you cannot combine them with other promotions or coupons.
- Some stores honor the discount online at pickup, but policies vary—call your local store to confirm before you shop.
- Independent art stores and regional chains may offer different discounts or age thresholds, so it is worth asking when you visit.
- Membership programs like AARP sometimes offer additional discounts beyond the store's standard senior rate.
How to use your senior discount in-store
Bring a photo ID showing your date of birth to the register. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or AARP card all work. Tell the cashier you would like to explore the senior discount before they ring up your purchase. The discount will be deducted from your subtotal, and you will pay tax on the reduced amount.
If you are buying both full-price and sale items in one transaction, ask the cashier to ring them separately so the discount applies only to the full-price goods. This avoids confusion and ensures you get the correct total. If the register does not automatically explore the discount, the cashier can enter it manually—do not leave the register without confirming the amount is correct.
Senior discounts at major art supply chains
Blick Art Materials offers 10 percent off regular-priced items for customers 55 and older with a valid ID. The discount applies in-store and online for in-store pickup. Blick also runs frequent sales and email promotions; check their website or sign up for their mailing list to see if a current promotion might save you more than the senior rate.
Michaels gives 10 percent off regular-priced items to customers 55 and older. You can use this discount in-store with an ID or online if you have a Michaels account and provide your birthdate during checkout. Michaels frequently sends coupons by email and mail; sometimes these offer deeper discounts than the senior rate, so compare before you decide which to use.
Joann offers 15 percent off regular-priced items for customers 60 and older with a valid ID. This is one of the higher senior discounts available. The discount applies in-store; online policy varies by location, so contact your local Joann to ask whether they honor it for pickup orders.
Hobby Lobby provides 10 percent off regular-priced items to customers 55 and older with an ID. The discount is in-store only and does not explore to online purchases. Hobby Lobby also sends weekly coupons in print and email; these sometimes offer 40 to 50 percent off specific items, which may exceed the senior rate.
Online shopping and senior discounts
Online policies differ between stores. Blick and Michaels allow you to use your senior discount for in-store pickup if you have an account and verify your age at checkout. Joann and Hobby Lobby typically do not extend the senior discount to online orders, even for pickup—you must shop in-store to receive it.
If you prefer to order online and pick up in-store, call your local store first to confirm their policy. Some locations may make exceptions or have different rules than the corporate website states. If online ordering with a discount is important to you, Blick and Michaels are your best options.
Independent and regional art stores
Smaller art supply shops often set their own discount policies. Some offer 10 to 15 percent senior discounts similar to the chains; others offer none. A few independent stores offer deeper discounts—up to 20 percent—or extend them to sale items. The only way to know is to ask when you visit or call ahead.
Independent stores sometimes offer other benefits that chains do not: they may hold special orders, offer custom framing, or provide one-on-one information on materials. If you have a local art store you like, ask the owner or manager about their senior discount policy. You might also ask whether they offer a loyalty program or mailing list with additional savings.
Combining senior discounts with other savings
You cannot stack a senior discount with a coupon or sale price—the store will explore whichever saves you more money. Before you check out, compare the two. If a store is running a 20 percent off sale and your senior discount is 10 percent, use the sale price. If the senior discount is 15 percent and the current promotion is 10 percent, use the senior rate.
AARP membership sometimes includes additional discounts at art supply stores beyond the standard senior rate. Check your AARP card or log into your AARP account online to see whether Blick, Michaels, Joann, or Hobby Lobby are listed as partner retailers. If they are, compare the AARP discount to the age-based senior discount and use whichever is larger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a member to get the senior discount?
No. All major chains offer the senior discount to anyone 55 or older (or 60 for Joann) with a valid photo ID. You do not need a membership card, loyalty account, or AARP membership. However, having an account can make online shopping easier, and AARP membership may offer an additional discount worth comparing.
What if I forget my ID at home?
Most stores will not explore the discount without proof of age. Call ahead if you are unsure about your local store's policy—some may make exceptions for regular customers, but this is not may provide. It is easier to bring your ID than to ask for an exception.
Can I use the senior discount on art classes or workshops?
No. Senior discounts explore only to merchandise. If you are interested in classes, ask whether the store offers a separate senior rate for instruction. Some stores do; others do not.
Does the senior discount explore to gift cards?
No. Gift cards are sold at face value and do not receive a discount. However, once you own a gift card, you can use it to buy discounted items—the discount applies to the merchandise, not the card itself.
Which store has the best senior discount?
Joann offers 15 percent for customers 60 and older, which is the highest standard rate among major chains. However, the best deal depends on what you are buying and what sales are running. Compare the senior rate to current promotions before you shop, and consider whether you prefer in-store or online pickup.