Mapac Portfolio Deals: Compare Sale Prices & Find the Best Discount UK

Every artist eventually faces the same problem: how do you carry your work around without bending, smudging or crumpling it? Whether you’re heading to a class, an interview for an art course, a client meeting or an exhibition, the way you transport and present your work matters. That’s where Mapac comes in, and it’s a name that’s been quietly solving that problem for UK artists for decades.

Mapac’s story starts a long way from the art world. The company was founded in 1955 as a family-owned business making products for schools, and it’s credited with being the first to invent and market the school book bag, the kind generations of British children have carried to class. In the mid-1990s, Mapac took everything it had learned about protecting paper and books and applied it to artists’ materials, making portfolios and cases to store, protect and transport artwork. It quickly built a reputation for dependable products at fair prices. Then, in 2006, Mapac acquired its largest competitor, Artcare, and the combined range, now sold as Artcare by Mapac, made it one of Europe’s leading providers of artists’ luggage. Its products are used by students and proffesional artists across Europe.

The range is focused and practical. At the top are the portfolios. The Quartz range is Mapac’s premium portfolio line, made for artists who want a sturdy, smart way to carry their work. It’s available in a range of sizes, including A1, A2 and A3, so you can choose exactly the right size for your work. The Polylite portfolios offer a lighter, more economical alternative, ideal for students and everyday use, and the Quartz Case gives you a hard-wearing case option for carrying work and materials together.

For presenting your work, Mapac’s ArtSafe Presenter display books are hugely popular. They’re presentation folders with clear sleeves that let you show drawings, prints, photographs and designs neatly, page by page, and they come in A3, A4 and A5 sizes. A well-presented portfolio book makes a huge difference at a university interview or a client meeting, and ArtSafe is one of the most convienient ways to put one together. Artcare project bags offer simple, affordable protection for work in progress, perfect for students carrying coursework to and from school or college.

Mapac also makes accessories for storing and protecting your tools. Brush cases, including a long brush case and a brush easel case, keep your brushes safe in transit and help protect the bristles from damage. And there’s an artist’s canvas apron for keeping paint off your clothes in the studio.

In sixteen years in the art supplies industry, including nearly a decade running digital marketing at ARTdiscount, I’ve seen portfolios become one of those purchases that matters most at key moments, like applying for an art course, preparing for a degree show or pitching to a gallery. Within our community of 36,000 UK artists at Discount Art Supplies, students and parents often ask which portfolio to buy, and Mapac is one of the names that comes up most. “Portfolio” is also one of the terms people search for on our own site.

Getting the best deal on Mapac comes down to a few things. First, compare prices before you buy. Portfolios, especially larger sizes like A1 and A2, can vary noticeably in price between retailers, and our comparison above checks Cass Art, Jackson’s, Amazon and others in real time. Second, choose the right size. Measure your largest pieces before you buy, and remember that a portfolio slightly bigger than your work protects the edges better. A1 is the go-to size for many art and design students, while A3 suits sketchbooks, illustrations and smaller work. Third, decide between premium and lightweight. A Quartz portfolio is a great investment if you’ll use it for years, while Polylite or a project bag is a sensible, cheaper choice for school and everyday use. And finally, watch for sales. Portfolio deals are especially common around back-to-school and the start of the university year, when demand peaks.

A few questions come up again and again. What size portfolio do I need for an art course? Many art and design courses recommend A1 or A2, but always check what your course or interview asks for. What’s the difference between Mapac Quartz and Polylite? Quartz is the premium, sturdier range, while Polylite is a lighter, more affordable option. What is an ArtSafe Presenter? It’s a presentation book with clear sleeves for displaying your work neatly page by page, available in A3, A4 and A5. Who makes Artcare products? Artcare was acquired by Mapac in 2006, and its products are now sold as Artcare by Mapac.

From school bags in the 1950s to the portfolios carried into art school interviews today, Mapac has spent seventy years helping people carry their work safely. Looking for a Mapac sale, discount or discount code? Check the price comparisons above, updated in real time, and you’ll always know you’re getting the best current UK price.