Princeton Brush Deals: Compare Sale Prices & Find the Best Discount UK

For a long time, if you wanted a really good brush, you bought natural hair, and you paid for it. Sable, squirrel and hog bristle were the standard, and synthetic brushes were seen as the cheap option. Princeton has done as much as any brand to change that, and it’s why so many painters now happily reach for synthetics.

The company was founded more than thirty years ago by Howard Kaufman, who had previously been president of a major art supply manufacturer. He started small, working from his basement in Princeton, New Jersey, with a clear idea: to make quality brushes, keep prices fair and look after both artists and retailers. The turning point came when he partnered with Naohide Takamoto, a third-generation member of a Japanese brush-making family. Together they set out to create a synthetic brush that could genuinely rival natural sable, and the result was Princeton’s flagship Series 4050, now known as Heritage. Princeton has since grown into one of the largest brush suppliers in North America, and it’s still run by the Kaufman family.

The range is big, so it helps to know the main series. Heritage, Series 4050, is the brush that started it all. It’s a synthetic sable made from golden taklon fibres, with a large belly for holding colour, a fine point and good spring. It’s a brilliant all-rounder for watercolour and also works well with acrylic, which makes it one of the most usefull brushes you can own. Elite, Series 4850, is Princeton’s take on a Kolinsky sable, a synthetic with pleated fibres designed to mimic the natural hair’s ability to hold lots of water and pigment while still coming to a fine point. If you love the feel of sable but not the price, or prefer to avoid animal hair, Elite is well worth trying.

Neptune, Series 4750, is a soft synthetic squirrel brush, and it’s a favourite with watercolour painters. It holds a huge amount of water and pigment, making it ideal for laying big washes and covering large areas quickly. It’s very soft with little snap, though, so it’s not the brush for tight detail. Velvetouch, Series 3950, is a luxury synthetic blend designed for mixed media. It comes to a very fine point with good spring, and it works with watercolour, acrylic and oil, so it’s perfect if you work across several media and want one versatile brush. Summit, Series 6850, is a white synthetic developed for fluid acrylics and rough surfaces like wood or slate, and it handles watercolour too. Princeton also makes the Catalyst range, which includes Polytip brushes, along with more affordable everyday ranges such as Select, which are great for tapping, splattering, scrubbing and any job where you don’t want to wear out your best brushes.

In sixteen years in the art supplies industry, including nearly a decade running digital marketing at ARTdiscount, I’ve watched synthetic brushes go from the budget option to the first choice for a lot of painters, and Princeton is a big part of that story. In our community of 36,000 UK artists at Discount Art Supplies, brush recommendations come up constantly, and Princeton, especially Neptune and Heritage, is one of the names watercolour painters mention most. If you’re trying to cut down on animal products in your painting kit, its synthetics make that easy without compromising on performance.

Getting the best deal on Princeton brushes comes down to a few things. First, compare prices before you buy. Individual brushes and sets can vary noticeably between retailers, and our comparison above checks Cass Art, Jackson’s, Amazon and others in real time. Second, think about sets versus individual brushes. Sets are great value for building a starter kit, but most painters end up relying on just a few favourite shapes and sizes, so once you know what you use, buying individual brushes lets you invest in exactly what you need. Third, choose the right series for your medium. A Neptune is wonderful for watercolour washes but won’t suit heavy acrylic, while Velvetouch or Summit are better if you paint in several media. And finally, watch for sales. Princeton brushes and sets are regularly discounted, especially around Black Friday, Christmas and back-to-school.

A few questions come up again and again. Are Princeton brushes good? Yes. They’re widely regarded as some of the best synthetic brushes available, offering quality close to natural hair at a much lower price. Which Princeton brush is best for watercolour? Neptune is excellent for washes, Heritage is a great all-rounder, and Elite is ideal if you want a sable-like feel. Are Princeton brushes vegan? Most Princeton ranges use synthetic fibres, but always check the individual series, as some ranges, such as Siberia, use natural Kolinsky sable. Can Princeton brushes be used with acrylic? Many can, including Heritage, Velvetouch and Summit, but softer brushes like Neptune are best kept for watercolour.

Princeton has helped change the way artists think about synthetic brushes, and it’s still one of the best-value brands around. Looking for a Princeton 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.