The Ultimate Guide to Dick Blick's Return Policy (2026)
Shoppers usually search for return rules when they receive the wrong paint color, a damaged canvas, or unwanted art gifts. Understanding the dick blick return policy helps you get your money back or swap your items quickly and without stress.
Dick Blick is a popular choice for artists, and their satisfaction guarantee is one of the best in the retail space. This guide explains the complete return window, eligibility rules, and exact steps you need to follow to send your items back. We also cover fees, refund options, and what to do if you lose your original receipt.
All information reflects the latest official rules and is verified for January 2026.
Dick Blick Return Policy Overview
For a fast answer to your return questions, review this quick summary table.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Return Window | 365 days from the purchase date |
| Eligible Items | Must be in new, unused condition with original packaging |
| Return Methods | In-store drop-off or mail-in |
| Refund Methods | Original payment method or merchandise store credit |
| Non-returnable Items | Gift cards, opened DVDs/software/books, items missing original packaging |
| Fees | Customer pays return shipping for preference returns; no restocking fees |
Dick Blick's Standard Return Window: How Long Do You Have?
Knowing how much time you have to return a product is the first step in the process.
Understanding the 365-Day Policy
Dick Blick offers a massive 365-day return window from the date of your purchase. A full year to return items is rare, though comparable to the Bloomingdale's return policy 365 days rule. This policy applies to almost everything they sell, giving artists plenty of time to decide if a specific tool or medium is right for their project.
Does the Window Change for In-Store vs. Online?
No. Whether you buy a set of expensive watercolor paints online or pick up sketching pencils at a local retail store, the 365-day rule stays exactly the same.
Eligibility & Condition: What Can You Return to Dick Blick?
Just because you have a full year does not mean you can return everything. Your art supplies must meet specific condition standards to be accepted by the staff.
"Original Condition" Explained for Art Supplies
To qualify for a refund, your items must be in new and unused condition.
- Paints and Mediums: Tubes, jars, and bottles must remain sealed and completely full.
- Brushes and Pens: Brushes cannot have paint on them or frayed bristles. Pens and markers must remain untested and uninked.
- Paper and Canvas: Sketchbooks cannot have missing pages. Canvases must stay wrapped in their original protective plastic.
Packaging Requirements
Items must go back in their original packaging. This means all the boxes, cardboard sleeves, barcode tags, and protective wrapping that came with the product need to be included. If you throw away the packaging, Dick Blick will likely reject your return.
Required Proof of Purchase
You need proof of purchase to get your money back. Acceptable forms of proof include:
- Your original paper receipt from a store register.
- The packing slip that came in your shipping box.
- The digital invoice emailed to you after an online order.
- A gift receipt.
How to Return Items to Dick Blick: Step-by-Step Guides
The way you return your art supplies depends on how you bought them. Below are the exact steps for both methods.
Making an In-Store Return at Dick Blick
An in-store return is the fastest way to handle a return or exchange. You can return both online and in-store purchases to any physical Dick Blick location.
- Find a Local Store: Use the store locator on the Dick Blick website to find the closest retail location.
- Gather Your Items: Make sure the art supplies are unused and packed in their original boxes.
- Bring Your Receipt: Have your paper receipt, gift receipt, or digital invoice ready to show the cashier.
- Visit the Register: Bring your items directly to a store associate at the checkout counter to process your refund.
Returning Online Purchases by Mail
If you made an online return and prefer to use the mail, the process requires a few extra steps. Just like the Nike return policy online, tracking your package helps you know exactly when your refund is coming.
- Contact Customer Service First: You cannot simply mail an item back. You must call Dick Blick at 1-800-828-4548 or use their website live chat.
- Get an RA Number: The support representative will give you a Return Authorization Number (RA#).
- Pack Your Items: Place your unused supplies in a sturdy shipping box. Use bubble wrap or paper to stop fragile items from breaking in transit.
- Include Paperwork: Place a copy of your invoice inside the box. Write your RA# clearly on the outside of the shipping box.
- Ship the Package: Drop the box off with the carrier listed on your return label (usually FedEx, UPS, or USPS). Keep your tracking receipt.
[IMAGE PROMPT: A neat, flat-lay photo of unused art supplies like paint tubes and brushes sitting next to an open cardboard shipping box with a packing slip inside.]
Dick Blick Return Policy Without a Receipt
Losing a receipt happens all the time. If you do not have your original proof of purchase, you still have options.
What Are Your Options?
For no-receipt returns, Dick Blick usually tries to look up your order. If you bought the item at a store, the cashier might find your transaction using the credit card you used to pay. If you ordered online, you can simply pull up your order history on your phone.
If the store associate absolutely cannot find your purchase history, they might offer you a merchandise credit at their discretion. You will likely need to show a valid government-issued ID to do this.
Gift Returns
If someone bought you an easel or a paint set as a gift, ask them for the gift receipt. Returning an item with a gift receipt allows you to get a merchandise credit. You can then use that credit to buy the exact supplies you actually need.
Non-Returnable Items at Dick Blick: Know Before You Buy
While the policy is generous, some non-returnable items will not be accepted under any circumstances.
- Gift Cards: All physical and digital gift cards are final sale and cannot be traded for cash.
- Opened Media: Books, DVDs, and software CDs can only be returned if they are still sealed in their original shrink wrap. Once you open them, you cannot return them.
- Used Items: Any art supply that shows signs of use, wear, or alteration is rejected.
- Items Missing Packaging: If you lose the barcode sleeve or the original box, the store will not accept the item.
Hazardous Materials
Some art materials, like aerosol spray paints and certain chemical solvents, are considered hazardous. You can return these if they are defective, but you cannot simply put them in the mail. Similar to the Ace Hardware returns policy, you must follow specific hazardous material rules. Always call customer service for exact instructions on how to ship these items legally and safely.
Dick Blick Refund Methods & Processing Times
Knowing how and when you get your money back helps you plan your next purchase.
Original Payment vs. Store Credit
Your refund method depends entirely on how you originally paid and what proof of purchase you provide.
- If you have your original receipt, your money goes back to the exact credit card, debit card, or PayPal account you used.
- If you only have a gift receipt, or if the store allows a return without a receipt, you will receive a merchandise store credit.
How Long Until Your Refund Arrives?
The processing time for mailed returns takes a little patience. Once the Dick Blick warehouse receives your box, they inspect the items to make sure they are unused. After the inspection, it usually takes 7 to 10 business days for the refund to show up on your bank statement. In-store refunds process immediately, though your bank might still take a few days to post the funds.
Return Shipping Costs & Potential Fees
Unexpected fees make returns frustrating. Here is how Dick Blick handles shipping charges.
Who Pays for Return Shipping?
Your reason for returning the item decides who pays for the shipping label.
- Customer Pays: If you simply changed your mind, ordered the wrong color, or bought the wrong size canvas, you are responsible for return shipping costs. You can buy your own postage, or Dick Blick can email you a label and deduct the cost from your final refund.
- Dick Blick Pays: If the company made a mistake-such as sending you a broken item, the wrong item entirely, or a defective product-they will cover 100% of the return shipping costs.
Are There Restocking Fees?
Shoppers will be happy to know there is no restocking fee at Dick Blick. As long as your items are new and in their original packaging, you will get the full purchase price back.
Dick Blick Exchanges: Swapping Your Art Supplies
Sometimes you just need a different brush size or a different shade of blue paint.
The easiest way to use the exchange policy is to visit a physical store. Bring your unused item and your receipt to the register. The cashier will let you swap your item for the new one right there.
If you bought your items online, Dick Blick handles exchanges as two separate transactions. You will need to call support, get an RA#, and mail your original item back for a refund. Then, you simply place a brand-new order on their website for the item you want.
Damaged or Defective Items from Dick Blick
Shipping art supplies can sometimes result in damaged goods. Canvases can tear, and paint tubes can burst.
If you open your package and find a damaged or defective item, stop and take a photo of the damage immediately. Do not try to mail the item back on your own. Call customer support right away. They will usually send out a replacement item immediately or issue a full refund. In many cases involving messy, broken paint or hazardous materials, they may tell you to safely throw the item away instead of mailing it back.
Holiday or Extended Return Policies
Many stores offer special return rules during the winter holidays. Because Dick Blick already gives you 365 days to make a return, a separate holiday return policy is not necessary. If you buy a gift in November, the recipient still has until the following November to return it.
Dick Blick Customer Service for Returns
If you have a complicated return, or if you need an RA# to mail a box back, you need to contact the support team.
- Phone Number: Call 1-800-828-4548. This is the fastest way to get help and get your return authorized.
- Live Chat: Use the chat feature directly on the Blick Art Materials website during normal business hours.
- Before You Call: Have your order number, the name of the item, and the reason you are returning it ready to read to the agent.
Expert Tips for a Smooth Dick Blick Return
To make your return fast and easy, follow these helpful habits:
- Do not open plastic wrapping: If you are unsure about a sketchbook, canvas, or DVD, leave the plastic wrap completely intact until you are 100% sure you are keeping it.
- Save the shipping box: Keep the brown cardboard box your online order arrived in for a few days. If you need to mail an item back, you already have the perfect box.
- Check the paint tubes: Sometimes paint looks different in person than it does on a computer monitor. Do not break the foil seal on the paint tube to test the color. Use the color swatch on the outside of the tube. Breaking the seal makes the paint non-returnable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dick Blick Returns
Q: Can I return an item I've opened to Dick Blick? A: It depends on the item. If you open a shipping box to look at a paint brush, you can return it as long as it is unused. However, opened DVDs, software, books, and sealed paint tubes are not accepted.
Q: How do I get a Dick Blick return label? A: You get a return label by calling Dick Blick customer service at 1-800-828-4548. If the item is defective, the label is free. If you just changed your mind, they will deduct the label cost from your refund.
Q: What if I received the wrong item in my order? A: Contact customer service immediately. They will send you the correct item and cover all return shipping costs for the incorrect item they sent.
Q: Can I return a gift without the original purchaser knowing? A: Yes, if you have a gift receipt. You can take the item to a store and receive a merchandise store credit without notifying the person who bought it for you.
Q: What if my return window has passed? A: Dick Blick offers a full 365 days for returns. Once that year has passed, they generally do not accept returns. If the item has a manufacturer defect, you will need to contact the brand that made the product.
Q: How long does it take for a Dick Blick refund to process? A: After the warehouse receives your mailed return, it takes 7 to 10 business days for the money to appear on your original payment method. In-store returns process on the same day.
Q: Does Dick Blick charge a restocking fee? A: No. Dick Blick does not charge restocking fees for standard returns, provided the items are in new, unused condition with original packaging.
Q: Can I return spray paint or chemicals in the mail? A: You cannot drop hazardous materials like spray paint or solvents in the normal mail without permission. You must call customer service first to get specific safety and shipping instructions.
Disclaimer: Return policies may change and vary by location. Always confirm details on the official Dick Blick website or with your local store. Information verified January 2026.
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