All Holiday Cards, Wrap, Ornaments and More are 40% OFF! Starting Today!

Prismacolor Introduces 18 New Colors

NEW 150pc PrismaColor Premier Pencil Set - $193.08

Prismacolor brings us 18 new colors of their buttery and vibrant Premier Line.  We have picked up several sets (they make great gifts!) and have the full line sold in singles or by the dozens (w/ bulk pricing!!) Download the new color chart here and then get down to ARCH.

Add More Color To Your Holidays! - Great Pantone Gifts!

PANTONE - The 20th Century in Color - $40

This gorgeously, graphics rich book, PANTONE - The 20th Century in Color, takes a look at the styles and color patterns seen over the decades.  It touches on fashion, fine art, photography and design and shows how complimentary color palettes help define their time. 

PANTONE Tooth Brush set - $8

Nothing is more embarrassing than when your teeth match a Pantone 100 swatch, so help keep them pearly white with this Pantone tooth brush set.  

PANTONE 100 Postcards Set - $19.95

A sweet box set featuring 100 brilliant PANTONE colors. Send someone some good mail, or pin them up in your home.  A great holiday gift.

2012 Studio Hinrichs Calendar - In Stock!

We have received our shipment of the 365 Typography Calendar from Studio Hinrichs. 

From their own bio:

"The 2012 calendar features a combination of original, not commercially available typefaces, and quirky and unusual fonts designed to reflect technological changes, pop culture, famous landmarks and famous people.  All were drawn by well-known contemporary typographers, designers and artists.  Provocative in their expression, these typefaces forcefully impose their own personality, rhythm and mood on the letterform or number.  They "color" the written message, making their presence overtly known, rather than subliminally, as is the case with most fonts specified for everyday print communications.  Happily, what they show is that even repetitive numbers 1 to 31 can assume a tone of voice, ranging from whimsical to rustic to retro."

We have these available in two sizes;
23" x 33" (58.5cm x 84cm) $44
12" x 18" (30.5cm x 45.75cm) $26

Extended Store Hours 9am - 8pm. This week only!!

It's crunch week for all the hardworking California College of the Arts students.  We'll have our doors open late and we are well stocked on everything you need to make it through.

• Basswood
• Zap A Gap
• Aleene's Tacky Glue
• Epson Papers and Inks (we have R1900, R1800, R2200 and a whole lot more)
• Scale model plastics, metals, people and trees
• Free Coffee from Farley's and snacks

Stop by, get your supplies and a pick me up.  We'll be here, with a helping hand.


We are also open for holiday gift shopping for those of you getting out of work a bit late.  Hope to see you soon!

Book Signing and Reception for Megan Werner's new book Model Making

Join us at ARCH on December 8th from 6 - 8pm for a reception and book signing with Megan Werner, author of the book Model Making published by Princeton Architectural Press.  Megan is a Bay Area model maker and founder of zDp Models.  She is also an adjunct professor in the interior design department at California College of the Arts.

From the Princeton Architectural Website;

"Our latest addition to the Architecture Briefs series presents the nuts and bolts of model making. In thirty-three "concept blocks," Megan Werner explores a wide range of possible types including laser-scored acrylic models, basswood topography models, acid etched metal blocks, peeled paper blocks, D-print models, cement pour blocks, and many more. Model Making includes handy appendices on materials, tools, and tips and techniques, as well as a glossary of design concepts."


Also check out Megan, in her own words discussing how the concept of her book together:

You can also check out a review of her book here.

So please join us on Friday, December 2nd from 6 - 8pm as we'll have food, drinks and be open for Holiday gift shopping as well.

Journal Bandoliers - Local Artist - Starting at $36

Available in several styles and two sizes!

We love these new Journal Bandoliers from Cleverhands.  Handmade right here in San Francisco, they are available in several styles and in two sizes.  The small stretches from 11.5" to 13.5" (perfect for Moleskine!!) and the large goes from 16.5" to 20".  The small is available for $36 and the large is $40.  These are a great gift for all those artists on the go. 

Find these now at ARCH. Look forward to seeing you soon!

Sutro Tower - Scale Lasercut Plywood Model - Only $38

This 1:50 scale model of the Sutro Tower from Studio for Metropolitan Craft is a great gift for any lover of San Francisco and local architecture.  The kit is super easy to assemble and comes with everything you need to put it together.  Created locally at Techshop SF, ARCH is very excited to carry this and we know you'll love it too.

2012 Stendig Calendars - In Stock - Only $32

The 2012 Stendig Calendars have arrived.  These classic wall calendars are 36" x 48" and we have a limited amount of stock on hand. 

In addition, we still have a number of styles of the 2012 Moleskine and A4 Architects Diary still available.  You can read more about those here.

Check back soon, as we are awaiting our arrivals of the Nava Diaries as well as the Studio Hinrichs wall calendars.

Photo's from this years Papergirl Roll & Ride at ARCH

The Artwork Rolled and Ready To Go! - Photo by Heather Tompkins

We had an amazing time hosting this years Papergirl Roll & Ride.  Seeing the faces of those who received their "free art!" was so much fun and we couldn't have had better weather for a bike ride across San Francisco.

Thanks to all who attended, and for those that missed it click here to check out photo's from the ride.

Limited Edition Papergirl Musette - Only $18

Created by Papergirl and Rickshaw Bags - Only $18

Created by Papergirl and Rickshaw Bags and sold exclusively at ARCH, this Musette features a front and back design, is lightweight and a perfect over the shoulder bag for biking and hauling things around SF.

Put together a simple lunch, get your 12" roll of canary trace, a Draft/Matic and iPod and make a creative day of it in San Francisco with this sweet little bag from the folks at Papergirl, Rickshaw Bags and Arch Drafting Supply.

Your local San Francisco Halloween Source

Halloween has arrived.  Customers are rolling in and looking for materials for their costumes and decorations and party favors for the big night.

Victorian era party masks - $4

We have everything you need to create your costume for Halloween.  Felt, colorful paper and tapes, glues, facepaint and so much more.  Kate also brought in a new line of glitter spray paint from Krylon to help give your costumes some bling.

Krylon Glitter Blast - Tons of Colors

Looking for some party favors or decorations for your big Halloween Party? We have you covered.  Spiders, skulls, day of dead statues, monsters and garlands.  Stop by ARCH to get your home ready for kids and adults.

Party Time!

"BRaiNs!!"

Happy Halloween!!

The Papergirl Roll & Ride Starts at Arch

Click the pic for a larger image

We hope to see you all here for the Roll & Ride on October 29th.  We'll start rolling the artwork at 11am and the ride will take off from ARCH around 12:30ish.  We'll have coffee & sweets for those arrive to help with the Roll and also a little goodie bag of snacks for the ride.

Check out our Facebook event page for more details.

Custom 415 Necklace

Ceci Cela Custom 415 Necklace - $19

Show your love for SF with these custom necklaces from Ceci Cela.  They are available now from ARCH and are only $19.

San Francisco Public Library in its Own Words

Wendy MacNaughton's New Book - Signed by the Author - $20

We picked up some copies of Wendy MacNaughton's new book, San Francisco Public Library in its Own Words, and she was kind enough to sign them as well.  Wendy captures the characters and atmosphere of our beautiful downtown library.  Check out this article from the SF Chronicle about her time at spent working on this project here.

We have a limited amount of copies so hurry in and get yours today.

2012 Moleskine Calendars & A4 Architects Diary Now In Stock

Hard to believe, but 2012 is coming up quick and if you're like us, it is time to get planning for the upcoming year.  Luckily our shipments of 2012 Moleskine Calendars and the A4 Architects & Designers Diary have arrived.

2012 Moleskine Calendars - Various Sizes - Starting at $7

Moleskine makes some of the most popular and highest quality sketch / note books around and their daily planners are no exception.  There are several different styles and sizes to choose from and this year we also added the Cahier in a two beautiful card weight colors in the Week-a-page style. Prices start at $7 and stock is moving quick, so hurry in.

A4 Architects & Designers Diary 2012 - $37

Speaking of moving quickly, the A4 Architects Diary has a cult like following.  While the layout and style (with the exception of limited quantities of certain colors) stay the same, a different editorial is highlighted each year.  This year the editorial is Comics Masters (the limited color is Iridescent Metallic Steel Charcoal). We have very limited stock left, so feel free to call ahead if you would like one reserved.

Save a Post Office - A Snail Mail Social at Arch

Have you written a letter lately? Come join us at Arch Drafting Supply as our friends Annie Yu and Carolee Wheeler help us host our first Snail Mail Social! 

Help spread some good mail days and pick up a pen and paper, or better yet, use one of our vintage typewriters to write a friend or loved one or take your chances and write a stranger from a list of pen pals we'll have. 

There will be custom stationary, envelopes, rubber stamps, glue sticks and more to help you break the writer's block and get you out from behind the computer.

Join us October 8th from 1-4pm.  Hope to see you there!

Papergirl SF - Call for Entries Due Oct. 3rd

Calling all Artists, Makers, Doers!

We invite you to participate in this year’s Papergirl SF - complete with art- wielding bike riders and bike-riding artists! Send us your art, tell your friends and foes, and we'll see you in October with tires full of air and roll-tops full of artwork, ripe for the giving.

Arch Drafting Supply is a drop off location for all would be participants.  The deadline is October 3rd and space is limited.  So hurry in!

Arch is also the launch point for the Roll and Ride on October 29th.   Join us as we organize, roll up the artwork and take a bike ride through SF and deliver art to unsuspecting by-standards.

For more information and submission details, check out the link: http://www.papergirl-sf.com

Back To School - Extended Hours This Week!

To help you find the time to get all those supplies on your list Arch Drafting Supply will be open from 9am - 8pm this week only!

How to get to Arch?

California College of the Arts Students click here.

Architecture Students at Academy of Art University click here.

We have great back to school deals and everything you'll need to get the semester started right.

Limited Edition Schmincke Horadam Half Pan Watercolor Set

List Price: $155.95 - Arch Price $69.95 - Limited Quantities

Schmincke is known the world over for their high quality art materials. The four generations old, family owned business, developed the Horadam line in 1881 and they only use the highest quality materials in their production.

This exclusive 12 color set was produced for Arch Drafting Supply and other members of iAMart, a national organization of independent art materials dealers. Running an independent business is important to both the local art community and economy and we hope that great deals with great businesses, like Schmincke, will encourage you to buy local.

12 Color Set with room to add 6 more Colors

This is a limited edition set & is available only while supplies last, so pick yours up today!

Back To School Deals - Extra 10% Off for Students & Faculty

Attention Architecture and Design Students!

Are you getting blank stares when you go to those big box art stores and ask for "lead pointers, architectural scales and erasing shields"?

Well look no further. We know all about "bum wads, scum bags & french curves" and have Back To School specials for all your supply list needs.

Trace Rolls, Cutting Mat's, Storage Boxes and More!

Check out some of the great deals:

Daler Rowney Sketchbooks 8.5" x 11" Hard and Wire Bound 
List Price: $10.85
Back to School w/ Student ID price: $7.81

Prismacolor Premier 12pc Set 
List Price: $19.31
Back to School w/ Student ID price: $12.16

Pacific Arc Basic Bow Compass with Pen Attachment
List Price: $12.95
Back to School w/ Student ID price: $8.95

Staedtler Mars Lumograph Pencil Set
List Price: $18.89
Back to School w/ Student ID price: $14.30
 

Drafting Vellum, Lead Pointers, Drafting Dots, Architectural Scales and More!

Back to school is here and on top of the everyday student and faculty discount that Arch offers we have been working hard on great deals to cover all your back to school needs. So drop by, we'll have just what you need!

New Oil Paints

Fresh off the mill, Arch has just brought in two new lines of oil paint!

Our new student grade oil is the Pebeo XL line.  These paints are alkyd-based, meaning they are dry within 2-3 days, rather than 2-3 weeks!  They're perfect for last-minute assignments (we're looking at you, procrastinators)!  In addition to traditional oil colors, this line features Pebeo's Dyna Oil Color.  These iridescent colors add modern flair to your painting! 

Just $4.60 per tube ($4.14 with valid student ID)!

Ohhh, sparkles!

We've also expanded our line of Gamblin Oils!  Introducing Gamblin FastMatte: Alkyd oils with a matte finish. FastMatte Alkyd Oils Colors will dry within 18 – 24 hours, in thinly painted layers.  This drying rate allows painters to work throughout a painting session, while creating a dry surface for the painting session the following day. They're also great for plein air!

A selection of colors available in the Gamblin FastMatte Alkyd Oils

Call for Entries - Enter to win a $25 Gift Certificate

Arch Drafting Supply is a drop off location for this years PaperGirl art show and also the starting point for this years roll and ride on October 29th.

The deadline for submissions is October 1st, but Arch wants to reward and encourage all the early birds.  So if you drop off your works before September 1st you'll be entered into a drawing for one of two $25 Arch Gift Certificates.  This contest is limited to the folks who drop their work of in person, at our store and the Artwork must meet the submission guidlines outlined here.

Check out the PaperGirl website for more info and then get to Arch by September 1st to be entered into the drawing. 

Cool Stuff - Lousy Packaging - Now On Sale

Bad packaging drives retailers like ourselves crazy.  We work hard to find really unique and interesting items and more often than not, if the packaging makes the product hard to grasp customers walk right by. 

We thought we would highlight a couple of culprits.  These items are now on sale.  We love these things, but suspect the bad packaging has kept you from loving them as much as we do.

Small cardboard box, text in french. Original Price $15

Inside: A cute nylon jump rope with carved wood animal handles. Sale Price $6

This jump rope is so cute and we have a whole collection of different animals to choose from. Croc's, Bears, Mice and more.

Hard to open, black plastic box, looks like it's from the Knight Rider era. Original Price $90

Voila: A super nice, metal, Rotring fountain pen. Sale Price $45

Rotring makes all types of terrific drawing utensils.  These fountain pens are no exception.  They have a very heavy and cool feel to them and are available in a matte black, matte silver and the above pictured "lava".

What is this? Woven Basket? Fireworks? Ughhh! Original Price $39

Ahhh, it's an herb garden! Sale Price $28

A great concept, just hard to visualize since it is trapped in this woven bamboo equivalent of a retail prison.

We hope that showing off these cool products a little more will entice you to come down and have a second look.  See you soon!

New Brushes @ Arch!

You may have noticed a lot of changes in the Fine Arts section at Arch!  We have completely revamped our brush section, with supplies for every need and every budget.  Here are our newest arrivals.

Princeton Select:

Princeton Artist Brush Company has teamed up with art superstar Willow Wofle to create the Princeton Select line.  This is a huge range of short-handle brushes great for watercolor, acrylic and gouache.  The line features classic shapes of absorbent, soft gold taklon, but also includes some very unusual styles!

Lunar Mop:

Made of soft, white goat hair, the Lunar Mop is adept at creating soft fields of color like clouds, down, or mist.  This brush is also useful for blending and softening edges.

Lunar Blender:

These filbert brushes are a blend of absorbent gold taklon and soft white goat hair.

Grainer:

Similar to a Grass Comb, this brush can work magic in lots of paintings.  Try using it in a dry brush technique!  The Grainer can instantly mimic grass, feathers, and more.

Deerfoot:

Similar to a stencil brush, the Deerfoot is angled slightly to allow a pouncing technique while holding the brush in a natural, angled position.  This brush is made from a special spend of natural hair to create a more random pattern.

Round Blender:

Similar to a smudging brush for eyeliners and eyeshadows, this soft, natural hair brush ends in a point, enabling entirely new blending techniques.

 Princeton Neptune

Also new to Arch is the Princeton Neptune line of watercolor brushes.  Princeton boasts these as their softest, thirstiest synthetic brush ever-- and they weren't kidding!!!  This line includes several sizes of quill brushes, which are more versatile than a traditional round brush because they are capable of holding a ton of liquid for doing large washes, but also keep a fine point for more detailed techniques.

We encourage you to try out our brushes every time you come in.  We have a cup of water and some specialty paper for you to practice techniques, test absorption etc.  Please do touch!

Summer Sale Coming To An End - 25% off all Jewelry, Books, Toys, Tchotchke's and More

25% off EVERYTHING from our gift section?!?  You heard it right. This week only!

From the sound of it, this week has been the most anticipated week of our month long summer sale.  You can find everything from Chronicle Books, Acme Wallets, Hillside Bags and Mustache Combs all 25% off this week only.

You know our buyer Caryn always finds the great mix of design, function and humor that makes our gift selections one of the best in San Francisco and now you can take advantage and stock up on gifts for your friends, family and (most importantly) yourself. 

So drop by this week and pickup some gold bars and a Geisha Girl bank, why dontcha?  Our summer sale concludes this upcoming Saturday, July 16th. Hurry in to take advantage of everything we have marked down to move. Hope to see you soon!

25% Off ALL Portfolio's, Presentation Case's, Photo Storage Boxes and more -This Week Only!

Updating your portfolio? Organizing your office? Need a place for your pens and pencils?  Now is the time with our incredible deal going on this week at Arch.

We have all our stock on portfolio's, cases, storage boxes and organizational items at 25% off.

All styles of Pina Zangaro, Prat and Case Envy are on sale.  Check out the amazing selection of screw post binders, multi-ring folio's and presentation cases that we have available.

3-Ring Binders and Photo Boxes from Cargo, Century Box and Pina Zangaro are all on sale as well.  Beautiful stuff for presentation and storage.

Also included in the sale are all sorts of office organizing bins and filers.  Places to store your pens, pencils, papers and periodicals are here and ready to get your studio in order.

Hurry down to Arch this week.  We are adding more and more to our sale tables as we clear out the backstock so there are new finds to be found.  And remember, 25% off all these great presentation and storage materials only last through the end of this week.  Hope to see you soon!

Clearing Out the Closet - On Sale - Prismacolor Pencils, Double Sided Tape, Print Gocco

We have been cleaning out the back and clearing out the overstock.  Prismacolor, 3M Tape, Print Gocco, check out all these deals to be had.

Overstocked Prismacolor Pencils - On Sale $9.98/dz

We have so much backstock on Prismacolor Pencils that we need to get some of these colors out of here.  We have marked down over 30 different colors with a limited quantity of each available.  Normally these are $15.36/dz, but we have marked them down 35% off our price (48% off list!!). Now just $9.98/dz.

Various 1/2" 3M tapes (3" core)

We found a huge stash of various 3M 3" core tapes with a 1/2" width.  We have marked them down to move. 

You can pick up Scotch Magic, Removable Magic and Transparent Tape for just $1.99 (regularly $4.66). 

We have the 1/2" Double sided tape marked down from $8.43 to just $4.45. 

Also available at a great deal is the 1/2" #256 Paper Tape normally $15.35, now only $9.99.

We still have a ton of inks, pens and other assorted Gocco Supplies half off list price.  Beautiful inks from all your card / art / shirt printing needs.