Princeton Artist Brush Co.

A selection of Princeton brushes

Princeton Artist Brush Co. is one of the largest brush suppliers in North America. Over 25 years ago, Howard Kaufman began a small brush business in the basement of his home in Princeton, New Jersey. Previously the president of one of the world’s largest art supply manufacturers, Howard had gained a vast knowledge of brush-making and an understanding of the needs and desires of artists. He believed that by focusing on innovation, value and the best service, he would always have an appreciative audience for his products. Enter Naohide Takamoto, third-generation of Japan’s revered Takamoto brush-making family. The two worked tirelessly to create the finest synthetic sable, beginning with Princeton’s flagship Series 4050 ("Heritage"). Howard Kaufman and his team have continued to innovate, inspire and set the industry standard in hair, handle technology and innovation, releasing Neptune, Catalyst Polytip and Velvetouch in the past few years. 

Aqua Elite Synthetic Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brushes

Aqua Elite Synthetic Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co.

Aqua Elite is the next generation of synthetic watercolor brushes. They perform like genuine Kolinsky; the round shape has a belly for maximum color holding capacity and an amazing point for fine detail work. They also feature a Velvetouch finish handle for maximum comfort.

Aspen Synthetic Bristle Brushes

Aspen Synthetic Bristle Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co.

Princeton’s Aspen combines several important benefits to artists: the brush retains its shape for control and placement of color, paint releases and glides evenly off the synthetic hairs. The brush can be used with all acrylic and oil paints including water-soluble oils. The non-glare ferrule makes Aspen perfect for outdoor painting. A beautiful brush only surpassed by its performance.

Catalyst Contours

Catalyst Contours Princeton Artist Brush Co.

Ideal for oils, acrylics and water-miscible oils, these contour tools are made out of nylon and silicone that is heat-resistant, solvent-resistant, dishwasher-safe and approved food-safe by the FDA. They work well with plaster, clay, encaustics, ceramics, cake decorating and food crafting. The silicone is easy to wipe clean and is solvent resistant. Clean up in most cases can be done with mild soap and water. Dried paint can be peeled off the silicone surface.

Catalyst Mini Blades

Catalyst Mini Blades Princeton Artist Brush Co.

Ideal for oils, acrylics and water-miscible oils, these mini blades are made out of nylon and silicone and are mounted on artist brush handles offering a blend of tradition and innovation. The blades are heat-resistant, solvent-resistant, dishwasher-safe and approved food-safe by the FDA. They work well with plaster, clay, encaustics, ceramics, cake decorating and food crafting. The silicone is easy to wipe clean and is solvent resistant. Clean up in most cases can be done with mild soap and water. Dried paint can be peeled off the silicone surface.

Catalyst Polytip Bristle Brushes

Catalyst Polytip Bristle Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co.

These innovative synthetic bristle brushes have individual hairs that have been split to replicate the natural flags on the finest natural brush. Each hair has two to three distinct tips, allowing the brush to hold a higher volume of paint while providing a smoother application. These brush heads are stiff but responsive, and unlike natural hog bristles, have real integrity in water.

Catalyst Polytip Short Handle Bristle Brushes

Catalyst Polytip Short Handle Bristle Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co.

These synthetic bristle brushes have individual hairs that have been split to replicate the natural flags on the finest natural brush. Each hair has two to three distinct tips, allowing the brush to hold a higher volume of paint while providing a smoother application. These brush heads are stiff but responsive, and unlike natural hog bristles, have real integrity in water. Designed for use with heavy-bodied acrylics and oil paints, these short handle brushes are ideal for use with heavy mediums, gels and pastes.

Catalyst Silicone Blades

Catalyst Silicone Blades Princeton Artist Brush Co.

Designed for use with heavy-bodied paints, these blades are made of engineered silicone and are mounted on artist brush handles offering a blend of tradition and innovation. They are ideal for oils, acrylics and water-miscible oils, and because they are heat-resistant, they excel at encaustics as well. They also work well with plaster, clay and even frosting. Made of FDA-approved silicone, they are also are great for food crafting. The silicone is easy to wipe clean and is solvent resistant. Clean up in most cases can be done with mild soap and water. Dried paint can be peeled off the silicone surface. The blades can even be separated from their wood handles for cleaning and easily replaced when dry.

Catalyst Silicone Wedges

Catalyst Silicone Wedges Princeton Artist Brush Co.

Designed for use with heavy-bodied paints, these wedges are made of engineered silicone and are ergonomically designed to fit in the hand allowing a direct interaction with art work. They are ideal for oils, acrylics and water-miscible oils, and because they are heat-resistant, they excel at encaustics as well. They also work well with plaster, clay and even frosting. Made of FDA-approved silicone, they are also are great for food crafting. The silicone is easy to wipe clean and is solvent resistant. Clean up in most cases can be done with mild soap and water. Dried paint can be peeled off the silicone surface.

Dakota Synthetic Hog Bristle Oil & Acrylic Brushes

Dakota Synthetic Hog Bristle Oil & Acrylic Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co.

The unique synthetic hairs of these brushes provide the stiffness of a natural bristle and will maintain those qualities when used with water-based acrylics. They are professional quality brushes with excellent snap and hair shape retention for maximum control. Each features a seamless metal ferrule and a long varnished wood handle.

Heritage Synthetic Sable Oil & Acrylic Brushes

Heritage Synthetic Sable Oil & Acrylic Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co.

Synthetic sable blend is designed for better brushability and color holding capacity. Gold ferrules and marbled red hardwood handles.

Heritage Synthetic Sable Watercolor & Acrylic Brushes

Heritage Synthetic Sable Watercolor & Acrylic Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co.

Distinctive acrylic and watercolor brushes with a synthetic sable blend for excellent brushability and color handling capacity. Featuring richly distinctive gold ferrules and marbleized red hardwood handles, except the wash brushes, which have clear acrylic handles with spatula ends.

Kolinsky Sable Short Handle Brushes

Kolinsky Sable Short Handle Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co.

These Kolinsky Sable hair watercolor brushes are handmade by experienced German brush makers. These round brushes feature incredible control and color holding capacity, plus the black lacquer handle and seamless nickel ferrule make the brushes attractive to use.

Lauren Golden Synthetic Watercolor & Acrylic Brushes

Lauren Golden Synthetic Watercolor & Acrylic Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co.

This affordable golden synthetic is popular not just for its cost, but because it delivers unexpected quality for a value brush and is perfect for students and amateurs. The golden taklon bristles are moderately stiff, durable, and best for watercolor or fluid acrylic paints. The fan brush is made with natural bristle. The wash brushes have clear acrylic handles with an angled end for scraping and scratching techniques.

Neptune Synthetic Squirrel Brushes

Neptune Synthetic Squirrel Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co.

These brushes offer a soft, extremely thirsty synthetic version of a squirrel brush that may actually outperform the natural version. They deliver oceans of color to the sheet. Experts in natural hair have been incredulous that these bristles are actually synthetic. Available in a variety of shapes with stained wooden handles and aquarelles with beautiful sea glass colored acrylic handles.

Real Value Brush Sets

Real Value Brush Sets Princeton Artist Brush Co.

These thoughtfully selected value brush sets feature collections of quality brushes at great prices. The brushes are grouped by media and intended use.

Redline Brushes

Redline Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co.

Developed and handcrafted by Germany's most experienced brush makers, each brush provides control and consistency while painting large surfaces. Multiple synthetic filaments and hair lengths hold more paint, making large jobs faster and more efficient. The brush handles are multi-coated with red lacquer and are made from European beechwood for enhanced durability. Four different brush shapes expand the creative versatility of these brushes.

Select Artiste Brush Sets

Select Artiste Brush Sets Princeton Artist Brush Co.

Princeton's Select Artiste mixed-media brush sets feature a variety of assortments of brushes that work well together. Specially designed by artist Willow Wolfe, these high quality, short handled brushes are made to last. With their robin's egg blue colored handles, they will be a beautiful addition to your existing brush collection as they go above and beyond basic brush shapes and sizes.

Select Artiste Brushes

Select Artiste Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co.

Specially designed by artist Willow Wolfe, these high quality, short handled brushes are made to last. With their robin's egg blue colored handles, they will be a beautiful addition to your existing brush collection as they go above and beyond basic brush shapes and sizes. The Select Brush line features 29 brush shapes that are great for home decor and craft painting, including filbert grainers, oval mops, lunar blenders, dagger strippers, deerfoots and chisel blenders, as well as mini brushes for detail work. Now you can explore traditional and avant-garde techniques on nearly any surface.

Siberia Genuine Kolinsky Sable Oil & Acrylic Brushes

Siberia Genuine Kolinsky Sable Oil & Acrylic Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co.

These finest quality Kolinsky Sable hair brushes for oil and acrylic are handmade by experienced German brush makers. These brushes have amazing control and color holding capacity, and a long black lacquer handle with a seamless nickel ferrule which make the brushes attractive and easy to use.

Snap Bristle Brush Set

Snap Bristle Brush Set Princeton Artist Brush Co.

A set of three short handled brushes ideal for oil and acrylic. These natural bristle brushes have wooden handles and nickel ferrules. The set includes round 4, flat 6 and bright 8 brushes.

Snap Bristle Brushes

Snap Bristle Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co.

Ideal for oil and acrylic, these long handled brushes feature natural bristles secured to a wooden handle with nickel ferrules.

Snap Golden Taklon Brushes

Snap Golden Taklon Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co.

Short handled brushes with golden taklon bristles secured to a wooden handle with nickel ferrules. Ideal for watercolor and acrylic.

Snap Long Handle White Synthetic Taklon Brushes

Snap Long Handle White Synthetic Taklon Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co.

Ideal for oil and acrylic, these long handled brushes have white synthetic bristles secured to a wooden handle with nickel ferrules.

Snap Short Handle White Nylon Taklon Brush Set

Snap Short Handle White Nylon Taklon Brush Set Princeton Artist Brush Co.

A set of four short handled brushes with white nylon bristles secured to a wooden handle with nickel ferrules. It includes a 3/4" angle shader and round 0, 2 and 6 brushes. These brushes are ideal for watercolor and acrylic.

Snap Short Handle White Taklon Brushes

Snap Short Handle White Taklon Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co.

These short handled brushes have white taklon bristles secured to a wooden handle with nickel ferrules. Available in a range of sizes and shapes. Best for watercolor, acrylic, and decorative painting.

Velvetouch Long Handle Mixed Media Brushes

Velvetouch Long Handle Mixed Media Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co.

Velvetouch is now available in thirty new long handle brushes. With the same features as your favorite short handle Velvetouch brushes, the long handles make them ideal for mixed media painting, especially oil and acrylic.

Velvetouch Mixed Media Brushes

Velvetouch Mixed Media Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co.

Velvetouch is the ultimate mixed media brush. This series includes many unique shapes and features an extra-long round shape which is not readily available in other brush lines. The signature Velvetouch handle allows for a smooth comfortable grip. These brushes are great to use with oil, watercolor and acrylics.

All-Purpose Hog Bristle Brushes

All-Purpose Hog Bristle Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

These hog bristles brushes have long flat handles, are all-purpose and ideal for use in glazing, gessoing and painting large areas.

Ashley Interlocked Chungking Bristle Brushes

Ashley Interlocked Chungking Bristle Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

Traditional natural hair, pure hog bristle. Ideal for oil color painting but can also be used with acrylics. Series 5200 defines the ideal relationship between quality and value.

Aspen Travel Brush Set

Aspen Travel Brush Set Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

With glare-free, matte ferrules, Aspen brushes are great for both indoor and outdoor painting. They retain their shape for precise placement of color, paint releases and glides evenly off the synthetic hairs. The Aspen brushes are best for medium and heavy bodied acrylics and oils. This set of four Aspen travel brushes includes one each of Angle Bright #6, Filbert #4, Flat #6 and Round #2 brushes.

Bamboo Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

Ideal for use with Sumi inks, drawing inks and watercolors, these bamboo brushes are excellent for creating a variety of interesting brush strokes. It is also ideal for coloring and character drawing. The durable, natural hairs are set in bamboo handles.

Bristle Gesso Brush

Bristle Gesso Brush Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

Large natural bristle brush with wood handle ideal for priming canvas or doing large washes.

Children's Flat Brush

Children's Flat Brush Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

A inexpensive flat, natural bristle brush with a large handle that makes it easy for children to hold. It is for use with acrylic, oil and tempera paint.

Children's Round Brush

Children's Round Brush Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

An inexpensive round, natural bristle brush with a large handle that makes it easy for children to hold. It is for use with acrylic, oil and tempera paint.

Glacier Synthetic Watercolor and Acrylic Brushes

Glacier Synthetic Watercolor and Acrylic Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

Great for use with watercolor and acrylics, these short handled brushes hold a reservoir of color. The synthetic hair can be used to create a beautiful point and precise edge. They feature a clear acrylic handle and soft, two-tone, synthetic hair secured with a matte silver ferrule.

Imperial Synthetic Mongoose Brushes

Imperial Synthetic Mongoose Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

These brushes are made from a unique synthetic fiber that mimics the characteristics and performance of natural mongoose hair. They are stiffer than sable, but softer than hog bristle and their tapered points are excellent for painting detailed, controlled lines. The synthetic fibers offer greater durability than natural hair. Suitable for oils and acrylics.

Miniature Detail Brushes

Miniature Detail Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

The unique, non-slip comfortable handles on these brushes give artists the control needed for fine detail work. They feature seamless gold-tone ferrules and synthetic sable blend hairs for better brushability and color holding capacity.

Mop Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

These mop brushes feature all-natural goat hair and stylishly striped short handles.

Professional 4-Brush Sets

Professional 4-Brush Sets Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

These 4-brush sets offer artists a variety of high quality brushes for oil, acrylic and watercolor.

Professional Watercolor Brush Boxed Sets

Professional Watercolor Brush Boxed Sets Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

These boxed sets offer artists a variety of high quality brushes for oil, acrylic and watercolor. The Neptune Synthetic Squirrel Brush Set includes sizes Aquarelle 1/2", Oval Wash 3/4", Round #8, and Mottler 1". The Aqua Elite Synthetic Kolinsky Brush Set includes Long Round 12, Oval Wash 3/4", Mottler 1-1/2" and Round #8.

Red Hat White Synthetic Brushes

Red Hat White Synthetic Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

Universally useful white synthetic hair is presented on an acrylic handle with an adjustable ergo grip. The red silicone comfort cuff on 6550, can be slid up and down the brush handle to better fit your hand ergonomically. Designed to be affordable, these brushes are incredibly functional. A great choice for children and even older artists who will be aided by its ergonomics. Works well with watercolor, tempera, gouache, and acrylic.

Refine Natural Bristle Oil & Acrylic Brushes

Refine Natural Bristle Oil & Acrylic Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

Professional quality, long handled, natural bristle brushes for oils and acrylics. These brushes feature interlocked hairs for resilience and control, and flagged tips for increased color carrying capacity. The soft, beautiful bristles are secured to the rich, natural wood finish handles with attractive copper ferrules.

Snap Golden Taklon Brush Sets

Snap Golden Taklon Brush Sets Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

Sets of three short handled brushes with golden taklon bristles secured to a wooden handle with nickel ferrules. Ideal for watercolor and acrylic.

Snap Long Handle White Synthetic Taklon Brush Set

Snap Long Handle White Synthetic Taklon Brush Set Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

A set of three long handled brushes with white synthetic bristles secured to a wooden handle with nickel ferrules. It includes bright 6, filbert 6 and round 8 brushes. These brushes are ideal for oil and acrylic.

Summit White Synthetic Bristle Brushes

Summit White Synthetic Bristle Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

White synthetic brushes are the go-to tool in many artists’ brush vases. A core brush for acrylic painters. Series 6100 has a soft flexibility that is perfect for low to medium viscosity paint. For heavier bodied acrylics and oil paint we recommend the 6300, and 6400 series, both with firmer tufts. White synthetic will still be very effective for blending and smoothing these heavier media.

Summit White Synthetic Watercolor & Acrylic Brushes

Summit White Synthetic Watercolor & Acrylic Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

Summit brushes are the next generation of white synthetics. They allow for maximum color holding capacity and are great for watercolor, gouache and fluid acrylics.

Umbria Long Handle Synthetic Brushes

Umbria Long Handle Synthetic Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

One of Princeton's most popular brushes, due to both its beautiful appearance and amazing performance. Umbria is truly special with its deep olive colored handles coated with the Velvetouch silicone finish. These brushes look beautiful in your studio, feel great in your hand, and provide unique performance characteristics. The resilient hair is not as stiff as natural bristle but is firmer than sable.

Umbria Short Handle Synthetic Brushes

Umbria Short Handle Synthetic Brushes Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

These brushes deliver exceptional performance when used with medium to heavy viscosity paints, though they can also be used effectively with casein, oil-based, and gouache-opaque watercolor. A favorite of acrylic and oil painters alike, the signature Velvetouch handle offers comfort and style. The synthetic blend of hair provides medium to firm stiffness, allowing for excellent control and precision. The tip-dyed brushes are available in a range of nine different shapes and a variety of sizes.

Watercolor Travel Brush Sets

Watercolor Travel Brush Sets Princeton Artist Brush Co. Special Order Only

These sets offer artists a variety of high quality brushes for watercoloring on the go or in the studio. The Neptune 4-Piece Travel Brush set includes travel rounds in sizes #4, #6, #8 and #10. The Aqua Elite 4-Piece Travel Brush Set includes travel rounds in sizes #4, #6, #8 and #10.