FAQs

We’ve collated some of the most frequently asked questions to help you find the answers that you are looking for.

Products

Yes, we have a wide range of surfaces that are acid-free. Click here to view the list.

Yes, our paints are non-toxic. Please refer to the product's Safety Data Sheet for more information. Our latest Safety Datasheets are on the product pages in the Download tab.

The environmental benefits of water-based paints compared to solvent-based alternatives are well known and understood. The absence of Volatile Organic Carbons (VOCs), toxic and or flammable solvents are the clear benefits of water-based paints. These advantages of water-based paints are well known by the end consumer; however, the disadvantages are not so transparent. 

The fundamental weakness of water-based paint is that it provides a hospitable environment for microbiological growth and without proper formulation, water-based paints would suffer from fouling within a relatively short period of time. Such fouling, if allowed to occur, would reduce the product life expectancy, allow exposure of potentially harmful microbiological organisms to our consumers and lead to higher waste and ultimately negative environmental costs. Enhancing product lifecycle is an important contributor to the overall sustainability of a product with any form of in-built or natural obsolescence increasing waste and lowering the sustainability scoring of a product.

To maximize the benefits of water-based paints and to improve product lifecycle, Daler-Rowney, like all manufacturers of fine art and craft paints, makes use of preservative agents in its formulations. These preservative agents are designed as in-can protectors against microbiological harm, used in extremely small quantities (50-100 parts per million). The preservative agents used by Daler-Rowney are all approved for such use by the relevant competent authorities.

Preservative agents have always been used within artist & craft paint formulations, however, in recent years EU legislation has changed and it is now a requirement for manufacturers to list the presence of certain preservative agents on product labels when the additive is used above a certain concentration in the final product. This new legislation is primarily driven by the fact that these perseverative agents can lead to allergic reactions in a very small number of people, and it is only fair and reasonable to identify this small risk to all consumers at the point of purchase. 

All risks associated with all products placed on the market by Daler-Rowney are clearly identified on the product label and the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) which are available on our company website. We are always more than happy to provide any further clarifications on such matters when and if they are required.

Yes, we do sell colour wheels, for more information visit the product page.

To find your nearest store or online retailer, please visit our store locator.

Our latest Safety Datasheets are on the product pages in the Download tab. These are the most up-to-date data sheets.

We have different ranges for different artistic expertise. The Daler-Rowney Simply range is for beginner artists and hobbyists whilst our Graduate range is aimed at students and amateurs. The Daler-Rowney Aquafine, Georgia, System3 and FW ranges are aimed at art students and professional artists. The Daler-Rowney Artist's and Designer ranges are our top-of-the-line artist ranges.

Our products, when stored correctly have very long shelf lives - on average around 5-15 years. If you have any concerns about a product, please do contact us.

Daler-Rowney products are not EN71 compliant as they are aimed at adults.

For enquiries on products from other brands in the FILA Group, please contact the brand directly with the product in question.

The tubes when cleaned are recyclable. The most environmentally friendly way of cleaning would be to put the washings into a sand bin. This prevents any washings from going to the sewer.

The hazardous symbols are attributed to substances that are hazardous to the environment - these are standard symbols on artist paints.

The most standard symbol on art products is a dead tree and a dead fish symbol. This symbol means the product is toxic to marine life with long-lasting effects. Our recommendation when cleaning your products is to put the washings into a sand bin rather than down the sink.

We recommend taking a look at our safety data sheets for your chosen paint as these include safety precautions and any reactions which could happen. The datasheets can be found on our website, by clicking the product and then the downloads tab.

We have a variety of brushes depending on the medium used and style of painting. Why not take a look at our handy guide on choosing the best paintbrush for your technique, click here.

Drying oil is an oil that thickens or hardens on exposure to air. To explore our range of mediums, click here.

We use Sunflower oil in whites and Linseed oil in all other colours as it slows down the drying time of your paint, which can be very useful when painting in layers.

Some products have a range of whites that include mixing white and underpainting white. These whites are different to the other whites due to their specific use:

  • Mixing whites are used to mix colours and retain their brightness and maintain their saturation
  • Underpainting whites are a faster drying white which allows other layers to adhere to it easily.

Our product ranges include a variety of different types of products based on their formulas and use. For example, we have a variety of inks including acrylic, watercolour, and many others based on specific techniques. In our acrylic ink range, we have two main products and their main difference is that System3 inks are opaque inks whilst FW uses more natural pigments.

Take a look at our explanatory video with artist Jenny Muncaster explaining the differences.

A medium is an art supply added to paint and can be used to change the rate of drying, thin it out to cover a greater surface, create interesting effects, change its texture or consistency and improve flow. Daler-Rowney offers mediums for acrylics, oils, watercolours and printing. The collections our mediums are available in are Aquafine, Simply, Georgian, FW and System3.

We have a large selection of mediums, please visit https://www.daler-rowney.com/art-mediums/ to view by technique.

All our colours are proudly made in the United Kingdom, including colours especially crafted for hobbyists and art enthusiasts.

The main differences between our artist and student colours are:

  • Shades available …. more than the basic colour range.
  • Pigment Load …. higher pigment ratio to binder meaning stronger colour & better coverage.
  • Milling Technique .... more finely ground particles of pigment delivers stronger colour that also mixes quickly & evenly.
  • Cadmium Pigment …. the main cadmium pigments are the family of yellow orange & red, they have a resistance to fading and are generally more expensive pigments.

The vast majority of artist paints are non-hazardous mixtures. Hazardous materials tend to be used more in mediums (due to the solvents used) and the hazards are clearly identified on the product labels and safety datasheets.

The datasheets can be found on our website, by clicking the product and then the downloads tab.

The symbols represent where the paint can be used, for example, Canvas, Murals, Glass, Textiles, Interior/Exterior. Please visit the colour charts on the individual product pages to view the full list.

You will need to use the correct primers and finishes for a selection of surfaces, i.e., murals will need a varnish to make them waterproof and a primer on most wall surfaces to get the full colour. We do always recommend trialling on a small area and testing first.

No, our products do not contain per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances/

Terminology

A hue is the actual colour of something. A term often used to refer to the dominant pure colour within a colour.

FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council® ) is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world's forests.

It is the leading catalyst and defining force for improved forest management and market transformation, shifting the global forest trend toward sustainable use, conservation, restoration, and respect for all. Search FSC® on our website to see our FSC®-certified (FSC-C111372) products.

Visit their website for more information: https://fsc.org.

Pigments are the actual colouring substance of paint usually of mineral or organic origin. It is completely or nearly insoluble in water, when mixed with binders it becomes paint, ink or crayons etc.

A solvent is used to thin or dilute paint. For example, turpentine is a solvent used in oil painting for diluting paint & to create thin underpainting & washes.

Lightfastness is a property of a colourant such as dye or pigment that describes how resistant to fading it is when exposed to light. Below outlines the different lightfastness ratings.

**** = Excellent lightfastness (over 100 years = ASTM rating I)
*** = Very good lightfastness (between 50 and 100 years = ASTM II)
** = Good lightfastness (up to and over 50 years = ASTM rating III)
* = Moderate lightfastness (up to and over 15 years = ASTM rating IV+V)

Tips

To open the 250ml and 500ml Fluid Acrylic or many of our larger size paint tubes, cut along the top line as indicated in the image.

Paints can be revived with water or, in the case of oil, turpentine. If you are having trouble reviving one of our paints, please contact us.

We advise that you test a small area first before committing to the whole painting.

To view our range of mediums, click here.

Most artists wait around 4-6 months before applying varnish, however, start testing the surface of the painting with caution with a fingernail/thumb test after 7 days.

To attach the canvas wedges, please watch the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvC_tHXiPss

Other

We welcome all feedback and are always thrilled to work on new how-tos. To request a new how-to, please send us your request via the contact us form.

We apologise for this situation. Do not worry! You can easily request a free replacement lid via our contact us form.

We previously had several QR codes on our packaging for our products, however, these links have now expired and we apologise for the inconvenience this may cause. Please take a look at the product  or brand page to view more information on the purchased brands.

For Simply products, please visit our How-To's to find the SimplyCreate how-to guides.

The Fine Art Trade Guild was formed in 1910 as the successor to the 1847 Printsellers’ Association, set up to oversee the fine art print trade. The Guild continues to set standards for prints, and our ArtSure scheme has brought those standards into the digital age. In addition, it sets standards and guidelines for picture framing, including the Four Levels of Framing and Quality Standards for Mountboard.

Daler-Rowney is one of the founding members. For more information on our mountboards, click here.

For more information, please visit: https://www.fineart.co.uk/

At Daler-Rowney, we do not test our products on animals.

Daler-Rowney does not use animal-derived ingredients in most colours and mediums it produces. The only exceptions to this are the pigment Bone Black (PBk9), Ox-Gall solution and Kandahar ink (Shellac).

Daler-Rowney does not use animal-derived ingredients in the manufacture of its paper and board ranges, with the exception of The Langton Prestige and Murano papers which use gelatine.

Daler-Rowney does not use animal-derived ingredients in the manufacture of its synthetic hair brushes and the only animal-derived ingredient in its natural hair brushes is the natural hair itself.

You are able to request samples on the mountboards, Murano, and Canford paper in the UK only. Unfortunately, we do not send paint samples out, however, please do head to your nearest art store to take a look at the colours and products that we manufacture.

Please use the contact us form to request your mountboards, Murano, and Canford paper samples.

If you are using our products, as an artist, please use our store locator to find your nearest retailer.

If you live outside the UK, please note we are in the process of updating our store locator to include worldwide locations, in the meantime please fill out the contact us form and we will forward your email to your local FILA office.

As a retailer or a school supplier, please fill out the contact us form to request a retail account.

Daler-Rowney does distribute other brands in the UK that are part of the FILA Group family, such as Giotto; Giotto be-bé; DAS; Lyra; Arches; Canson; Strathmore; Princeton; Maimeri; LUKAS; Creativity International; Creativity Backgrounds; and Creativity Inspired.

For more information, please contact us via our enquiry form or visit FILA's website on the other brands for more information.

We are sorry for the inconvenience this may have caused. Please be aware that our smaller canvases do not come with wedges. If you would like to request wedges, please fill out our contact us form.

Our logo/imagery may be requested in conjunction with adding our products to your store, your website or social media if there is a partnership. For further information or to request access to our assets, please contact us using the form with an explanation of the proposed use.

We love to collaborate with artists, however, we do consider sponsorships and collaborations on a case-by-case basis.

For more information or to enquire, please use the contact form.

Please add any social media profiles, portfolio websites and key information/statistics on the form. We thank you in advance for providing this information.

Unable to find what you are looking for? Contact us via our enquiry form.

 

Looking for further how-tos and tips? Visit our Discover How-To section.