ArtGecko Sketchbooks for Schools. Class Packs, Bulk Pricing and Why Art Teachers Love Them
If you're sourcing sketchbooks for a primary school, secondary art department, or academy trust, you've probably already come across the ArtGecko name. In recent years it's become one of the most requested sketchbook ranges from schools across the UK — and at Graphics Direct, we stock the full range with class packs of 5 and 10 available for exactly this purpose.
Here's everything you need to know about the range, which format works best for school art rooms, and how to get the best value when ordering for a class or department.
Why schools choose ArtGecko
There are several sketchbook brands on the market, but ArtGecko has earned a strong reputation in UK education for a few specific reasons.
Made in the UK. ArtGecko sketchbooks are manufactured by Sinclairs in Otley, Yorkshire — one of the last remaining specialist paper product manufacturers in the UK. For schools with a commitment to supporting British industry or sustainable sourcing, this matters. Every pad is made using FSC certified paper from responsibly managed forests.
150gsm paper — genuinely suitable for all media. The 150gsm acid-free cartridge paper in the Classy range handles pencil, charcoal, pastel, pen and ink, and light watercolour washes without cockling or feathering. At this weight, students can work confidently on both sides of the page — which stretches the value of every pack significantly.
Wipe-clean, durable covers. The soft-touch tactile covers are wipe-clean — important in a classroom environment where sketchbooks spend time in bags, on messy desks, and being passed around during critique sessions. The covers are robust enough to withstand a full academic year of regular use.
Twin wire binding that opens flat. The wirebound Classy range opens 360 degrees and lies completely flat on a desk — a practical advantage for students drawing on both pages simultaneously or working with rulers and set squares alongside the book.
The range — which format is right for your school?
ArtGecko produces several sub-ranges, but for school art rooms the two most commonly used are:
ArtGecko Classy Wirebound — the most popular school format. Twin wire binding, soft-touch cover, 40 sheets (80 pages) of 150gsm cartridge. Available in A5, A4, A3, and A2 in both portrait and landscape. This is the go-to for primary and secondary art lessons, sketchbook projects, and personal creative development work. Available as singles and in class packs of 5 and 10.
ArtGecko Classy Casebound — a more durable hardback option with a fully cased cover and sewn paper sections. 46 sheets (92 pages) of 150gsm cartridge. Available in A5, A4, and A3. The casebound format is particularly popular with secondary schools for GCSE and A Level sketchbook projects where the book needs to withstand repeated handling, annotation, and assessment by examiners. Available as singles and class packs of 5.
ArtGecko Eco Wirebound — the same quality and construction as the Classy Wirebound but made from 100% recycled materials. An excellent choice for schools with green credentials or sustainability targets. Available in A4 and A3.
Which size works best in the classroom?
A4 is the most commonly purchased size for primary schools — practical for younger students, fits easily into a book bag or tray, and works well for most primary art activities.
A3 is the most popular size for secondary art departments — large enough for expressive mark-making, development drawings, and mixed media work. The A3 Wirebound in landscape format is particularly popular with secondary teachers for breadth studies and observational drawing.
A2 is used by primary, secondary, college, and university students for larger-scale work. At Graphics Direct we stock the A2 Wirebound which is a distinctive offering — not all suppliers carry this size.
Ordering for a class or department — what to know
Class packs of 5 and 10 are available on the most popular sizes and formats, giving the best per-unit price compared to buying singles. For a class of 30 students you'd typically order three packs of 10 — straightforward and economical.
For schools ordering regularly throughout the academic year, or for academy trusts looking to supply multiple schools, we can discuss a standing arrangement with trust-wide pricing. Call us on 01423 359 730 and speak to Chris or the team — we're always happy to work out the most cost-effective way to supply your school or trust.
All orders placed before 3.15pm are dispatched the same working day (depending on stock levels). Free standard UK delivery on all orders over £75.
Trust-wide pricing for academy trusts
If your school is part of an academy trust, you could benefit from our trust-wide pricing arrangement — a straightforward volume discount available to all schools within the trust, with no minimum order per school. This means each school in the trust orders independently at the trust rate, without any central procurement administration required.
We currently supply schools within several trusts across the UK. If you'd like to discuss a trust arrangement for your MAT, call us directly on 01423 359 730 or email sales@graphicsdirect.co.uk.
Where to buy ArtGecko sketchbooks for your school
You can browse and order the full ArtGecko range at graphicsdirect.co.uk. We hold comprehensive stock of the Classy Wirebound and Casebound ranges in all sizes, with class packs of 5 and 10 available on the most popular formats.
As a specialist graphic art and design supplies company, Graphics Direct has been supplying schools, colleges, and universities across the UK since 1998. We stock ArtGecko alongside the full range of art room essentials — GraphicPro layout pads, Mapac project bags, 3M Spray Mount, Swann-Morton blades, and Staedtler fineliners.
If you have a specific requirement or want advice on which format is best for your students, call us on 01423 359 730. We're a real team of specialists — not a call centre — and we're always happy to help.