The Best Coloring Supplies for Dog Coloring Books — From Budget to Pro

One of the most common questions we get at Pets Unplugged is: “What supplies should I use for the PAWS coloring book?”

It’s a great question because the right tools genuinely make a difference. The same illustration colored with quality pencils versus a basic crayon set looks completely different — and when you scan the QR code and watch the animation, a beautifully colored page makes the reveal even more satisfying.

Here’s our complete guide to the best coloring supplies for dog coloring books, organized by budget and age group.

What to Look For in Coloring Supplies

Before diving into specific products, here’s what actually matters:

For colored pencils:

Soft core — glides smoothly, less pressure needed, less hand fatigue
Good pigmentation — rich, vibrant color that doesn’t look washed out
Blendability — the ability to layer and mix colors smoothly
Break resistance — especially important for kids

For markers:

Tip type — broad tips for filling large areas, fine tips for details
Bleed-through — check if the ink soaks through to the next page
Drying time — fast-drying prevents smearing

For all supplies:

Non-toxic — essential if coloring with children
Color range — more colors = more expressive results

Budget Level — Great for Kids & Beginners

Crayola Colored Pencils (36ct) — ~$8

The classic starting point for good reason. Crayola pencils are affordable, non-toxic, pre-sharpened, and available everywhere. The 36-count set gives you enough color variety for dog fur tones, backgrounds, and details without overwhelming beginners.

Best for: Kids ages 5–12, first-time colorists, classroom use

Tip for PAWS: Use the lighter colors first as a base layer, then build up with darker shades for depth. Even basic Crayola pencils can produce impressive results with the layering technique from our blending techniques guide.

Crayola Super Tips Washable Markers (50ct) — ~$12

If your child prefers markers over pencils, Crayola Super Tips are the gold standard for kids. They’re washable, vibrant, and the flexible tips work for both broad strokes and finer details. They work beautifully on the PAWS coloring pages without bleeding through.

Best for: Kids who find pencils frustrating, quick colorists, younger children

Watch out for: Markers dry faster than pencils, so cap them between uses.

Mid-Range — Best Value for Most People

Prismacolor Scholar Colored Pencils (24ct) — ~$15

Prismacolor’s entry-level line offers dramatically softer cores than Crayola, making blending and layering much easier. The colors are richer and more vibrant, and you’ll notice the difference immediately when coloring fur textures on dog illustrations.

Best for: Teens and adults who want professional results without the professional price

Tip for PAWS: The Scholar set’s earth tones — goldens, ambers, and browns — are perfect for golden retriever and shih tzu illustrations like the ones in PAWS.

Ohuhu 48-Count Dual Tip Markers — ~$20

A fantastic mid-range marker option with both brush tips and fine tips on each pen. The brush tip is perfect for coloring large areas smoothly, while the fine tip handles detail work around eyes and fur edges. Minimal bleed-through on standard printer paper.

Best for: Adults and older teens who prefer markers, people who like to color quickly

Professional Level — For Serious Colorists

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils (48ct) — ~$40

These are the pencils serious colorists swear by. The ultra-soft cores lay down color beautifully, blend like butter, and the pigmentation is rich enough that finished pages look almost painted. Using the burnishing technique from our blending guide with Prismacolor Premiers produces jaw-dropping results.

Best for: Adult colorists who want the best possible finished page, anyone who wants their colored artwork to look stunning when the QR animation plays

Pro tip: Pair these with a colorless blender pencil (Prismacolor also makes one) for the smoothest burnishing results.

Copic Ciao Markers (starter sets from ~$30)

The premium choice for marker enthusiasts. Copics are alcohol-based, refillable, and blend seamlessly. The color range is enormous and the results look professional. They’re overkill for casual coloring but if you’re serious about your artwork, nothing compares.

Best for: Experienced artists, adult colorists who have used markers before

Watch out for: Copic markers will bleed through standard paper. Print the PAWS digital PDF on heavier cardstock (24lb or higher) if using Copics.

The Results Speak for Themselves

This is what’s possible with the right supplies and a little practice. The sleeping puppy illustration above was colored using Prismacolor Premier pencils with the pressure layering and burnishing techniques — the fur texture, the warm tones, the soft shadows. When you scan the QR code on a finished page like this, the animation reveal is genuinely magical.

The Perfect Starter Bundle for PAWS

If you’re buying supplies specifically to go with the PAWS interactive dog coloring book, here’s our recommended bundle at each level:

Budget bundle (~$20 total):

Crayola Colored Pencils 36ct
Crayola Super Tips Markers 50ct
A pencil sharpener

Mid-range bundle (~$35 total):

Prismacolor Scholar 24ct
Ohuhu Dual Tip Markers 48ct
Prismacolor colorless blender pencil

Pro bundle (~$65 total):

Prismacolor Premier 48ct
Prismacolor colorless blender pencil
A few individual Copic Ciao markers in key earth tones

One Last Tip — Paper Matters Too

If you’re using the PAWS digital PDF download, the paper you print on makes a huge difference. Standard 20lb printer paper works fine for pencils and most markers. For Copics or heavy marker use, upgrade to 24lb or 32lb paper — it prevents bleed-through and the heavier weight takes color more beautifully.

The most important thing is to start coloring — don’t wait for the “perfect” supplies. A basic set of Crayola pencils and the PAWS coloring book will give you hours of enjoyment and a genuinely magical QR animation moment when you’re done. Better supplies just make the experience even richer.

🎨 Ready to start coloring? Download a free sample page — no email required — and test your supplies before committing to the full book!