Art Supplies in Carry-On: What Airlines and Security Allow

Traveling with art supplies is entirely possible — artists do it routinely — but the rules vary by material type, and a few items fall into genuinely restricted territory. This guide covers every common art material category so you can pack confidently and avoid surprises at the security checkpoint.

Liquids: Paints in Tubes and Bottles

Any paint that pours, flows, or squeezes out of a tube is treated as a liquid by security agencies. This includes:

• Watercolor paint in tubes — subject to the 100 ml per container rule
• Acrylic paint in bottles or tubes — subject to the 100 ml rule
• Gouache in tubes — subject to the 100 ml rule
• Ink bottles — subject to the 100 ml rule

All liquid paints must fit in a single quart-sized (approximately 1-litre) clear zip-lock bag alongside your other liquids. This limits the number of colors you can carry considerably.

The best workaround for watercolorists: solid watercolor pans. Compact travel palettes with solid pans contain no liquid and are not subject to any liquid restriction. A full professional palette of 24 solid colors fits in a pocket and clears security without any scrutiny. For trips focused on painting, a solid-pan travel set is the standard choice among experienced traveling artists.

Drawing Materials: Pencils, Pens, and Markers

No restrictions apply to:

• Graphite pencils and mechanical pencils
• Colored pencils
• Ballpoint, rollerball, gel, and fountain pens
• Ink markers and brush pens (alcohol-based and water-based)
• Fineliner pens

These all pass through security without issue globally. Pack as many as you need.

Paper and Sketchbooks

Sketchbooks, watercolor paper, illustration boards, and canvas boards have no restrictions. They go in your bag like any book or notebook. Rolled canvas is also permitted, though very long tubes may need to be checked as oversized items depending on the airline.

Scissors

The rule on scissors depends on blade length:

• Blades under 4 inches (approximately 6 cm) from the pivot point: permitted in carry-on by TSA rules, and accepted in most other countries
• Blades 4 inches (6 cm) or longer: not permitted in carry-on; must go in checked luggage

Embroidery scissors and small craft scissors typically qualify. Standard artist scissors with longer blades should go in checked luggage to avoid confiscation.

Palette Knives

Palette knives occupy a gray area. Security officers have discretion, and the outcome can vary by airport, officer, and how the knife appears on the X-ray scan.

• Flexible painting knives with rounded or blunt tips are less likely to be flagged
• Rigid, pointed palette knives that resemble kitchen knives more closely are a higher risk
• Art knives, craft knives, and X-Acto blades are prohibited in carry-on in nearly all jurisdictions

If your palette knife has a pointed blade and rigid construction, the safest option is to check it. If you only carry flexible painting knives with no point, most experienced travelers have success taking them through, but there is no guarantee.

Charcoal, Chalk, and Powdered Pigments

Charcoal sticks, chalk, pastels, and loose pigment powders are all classified as powders by UK and Australian security agencies.

• UK and Australian airports: powders over 350 g in carry-on require additional screening and may be restricted on some routes
• US airports (TSA): powders over 12 oz (approximately 340 g) may receive additional X-ray screening; they are not outright banned but can slow you down
• EU airports: similar to UK rules but check current guidance for your departure airport

For most artists, the total weight of charcoal sticks carried is well under these limits. A box of 24 charcoal sticks weighs roughly 100–150 g. Loose pigments in large quantities are more likely to reach screening thresholds.

Oil Paints: The Flammability Problem

This is the most important restriction for oil painters. Oil paints themselves are generally not prohibited, but many contain petroleum-based solvents (linseed oil, stand oil, drying oils with additives) and some formulations are classified as flammable goods.

• Conventional oil paints with petroleum-based binders: check the product safety data sheet. If labeled flammable, they may be prohibited in both carry-on and checked baggage under IATA dangerous goods regulations
• Water-mixable oil paints (such as Winsor and Newton Artisan range): these are reformulated to work with water and do not contain flammable petroleum solvents; they are safe to travel with
• Solvents and turpentine: prohibited in carry-on and checked luggage; do not attempt to fly with any art solvent

For any oil paint you plan to travel with, look up the product's SDS (Safety Data Sheet) to check flammability classification before packing.

Summary: What to Pack, What to Check

Safe in carry-on (no restrictions): Pencils, pens, markers, brushes, sketchbooks, paper, solid watercolor pans, pastels under powder limits

Restricted in carry-on (100 ml liquid rule): Tube paints (watercolor, acrylic, gouache), inks in bottles

Check on a case-by-case basis: Palette knives, larger powdered pigments, oil paints (verify SDS)

Do not bring on the plane: Art solvents (turpentine, mineral spirits), conventional oil paint labeled flammable, scissors with blades over 4 inches