Est. 1976
Heritage & History
Daniel Smith was founded in 1976 in Seattle, Washington by Daniel Smith and Robert Simmons. Smith's vision was to produce watercolors of the highest professional quality using the same pigments employed by fine art conservators — a standard that demanded more precise pigment sourcing and formulation than most manufacturers were willing to pursue.
The company gained significant attention in the 1990s with the introduction of PrimaTek watercolors, colors ground directly from natural mineral and earth pigments — lapis lazuli, malachite, bloodstone, and other materials with centuries of use in fine art. This innovation, which no other manufacturer was producing at commercial scale, established Daniel Smith as a destination for serious colorists who wanted authentic, lightfast pigments rather than synthetic approximations.
Made in Seattle, Washington
Every Daniel Smith watercolor, ink, and medium is produced at the Seattle, Washington facility. The manufacturing process begins with careful pigment selection — Daniel Smith's color library includes over 240 watercolors, many using single pigments that allow transparent, theoretically sound color mixing. Each pigment is evaluated for lightfastness, granulation, transparency, and handling before entering the catalog.
The Seattle operation handles the full manufacturing cycle: pigment grinding and dispersion, vehicle formulation, tube and pan filling, and quality control testing. This end-to-end control in Seattle means the company can maintain formulation consistency across decades and introduce new colors with the same care as the original line.
What Sets Them Apart
The depth of Daniel Smith's color catalog is the primary differentiator in the professional watercolor market. With over 240 colors including the PrimaTek mineral series, the Luminescent metallic series, and a comprehensive range of single-pigment hues, Daniel Smith provides options that no other manufacturer matches. The ASTM lightfastness ratings on each color are accurate and conservative — a Daniel Smith 'I' or 'II' rating reflects actual accelerated light testing.
For working watercolorists, the practical advantage of Daniel Smith watercolors is consistent high pigment load. A tube of Phthalo Blue from Daniel Smith contains more actual pigment than many competitors' equivalent tubes — the result is more economical paint use, more vibrant glazes, and more accurate color mixing. The Seattle manufacturing operation has maintained this standard for nearly five decades.
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor 15ml - Phthalo Blue (Red Shade)
Daniel Smith
Arts & Crafts
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor 15ml - Quinacridone Magenta
Daniel Smith
Arts & Crafts
Daniel Smith Watercolor Essentials 6-Color Set
Daniel Smith
Arts & Crafts
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor 15ml - Burnt Sienna
Daniel Smith
Arts & Crafts
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Daniel Smith made in the USA?
Yes. Daniel Smith manufactures 7 verified products in Seattle, WA. Daniel Smith has manufactured professional-grade watercolors and inks in Seattle, Washington since 1976, earning the trust of serious artists worldwide with pigment-forward formulas and an unmatched range of colors.
Where is Daniel Smith manufactured?
Daniel Smith is headquartered in Seattle, WA. Manufacturing takes place in Seattle, WA.
What Daniel Smith products can I buy?
We carry 7 verified Daniel Smith products across Arts & Crafts. Every listing links directly to Amazon with verified American manufacturing.
When was Daniel Smith founded?
Daniel Smith was founded in 1976. Daniel Smith has manufactured professional-grade watercolors and inks in Seattle, Washington since 1976, earning the trust of serious artists worldwide with pigment-forward formulas and an unmatched range of colors.