About Us

Who Are We?

For more than 50 years Seawhite has been supplying the UK educational market. Our strong reputation has been developed through our use of innovative and quality products backed up by a personal, fast and efficient service. Products such as our sketchbooks and polyholdalls are now used in schools, colleges and retail shops throughout the UK, Europe and increasingly worldwide.

Still a family business, our 50+ strong workforce has helped us achieve steady growth every year. Seawhite is based in Partridge Green, West Sussex, not far from Brighton where the business began. Our modern offices and large warehouses enable us to keep a large stock with a quick turnaround.

On the premises we also have a well-stocked factory shop and Seawhite Studio - a modern painting studio with art classes run by Emily Ball. We also have a manufacturing and warehouse facility in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, expanding our philosophy of 'Made in Britain' where possible.

Above: The Seawhite offices, warehouses, and sketchbook manufacturing.

Our Products

Seawhite's product range is aimed at the Art & Design, and Design Technology sectors of education. However the quality of our products, in particular our own manufactured range of sketchbooks, have opened up other markets such as retail, mail order and export

Products include our large sketchbook and pad range, a selection of own specification drawing/painting papers and the original "Polyholdall" plastic art holdall range (still the strongest and best!) Our selection of complementary drawing and painting products are chosen to reflect the high standard and price competitiveness required by schools.

Furthermore, due to our longstanding contacts in the plastics industry, we can offer a range of affordable and quality products for design technology departments. We source the best materials, we pay attention to detail and we seek ever better quality.

Request a digital or physical catalogue.

From left to right: Seawhite Wire Bound Sketchbooks; the Seawhite Polyholdall; Seawhite Sketchpads; Students using Seawhite products; Personalised Seawhite Sketchbooks.

From the young to the old, from the beginner to the professional Seawhite's products cover the spectrum of artistic needs. Our sketchbooks are used by primary schools, university students and professionals alike, reflecting their universal appeal and quality.

Many of Britain's top designers have used Seawhite sketchbooks in their study years and ask after them long after. We have firmly set ourselves as the leading supplier of sketchbooks to schools in the UK as we have responded to the changing demands of education and coursework in art.

As well as the natural market of college shops, a growing number of retailers now also stock Seawhite sketchbooks as a response to demand and recognition of their quality. This includes Europe where our sketchbooks are now available in many countries.

Our Polyholdalls can be seen on the streets of most UK towns, the preferred choice of transporting and storing art and design work for thousands of pupils and their schools. Our range of products and efficient service make Seawhite the ideal choice for your school or shop.

A GCSE art student from Varndean School, Brighton, using Seawhite products.

See some of our testimonials below:

"When we buy Seawhite products we know we are buying quality. We will often send for a new product blind and the lecturers have always been delighted with the merchandise we have received." - Jim Murdoch, Art & Design Resales, South Nottinghamshire College

We have received excellent personal service built over 15 years, offering professional quality materials for students and staff." - Gilian Patterson, Course Leader, Foundation Art & Design, Stockport College

"...I felt bound to write to congratulate you on the speed and efficiency of your service... a truly amazing turnaround considering the goods have travelled the length of the country... it was much appreciated by our students who were waiting for new stocks to mount final exhibition work." - Ian Holmes, Team Leader in Art & Design, Derwentside College, Consett.

For quality and customer service Seawhite are quite simply the best - I can rely on goods arriving when they are required unlike many other national companies." - Mrs. Brock, Head of Art, Central Newcastle High School.

"Whilst working in the UK I always used Seawhite... moving to the International School of Toulouse made me think that I would have to search for a new supplier, however I am happy to say that the same prompt, reliable and competitive service has continued. Well done Seawhite!" - David Ardley, Head of Design Department, International School of Toulouse, France.