Claim Your Michaels Teacher Discount to Save 15% Every Time You Shop

Teachers deserve all the things, which is why we're always on the lookout for the best teacher freebies and discounts. Count Michaels in, because their year-round teacher discount gives educators 15% off. However, for two weeks at the end of July they up the discount to a cool 20%.

For the record, this is better than the Hobby Lobby Teacher Discount, which sits at just 10% (in case that sways you in the Michaels vs. Hobby Lobby debate).

Unfortunately you can't use Michaels coupons in conjunction with their teacher discount. So you'll have to decide which gives you the better savings — a percentage-off coupon in hand or the 15% Michaels teacher discount. However you can earn Michaels Rewards on eligible items you purchase with your teacher discount, so at least there's that.

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How to Maximize the Michaels Teacher Discount

Eligible teachers can save 15% off their entire purchase all year long with the Michaels teacher discount. This discount can be used on sale items, and it works both online and in-store. However you cannot use it on clearance items.

It’s worth noting that during peak back-to-school shopping, they increase the discount, usually the last two weeks of July. In 2023 it was bumped up to 20% off during that time period. Plus, they allowed this 20% off discount to be used on Great Buy items and Cricut accessories. This is a huge deal because those items are normally excluded from discounts and coupons at Michaels.

Strategies to use:

• Shop tax-free weekends. Stack your teacher discount with Michaels’ sale items and your state’s tax-free weekend to save even more. State retail sales tax can be as much as 7.25% (that's in California), so depending on your locale, you could combine the discount and tax-free weekend to save around 22% on your purchase.

• Use Michaels Rewards vouchers. While you can't stack coupons with your teacher discount, you can apply $5 rewards vouchers to purchases made with it. So if you don't already have a Michaels Rewards account, you'll want to create one now.

• Pair the discount with sales. This is a no-brainer but, seriously, make sure you're using that 15% off discount on Michaels weekly sales. For example, during their Stock up & Save events (which happen a few times a year), popular items are B1G1 free. Which means if you add your teacher discount to what ultimately amounts to 50% off, you're getting 65% off. You cannot use your discount on clearance.

• The teacher discount bumps to 20% for two weeks in July. Create a list and check it twice during the last two weeks of July when Michaels raises the teacher discount to 20%. That extra 5% may seem small but it can make a big difference in your total.

What is the Michaels teacher discount valid on?

The everyday 15% teacher discount is valid on sale items, but it can’t be used on the following:

• Great Buy items

• Clearance and doorbusters (think Black Friday)

• MichaelsPro Packs

• Custom Framing

• Beverages, candy, books, or magazines

• Gift cards

• Lego

• Sewing machines

• Craft technology and accessories like Cricut, Glowforge, and Silhouette

• Christmas trees or Elf on the Shelf

Note that they also limit you to one teacher discount per day.

How do I sign up for the 15% teacher discount at Michaels?

You can now sync your teacher status to your Michaels Rewards account. When you sync the two, your discount will automatically be applied in store and online. This verification will usually happen in a flash, but it can sometimes take up to 20 minutes if additional documentation is needed.

If you’re shopping in store and your Michaels Rewards account isn’t set up yet, you can show your educator ID and they’ll give you your discount.

Eligible teachers include:

• All teachers, staff, and faculty at Pre-K through postgrad schools within the U.S.

• Teachers who work in daycare centers, early childhood learning centers, and home schools.

• Instructors and teachers in After School Programs, Boys & Girls Clubs, etc.