Every year, Staples delivers some of the best back-to-school deals around — and 2025 was no exception. We saw Four Weeks of Freebies and even items as low as $0.10. One of the most popular freebies, the free Sharpie S-Gel Pens, wrapped up on Aug. 9, and shoppers are already wondering when it’ll return.
Based on the past few years, we expect the 2026 free Sharpie week to run Aug. 2 – 8, 2026. If Staples follows the same pattern, you’ll be able to score a free 2-pack of Sharpie S-Gel Pens (regularly $2.99) with any purchase, in-store or online, when you use a digital coupon in the Staples app or a promo code from the weekly ad. The offer is usually limited to one per account
Get a free 2-pack of Sharpie S-Gel Pens with any purchase for seven days at Staples.
During the summer, Staples offers free school supplies with a purchase. One of the hot items is the free 2-pack of Sharpie S-Gel Pens (regularly $2.99) with any purchase, in-store or online, when you use a digital coupon or promo code found in the Staples app. The offer is usually limited to one per account.
KCL predicts the Staples Sharpie Pens freebie will return on Aug. 2, 2026.
Based on prior years, we expect the freebie to start Sunday, Aug. 2, and run through Aug. 8, 2026. If the trend continues, you’ll find the coupon in the Staples app at the start of the week. Show it at checkout in stores, or use the promo code from the weekly ad for online orders.
How it worked in 2025 and what to expect in 2026
In 2025, the offer went live in the Staples mobile app on Aug. 3. To redeem in stores, shoppers showed the cashier the offer on their phone before it expired Aug. 9. Online shoppers used the promo code from the weekly ad at checkout.
Stack this deal with back-to-school sales for the best savings.
Since there’s no minimum purchase, the smartest move is to pair the freebie with a super-cheap sale item you need. In 2025, you could grab a $0.45 spiral notebook and get the $2.99 Sharpie pens free — a 92% savings.
This freebie only lasts one week and always hits during peak back-to-school sales. Plan ahead in 2026 so you can stack it with other sales for maximum savings — and make sure the Staples app is downloaded before Aug. 2 so you’re ready to clip the coupon.
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