I was a little upset that the easel required assembly especially going into a busy new school year. This fact wasn't marked so anywhere on the box. Also the directions were completely provided in pictures (no text) and the details within the pictures didn't clarify the front/back of pieces or label the parts (A B C etc.). Finally if you wanted to store the easel you have to loosen the wing-nuts and it essentially falls apart instead of sliding into a different position like other easels commonly do. It looks nice and I have it so I'll use it but I wouldn't buy it again.