Top Graphite Pencil Brands for Artists and Professionals

When it comes to sketching or technical drawing, the right tools can make all the difference, and a high-quality graphite pencil is essential for both amateurs and professionals alike. With a myriad of options available on the market, selecting the best brands can significantly enhance your drawing experience, offering smooth lines, consistent shading, and durability. Renowned for their precision and craftsmanship, certain brands have established themselves as leaders in the industry, providing pencils that cater to a variety of artistic needs. If you're curious to discover which brands top the list and why they stand out, read on for a detailed guide.

Illustration of graphite pencils

Best brands of graphite pencils in 2025

Faber-Castell

Faber-Castell is a renowned brand and a world leader in the production of graphite pencils, having manufactured over 2.3 billion writing utensils annually. Established in 1761 by Kaspar Faber, the company boasts a rich history of over 250 years and operates in nine countries with sales companies in 23 countries and representatives in over 120 countries. Faber-Castell's products are synonymous with quality and style, particularly in the high-end market segment. The company emphasizes efficient and ecological production, partnering with WEINIG to maintain high standards. In 2016, Faber-Castell celebrated its most successful year, underscoring its enduring success in the industry.

Staedtler

Staedtler is a leading brand in the graphite pencil market, renowned for its high-quality and environmentally friendly products. The company's innovative WOPEX technology ensures sustainable and resource-conserving production, aligning with consumer preferences for eco-friendly products. Staedtler's pencils, such as the Mars Lumograph and Noris series, are favored by artists and students alike for their precision and durability. The brand's commitment to environmental standards, including PEFC and FSC certifications, underscores its responsible approach to manufacturing. With a strong presence in the global market, Staedtler continues to innovate, offering products like the Noris digital stylus that combine traditional pencil feel with modern technology. Discover more about their graphite pencils and accessories on their official website.

Derwent

Derwent is renowned as one of the best producers of graphite pencils, known for their high-quality and professional-grade products. Their Graphic range, which includes 24 pencils from 9H to 9B, is highly lightfast, ensuring that the marks made by these pencils last for a long time. Derwent's graphite pencils have a unique chalky texture that provides a smooth drawing experience, although they may require more frequent sharpening. The brand is particularly popular in North America, which dominates the color pencil market with a 38% market share, driven by a strong art and craft culture. Derwent's commitment to quality and innovation has made them a favorite among artists and art enthusiasts.

Prismacolor

Prismacolor is renowned as one of the leading producers of high-quality colored pencils, particularly favored by professional artists and hobbyists alike. Known for their vibrant colors and lightfastness, Prismacolor pencils, such as the Prismacolor Premier series, offer superior performance and durability. With a wide range of shades, these pencils are ideal for detailed artwork and are often used in conjunction with other premium brands. The global colored pencils market, which includes Prismacolor, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.83% from 2023 to 2030, reaching a market size of around USD 3105.56 million by 2030.

Caran d'Ache

Caran d'Ache is a renowned brand in the art supplies industry, particularly celebrated for its high-quality graphite pencils. Founded in 1915 in Geneva, Switzerland, the company has a long history of innovation, including the introduction of the first mechanical pencil, the Fixpencil, in 1929. Caran d'Ache's products, such as the Luminance 6901 colored pencils, boast exceptional lightfastness certified to last up to 100 years according to ASTM D-6901 standards. The company is committed to sustainability, with all its pencils certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and a significant portion of its suppliers located locally in Switzerland and the European Union. Caran d'Ache's dedication to quality, sustainability, and social responsibility has earned it a prestigious position in the global art materials market. You can explore more about the Caran d'Ache brand to discover its unique contributions to art and innovation.

Cretacolor

Cretacolor is a prestigious brand renowned for its high-quality art supplies, particularly its fine art graphite pencils, which are highly regarded for their performance and durability. The company, based in Austria, maintains a strong presence in the global art supply market despite its relatively small national market, offering a wide range of products including graphite, colored pencils, and pastels. Cretacolor's products are appreciated for their unique characteristics, such as the Artist Studio color pencils and the Fine Art Graphite Pencils set, which includes 12 pencils ranging from 9B to 2H. The brand's commitment to quality and its narrow focus on art supplies have earned it a loyal customer base among artists. Cretacolor's products are often praised for their high standards and aesthetic packaging.

Tombow

Tombow is renowned as one of the best producers of graphite pencils, known for their high-quality and durable products. The Tombow MONO Drawing Pencil Set, for instance, features extra-refined, high-density graphite that sharpens evenly and minimizes lead breakage. These pencils are popular among artists and students, offering a range of hardness levels from 4H to 6B. Tombow's products are highly regarded for their reliability and ease of use, making them a favorite in the art and education sectors. The brand's commitment to innovation and product differentiation has helped it maintain a strong presence in the global drawing pencil market.

Koh-I-Noor

Koh-I-Noor, founded by Josef Hardtmuth in 1790, is a renowned brand in the art supply industry, particularly celebrated for its high-quality graphite pencils. The company, which relocated to Ceske Budejovice in 1848, is credited with inventing the modern graphite lead by mixing graphite powder and clay, an innovation that has stood the test of time. Koh-I-Noor's Toison D'or graphite pencils are highly praised for their excellent graphite quality, wide range of hardness and softness grades (from 2H to 8B), and sustainable wood sourcing certified by the FSC. These pencils are known for their smooth finish, clean erasability, and durable construction. With a history spanning over two centuries, Koh-I-Noor continues to be a leading manufacturer of art supplies. Discover more about their professional graphite pencils.

Blackwing

The Blackwing brand is renowned for producing some of the finest graphite pencils, particularly the Blackwing 602, which was introduced between 1933-34 and enjoyed a 65-year lifespan until its discontinuation in 1998. Known for its unique ferrule and rectangular eraser, the Blackwing 602 was prized for its smooth, soft lead that combined the qualities of a 3B/4B with the durability of an HB, making it a favorite among artists, writers, and stenographers. Despite its popularity, the pencil never sold well, with sales dropping from 160,000 units per year to just 12,000 annually, leading to its eventual discontinuation. The Blackwing gained mythical status, with individual pencils selling for up to $40 on eBay. Today, the brand has been revived by California Cedar Products, with a portion of sales benefiting the Blackwing Foundation for arts and music education. For an in-depth exploration of Blackwing Pencils, you can visit this comprehensive guide.

Mitsubishi Uni

Mitsubishi Hi-Uni is renowned as one of the finest producers of graphite pencils, introduced in 1966 and celebrated for its exacting standards in lead production. The pencils feature uniformly fine graphite and clay components, minimizing breakages and ensuring high line quality. Available in a comprehensive range of 22 grades from 10B to 10H, these pencils are preferred by artists for their consistent performance and rich tonal values. The hexagonal barrels are lacquered in a traditional Japanese maroon color with black and gold accents, and each pencil is clearly marked with the grade on all six sides. This attention to detail and quality makes Mitsubishi Hi-Uni a top choice among graphite artists. For more details on their pencil art sets, visit the Mitsubishi Hi-Uni pencil art set.