Top Pencil Color Brands for Vibrant Artistic Expression

Coloring enthusiasts and artists alike know the significance of choosing the right brand when it comes to pencil colors. With countless options on the market, selecting the best brand can greatly impact the vibrancy and precision of the artwork. From well-known, trusted brands to emerging names that have garnered a loyal following, the choices are abundant. If you're keen to discover which pencil color brands stand out from the rest, delve into our curated list below.

Illustration of pencil colors

Best brands of pencil colors in 2025

Faber-Castell

Faber-Castell is a renowned leader in the colored pencils market, known for its high-quality and sustainable products. The company produces 2.3 billion writing utensils annually, including pencils and colored pencils, and has been a market staple since its founding in 1761 by Kaspar Faber. Faber-Castell's commitment to sustainability is evident in its use of wood from sustainably-managed forests and its reforestation efforts, planting 300,000 new seedlings every year. The brand's products are highly regarded for their quality and style, particularly in the high-end market segment, and are favored by artists and art enthusiasts globally. With a strong presence in over 120 countries, Faber-Castell continues to innovate and meet the growing demand for premium art supplies. For more information, visit their official website.

Prismacolor

Prismacolor, a renowned brand in the art supplies industry, is celebrated for its high-quality colored pencils, particularly the Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils, which contain a higher percentage of pigment, resulting in more vibrant colors. As a key player in the global colored pencils market, Prismacolor contributes to the market's growth, which is expected to reach USD 3105.56 million by 2030 with a CAGR of 6.83% from 2023 to 2030. The brand's products are favored by artists and art enthusiasts, especially in North America, where the region holds a significant market share. Prismacolor's commitment to quality and innovation drives the demand for premium and specialized color pencils. The brand is part of a market dominated by major players like Faber-Castell, Derwent, and Caran d'Ache.

Caran d'Ache

Caran d'Ache, a Swiss company established in 1915, is renowned for producing high-quality art materials, including colored pencils. The company offers a diverse range of colored pencil products, such as the Museum Aquarelle and Luminance lines, which are highly regarded by artists. Their student-grade pencils, including Swisscolor, Classicolor, Fancolor, and Prismalo, cater to various artistic needs, although some lines can be confusing due to similar names and features. The global colored pencils market, in which Caran d'Ache is a key player, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.83% from 2023 to 2030, reaching a market size of USD 3105.56 million by 2030.

Derwent

Derwent is a renowned brand in the colored pencils market, celebrated for its high-quality and lightfast products. The Derwent Lightfast line, for instance, features 100 colors, with 62 rated as Lightfast I and 38 as Lightfast II, ensuring they remain vibrant for at least 100 years under museum conditions. Derwent's Coloursoft pencils are also highly regarded for their soft, crayon-like laydown and affordability, with prices starting from $1.55 per pencil in a 12-count set. The brand's commitment to lightfastness and durability makes it a favorite among artists. Derwent is part of a market expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.83% from 2023 to 2030, reaching a market size of USD 3105.56 million by 2030.

Staedtler

Staedtler is a renowned brand in the colored pencils market, known for its high-quality, artist-grade products. Founded by Johann Sebastian Staedtler in 1835, the company has a rich history of innovation, including the development of the first wood-cased colored pencil that could be sharpened to a fine point. Staedtler's colored pencils, such as the Creta Polycolor series, offer a wide range of colors and are appreciated for their consistent color and hardness. The brand is expected to contribute significantly to the global colored pencils market, which is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.83% from 2023 to 2030, reaching a market size of USD 3105.56 million by 2030. For more insights on their legacy and innovations, visit their official history page.

Koh-I-Noor

Koh-I-Noor is a renowned brand in the colored pencil market, known for its high-quality and professional-grade products. Their Polycolor pencils, for instance, use a proprietary blend of oils and premium pigments, offering ultra-smooth leads and vivid, light-resistant colors, with 72 different shades available. The brand's woodless pencils feature a generous 7.3mm diameter of pure pigment, ensuring maximum color laydown, and half of the pencils in the largest set are rated with the highest lightfastness of five stars. Koh-I-Noor pencils are popular among artists for their durability and performance, making them a significant player in the global colored pencils market, which is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.83% from 2023 to 2030.

Tombow

Tombow is renowned as one of the best producers of colored pencils, particularly with their Irojiten Color Dictionary series, which offers a comprehensive range of 100 colors, including 10 newly introduced shades. These pencils are appreciated for their hard cores and excellent performance on textured papers like Strathmore Bristol Velum. The sets are sold in groups of 30 pencils, with each set priced around $40.50, and are known for their elegant and recyclable packaging. Tombow's products are highly regarded by artists and hobbyists, contributing to the growth of the global drawing pencil market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.50% from 2023 to 2030.

Holbein

Holbein, a Japanese company based in Osaka, is renowned for its high-quality art materials, including colored pencils that adhere to stringent lightfastness standards. Only 12 out of 150 Holbein colored pencils were found to be fugitive colors, excluding the 6 neon colors, ensuring durability and consistency in artistic work. Holbein's products are tested using advanced methods such as the Weather-O-Meter and spectrophotometers to exceed industry standards like ASTM D6901. The company is a member of the Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) and has a global presence, supplying artists in Southeast Asia, Australia, South Africa, and Europe. With a commitment to excellence, Holbein continues to be a trusted name in the art world.

Lyra

Lyra is a prominent brand in the colored pencils market, known for its high-quality products that cater to various artistic needs. As part of the global colored pencils market, which was valued at USD 1955.66 million in 2022 and is expected to grow to USD 3105.56 million by 2030 with a CAGR of 6.83%, Lyra stands out among competitors like Faber-Castell, Prismacolor, and Caran d'Ache. Lyra's products are favored by artists, architects, and amateur users alike, contributing to the market's growth. The brand's presence in key regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific further solidifies its market position. With a comprehensive range of dry colored pencils and water-soluble options, Lyra continues to be a significant player in the industry.

Arteza

Arteza is renowned as one of the top producers of high-quality colored pencils, particularly with their Expert line, which offers excellent performance, lightfast ratings, and an impressive pigment selection at an affordable price. The Arteza Expert colored pencils are available in 48 and 72 set tins, with a price point as low as PS18 for the 48-set and PS26 for the 72-set in the UK. These pencils feature a 4.5mm core protected within a robust 6.5mm barrel, and they include lightfast ratings and pigment names on the barrels for ease of use. Despite their low price, Arteza's pencils have been lightfast tested, with 40 out of 72 pencils rated 3+++ for lightfastness. This makes Arteza a favorite among artists and art enthusiasts seeking premium quality at an accessible price.