Top Brands for Vibrant Pencil Colors: Unleash Your Creativity

When it comes to unleashing creativity, the right set of colored pencils can make all the difference for artists and enthusiasts alike. With an overwhelming variety of brands available, each offering unique qualities in terms of color vibrancy, smoothness, and blending capabilities, choosing the best can be daunting. Whether you're a budding artist or a professional illustrator, finding the perfect match between pencil performance and your artistic needs is vital. Below, we explore some of the top brands renowned for their exceptional quality and diverse color palettes.

Illustration of pencil colour

Best brands of pencil colour in 2025

Faber-Castell

Faber-Castell is a renowned brand in the art supplies industry, particularly celebrated for its high-quality colored pencils. With a history dating back to 1761, the company produces 2.3 billion writing utensils annually, including its popular Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils, which come in 120 colors. Faber-Castell's commitment to sustainability is evident in its use of wood from managed forests and the planting of 300,000 new seedlings each year. The brand's products are favored globally, especially in North America, which accounts for a significant market share due to its thriving art and craft culture. Faber-Castell's products are synonymous with quality and style, making them a preferred choice among artists and art enthusiasts.

Prismacolor

Prismacolor is renowned as one of the leading producers of high-quality colored pencils, particularly known for their Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils, which contain a higher percentage of pigment, resulting in more vibrant colors. This brand, part of the Berol company, is a key player in the global colored pencils market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 6.83% from 2023 to 2030. Prismacolor's products are highly regarded by artists and art enthusiasts, contributing to the dominance of North America in the color pencil market. The brand's commitment to quality and innovation has made it a favorite among those seeking premium art supplies. With a market forecast indicating significant growth, Prismacolor continues to be a major force in the industry.

Caran d'Ache

Caran d'Ache, Switzerland's sole manufacturer of pencils and fine-arts materials, is renowned for its technical excellence, precision, and innovation. Since 1915, the company has been producing high-quality products in its Geneva workshops, earning the "Swiss made" certification. Caran d'Ache offers a vast range of colors, with up to 400 different shades across its collections, and its products comply with international standards such as the CE standard EN71, ensuring safe use for children. The company's NEOCOLOR(r) II water-soluble wax pastels are particularly popular, and its Museum Aquarelle pencils are highly regarded for their lightfastness and durability. Caran d'Ache is a key player in the global colored pencils market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.83% from 2023 to 2030. For more details, visit their official website's FAQ page.

Derwent

Derwent, with a proud heritage dating back to 1832, is one of the best producers of color pencils, combining traditional pencil-making skills with state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques. The company, based in the Lake District, UK, introduced its first Derwent color pencil in 1938 and continues to innovate with products like Inktense, Paint Pens, and Tinted Charcoal. Derwent's pencils are known for their high quality and lightfastness, with pigments graded from 1-8 on the Blue Wool Scale, ensuring they remain vibrant for over 100 years in gallery conditions. As a key player in the global colored pencils market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.83% from 2023 to 2030, Derwent remains a trusted brand for artists worldwide. Their commitment to innovation and quality has made them a leader in the art materials industry. For more information, visit their official website.

Crayola

Crayola, a renowned brand since 1903, is widely regarded as one of the best producers of colored pencils, known for their vibrant colors and durability. Crayola's colored pencils are made from high-quality materials, ensuring 100% lightfastness to prevent fading over time. The brand offers a wide range of products, including the popular 50-count box of colored pencils, which is a favorite among artists and students alike. With a commitment to innovation, Crayola has introduced eco-friendly options, such as their Soy-Based Crayons, which are made from 100% renewable resources. Crayola's products are used in over 80 countries worldwide, reflecting their global appeal and trustworthiness.

Staedtler

Staedtler is a renowned German multinational stationery manufacturing company, founded in 1835 by Johann Sebastian Staedtler, and is recognized as one of the largest European manufacturers of wood-cased pencils, overhead projector pens, and other stationery products. The company produces high-quality colored pencils, such as the Luna series, which are considered "Artist Grade" due to their professional quality and rich pigment content. Staedtler's colored pencils are part of a global market that was valued at USD 1955.66 million in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.83% until 2030. The company's products, including its colored pencils, are distributed globally through over 26 subsidiaries and nine manufacturing facilities. Staedtler's commitment to quality and innovation has made it a leading brand in the art and stationery industry. For more information, visit the Staedtler Wikipedia page.

Lyra

Lyra is renowned as one of the best producers of colored pencils, particularly noted for their Polycolor series, which boasts excellent lightfastness with 33 out of 36 pencils holding the highest three-star rating. These pencils are appreciated for their soft, waxy, and creamy consistency, similar to Derwent Coloursoft and Prismacolor Premier pencils. Available in sets of 12, 24, 36, and 72, Lyra Polycolor pencils offer high quality at an affordable price, such as £28.99 for a 36-set on Amazon UK. The pencils are made with a 4mm pigment-filled wax core in a cedar wood barrel and are highly recommended for both beginners and professional artists. Their lightfastness and durability make them a preferred choice in the art community.

Holbein

Holbein is renowned as one of the best producers of colored pencils, offering a range of 150 colors in various set sizes, including 12, 24, 36, 50, 100, and 150. These pencils feature a 3.8mm thick, wax/oil-based core and are known for their high lightfast ratings, ensuring long-lasting color integrity. Manufactured in Japan since 1900, Holbein colored pencils are prized for their smooth, blendable leads and exceptional performance on any type of paper. They are a favorite among hobbyists and professional artists alike, contributing to the global colored pencils market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.83% from 2022 to 2030. With their commitment to quality and reliability, Holbein continues to be a significant player in the art supplies industry. For more information, visit their Holbein Colored Pencils page.

Arteza

Arteza is renowned as one of the best producers of colored pencils, offering high-quality products that meet the needs of both beginner and professional artists. Their Expert Colored Pencils Set of 48 features break-resistant cores, a wide selection of 48 unique shades, and ease of blending and layering, making it ideal for various artistic applications. Arteza's commitment to quality is reflected in their 100% satisfaction guarantee and the durable, double-hinged metal tin storage case. The global colored pencils market, which includes brands like Arteza, is projected to grow from USD 1.4 billion in 2023 to a higher figure by 2030, with a CAGR of 5%. This growth underscores the increasing demand for premium art supplies, a segment where Arteza excels.

Castle Art Supplies

Castle Art Supplies is renowned for its high-quality colored pencils, offering sets such as the 120-count collection that boasts a wide range of 120 unique colors, making it an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate artists. These pencils are praised for their smooth, creamy cores that lay down color well and blend nicely, with an average rating of 4.7/5 stars on Amazon. The brand is known for its excellent value, providing a large range of colors at a ridiculously low price, making it a clever investment for long-term use. Despite some minor issues like color brightness and core color matching, Castle Art Supplies remains a leading choice in the colored pencil market. Their products are also complemented by additional features like follow-along tutorials included in the packaging. For a detailed review, check out Castle Art Supplies colored pencil review.