HOW IS A PENCIL MADE?

The Graphite Lead

Different types of graphite are mixed with ceramic clay and then finely ground together. The proportion of graphite to clay determines the softness of the lead (soft 9B to hard 9H): the more graphite, the softer and darker the lead. The ready molded graphite pieces are then fired, giving them their final hardness. After that, the leads are dipped into a "bath" of natural oils and waxes which optimizes their smoothness to write and draw on paper.

The Pencil

CRETACOLOR uses only high quality cedar wood slats which guarantee utmost strength of the pencils. The wood used is specially grown in California (no tropical wood!). For a seamless fit, matching slots are milled into the slats and the lead is gued between the two milled slats. We use the finest quality cedar and a special glueing technique for utmost strength.

A planing machine cuts the raw pencils out of the glued wooden slats. The pencils are then polished and receive their colored tip and imprint. In the end the pencils are sharpened mechanically and packed.