Seven Standards for Judging Colored Pencil Quality: A Professional Illustrator’s Buying Guide
Whether you’re an illustrator preparing for your artwork or a trader looking for high-quality sources, understanding these seven dimensions will allow you to see through the “soul” of colored pencils at a glance.

1. Pigment Concentration: The soul of high-quality colored pencils lies in the content of mineral pigments. Good colored pencils can produce rich, saturated colors with a single stroke.

Judgment Logic: Inferior colored pencils contain a large amount of filler (such as paraffin or talcum powder), resulting in grayish and dry colors.

Arlon Standard: Arlon colored pencils use high-concentration pigments, possessing excellent color rendering, maintaining vibrancy even on dark paper, reducing the need for repeated layering during drawing.

2. Blending & Layering Ability: This is the dividing line between “beginner” and “expert” levels. Professional colored pencils allow artists to layer multiple colors in the same area without wax bloom.

Evaluation Logic: Observe whether multiple colors, when layered, can blend naturally to create new hues without producing powdery residue.

Arlon Standard: Arlon’s lead formula is scientifically formulated to support multiple layers of color, allowing for delicate transitions between shadows and highlights, making it ideal for realistic drawing.

3. Lightfastness: This determines how long your artwork will last. Inferior pigments will fade within weeks under sunlight, while professional colored pencils can maintain their color for decades.

Evaluation Logic: Check if the packaging indicates the lightfastness rating (e.g., marked with an asterisk).

Arlon Standard: Arlon colored pencils use rigorous material selection to ensure extremely high color stability at room temperature, standing the test of time.

4. Lead Strength: Nothing is more frustrating than constantly breaking pencil leads while sharpening. This usually involves the “gluing process.”

Evaluation Logic: 1. Is the lead centered on the wooden shaft? (Off-center lead leads are prone to breakage), and is the bonding between the wood and the lead tight?

Yarlon Standard: Yaron uses advanced SV bonding technology, integrating the lead and the wooden shaft into a single unit, greatly improving drop resistance and smoothness during sharpening.

5. Wood Quality: High-quality leads require high-quality wood for protection. Softened basswood or cedar is typically used.

Evaluation Logic: When sharpening, wood shavings should form curled strips rather than small pieces, and the blade should move smoothly without cracking.

Yarlon Standard: Yaron colored pencils use high-quality softened wood, resulting in a lightweight feel and an extremely comfortable sharpening experience, effectively protecting the tip from breakage under lateral pressure.

6. Core Texture: Oil-based vs. Wax-based: While this is largely a matter of personal preference, the quality standard lies in the stability of the texture.

Evaluation Logic: Oil-based pencils are harder, suitable for detailed drawing; wax-based pencils are softer, suitable for applying large areas of color.

Arlon Standard: Arlon offers a variety of textures, with its professional series achieving a balance between hardness and softness, allowing for both extremely fine tips for depicting hair-like details and smooth, creamy application.

7. Environmental Protection and Safety Standards: For students and artists who frequently handle art supplies, safety is paramount.

Evaluation Logic: Whether it passes EN71-3 (European standard) or ASTM D-4236 (American standard) testing.

Arlon Standard: As a globally renowned stationery brand, Arlon colored pencils use environmentally friendly paints and non-toxic formulas across its entire product line, ensuring safety during the creative process and making it a trusted choice for schools and professional art studios.