Prang Colored Pencils Review [2022 Choice]

What company makes Prang colored pencils? Prang is a brand of Dixon Ticonderoga Company founded in 1882 by the famous American lithographer, printer, and publisher Louis Prang. He introduced art education into the American school system and was known for developing his own non-toxic formulas for art products and other countless inventions used today.

I’m posting this Prang colored pencils review to share my opinion on these drawing instruments that come in a plethora of stunning shades. They are safe and (as a cherry on the top) unbelievably affordable. Scroll on to know more about this brand and the best colored pencils Prang.

Best Prang Colored Pencils

Which collections are the best? Are they made in the USA? How to sharpen them? Are they good at coloring? Are they oil-based? There are so many questions I receive from readers.

The main types of Prang pencils are given in this table, while their detailed descriptions can be found below.

Review	Name	Box	Rating
	Prang Thick Core Colored Pencils View Details	Cardboard	9.9
	PRANG be-be Jumbo Colored Pencils View Details	Cardboard	9.8
	Prang Large Triangular Colored Pencils View Details	Cardboard	9.7
	Prang Groove Triangular Colored Pencils View Details	Cardboard	9.6
	Prang X22118 Duo Pencils View Details	Cardboard	9.5
	Prang Gallery Colored Pencils View Details	Cardboard	9.4

Features of Prang Colored Pencils

The Prang colored pencils are available in 6 varieties.

The Thick Core packs include 12, 24, 36, 50, 72, and 288 media. They feature a round shape and have a 3.3 mm pigment core, which is break-resistant. They are 7 inches long. All tools are pre-sharpened and ready to use right out of the box. The color palette offered by this collection is diverse, with larger sets including even metallic gold and silver shades.

The be-be Jumbo collection is created for young artists to help promote their creativity and develop motor skills. Jumbo-sized pencils are specially designed to ensure a comfortable grip for preschoolers. The 7-mm color core is soft and offers smooth laydown. The set includes 6 bright colors, which can be easily washed off the skin and fabric, and arrives with a sharpener. The pencils are non-toxic.

As the name implies, the Triangular series includes media that feature a triangular shape. They have an ergonomic grip and don’t roll off the desk. The pigment core is extremely thick (5.5 mm), providing smooth application and excellent color coverage. It is able to hold up under excessive pressure. The 12-count collection includes a sharpener. All colors are very vivid and blend well.

The Groove media spot a unique design that ensures supreme grip comfort. All tools are triangular-shaped and have grooves with a Natural grip zone for optimal writing hold. The series includes 12, 24, and 144 pencils with a 3.3 mm color core. All colors are very expressive and good at blending.

The Duo collection includes media with 2 hues per pencil and features a 3 mm core. All tools are pre-sharpened for immediate use. The 2-sided pencils come in 3 packs – 6, 12, and 18 media, with each of them holding a double shade. They are perfect for adult coloring books and allow users to switch between hues quickly.

The Gallery series is created for artists who enjoy watercolor effects. The set is available in 10 pencils, which can be used as regular colored pencils or mixed with water. The media come pre-sharpened and have a brush. Just damp it if you want to illustrate your artwork in aquarelle. The pigment core is soft and allows for delivering plenty of diverse hues during blending or layering.

Though it is a budget offering, all media produce decent and intensive shades, while a vast color assortment offers numerous hues to choose from. The pencils have a wax core able to provide bright colors without being broken when extra pressure is added.

The writing instruments have a wood case and differ in shape. They are easy to sharpen. You can use a standard 2-hole sharpener and insert them into a larger hole.

All collections are tested as non-toxic. They are wax-based and contain no graphite but just a pigment mixed with wax and other bonding agents. They are manufactured in China, Mexico, or Italy.

Comparing Prang vs Prismacolor, the pencils under discussion are not rated as professional but as novice-grade because their lightfast characteristics are not high. It means they are prone to fade over time when exposed to sunlight as opposed to premium-class media. Anyway, they are a good option for amateur colorists and school kids.

Color Chart

The Prang color wheel ranges from 6 to 72 shades, depending on the collection. The largest sets include repetitive colors, and this is very convenient for classroom use. As a rule, the backside of the cardboard box features a color chart, which represents the true color of each medium. Larger collections contain various shades of blue and green and have unique or uncommon hues like metallic or white.

Users who lack some shades may get multiple color gradients by altering the application method: achieve faint shades with light pressure and more intense shades with multiple layers applied.

Design of Packaging

All collections are packaged in standard cardboard boxes with cut-out windows, which allow you to see the pencils inside. Large sets are packaged in square cardboard boxes that have separate compartments to accommodate all pencils of the same color. I know that most artists prefer metal tins, but this would naturally drive up the price. The overall design of the boxes is pretty good. The be-be Jumbo series box is baby-themed and looks very cute.

All media come pre-sharpened, and some sets may include a sharpener.

Quality of Drawing and Durability

The Prang pencils are ridiculously cheap, so there may be minor drawbacks associated with their performance that account for their low price. Yes, these media are wax-based, but Prang’s core vs Crayola is not super soft. The hard lead may affect the blending abilities of these tools. Also, users need to control the pressure during the application, especially when they make multiple strokes. Too hard strokes may leave lines on paper, and it will result in a grainy feel.

Due to a hard and thick lead, the pencils are characterized by unsurpassed durability. They are almost indestructible, which is important for the school environment.

Pros and Cons

No doubt, the Prang pencils are fantastic media, but still, there are some things that can be improved. This list describes their strong and weak points as reviewed by users:

Best Place to Buy Prang Colored Pencils

Do you know where to buy the Prang pencils? The best place to order them is Prang’s official website. These media can also be purchased from other art and craft stores like Hobby Lobby and Michaels that have them in stock. Giant supermarkets like Target and Walmart also offer these tools for sale. Amazon and eBay are trading platforms that provide good prices, discounts, and even can sell pencil collections that are not available on the manufacturer’s website.

Sum Up

The Prang pencils are multicolored drawing tools that come with an unbeatable price tag. Their quality is similar to that of more expensive coloring instruments, and they are ideal for practicing various techniques. These pencils come with minor issues, but for their cost, small flaws can be overlooked. Indeed, they are one of the cheapest on the market and an excellent deal for art students who start out and for casual artists. I hope my Prang colored pencils review will come in handy.

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