Types
By marking material
Coloured pencils
Promotional pencils
Graphite pencils
These are the most common types of pencil, and are encased in wood. They are made of a mixture
of clay and graphite and their darkness varies from light grey to black. Their composition allows for the smoothest
strokes.
Solid graphite pencils
These are solid sticks of graphite and clay composite (as found in a 'graphite pencil'), about the diameter of a
common pencil, which have no casing other than a wrapper or label. They are often called "woodless" pencils.
They are used primarily for art purposes as the lack of casing allows for covering larger spaces more easily,
creating different effects, and providing greater economy as the entirety of the pencil is used. They are available in
the same darkness range as wood-encased graphite pencils.
Liquid graphite pencils
These are pencils that write like pens. The technology was first invented in 1955 by Scripto and Parker Pens.
Scripto's liquid graphite formula came out about three months before Parker's liquid lead formula. To avoid a
lengthy patent fight the two companies agreed to share their formulas. [40]
Charcoal pencils
These are made of charcoal and provide fuller blacks than graphite pencils, but tend to smudge easily and are
more abrasive than graphite. Sepia-toned and white pencils are also available for duotone techniques.
Carbon pencils
These are generally made of a mixture of clay and lamp black, but are sometimes blended with charcoal or
graphite depending on the darkness and manufacturer. They produce a fuller black than graphite pencils, are
smoother than charcoal, and have minimal dust and smudging. They also blend very well, much like charcoal.
Colored pencils, or pencil crayons
These have wax-like cores with pigment and other fillers. Multiple colours are often blended together. [41]
Grease pencils
These write on virtually any surface (including glass, plastic, metal and photographs). The most commonly found
grease pencils are encased in paper (Berol and Sanford Peel-off), but they can also be encased in wood (Staedtler
Omnichrom).[41]
Watercolor pencils
These are designed for use with watercolour techniques. The pencils can be used by themselves for sharp, bold
lines. Strokes made by the pencil can also be saturated with water and spread with brushes. [41]
By use
Two "woodless" graphite pencils, two charcoal pencils, and two grease pencils
Carpenter's pencils
These are pencils that have two main properties: their shape prevents them from rolling, and their graphite is
strong.[42] The oldest surviving pencil is a German carpenter's pencil dating from the 17th Century and now in the
Faber-Castell collection.[43][44]
Obliteration by indelible pencil to censor mail in 1943
Copying pencils (or indelible pencils)
These are graphite pencils with an added dye that creates an indelible mark. They were invented in the late 19th
century for press copying and as a practical substitute for fountain pens. Their markings are often visually
indistinguishable from those of standard graphite pencils, but when moistened their markings dissolve into a
coloured ink, which is then pressed into another piece of paper. They were widely used until the mid-20th century
when ball pens slowly replaced them. In Italy their use is still mandated by law for voting paper ballots in elections
and referendums.[45]
Eyeliner pencils
Eyeliner pencils are used for make-up. Unlike traditional copying pencils, eyeliner pencils usually contain non-toxic
dyes.[46]
Erasable colour pencils
Unlike wax-based coloured pencils, these can be easily erased. Their main use is in sketching, where the objective
is to create an outline using the same colour that other media (such as wax pencils, or watercolour paints) would
fill[47] or when the objective is to scan the colour sketch.[48] Some animators prefer erasable colour pencils as
opposed to graphite pencils because they don't smudge as easily, and the different colours allow for better
separation of objects in the sketch.[49] Copy-editors find them useful too as markings stand out more than those of
graphite, but can be erased.
Non-reproducing
Also known as non-photo blue pencils, these make marks that are not reproducible by photocopiers [50] (examples
include "Copy-not" by Sanford and "Mars Non-photo" by Staedtler) or by whiteprint copiers (such as "Mars Non-
Print" by Staedtler).
Stenographer's pencil
Also known as a steno pencil, these pencils are expected to be very reliable, and their lead is break-proof.
Nevertheless, steno pencils are sometimes sharpened at both ends to enhance reliability. They are round to avoid
pressure pain during long texts.[51]
Golf pencil
Golf pencils are usually short (a common length is 9 cm (3.5 in)) and very cheap. They are also known as library
pencils, as many libraries offer them as disposable, leak-proof[52] writing instruments.
