Prismacolor Premier: Soft-Core Colored Pencils
Prismacolor Premier pencils are soft-core colored pencils with a thick, wax-based core in a cedar case painted the color of the lead. The line has 150 colors, sold in sets from 12 to 150. Retailers list the core at 3 to 3.8 mm and Mexico as the country of origin; most sets work out under $5 a pencil.
On this page
Product facts
- Product
- Prismacolor Premier soft-core colored pencils, 72-count set (3599TN)
- Brand
- Prismacolor
- Brand origin
- United States
- Made in
- Mexico*
- Material
- Cedar wood case, wax-based soft core
- Released
- 1938*
- Price range
- $under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count)
Notes on these facts
- Made by Newell Brands. Made in Mexico: ADI Global Distribution's catalog entry for the 3599TN gives Mexico as the country of origin and Newell Brands as the maker, and says origin is subject to change (its spec tab is shown to signed-in dealers). A brand-guide write-up also reports that packaging says "Made in Mexico". Prismacolor's own site blocks automated readers, so we couldn't check it there. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Year the Eagle Pencil Company introduced the Prismacolor name, per Wikipedia (citing Prismacolor's About Us page); we found no separate launch date for the Premier soft-core line.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026.
Key takeaways
- The Premier soft-core line has 150 colors; retailers and collectors list sets of 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 132 and 150.
- The core is wax-based, not oil-based, and retailers list it at anything from 3 mm to 3.8 mm across.
- Staples lists each pencil in the 72-count set (3599TN) at 7 in long and shows the set at 4.87 stars from 1,698 reviews (October 2026).
- Retail listings give Mexico as the country of origin; the brand belongs to Newell Brands.
- Prismacolor dates to 1938, when the Eagle Pencil Company introduced the name.
What are Prismacolor Premier colored pencils?
Prismacolor Premier pencils are soft-core colored pencils: a thick, wax-based core in a round cedar case. They are Prismacolor’s main artist line, and each pencil’s barrel is painted the color of its core, so a Crimson Red pencil has a Crimson Red barrel.
The name goes back to 1938, when the Eagle Pencil Company introduced it, according to Wikipedia. Berol owned the brand from 1969 to 1995, and Newell Brands owns and makes it today. Prismacolor’s own site blocks automated readers, so the specs below come from retailers.
Prismacolor Premier specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand owner | Newell Brands |
| Line | Premier Soft Core |
| Colors | 150 |
| Binder | Wax-based |
| Core | 3–3.8 mm, depending on the listing |
| Case | Cedar, round, painted in the core color |
| Set sizes | 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 132, 150 |
| 72-count set | 3599TN, UPC 070735035998 |
| Pencil length | 7 in (178 mm), 0.7 in around (Staples) |
| Made in | Mexico (per US distributors) |
The color count and set sizes come from a collector’s full color list and retailer listings. The binder comes from The Virtual Instructor and the history from Wikipedia. Core sizes come from three retailers that don’t agree (Gordon Harris 3.8 mm, School Specialty 3.3 mm, Sigma Supply 3 mm), so we give the range.
What set sizes can you buy?
Retailers and collectors list seven sizes, from 12 to 150 pencils; only the 150 holds the whole line.
For a first set, 24 or 36 colors cover a full color wheel with a few browns and grays. The 72 adds more skin tones, browns and muted colors, and it is the set Staples and Quill both stock.
Buy the 150 only if you already know you’ll use the line. Hip2Save readers who bought it praise the shading and blending, while others call the price steep for a hobby.
Why do artists like the soft core?
Because the wax binder lays down a lot of color with little pressure and blends easily. The Virtual Instructor compares the softness to “B” graphite grades, and an eBay reviewer of the 72 set says store-brand colored pencils are “chalkier” by comparison.
The trade-off is wear and breakage. Reviewers say the soft cores dull quickly and need protecting from breakage, so expect to sharpen often and to lose some points along the way.
How do Premier and Verithin pencils differ?
Verithin pencils use the same pigments as Premier but a harder binder, so they hold a fine point. That’s how a Colored Pencil Society researcher put it on WetCanvas, and The Virtual Instructor compares Verithin to “H” graphite grades.
That makes them a natural pair: Premier to lay down and blend color, Verithin for sharp edges and small details.
How does Prismacolor Premier compare with Polychromos?
Premier is softer and wax-based; Faber-Castell Polychromos is firmer and oil-based.
| Prismacolor Premier | Faber-Castell Polychromos | |
|---|---|---|
| Binder | Wax | Oil |
| Colors | 150 | 120 |
| Core | 3–3.8 mm | 3.8 mm |
| Made in | Mexico | Germany |
| Price band per pencil | $ | $ |
Specs for Polychromos come from our guide to it. Pick Premier for fast, heavy coverage and blending; pick Polychromos if you want a point that lasts longer and a harder pencil for fine detail.
How should you sharpen Prismacolor pencils?
Gently, with a sharp blade, because the soft core breaks under pressure. A manual sharpener with a fresh blade gives you the most control. An electric sharpener such as the X-ACTO School Pro is fast, but stop as soon as the point forms.
For a graphite underdrawing that won’t muddy the colors, a light H or HB pencil such as the Staedtler Mars Lumograph works well.
Where are Prismacolor Premier pencils made?
ADI Global Distribution lists Mexico as the country of origin for the 72-count 3599TN, and notes that it may change. A brand-guide write-up also reports that packaging says “Made in Mexico”. The brand is owned by Newell Brands, which also owns Paper Mate and Sharpie.
Frequently asked questions
Are Prismacolor Premier pencils wax-based or oil-based?
Wax-based. The Virtual Instructor describes the Premier core as soft wax, which is what makes it blend and cover paper quickly; that is the main difference from oil-based pencils such as Faber-Castell Polychromos.
How many colors do Prismacolor Premier pencils come in?
150 in the soft-core line. The 150-count set holds all of them; smaller sets of 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 132 are also sold.
Why do Prismacolor pencils break so often?
The core is very soft, and reviewers note it needs protecting from drops and heavy sharpening pressure. A sharp, gentle sharpener and storing the pencils flat help.
What is the difference between Prismacolor Premier and Verithin?
A Colored Pencil Society researcher quoted on WetCanvas says Verithin uses the same pigments as Premier with a harder binder. Use Premier for laying down and blending color, and Verithin for crisp edges and fine detail.
Where are Prismacolor Premier pencils made?
ADI Global Distribution lists Mexico as the country of origin for the 72-count set and says it may change. The brand is owned by Newell Brands.
Are Prismacolor Premier pencils good for beginners?
Yes, if you want rich color with little pressure. Start with a 24- or 36-count set before buying the 150, since soft cores wear down quickly and you'll learn which colors you use most.
How thick is the Prismacolor Premier core?
Listings disagree: one retailer gives 3.8 mm, School Specialty lists a 3.3 mm tip and an office-supply distributor lists 3 mm. All are well over the 2.2 mm core of a No. 2 graphite pencil.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Prismacolor (1938 Eagle Pencil Company, Berol 1969–95, Newell Brands; product lines)
- ADI Global Distribution: Prismacolor 3599TN 72-count tin (Newell Brands; country of origin Mexico)
- Made Good Designs: Prismacolor brand guidelines (packaging reported to say Made in Mexico)
- Jenny's Crayon Collection: complete list of Prismacolor Premier colored pencils (set sizes)
- Staples: Prismacolor Premier Soft Core, 72 pencils (3599TN; 7 in long, 0.7 in around; 4.87 stars, 1,698 reviews)
- Quill: Prismacolor Premier soft-core colored pencils, 72 pencils (3599TN)
- DeSerres: Prismacolor Premier 72-pack (UPC 070735035998)
- Gordon Harris: Prismacolor Premier colour pencils (3.8 mm core, cedar casing)
- School Specialty: Prismacolor Premier set of 36 (3.3 mm tip size)
- Sigma Supply: Premier colored pencil, 3 mm, 24-pack (SAN3597THT)
- MyWorkSupply: Premier colored pencil, Crimson Red lead, Crimson Red barrel
- The Virtual Instructor: colored pencil product review, Prismacolor Premier (soft wax, like B graphite)
- WetCanvas: Derwent Studio vs Prismacolor Verithin (same pigments, harder binder)
- eBay: Prismacolor 3599TN Premier colored pencils, 72-piece set (reviews)
- Hip2Save: Prismacolor 150-count soft-core set deal and reader comments