Pencils

Writing Pencils

While the 21st Century has seen us surrounded by tech and gadgets, there are some things that you just can't replace. Perfect for use in the office and crucial for creatives, pencils can be used for a range of tasks. Unlike pens, you can erase any mistakes, and although they are outrageously analogue compared to their computerised counterparts, pencils are so dependable that their design hasn't changed for hundreds of years. Whether you're an aspiring artist or a deskbound office worker, sketching pencils and writing pencils are something no home or workplace should be without.

HB pencils

The variety that most of us are familiar with are HB pencils. The 'HB' stands for 'Hard Black', which offers a lead of medium firmness. Possibly the most versatile of them all, HB pencils can be used as both writing pencils and sketching pencils. When it comes to writing, they offer crisp, clear lines which are easy to read. However, if you make a mistake, they can be easily erased without leaving too many ghosts behind them. Used as sketching pencils, they respond well to changes in pressure, so you can achieve everything from dark, defined marks to lighter, subtler shades. 

2H pencils

Browse our range, and you'll also find a selection of those that fall into the 2H category. The '2H' indicates that, while it is a 'hard' pencil, it releases less graphite than its softer counterparts. As a rule of thumb, the higher the number that precedes the letter 'H,' the lighter the lines it leaves behind. While this makes them less suitable for use as writing pencils, it makes them ideal for sketching and drawing. Because they produce lighter marks, 2H are ideal for adding extra details, in the form of graded shading, to pieces of art drawn with softer shades. As an added benefit, 2H pencils are incredibly easy to erase without leaving any evidence that you'd drawn with them in the first place.

Coloured pencils

However, they don't just come in grades of black. Browse our range, and you'll find a good selection of coloured pencils. Whether you're buying these for your own artistic endeavours or as a gift for someone else, you can be sure that we offer the best writing utensils, from the best brands, at the best prices. What sets coloured varieties apart from their monochrome cousins is the use of graphite. Standard writing pencils have a column of graphite housed in the wooden shaft. As the pencil comes into contact with the paper, friction drags a layer of graphite from its point. 

By comparison, coloured pencils use oil-based or wax leads, housed within the wood. Along with bonding agents and water, pigments are added to create coloured pencils in all the colours of the spectrum. Like standard writing pencils, details, lines, and shading can be erased using a standard rubber. We offer a range of coloured pencil sets, from those that hold around 12 all the way up to those that boast 36 and over. Made by some of the most well-known brands on the planet, they’re made to the highest quality and sure to satisfy your needs, whether you’re a veteran of the canvas or just starting out on your artistic adventures.

Protecting your pencils

Keeping your writing utensils together and protected is the best way to ensure that you've got immediate access to what you want whenever the muse strikes. Our website holds an extensive variety of pencil cases designed to keep everything in one place. You'll find clear plastic pencil cases for students in exam situations, which adhere to the regulations set down by examination boards. For those of us in less stressful situations, we offer some superb pencil cases available in various colours and designs. Easy to use and with zip fasteners to keep your pencils contained, they come in a range of sizes, so you can either keep the chosen few out of harm's way or fill them up.

Greener pencils

At Avansas, we're also aware that responsibility to the environment is a massive consideration for more and more people. As a result, you'll find that many of our products are certified by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). The PEFC is an international organisation that unites national forest certification systems. With stringent standards overseeing sustainability, growth, and certification, you can be sure that any pencils you buy from Avansas that bear their stamp are as eco-friendly as it gets. However, while they might be green in ethos, you'll still find a rainbow of other colours from which to choose. 

We treat every order with the same levels of care and attention, whether a bulk buy or a one-off purchase. With a range of delivery options available, you can have your new products on your doorstep in as little as 24 hours.