Quick answer

Store colored pencils horizontally in a sturdy case or box with individual slots to prevent rolling and impact. Keep them away from heat and direct sunlight to avoid drying out the wood and lead. For double-sided pencils like the Flora's Double-Sided Pencils, extra care is needed to protect both ends.

Why proper storage matters for colored pencils

Colored pencils are more fragile than they look. Dropping them or storing them loosely can crack the lead inside, especially with double-sided pencils where both tips are vulnerable. Heat and dry air can also cause the wood to shrink and the lead to become brittle, leading to breakage during sharpening or drawing. A little planning goes a long way in preserving your set.

5 steps to store colored pencils correctly

  1. Choose a case with individual slots: A pencil case or box with elastic loops or foam slots keeps each pencil separated and prevents them from rolling against each other. This is the most reliable way to avoid lead breakage. Common mistake: using a loose bag where pencils knock together. Checkpoint: after closing the case, give it a gentle shake—if you hear rattling, add padding.
  2. Store pencils horizontally, not upright: Laying pencils flat distributes weight evenly and reduces the chance of the lead shifting inside the wood barrel. Upright storage can cause the lead to fall out of the tip over time. Common mistake: keeping pencils in a cup on a desk. If you must store upright, place them tip-down so gravity works with you, not against you.
  3. Keep away from heat sources and direct sunlight: Heat dries out the wood and makes the lead brittle. Sunlight can fade the pigment over time. Store your pencils in a cool, dark drawer or cabinet. Common mistake: leaving pencils on a windowsill or near a radiator. Checkpoint: touch the storage area—if it feels warm to the hand, relocate.
  4. Maintain moderate humidity: Extremely dry air (below 30% humidity) can cause the wood to crack. If you live in a dry climate, consider storing pencils in a sealed container with a small humidity pack (around 45-55% RH). Common mistake: storing pencils in a basement or attic where humidity fluctuates wildly. A simple hygrometer costs little and helps you monitor conditions.
  5. Sharpen only when needed: Sharpening exposes fresh wood and lead, making the tip more vulnerable. Sharpen pencils just before you use them, not in advance. For double-sided pencils, sharpen one end at a time to keep the other protected. Common mistake: sharpening all pencils at once before a project. Instead, sharpen as you go to keep tips intact and reduce waste.

Product storage considerations

  • Flora's Double-Sided Pencils: 25 high-quality, two-sided, colored pencils offer 50 colors in a beautiful, floral tube illustrated by artist Flora Waycott. The tube packaging is already designed for safe storage, keeping pencils upright and protected. However, to prevent the double-sided tips from rubbing against each other, store the tube horizontally or lay pencils flat inside a drawer.
  • Sea Life 6 Jumbo Color Pencils: Artist-quality, double-sided colored pencils in a jumbo size, perfect for young artists. These 6 vibrant fluorescent and 6 metallic colors, add shimmer and pizzazz to every art project. Jumbo pencils are thicker and less prone to snapping, but the double-sided design still requires careful storage. The die-cut box is sturdy enough for desk storage, but for travel, transfer them to a padded case to avoid tip damage.