Custom Pencil Cartons

Sizing Pencil Cartons by Length and Count

A standard full-length pencil is about 175 to 190 mm long, and a half-length pencil about 90 mm. Colouring pencils tend to be similar in length but can be thicker, especially chunky pencils for younger children. To size a carton, measure the length of a sharpened pencil, the diameter across its widest point and decide how many go in a row and how many rows you want.

A set of twelve colouring pencils in a single row needs a wide, flat box. Twenty-four pencils might sit in two rows, either side by side or stepped so both rows show their tips. For a stepped layout, a card tray with a raised back row is the neatest solution. Send us the pencil dimensions and set sizes and we will lay out the tray and calculate the carton size.

Graphite pencils sold in packs of ten or twelve usually need no tray at all. A snug tuck end carton, sized so the pencils lie flat in a single layer or two neat layers, keeps them tidy and costs less. Save trays for colouring and artist sets, where presentation matters more.

Board, Trays and Protection

Pencil cartons are usually made from white or kraft folding board, which is light, takes print well and folds neatly. A heavier board is worth using for larger sets, because a long, flat box can bend if it is lifted from one end.

Inside, a card tray with die-cut slots holds each pencil in place, which protects the points and makes the set look complete and orderly. For premium artist pencils, a corrugated or rigid tray adds strength and a more luxurious feel. If the set includes a sharpener, eraser or blending stump, the tray can have a small compartment for each. The grades are explained in our board grades for small cartons guide.

Printing for Shelves, Classrooms and Gifts

Pencil cartons are often bought on impulse, so the front panel needs to work hard. A clear brand name, the number of pencils, the type (graphite, colouring, watercolour) and a hint of what they can make are all important. Bright illustrations suit children's sets, while artist pencils tend to use cleaner, more restrained layouts with a strong colour band or a photograph of a finished drawing.

For schools and classroom packs, simple and durable is the priority. A one or two colour print on kraft with the school name or a space for a pupil's name works well and keeps costs down. For gift sets, a soft-touch laminate, foil detail on the brand name and a sleeve and tray reveal make the set feel special.

Remember the back panel. List the number of pencils, the lead grades or colour names, any safety information for children's products and a barcode for retail. A colour chart printed on the back of a colouring set is a practical touch that helps buyers compare sets on the shelf. Varnish, matt and gloss are shown on the same artwork in our print finishes compared guide.

Pencil Cartons for Promotional Use

Branded pencil sets are a popular giveaway for businesses, events, museums, attractions and charities. A small carton of four or six colouring pencils with a logo on the lid makes a cheerful handout for families, and a set of graphite pencils in a printed box is a practical gift for clients or conference delegates. Pairing the carton with a printed notepad or colouring sheet makes a complete activity pack.

Restaurants and pubs often hand children a small pencil carton with a colouring menu, and a printed box with the venue's name is much more memorable than loose crayons on the table.

Count the Pencils and Measure the Longest

Pencil cartons are sized by two numbers, the count per set and the length of the longest pencil, usually 175 mm for a full-length pencil or 90 mm for a half. Tell us those with the pencil diameter, and say whether the set sits loose, in a card tray with slots, or in a stepped two-row tray that shows every colour tip when the box opens. Choose the style, a tuck end carton for shelves, a flip-top for gift sets, a slim sleeve for restaurant and hotel sets, and whether a window shows the tips. Artwork is the carton design and anything printed on the tray, sent as vector files, and the free proof shows the carton and the tray together. A custom quote comes by email within one working day, minimums are quoted per job, and cartons are made in 4 to 7 working days after approval, travelling flat on free tracked delivery across the UK mainland. Notepads to go with the pencils are printed as our A5 notepads for the same set.