
To get a product that will last, look for pencil cases that are washable. You can consider your storage preferences and convenience in deciding how many zippered pockets you prefer. You can find cases with one zipper that offers a single opening as well as organizer pencil cases with several zippered compartments and pockets. Since you’ll open the pencil case often, opt for a product with a sturdy and convenient zipper. Look for products that mention qualities such as waterproof, dust-resistant and strong. You can often find pencil cases made of polyester, felt, plastic and canvas that offer different textures and durability. Since pencil cases can get a lot of wear and tear as they hold objects like sharp pencils, scissors and protractors, you’ll want to choose a product made of a sturdy, high-quality material. Other cases have a wide zipper design that makes the case open up more like a bag. For example, some pencil cases fold up and down so you can use them as a pencil cup when you’re not simply storing your items. Pencil cases can come in different shapes and styles that fit your needs and preferences. However, a large pencil case or bag may offer slots for pencils, have a large open area and feature several pockets for easy organization of small and large items. A basic pencil case can hold several pencils and other supplies in a single zippered compartment for basic daily use. When browsing pencil cases, consider how much space you need for your items. Pencil cases can make it easy to organize office and art supplies. A good pencil case will offer protection and can keep pencils from rolling off your desk or getting lost.

A second grooved slat is glued onto the first – making a “sandwich” – by a machine called a “lead layer”.Coloring pencils may use wax-based cores while many other formulations are used in cosmetic pencils. Writing cores – made from a mixture of graphite and clay – are placed into the grooves.At the Pencil Factory a “Groover machine” cuts grooves into the slats to accept the writing core (or “lead”).The slats pass through a final inspection process and then are packaged and shipped to “Pencil Factories” all over the world. Pencil Slats are treated with wax and stain to obtain uniform color and improve the machining and sharpening characteristics of the wood for future processing.Some slats are cut to smaller widths (called “narrow ply”) or shorter lengths (called “memos”) in order to eliminate the defects and to produce a variety of usable grades and plies of pencil slats. Slats without defects are called “full ply”. Due to the natural grain and defect characteristics of the wood, slats are sorted by width and grade for further processing. These saws are very thin in order to reduce the amount of “waste” in the form of “sawdust”. Pencil Blocks are cut into “Pencil Slats” using specially designed circular saws.The small amount of extra length is called “trim allowance” that bears importance later on in the process.

At the Slat factory, pencil stock is cut into “Pencil Blocks” a bit longer than the normal length of a pencil.This lumber product is then dried in a dry kiln to reach a uniform moisture content before being shipped to the Slat factory.

The journey begins at a sawmill, where Incense-cedar logs are cut into lumber called “Pencil Stock” or “Pencil Squares”. Our story of how cedar pencils are made is a celebration of time-honored traditions married to modern manufacturing facilities. Have you ever wondered how a pencil is made? Read on to learn about the 10 step pencil making process that transforms a tree into pile of pencils.
