Organizing Prismacolor Pencils

After months of research, I've designed an easy, low-cost colored pencil organization system.

1. Locate and use the Prismacolor (PC) numbering system

A White colored pecil is organized by it's PC number: 938

Each Prismacolor colored pencil is marked with an individual PC number from 103 to 1103. This number essential to my organizing system and determines where in the drawer the pencil is stored.


2. Create a list of your color pencils

Fig. 1

The first step in organizing your colored pencils is to list all of the color pencils you own. Prismacolor includes a list with their sets. I use this list and put it in the top drawer of my container. It helps me to quickly identify the location of of each colored pencil.


3. Select your containers

3-drawer container

I use two sets of 3-drawer containers. I bought mine at Walmart for around $8 each.


4. Label your containers

Using the Prismacolor numbering system (see step 1 and 2), I create a label for each drawer. Each drawer holds between 25-30 colored pencils.


5. Use small glass jars for individual projects

I use recycled salsa jars for my containers. I prefer glass so that I can easily select the color pencil of my choice.


6. Label the glass jars

Using a scrap of paper or a 3X5" index card, label each of your glass jars with the project name visible. This stragety is helpful especially if you are working on multiple projects.


7. Use a small tray

When using three to five colors on a given project, I put these pencils in a plastic tray. This container keeps the pencils from rolling off the table, yet close at hand.