Joybuy Insights

Pastel highlighters and coloured pencils: how to choose the right assortment for your needs

Between revision, office work, bullet journalling and creative hobbies, pastel highlighters and coloured pencils meet a wide range of needs. An appealing set is not necessarily practical for everyday use. A nib that wears out too quickly, ink that is too bright, pencils that are difficult to hold or pigments that are unsuitable for the surface can all turn an enjoyable purchase into wasted money.

Here are the criteria to consider before choosing your next highlighter set, coloured pencils or drawing supplies.

Common pitfalls before buying

1. Confusing a pastel palette with barely visible ink

A soft shade should highlight text without obscuring it. Transparent, water-based inks are generally suitable for lessons, official documents and diaries. Conversely, a colour that is too saturated can make text harder to read or bleed through thin pages.

Also look at the palette composition: an assortment made entirely of pastel shades is ideal for discreet note-taking, while a set combining fluorescent highlighters and softer shades offers more ways to organise information.

2. Overlooking the nib shape

A versatile chisel tip generally allows you to draw either a fine or broad line. However, dimensions vary from one model to another. A 1 mm and 4 mm tip is suitable for compact annotations and headings, while a 2 mm and 5 mm format lets you cover entire passages quickly.

For lettering or decoration, control of the stroke is just as important as colour. A slim barrel fitted with a clip can also prove more practical in a pencil case or attached to a notebook.

3. Buying too many colours without considering storage

A large set can include numerous similar shades, some of which may remain at the bottom of the box. Before choosing, ask yourself whether you need six essential shades, a palette of 10 to 15 colours or an assortment intended for artistic creation. A sturdy box, pencil case or case helps prevent broken tips and misplaced pens.

Packaging also matters for pencils: a metal tin is well suited to transport, while a wooden case is better suited to studio use.

Key specifications to check

Ink, usage time and paper

The STABILO models featured here use transparent, water-based ink. This formulation is suitable for highlighting and layering colours, but the result depends on the paper’s weight and quality. Test the ink on a less visible page if you are working in a book, Bible or notebook with thin pages.

The anti-drying technology advertised on several STABILO models allows use without a cap for up to four hours, according to the manufacturer’s information. This does not remove the need to recap each pen after use. Some fluorescent STABILO BOSS ORIGINAL highlighters can also be refilled with dedicated refills, helping you avoid replacing the entire marker.

Width and ergonomics

A chisel tip is practical for switching between underlining, outlining and colouring small areas. Compare the dimensions:

  • STABILO BOSS ORIGINAL: 2 mm and 5 mm lines;
  • STABILO Swing Cool pastel: 1 mm and 4 mm lines;
  • triangular pencils: guided grip and improved stability on the desk.

For children, ergonomic coloured pencils with grooves or a triangular barrel can make it easier to position their fingers. The STABILO EASYcolors version featured below is designed specifically for left-handed children, so make sure you check the handedness before ordering.

Pigment type and artistic surface

Traditional coloured pencils are suitable for homework, colouring and notebooks. For more detailed work, Polychromos pencils use an oil-based core and are suitable for layering, blending and precise drawing. Lightfastness should be considered depending on the intended use of the artwork, particularly if it is to be kept or displayed.

Faber-Castell dry pastels have a powdery texture and blend easily on paper, card or canvas. However, they create dust: work in a well-ventilated area, avoid inhaling the particles and use a suitable fixative to help prevent smudging. Small parts and tips are not suitable for children under three.

Our selection for different users

Recommended for: Beginners on a budget
Faber-Castell Colour Pencil Colour Grip Box of 12

Faber-Castell Colour Pencil Colour Grip Box of 12

Why this choice suits this user: With its twelve triangular pencils, this set lets you get started with drawing, colouring or journalling without investing in a bulky palette.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The limited format prevents you from paying for shades you rarely use, while the triangular shape stops the pencils from rolling across the desk.

Main benefit and key features

Ergonomic triangular barrel, break-resistant leads and a compact box.

Recommended for: Premium product enthusiasts
Faber-Castell Polychromos Colour Pencils Set of 48

Faber-Castell Polychromos Colour Pencils Set of 48

Why this choice suits this user: With its 48 shades, this set is aimed at illustrators and artists who want to work on gradients, portraits or details with an extensive palette.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The oil-based core and SV bonding process mentioned by the manufacturer meet the needs of layering and precision, rather than simply satisfying a desire to collect more colours.

Main benefit and key features

48 colours, 3.8 mm core, advertised lightfast pigments and a wooden case.

Recommended for: Specific uses and intensive users
STABILO BOSS ORIGINAL Highlighter 15-Piece Desk Set

STABILO BOSS ORIGINAL Highlighter 15-Piece Desk Set

Why this choice suits this user: Students, professionals and fans of colour-coded organisation have 9 fluorescent shades and 6 pastel shades to distinguish different types of information.

How this product avoids the pitfall

Combining two colour families means you do not have to rely on a pastel shade instead of a fluorescent highlighter when visibility is the priority.

Main benefit and key features

2 mm/5 mm chisel tip, advertised anti-drying technology for up to four hours and advertised coverage of up to 375 m per highlighter.

Recommended for: Left-handed children and learning to draw
STABILO EASYcolors Set of 12 for left-handed children

STABILO EASYcolors Set of 12 for left-handed children

Why this choice suits this user: The wide triangular barrel, grooves and yellow tip are designed to guide young children’s left hand.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The clearly identified left-handed version reduces the risk of buying a standard model that does not match the hand position.

Main benefit and key features

12 pencils, 4.2 mm core, grip grooves and a sharpener included in a metal case.

Looking for more options ?

We have put together a complete, real-time updated list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and European safety regulations.

Usage and care tips

To make your creative and school supplies last longer:

  • carefully recap each highlighter after use, even if it has anti-drying protection;
  • keep markers in their pencil case or box, away from heat and direct sunlight;
  • store pencils with the tip protected and sharpen them with a sharpener suitable for the core diameter;
  • store dry pastels flat in their original box to help prevent breakage;
  • always test the ink on the paper you are using before highlighting an important document.

Products with caps, tips or small parts must be kept out of reach of children under three. Ink and pastel dust must not be swallowed. Adult supervision remains essential for artistic activities with young children.

Frequently asked questions about pastel highlighters and coloured pencils

Are pastel highlighters suitable for lessons and professional documents?

Yes, provided they use ink that is transparent and sufficiently visible. Pastel shades are suitable for revision notes, diaries and documents where several levels of information need to be distinguished without making the page look cluttered. To quickly identify certain passages, add a few fluorescent highlighters.

How long can a highlighter be left uncapped?

Some STABILO models advertise resistance to drying out for up to four hours without a cap. This duration is a feature stated by the manufacturer and may vary depending on temperature, storage conditions and the condition of the tip. To preserve the ink, recap the pen as soon as you have finished your session.

Should you choose traditional pencils or Polychromos pencils?

Traditional pencils are suitable for school, colouring and everyday creative activities. Polychromos pencils are better suited to users looking for an oil-based core, layered application and detailed work. The choice therefore depends on the surface, frequency of use and level of precision required, much more than on the number of pencils in the box.