Laurentien Colouring Pencils

Q. My Laurentien pencils keep breaking when I sharpen them. It says “strong lead” on the box.

A. Hand-held sharpeners are usually the problem when sharpening Laurentien and colouring pencils. We no longer recommend hand-held sharpeners for any of our colouring pencil lines. These sharpeners usually dull quickly and will chip at the wood instead of shaving the wood. This causes the lead to break, usually up inside the pencil.
We recommend 2 types of sharpeners – the rotary manual and the electric. The rotary manual sharpener clamps to the desk or the wall and is the type of sharpener used in schools. The electric sharpener plugs into the wall outlet. We do no recommend a battery operated pencil sharpener.

The two recommended sharpeners have cutterheads which shave the pencils when sharpening. The Laurentien colouring pencils contain wax. Wax may build-up on the cutterheads which can be removed by cleaning with a stiff brush or just sharpen a graphite HB pencil.

Q. Are Laurentien coloured pencils acid-free and non-toxic?

A. Yes. Laurentien colouring pencils are also recommended for scrapbooking.

Q. Are the Laurentien scented pencil crayons softer than the regular Laurentien pencil crayons?

A. The leads are the same strong leads. The scented Laurentien clouring pencils have added ingredients which provide the aroma.

Q. Can I buy individual colours of Laurentien colouring pencils?

A. Laurentien colouring pencils can be purchased in individual pencil colours from school supply dealers and some artist supply stores.

Q. Can I still get Laurentien in the plastic pouch?

A. Unfortunately, the plastic pouch was discontinued over 4 years ago and is no longer available.

Q. How should I wash pencil crayon from skin/clothing/furniture?

A. Soap and water should be all that is needed to wash Laurentien pencil crayon marks from most clothing and furniture. Some clothing may need pre-wash attention if there is excessive marks. It should wash from skin with soap and warm water.

Laurentien Markers

Q. Are the Laurentien markers acid-free and non-toxic?

A. We have not done any acid-free testing for the Laurentien colouring markers. Yes, the Laurentien colouring markers are non-toxic.

Q. How should I wash Laurentien colouring marker stains from skin/clothing/furniture?

A. Regular inks - Wash in 40o C with 1% solution of soap in 20 minute cycle in washing machine. Some colours may need a couple of washings. Should wash from skin with soap and warm water.
Washable inks - Wash from skin and most clothing with soap and water or laundry detergent. Do not use prewash or chlorine bleach. Laurentien Gel markers - Wash from skin and most clothing with soap and water or laundry detergent.

Q. What is the difference between regular Laurentien markers and the Laurentien washable markers?

A. Both Laurentien regular markers and Laurentien washable markers can be washed from clothing. The Laurentien washable markers have been developed to be easily removed with laundry detergent in the regular wash. However your should never use a prewash or chlorine bleach.
Laurentien regular markers may require additional attention to the stain, such as pre-wash or spot cleaner.

Q. Some of my Laurentien Gel markers are dry and the cap was put on tight.

A. If the marker tips become dry, just dip them in water to refresh the ink. Store markers horizontally. Gel inks tends to dry faster than regular marker inks.

Q. My Laurentien Gel markers did not last very long.

A. Laurentien Gel markers were designed to accent your colouring experience with creamy bright colours and not to replace the regular Laurentien markers. Because of the thicker ink in Laurentien Gel markers, the ink laydown is slightly heavier and is therefore used up faster.