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Buying school supplies seems straightforward, until you have to choose from dozens of pens, pencils and sets. A low price doesn’t tell you much about writing comfort, durability or the quantity you actually need. Parents often look for a complete starter set, while school pupils, university students, teachers and office professionals have different requirements.
When comparing, pay particular attention to the technical specifications. Attractive packaging, pastel colours or a large quantity are only worthwhile if the product also fits your daily use.
A box of 48 colouring pencils or 50 gel pens might seem like good value, but not everyone needs that many. For a child who draws occasionally, a set of 20 colouring pencils with a sharpener can be more practical. For a classroom, office or large household, a bulk pack may well make sense.
So compare:
Erasable gel pens typically use heat-sensitive ink. According to M&G’s product descriptions, the ink can be removed by friction. That’s handy for planners, notes and practice work, but you must not expose written text to high heat. For official documents, exams or forms, ordinary ballpoint pens are often a safer choice.
Also check whether the pen has a cap or a click mechanism. A cap protects the tip, while a retractable pen is quicker to use with one hand.
A striking design can be fun, but the shape of the pen or pencil also affects comfort. An ergonomic triangular shape can provide more grip than a smooth round barrel. With mechanical pencils, the lead thickness is also important: 0.5 mm is suitable for fine lines, while 0.7 mm offers a bit more writing width and sturdiness.
The point thickness determines how fine or clear your writing is:
With colouring pencils, you should look more at the core, shape and sharpenability. According to the product specifications, the Faber-Castell Black Edition has a 5 mm core and a soft B hardness. That can work well for colouring in and filling areas. A set with different colours isn’t automatically suitable for technical drawing; for that, drawing supplies with a more precise point are often better.
For long writing sessions, a non-slip grip, low weight and balanced shape are relevant. A metal mechanical pencil feels sturdier but can be heavier. A plastic pen is often lighter and suitable for everyday use in a pencil case.
Also pay attention to how you refill it. With mechanical pencils, you need to choose the right lead thickness and hardness. The WRITECH set uses 0.7 mm HB leads and comes with four tubes of leads and two extra erasers. The M&G metal set uses 0.5 mm leads. These two sizes are not interchangeable without checking the product specification.
Sharpening pencils is easier with a sharpener that fits the diameter. A built-in container prevents loose shavings in your bag. The M&G sharpeners have a compact design and a shavings reservoir; just check which hole is suitable for your pencil.
Store gel pens with the cap firmly closed or with the tip retracted. Colouring pencils last longer when you keep them dry and use a suitable sharpener.
Why this suits the profile: A straightforward set for children, beginners and gift use, with 20 colours and a mini sharpener in a tin.
The contents are clearly stated and the sharpener is included. That means you don’t have to buy separate accessories straight away.
20 colouring pencils, triangular shape, metal tin and one mini sharpener; recommended minimum age according to the product information is 6 years.
Why this suits the profile: Suitable for adults and children who want more colour choice for drawing, colouring and creative projects.
The set states the number of colours, the core size and the shape. This helps you judge whether it suits your drawing style.
36 colours, soft B core, ergonomic triangular shape and a metal storage tin. According to Faber-Castell, the core uses SV bonding to help prevent breakage.
Why this suits the profile: A practical stock for an office, classroom, household or workspace where a lot of writing is done every day.
The pack contains 50 identical pens with black ink and a fixed point thickness. That avoids a mix that isn’t suitable for every task.
50 gel pens, black ink, 0.5 mm fine point and a classic stick shape with cap.
For corrections in notes, erasable gel pens can be handy. The M&G Puffy Animals variant has a 0.4 mm blue tip and a click mechanism, while other M&G sets use a 0.5 or 0.7 mm tip. For colour coding, ballpoint pens with multiple ink colours are practical; the M&G 4-in-1 set combines four colours in one pen.
For technical sketches, maths or fine writing, mechanical pencils are a logical choice. If you mainly draw, you can combine colouring pencils, a suitable sharpener and additional drawing supplies. For school and office, it’s often cheaper to buy only the items you use regularly, rather than a decorative stationery set with unused accessories.
We’ve put together a full, up-to-date list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and comply with current European safety regulations.
That depends on the course and age. A basic set usually consists of blue and black pens, pencils, an eraser, a sharpener and highlighting materials. For creative tasks, add colouring pencils or other craft supplies for children. Check the school or teacher’s list beforehand.
The lifespan depends on use, storage and the amount of ink. Close pens properly after use and store them in a dry place. With a large pack, it’s wise not to keep the stock open and spread out for a long time. A pen that writes scratchily or skips may be empty or have a dried-out tip.
Always check the rules of the educational institution. Erasable ink is heat-sensitive and therefore not suitable for every official application. For important forms or exams, only use the writing materials that are expressly permitted.
