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Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils vs Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set

Buy the Prismacolor Premier if you want the strongest pigment laydown and the most forgiving blending, especially for layered colored-pencil work on toned or textured paper. Buy the Castle Art Supplies 72 set if you want a broad 72-color range in a sturdy tin and a softer, easier core for casual coloring, sketching and travel. Reviewers and owners consistently rate Prismacolor higher for professional results, but note its soft cores break easily and need careful sharpening; Castle owners praise the tin and value but report harder, less blendable cores and occasional breakage.

  • Choose the Prismacolor Premier if you are a serious artist who layers and blends heavily and will accept softer, more fragile cores for richer color.
  • Choose the Castle Art Supplies 72 set if you want a wide color range in a protective tin for coloring, sketching and everyday use at a lower commitment.

Prices

  • Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils: $49.99 at Walmart (last seen Nov 8)
  • Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set: $57.11 at eBay (last seen Nov 10)
  • Difference: the Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils is $7.12 cheaper than the Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set at the latest prices (Nov 8 and Nov 10)
Prismacolor
Prismacolor Premier Coloured Pencils

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils

Prismacolor Premier Coloured Pencils

3.2(9 ratings)
$49.99at WalmartChecked Nov 8
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • Rich, creamy pigment that blends and layers with little effort
  • Strong reputation among professional colored-pencil artists
  • 72-color range suited to shading and portrait work
  • Soft core covers paper texture quickly
Cons
  • Soft cores break easily, especially when sharpened hard
  • Cardboard packaging offers little protection in a bag
  • Not water-soluble
  • Firmer hand needed to avoid wasting lead
Castle Art Supplies
Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set

Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set

5(2 ratings)
$57.11at eBayChecked Nov 10
See all prices and details
Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

Pros
  • Sturdy display tin protects pencils and travels well
  • Firmer core resists breakage better than very soft leads
  • 72 colors cover coloring, sketching and doodling
  • Marketed with a watercolor effect for wash techniques
Cons
  • Needs more pressure to build deep color
  • Blending is less smooth than Prismacolor
  • Less pigment density for layered fine art
  • Firmer feel may disappoint artists used to soft cores

What separates them

Prismacolor Premier Colored PencilsCastle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set
Core softnessVery soft, creamy core that lays down heavy color fastSoft Series core, softer than average but firmer than Prismacolor
Pigment and blendingHigh pigment load; blends and layers smoothly with little pressureGood color payoff but needs more pressure to build depth
Lead durabilitySoft cores snap easily, especially with heavy sharpeningStronger core designed to resist breakage in normal use
PackagingCardboard box with trays; less protective for travelDisplay tin that protects pencils and travels well
Color range72 colors tuned for artist palettes and shading72 colors aimed at broad coverage for coloring and sketching
Watercolor effectNot water-soluble; dry media onlyMarketed with a watercolor effect for wash techniques
Skill levelAimed at professionals and advanced studentsMarketed for kids through professionals
SharpeningNeeds a sharp blade and light pressure to avoid breakagePre-ground points and a firmer core sharpen more easily

Price history

$39.99$12.72
Nov 1Nov 10
  • Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set: lowest $12.72 on Nov 10 at storyartsgroup.org.

Prices at every store

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils

  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by Doudou shopReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.

    $49.99Free shippingChecked Nov 8
    Visit Walmart
Prices and history →

Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set

  • Fishpond.comNew

    In stockShips from abroad · duties may apply

    $52.91Checked Nov 10
    Visit Fishpond.com
  • eBayNew

    In stockSold by ebuzzarr

    $57.11Free shippingChecked Nov 10
    Visit eBay
  • GoSupps.comNew

    In stock

    $84.99+ $19.99 shippingChecked Nov 10
    Visit GoSupps.com
  • EtsyNew

    In stockSold by Seller

    $119.98Free shippingChecked Nov 10
    Visit Etsy

Also available at

  • AmazonCheck price at Amazon
  • Castle ArtsCheck price at Castle Arts
  • mercari.comCheck price at mercari.com

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All 5 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecPrismacolor Premier Colored PencilsCastle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set
Lead Hardness2HSoft
colorMulticolor—
Pack Size72 Count—
Lead Size0.7mm—
Width1.1 inches—
Length8.2 inches—
Weight699g—
Height26cm—
Country of OriginMX—
Latex FreeYes—
WashableNo—
Size—1 count (Pack of 72)
Show all 33 specsShow fewer specs
SpecPrismacolor Premier Colored PencilsCastle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set
Quantity—72
Product Type—Colored Pencils
Type Highlights—Offers greater blending, shading and layering
Available Colors—Multicolor
Included Items—Pencils
Packaging Type—Set, Display Tin
Lead Softness—Soft
Lead Highlights—Strong lead core
Point Size—0.7mm
Point Style

What reviewers say

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils

Artists widely praise Premier for smooth blending and strong pigment, calling them a favorite for colored pencil work. Complaints center on soft cores breaking and needing constant sharpening.

What people mention
  • BlendingPraisedOwners say the soft cores blend and layer more easily than harder pencils.
  • PigmentPraisedReviewers describe rich, saturated color with good coverage.
  • Core breakageCriticisedMany report leads snapping inside the wood, especially after drops.
  • SharpeningMixedThe soft cores sharpen to a fine point but wear down quickly.

Castle Art Supplies 72 Colored Pencils Set

Buyers generally treat this as a strong value set for coloring books and casual art. The soft lead and wide color range get consistent praise, while sharpening and core breakage come up as the main frustrations.

What people mention
  • BlendingPraisedOwners say the soft cores layer and blend smoothly without much pressure.
  • Color rangePraisedReviewers like the 72-color spread for coloring books and sketching.
  • SharpeningCriticisedThe soft lead dulls quickly, so users sharpen more often than with harder pencils.
  • Core strengthMixedSome buyers report broken tips or cores, especially after shipping.

Questions and answers

Which is better for professional colored-pencil drawing?
Prismacolor Premier. Its soft, pigment-heavy core layers and blends with less pressure, which matters for detailed, multi-layer work. Castle is capable but needs more pressure and gives less depth.
Which set lasts longer?
Castle's firmer core generally survives sharpening and everyday use better. Prismacolor's soft leads are more prone to snapping, so careful sharpening and storage extend their life.
Is the Castle set worth stepping up to from a kids' set?
Yes, if the goal is smoother blending and a wider palette for older kids and hobbyists. It is a clear upgrade over basic school pencils without the fragility of very soft artist cores.
Do either work for watercolor techniques?
Castle markets a watercolor effect, so its pigment can be spread with water. Prismacolor Premier is a dry pencil and is not water-soluble.
Which is better for travel and classes?
Castle, because the tin protects the pencils in a bag. Prismacolor's cardboard box offers little protection and its soft leads are more likely to break in transit.
Are the two 72-color ranges comparable?
Both give 72 colors, but Prismacolor's palette is tuned for artist shading and portraits, while Castle aims at broad coverage for coloring and sketching.

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—
Fine
Point Highlights—Pre-ground
Recommended Surface—Wood, Canvas, Eggshell, Paper
Watercolor Effect—Yes
Special Use—Coloring
Color Set—72 colors
Core Material—Soft Core
Body Material—Wood
Age Range—Kids, Adults
Skill Level—Professional
Typical Users—Kids
Pattern—Color-coded