Buying colored pencils as a gift sounds simple until you stand in front of the wall of options and realize you do not know the difference between a 12-dollar set and a 60-dollar set. This guide cuts through the noise. Every pick here is something we have tested, and each recommendation includes who it is actually for, not just a price tag.
Last updated: May 2026 | By ColoredCalm
What Makes a Colored Pencil Set a Good Gift
A great colored pencil gift set does three things: it looks impressive when opened, it performs well when used, and it does not require the recipient to already be an artist. The sets below are organized by who they are for, because a gift for a complete beginner should not be the same as a gift for someone who already owns three sets.
Key Factors
- Color count: 24 to 48 is ideal for beginners. 72 or more for experienced colorists who want range.
- Pigment quality: Soft-core pencils lay down rich color with less pressure. Hard-core pencils are better for detail work.
- Packaging: Tin cases look like a real gift. Cardboard boxes feel like school supplies.
- Blendability: If the recipient will be layering and blending, soft-core is the way to go.
- Price per pencil: Watch this metric. A 72-pencil set for 50 dollars is better value than a 24-pencil set for 35 dollars.
Best Overall Gift: Prismacolor Premier 72-Color Set
Prismacolor Premier 72-Color Set (25 to 35 Dollars)
Prismacolor Premier 72-Color Set (Compare prices on Amazon)
If you are buying for someone who loves coloring and you want to give them the one set that will make their year, this is it. Prismacolor Premier pencils have thick, soft cores that lay down vibrant color with barely any pressure. They blend like butter, which makes them perfect for adult coloring books where shading and layering matter.
- 72 colors covers virtually any adult coloring book page
- Thick 3.8mm soft cores for smooth, rich laydown
- Excellent blendability with or without a colorless blender
- Comes in a sturdy tin that looks like a proper gift
- Widely available, so replacement pencils are easy to find
Best for: Anyone who colors regularly. This set hits the sweet spot between price, quality, and wow factor.
Best Luxury Gift: Faber-Castell Polychromos 60-Color Set
Faber-Castell Polychromos 60-Color Set (80 to 120 Dollars)
Faber-Castell Polychromos 60-Color Set (Compare prices on Amazon)
This is the gift for someone who already has Prismacolor and wants to level up, or for someone who appreciates precision engineering in their tools. Polychromos pencils have harder cores than Prismacolor, which means sharper tips for finer detail and less breakage. The oil-based cores are waterproof and smudge-resistant once laid down.
- Oil-based cores hold a sharp point for detailed work
- Waterproof and smudge-resistant finish
- 60 colors is sufficient for most adult coloring projects
- Premium wooden tin case that genuinely looks expensive
- Made in Germany with consistent quality control
Best for: The serious colorist who already owns a starter set. This is a “I know you love this” gift, not a “here is something random” gift.
Best Budget Gift: Arteza Professional 72-Color Set
Arteza Professional 72-Color Set (20 to 30 Dollars)
Arteza Professional 72-Color Set (Compare prices on Amazon)
When you want to give something nice without spending forty-plus dollars, Arteza delivers. These pencils punch above their price. The pigment is softer and more vibrant than you would expect at this price point. They are not as blendable as Prismacolor, but for casual colorists, they are more than good enough.
- 72 colors for under 30 dollars is hard to beat
- Soft cores with decent pigment saturation
- Individual pencil names printed on each barrel
- Comes in a fabric zippered case that travels well
- Arteza’s 100 percent satisfaction guarantee
Best for: Birthdays, office gift exchanges, or anyone you want to surprise without breaking the bank.
Best for Complete Beginners: Crayola 50-Count Set
Crayola Colored Pencils 50-Count (8 to 12 Dollars)
Crayola 50-Count Colored Pencils (Compare prices on Amazon)
Sometimes the best gift is the one that says “I thought you might enjoy this” without making a big deal of it. Crayola pencils are approachable, recognizable, and genuinely decent for adult coloring. They are harder than artist-grade pencils, which actually helps beginners because they are harder to accidentally over-saturate with.
- 50 colors for under 10 dollars
- Hard cores resist breakage and over-application
- Pre-sharpened and ready to use out of the box
- Non-toxic and safe for all ages
- No intimidation factor for someone just trying coloring out
Best for: Someone who mentioned wanting to try coloring but has not bought anything yet. Pair this with a Mindfulness Coloring Book and you have a complete starter gift for under 20 dollars.
Best Gift Under 50 Dollars: Derwent Chromaflow 72-Color Set
Derwent Chromaflow 72-Color Set (35 to 50 Dollars)
Derwent Chromaflow 72-Color Set (Compare prices on Amazon)
Derwent is a British pencil maker with a long reputation, and the Chromaflow line bridges the gap between student and artist grade. These pencils have a smooth, waxy laydown that feels closer to Prismacolor than their price suggests. The tin case and color range make this feel like a premium gift even though it costs less than a dinner out.
- 72 colors in a sturdy presentation tin
- Smooth, waxy core that blends well
- 3.4mm core width for broad strokes and fine detail
- Good lightfastness ratings across the range
- Trusted brand with heritage in pencil manufacturing
Best for: Someone who has outgrown their starter set but is not ready to invest in Polychromos money. This is the “next step” pencil.
Add-On Gifts That Complete the Set
A colored pencil set on its own is a great gift. Add one or two of these accessories and it becomes a complete toolkit:
- Kum Automatic Long Point Sharpener (Compare prices on Amazon) — The best sharpener for soft-core pencils. Cuts a long, clean point without chewing through pigment.
- Prismacolor Colorless Blender (Compare prices on Amazon) — Turns any pencil set into a blending powerhouse. A single pencil that changes how every other pencil performs.
- Kneaded Eraser (Compare prices on Amazon) — Lifts color gently without tearing paper. Essential for fixing small mistakes.
- Secret Garden by Johanna Basford (Compare prices on Amazon) — The coloring book that started the adult coloring trend. Pairs perfectly with any pencil set.
How to Wrap and Present Colored Pencils as a Gift
A tin of colored pencils looks great on its own, but a little effort makes it feel even more special:
- Pair with a coloring book. Wrap the pencil tin and a book together. It is instantly clear what the gift is and why it matters.
- Add a handwritten note with a color suggestion or a page number to start on. It shows you thought about the gift, not just bought it.
- Include a sharpener. Tuck a Kum sharpener into the ribbon. It is a five-dollar addition that makes the set usable immediately.
- For the luxury sets, wrap the tin in tissue paper inside a gift bag. The case itself is the presentation; you do not need to over-package it.
What to Avoid
- No-name bulk sets with 120-plus colors. They look impressive on the count but the pigment is usually weak, the pencils break, and the colors are redundant.
- Anything marketed only to children unless the recipient is a child. An adult does not want to unwrap a set that says “Kids Art” on the box.
- Watercolor pencils as a surprise. They are great, but they require water and a brush. If the recipient does not know how to use them, they will sit in the tin.
- Sets with fewer than 24 colors unless it is a very specific themed palette. Twelve colors is not enough variety for adult coloring.
Bottom Line
The Prismacolor Premier 72-Color Set is the best all-around gift. It hits the sweet spot of quality, variety, and presentation. For a budget option that still feels thoughtful, the Arteza Professional 72-Color Set delivers surprising quality for the price. And if you want to spoil someone who already loves coloring, the Faber-Castell Polychromos is the kind of gift they will remember. Pair any set with a good sharpener and a coloring book, and you have given someone hours of genuine relaxation.