Caran d'Ache
Caran d’Ache: Exquisite Swiss-Made Art Supplies Since 1915
Caran d’Ache has been synonymous with Swiss precision, craftsmanship, and innovation in art materials for over a century.
Founded in Geneva in 1915 as Fabrique Genevoise de Crayons Ecridor, the company was renamed in 1924 by Arnold Schweitzer, after the famous Russian-French cartoonist Caran d’Ache, whose name derives from the Russian word for pencil. Today, Caran d’Ache is renowned for creating some of the world’s finest drawing and writing instruments.
With a reputation for exceptional quality, Caran d’Ache offers a wide range of products including coloured pencils, graphite pencils, oil pastels, brush pens, gouache, and more. Every product is crafted in their Geneva workshops, ensuring a commitment to excellence in both artistry and durability. Known for their attention to detail, Caran d’Ache has even entered the world of luxury, with exclusive pens that have earned them a place in the Guinness Book of Records for the most expensive pen in the world.
Caran d’Ache’s fine art materials are celebrated for their vibrant pigments, smooth application, and excellent lightfastness, making them a favourite among professional artists and beginners alike. Their Luminance 6901 coloured pencils, in particular, are popular for their depth of colour and smoothness.
Caran d’Ache remains at the forefront of innovation, continuously developing high quality materials that inspire creativity across generations. Whether you're sketching, illustrating, or writing, Caran d’Ache provides the tools to bring your vision to life with Swiss precision.
We invited the Caran d’Ache CEO, Carole Hübscher, and the R&D Fine Arts Director, Eric Vitus, to the Jackson’s Studio to talk about the history of Caran d’Ache and much more. Watch the film here.