It’s hard to find reliable pencils made in the USA these days. So, we did the research to find which manufacturers are still here. Below, you will find the results of our research and our shopping tips for finding pencils made domestically if you’re doing a bit of your own research, too.
Complete List of Pencils Made in the USA
This iconic American company has been in business since 1889 and is still family-owned. It makes pencils for both classroom use and arts and crafts. However, General Pencil Company does import some of its materials.
Musgrave Pencil Co. has been making pencils from Tennessee red cedar wood for over 100 years and is proud of its heritage. This brand has put Shelbyville on the map as “the Pencil City.” The company sources its pencil parts domestically whenever possible, but a few components are imported.
America Standards Co. doesn’t just produce pencils in the United States, although that is a key part of its mission. This brand also emphasizes quality and sustainability. In addition, the company uses non-toxic materials for its pencils.
Cal Cedar makes Golden Bear pencils, which are known for being durable and budget-friendly. They are often used in the classroom but also make great home or office pencils. Cal Cedar stamps all its domestic pencils with the letter “USA” in gold.
This brand is a new name in the pencil industry, focusing on eco-friendly products. Its line of “America’s Finest Pencils” is made in the USA with high-quality wood and graphic cores. The erasers are latex-free and don’t leave smears.
Mike’s YouTube Video on American Made Pencils & Other Writing Supplies
How to Find Pencils Made in the USA
Nowadays, so many goods, including pencils, are made overseas. However, there’s a growing movement to bring manufacturing back to the USA and boost the job market. As a bonus, domestic products tend to be better made.
Here’s what we found out to help you when you are shopping for American made pencils and other goods.
What Does “Made in the USA” Mean?
Let’s start with the phrase “made in the USA.” The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says “all or virtually all” of a product must be made domestically for it to receive this designation. The item must not only be manufactured here, but all components must be sourced within U.S. borders.
To learn more about the FTC labeling and guidelines, see our helpful made in the USA guide.
Next, we will consider the materials used in pencil-making and how the United States compares to other nations in this area.
Materials
Most pencils only consist of a few simple materials: wood, which is used for the casing; graphite, and clay, which are mixed to create the core. Let’s look at each of those materials and where they are commonly sourced from.
Graphite
The United States imports all of its natural graphite, so it is impossible to find pencils that are 100% made in the USA. China is the largest graphite-producing country in the world, followed by Madagascar, Mozambique, Brazil, and South Korea.
Wood
Cedar wood is typically used to make pencils. Cedar trees are native to the Himalayas and the Mediterranean, but this type of tree is also grown in the United States. This means you have a good chance of finding pencils that were at least partially, if not entirely, made in the USA.
Clay
The U.S. produces around 25 million tons of clay annually, so two of the three raw materials used to make pencils can easily be sourced from the USA.
Labeling
Labeling is another key consideration when shopping for pencils. Luckily, the FTC protects the “made in the USA” label. Title 19 Chapter 4 Section 1304 of the U.S. Code also says companies that import products must label them with the country of origin.
However, even with these guardrails in place, some brands manage to mislead consumers. Notably, companies are allowed to decide for themselves if their goods are “all or virtually all” made in the USA. If you find out a brand is using the “made in the USA” label when it isn’t warranted, report it to the FTC so the agency can stop it.
Other companies use phrases on labels that are similar to “made in the USA,” such as “assembled in the USA” or “designed in the USA.” This should be a tip-off that the product doesn’t meet the FTC definition of an item that was truly made domestically.
You should also be skeptical if you see “made in America” on a label, as that generally means an item was manufactured in Mexico or Canada.
Last but not least, be aware that an American flag sticker on an item doesn’t necessarily mean it was made here because the image of Old Glory is not protected under U.S. law.
Final Tips
Here are our other tips for shopping for pencils made in the USA.
Check the Company’s Website
Looking at the brand’s website is a great way to discover if they make their merchandise domestically. Companies know that some consumers are passionate about buying made in the USA goods, so if their products are manufactured stateside they are likely to shout it from the rooftops. The website’s “About Us” section is the first place you should visit to learn about the manufacturing process and raw materials sourcing, followed by individual product pages. Just remember that companies are not required to list the country of origin for products on their website or promotional materials. When in doubt, it’s best to assume the brand’s goods are imported.
Visit Online Shopping Sites
If a company’s official website doesn’t have the information you’re looking for, Amazon and other online shopping platforms might have the answers. In particular, Amazon might list a product’s country of origin if you can’t find it elsewhere.
Call The Company
Still confused? If so, you can simply call the company and ask a representative where their goods are manufactured and what countries the raw materials come from.
Pencil Companies Not Made in the USA
Here’s a list of pencil brands that import their products so you can avoid them. We will add to this list as we find more of these companies during our ongoing research.
- Ticonderoga – Nearly all their pencils are made in China and Mexico.
- Faber-Castell – Made in Germany.
- Staedtler – Made in Germany.Caran d’Ache – Made in Switzerland.
