FABER-CASTELL

Faber-Castell, founded in 1761, is one of the world's oldest manufacturers of drawing materials. Their high quality pencils, pens and drawing accessories are the favoured choice of many famous artists, illustrators, fashion designers and architects across the world. They've even earned praise from Vincent Van Gogh!

Their history began when Caspar Faber started producing pencils in a small village in Germany and over the next two centuries the company grew to become the leading manufacturer of one of the world`s most sought after art tools - the pencil.

THE PRODUCTION

Behind the scenes at the Faber-Castell Factory

THE FABER-CASTELL

Mission, Vision & Values

From excellent drawing materials to sustainable practices, it's easy to see why the Faber-Castell brand has gone from strength to strength since their beginnings in 1761. We explore the brand's mission, vision and values to find out what makes them so successful.

MISSION

Faber-Castell motivate people to bring their ideas into reality and express themselves by delivering inspiring drawing products.

VISION

Since Lothar von Faber (pictured) stated in 1869: “If a person wants to accomplish something, he must unleash his innate creative potential" Faber-Castell have been bringing together inspiring humans from all over the world and joining spaces where creativity and expression can flourish.

VALUES

Faber-Castell live a tradition of passionately believing in what they do. Constantly striving towards the new and better, they wish to unleash everyone’s creative potential. With diversity as a key characteristic in their teams, they act sustainably and continuously search for the best environmentally and socially friendly solutions to preserve our planet. Click here to read more on Faber-Castell's approach to sustainable practices.

FROM PENCILS TO PENS

World Class Drawing Materials

Faber-Castell are renowned worldwide for their extensive selection of high quality drawing materials - from the iconic Graphite Castell 9000 Pencils to the innovative Polychromos Pencils Colour Pencils. We take a look at some of their most popular ranges and find out why their iconic drawing tools have stood the test of time.

Faber-Castell Graphite 9000 Pencils

The Castell 9000 - a genuinely classic pencil - was launched by Count Alexander von Faber-Castell in 1905. Its quality and finely graduated degrees of hardness have made it a firm favourite with artists and illustrators. Its lead is fully bonded with the wood surround and is therefore particularly break-resistant. Available in 16 different degrees of hardness, it's the ideal pencil for all technical and artistic applications.

Faber-Castell Polychromos Colour Pencils

The iconic Polychromos artists' pencils are valued internationally by professionals and semi-professionals. A unique tool in the world of sketching, they are oil based as opposed to being wax based like other pencils, allowing them to blend with solvents, like turpentine or white spirit in a similar way to how you would blend oil paints. They offer a soft lively colour and are water resistant, with artists across the world using them because of the high grade pigments and lightfastness - which means they’ll last for years. The leads are SV bonded which means they’re hardy pencils which can survive transit and are sturdier than your average colouring pencil.

Watch the video to see Artist Don Colley explaining to Faber-Castell why he prefers Polychromos Pencils.

Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolour Pencils

These popular watercolour pencils provide artists with great versatility of expression when drawing, shading and painting in watercolours. Available in 120 colours, each pencil contains the highest quality pigments for unsurpassed lightfastness. Depending on the paper being used, the pigments can be completely dissolved, and will then behave in the same way as classic watercolour paints.

Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen

Faber-Castell has combined all the advantages of artist's inks with the benefits of a modern, easy-to-use pen - the Pitt Artist Pen. The pigmented and very lightfast drawing ink is ideal for sketches, drawings, layouts, fashion design and illustration. Available in different shades and colours, plus a variety of different nibs (chisel, brush, round point to name a few), the high-quality and durable pen allows you to create narrow or broad marks with ease, whether you’re doing some spontaneous sketching or creating accurate technical drawings.

We're transfixed by this video of artist Chan Hwee Chong creating the iconic artwork 'Girl with the Pearl Earring' using Faber-Castell Artist Pitt Pens.

THE FABER-CASTELL TIMELINE

The History: A Unique Family Story

Looking at the mesmerising scenes of the Faber-Castell production plant today, it's possible to forget that the 250-year journey to global success has been a long one and that it all started with cabinet maker Caspar-Faber in 1761. We look back at this eventful history spanning over two centuries and how the Faber family name has stayed in the company for over 8 generations. We can even note some parallels to Cass Art's own Family History.

1761

Caspar Faber starts making the first pencils in a small workshop in the German village of Stein. Caspar's son Anton Wilhelm acquires a plot of land on the edge of Stein and expands the pencil workshop into a modern manufactory.

1840-1856

Lothar von Faber, Caspar’s great grandson, lends his name to the pencils, with the company now called A. W. Faber. He set standard lengths, diameters and grades of lead hardness, and under his management, the factory develops into a company with international standing. Lothar opens branches in New York, London and Paris and in 1856, acquires the rights to a graphite mine in Siberia, giving him a distinct commercial advantage.

1867-1875

Napoleon makes Lothar von Faber a chevalier of the Legion d’Honneur and in 1870 A.W. Faber is officially entered into the US Register of companies. Lothar opens branches in Vienna and St Petersburg.

1898-1905

Lothar Von Faber’s granddaughter Ottilie marries Count Alexander zu Castell-Rüdenhausen, who takes on the business. Lothar stipulated that the name "Faber" must be retained, and thus the new family name becomes Count and Countess von Faber-Castell. This gives rise to the new Faber-Castell brand and the iconic crest that is seen on the brand packaging to this day.

1925-1949

Lothar Von Faber’s granddaughter Ottilie marries Count Alexander zu Castell-Rüdenhausen, who takes on the business. Lothar stipulated that the name "Faber" must be retained, and thus the new family name becomes Count and Countess von Faber-Castell. This gives rise to the new Faber-Castell brand and the iconic crest that is seen on the brand packaging to this day.

1967

Count Roland buys back a major share in Brazil’s Lapis Johann Faber S.A, which had been confiscated during WWII, making it the largest pencil factory in the world.

1978-2016

In 1978 Count Anton Wolfgang von Faber-Castell (pictured below) takes over the company. In the same year, he extends the portfolio by producing wood-cased cosmetic pencils for firms selling under their own labels. In the three decades that followed, the Faber-Castell Group continued its role as a global player with roots in Germany. In 2008, he received the 'Eco Manager of the Year' award from WWF.

2019 – present

The Faber-Castell company employs 7500 people globally, under the leadership of eighth generation Count Charles von Faber-Castell. Pictured below (from left) are Countesses Victoria and Katharina von Faber-Castell, Count Charles von Faber-Castell and Countess Sarah von Faber-Castell.

CHANGE NEEDS CREATIVITY

Sustainability at Faber-Castell

Faber-Castell, a family-owned business, believes that a sustainable future requires innovative thinking and individuals passionate about shaping it creatively. As a driving force in the industry, Faber-Castell motivates people to unleash their creative potential through its products.

Sustainability is not a new trend for the company but a deeply ingrained part of its value culture and a proven success factor throughout its nine-generation history.

Environmental responsibility

Faber-Castell has always prioritized environmental sustainability, a cornerstone of its ESG strategy. To learn more about the company's extensive environmental projects and initiatives

SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY

Since the 1980s, Faber-Castell's managed forests in Prata, southeastern Brazil, have played a multifaceted role. They are essential for raw material supply and serve as a vital habitat for a diverse range of animal and plant species. Moreover, the trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, converting it into biomass and oxygen. Recognizing the importance of this unique forestry project, Faber-Castell is dedicated to its preservation.

KEY NATURAL RESOURCE

Wood, as the primary raw material for Faber-Castell pencils, holds immense importance. The company manages 4.5 million pine trees across 8,200 hectares of land, an area equivalent to 11,000 football fields, fulfilling the majority of its wood requirements. To ensure sustainable reforestation, Faber-Castell plants 300,000 new seedlings annually.