Crayola crayons are made using a mix of melted paraffin wax and dry pigments.
Here's a detailed look at the process:
Crayola Crayon Manufacturing Process
The process involves several key stages, starting with raw materials and culminating in the final boxed product.
1. Pigment Preparation
- Pigments Supplied: The dry pigments that give crayons their colors are obtained from external suppliers.
- Formulas Followed: Crayola follows precise formulas to get each crayon's specific shade.
- Chemical Mixing: Individual pigments are created by mixing different chemicals.
- Water Mix: It's possible that pigments were initially made as a water mix (referencing the video).
2. Wax Melting and Mixing
- Paraffin Wax: Paraffin wax is melted to become the base material for the crayon.
- Pigment Incorporation: The dry, powdered pigments are added to the melted wax and thoroughly mixed. This ensures even color distribution throughout the crayon.
3. Molding the Crayons
- Crayon Molds: The colored wax mixture is poured into molds to shape the crayons.
- Cooling and Solidifying: The wax mixture cools and hardens into the familiar cylindrical form.
4. Quality Checks and Wrapping
- Inspection: Crayons undergo quality checks for correct size and shape and to confirm they are free of defects.
- Paper Wrapping: Each crayon is wrapped with a paper label featuring the Crayola logo and color name.
5. Packaging
- Boxing: The finished, wrapped crayons are placed into their various boxes for distribution and sale.
Summary of the Process
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Pigment Prep | Suppliers create dry pigment powders based on Crayola's formulas. |
| Wax Melting | Paraffin wax is melted, and dry pigments are mixed in to color the wax. |
| Molding | Colored wax is poured into molds and allowed to cool. |
| Quality & Wrap | Crayons are inspected and wrapped in paper labels. |
| Packaging | Wrapped crayons are packaged into their boxes. |
