Crayons get their color from pigments mixed into melted paraffin wax.
The Crayon Coloring Process
-
Pigment Preparation: Powdered pigments, purchased in various colors, are pre-measured. These pigments may be used individually or mixed to create a wide range of hues. The reference states: "We purchase the powder pigments and either use individual colors or mix the pigments to produce the many colors of Crayola crayons."
-
Wax Mixing: The pre-measured pigments are thoroughly blended into melted paraffin wax. This creates the colored wax mixture that will eventually form the crayon. The reference confirms: "The paraffin wax is melted and mixed together with pre-measured amounts of color pigments."
-
Molding: The hot, colored wax mixture is poured into molds. These molds shape the crayons into their characteristic forms.
-
Cooling and Packaging: Once the wax cools and solidifies, the crayons are removed from the molds. They are then packaged and prepared for sale.
Types of Crayons and Color Variety
Many different types of crayons exist, offering varied colors and textures. For example, Crayola offers a "Colors of the World" set with 24 skin-tone colors representing diverse people globally. Other brands and specialized crayon types offer different color palettes and formulations.
[Crayon Manufacturing]
