--- title: "KOH-I-NOOR Progresso: Woodless Colored Pencils" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/koh-i-noor-progresso/" description: "KOH-I-NOOR Progresso 8750 woodless colored pencils explained: solid 7.6 mm color core, 24 to 26 colors, sets of 6, 12 and 24, how to sharpen them, and origin." category: "Pencils" type: "Colored pencil" published: 2026-10-21 updated: 2026-10-21 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 10 products: - name: "KOH-I-NOOR Progresso woodless colored pencils, set of 24 (8758/24)" brand: "KOH-I-NOOR" brand_origin: "Czech Republic" made_in: "Czech Republic" material: "Solid colored-pencil core with a lacquer coating; no wood" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "KOH-I-NOOR HARDTMUTH a.s. (České Budějovice)" model: "8758/24" mpn: "8758024007PZ" gtin: "8593539015048" url: "https://eshop.koh-i-noor.cz/cs/produkt/souprpastelek-v-laku-filutex-3" --- # KOH-I-NOOR Progresso: Woodless Colored Pencils > KOH-I-NOOR Progresso pencils are woodless colored pencils: a solid stick of color core, about 7.6 mm across, with only a thin lacquer coating instead of a wood case. The Czech maker sells them singly (8750) and in sets of 6, 12 and 24. They sharpen in an ordinary sharpener and are made in the Czech Republic. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/koh-i-noor-progresso/ - Category: Pencils - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-21 - Updated: 2026-10-21 ![Light blue KOH-I-NOOR Progresso woodless colored pencil, a round lacquered stick sharpened to a point that is color all the way through, drawn in proportion; inset: the solid color cross-section](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/koh-i-noor-progresso-16x9.png) *A Progresso 8750 in Light Blue, drawn in proportion.* Original drawing (SVG): https://stationerytimes.com/images/koh-i-noor-progresso-cover.svg. Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## Product facts | Product | Brand | Brand origin | Made in | Material | Released | Price range (typical US retail, October 2026) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | KOH-I-NOOR Progresso woodless colored pencils, set of 24 (8758/24) | KOH-I-NOOR (by KOH-I-NOOR HARDTMUTH a.s. (České Budějovice)) | Czech Republic | Czech Republic | Solid colored-pencil core with a lacquer coating; no wood | – | $: under $5 per pencil (multi-packs divided by the count) | - Made in (KOH-I-NOOR Progresso woodless colored pencils, set of 24 (8758/24)): Czech Republic. Koh-i-noor's Czech e-shop marks the single pencils and the sets of 6, 12 and 24 "Vyrobeno v ČR" (made in the Czech Republic). Source: https://eshop.koh-i-noor.cz/cs/produkt/souprpastelek-v-laku-filutex-3 ## Key takeaways - Koh-i-noor says the whole cross-section is color core, with no wood; a Chartpak listing gives the core as 7.6 mm, twice the 3.8 mm Polycolor core. - Koh-I-Noor USA lists 26 Progresso colors in the US; the Czech set of 24 (8758/24) is the largest set. - Czech e-shop prices: CZK 18 (about US$0.80) for one pencil and CZK 305 (about US$14) for 24 (October 21, 2026). - Cult Pens lists one pencil at 12 g, and Blick says each holds about five times the lead of a regular pencil. - Koh-i-noor's e-shop marks Progresso "Vyrobeno v ČR", made in the Czech Republic. ## What are KOH-I-NOOR Progresso pencils? **Progresso pencils are colored pencils with no wood: each is a solid stick of color core with a thin lacquer coating.** Koh-i-noor's Czech catalogue says "the entire section consists of a pastel lead", and the lacquer keeps your fingers clean. The maker says they sharpen very easily and suit school, hobby and art drawing, and that their thickness makes them especially good for coloring large areas. You can draw with the point, or with the side of the stick for broad strokes. ## KOH-I-NOOR Progresso specs | Spec | Value | |---|---| | Maker | KOH-I-NOOR HARDTMUTH a.s., České Budějovice | | Single pencil | 8750 (US: FA8750 part numbers) | | Sets | 8755/6, 8756/12, 8758/24 | | Colors | 26 (Koh-I-Noor USA) | | Core | Solid, 7.6 mm (Chartpak listing) | | Shape | Round, lacquered | | Weight | 12 g per pencil (Cult Pens) | | Box of 24 | 230 × 112 mm, 361 g (Koh-i-noor catalogue) | | Made in | Czech Republic | Koh-i-noor doesn't publish the pencil's length in the pages we read, so our cover is drawn in proportion. ## How is a woodless pencil different from a regular colored pencil? **A woodless pencil is all core: the Progresso's 7.6 mm stick is twice the 3.8 mm core of Koh-i-noor's wood-cased Polycolor.** Blick says each Progresso holds about five times as much lead as a regular pencil. ![Cross-sections at 10 times: Progresso solid core 7.6 mm with no wood, Polycolor core 3.8 mm in cedar, and KOH-I-NOOR 1500 graphite core 2.5 mm in cedar](https://stationerytimes.com/images/koh-i-noor-progresso-cores.svg) *Core sizes at 10×. Only the cores are drawn to scale.* That has three practical effects: - **Coverage:** a blunt Progresso fills a large area in a few strokes. - **Line variety:** the same stick gives a fine point line and a wide side stroke. - **Weight and fragility:** with no wood to cushion it, a dropped pencil can crack inside the lacquer. ## How do you use and sharpen Progresso pencils? **Koh-I-Noor USA says Progresso pencils sharpen in a traditional pencil sharpener and come pre-sharpened.** A standard hole fits them, according to Blick and Cult Pens; we haven't checked every sharpener. The maker describes a soft core that works "in delicate layers or in heavy strokes" and blends well. Koh-I-Noor USA also suggests using the shavings to smudge color into a background. - **Fill large areas** with the side of a blunt stick. - **Add detail** with a freshly sharpened point and light pressure. - **Blend** by layering two colors, then smudging the shavings with a paper stump. ## Which Progresso set should you buy? **For most people, the 24-color set (8758/24) is the one to buy; the 12 suits beginners or a travel kit.** Koh-i-noor's Czech e-shop lists these prices on October 21, 2026: | Set | Colors | Czech price | |---|---|---| | 8750 single | 1 | CZK 18 (about US$0.80) | | 8755/6 | 6 | CZK 78 (about US$3.60) | | 8756/12 | 12 | CZK 149 (about US$6.90) | | 8758/24 | 24 | CZK 305 (about US$14) | The Czech set of 12 has light yellow, orange, white, light and dark green, light and dark blue, violet, red, carmine, brown and black. Blick's US set of 12 differs a little, with light orange, light vermilion, sap green and Paris blue, so check the color list on any set you buy. In the US, singles sell in our $ band (under $5). ## How do Progresso pencils compare? **Progresso is a coverage tool; for detailed work, wood-cased artist pencils such as [Faber-Castell Polychromos](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/faber-castell-polychromos/) or [Prismacolor Premier](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/prismacolor-premier-colored-pencils/) give more control and far more colors.** | | Progresso 8750 | Koh-i-noor Polycolor | Faber-Castell Polychromos | |---|---|---|---| | Case | None (lacquer) | Cedar, hexagonal | Cedar | | Core | 7.6 mm | 3.8 mm | 3.8 mm | | Colors | 26 | 72 + blender | 120 | | Best for | Large areas, loose work | Layering, detail | Layering, detail | Koh-i-noor also makes Progresso woodless graphite pencils; Blick's set of 12 runs from 9B to HB. From the same factory comes the [KOH-I-NOOR 1500](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/koh-i-noor-1500/), the company's classic yellow graphite pencil. ## Where are KOH-I-NOOR Progresso pencils made? **Koh-i-noor's e-shop marks Progresso pencils and sets "Vyrobeno v ČR", made in the Czech Republic.** KOH-I-NOOR HARDTMUTH is based in České Budějovice; in the US they are sold under Chartpak's Koh-I-Noor USA part numbers. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is a woodless colored pencil? It is a pencil made entirely of colored core, with a thin coat of lacquer instead of a wood case. KOH-I-NOOR Progresso pencils are the best-known example, and their thick core suits covering large areas. ### How many colors does KOH-I-NOOR Progresso come in? Koh-I-Noor USA lists 26 colors as single pencils. The largest set on Koh-i-noor's Czech e-shop has 24 colors (8758/24); there are also sets of 6 and 12. ### How do you sharpen Progresso pencils? In any ordinary pencil sharpener, according to Blick and Koh-I-Noor USA. Because there is no wood, you can also sharpen a long point or use the side of the stick for broad strokes. ### Do woodless pencils break more easily? They are a solid stick of core, so a drop can crack them like any colored pencil lead. Koh-I-Noor USA advertises them as weighty, and Cult Pens lists 12 g per pencil. ### Are Progresso pencils wax- or oil-based? Koh-I-Noor USA says its colored pencils use a proprietary blend of oils, binders and pigments, without a waxy bloom. It doesn't give a separate formula for Progresso. ### Are Progresso pencils good for coloring books? They are good for filling large areas quickly. For fine detail in small spaces, a wood-cased pencil with a smaller core, such as Koh-i-noor's Polycolor, is easier to control. ### Is there a Progresso graphite pencil too? Yes. Koh-i-noor also makes Progresso woodless graphite pencils; Blick sells a set of 12 with two each of 9B, 8B, 6B, 4B, 2B and HB. ### Where are Progresso pencils made? In the Czech Republic. Koh-i-noor's e-shop marks them "Vyrobeno v ČR", and KOH-I-NOOR HARDTMUTH is based in České Budějovice. ## Sources - [KOH-I-NOOR e-shop (CZ): Pastelky 8758/24 PROGRESSO (24 colors listed, CZK 305, Vyrobeno v ČR)](https://eshop.koh-i-noor.cz/cs/produkt/souprpastelek-v-laku-filutex-3) - [KOH-I-NOOR e-shop (CZ): Pastelky 8756/12 PROGRESSO (12 colors, CZK 149)](https://eshop.koh-i-noor.cz/cs/produkt/souprpastelek-v-laku-filutex-2) - [KOH-I-NOOR e-shop (CZ): Pastelky 8755/6 PROGRESSO (6 colors, CZK 78)](https://eshop.koh-i-noor.cz/cs/produkt/souprpastelek-v-laku-filutex) - [KOH-I-NOOR e-shop (CZ): Tužka pastelová v laku, bílá, 8750 (single pencil, no wood, CZK 18)](https://eshop.koh-i-noor.cz/cs/produkt/tuzka-pastelova-v-laku-bila) - [KOH-I-NOOR catalogue (EN): set of woodless coloured pencils 8758 24 (description, EAN, box size and weight)](https://catalogue.koh-i-noor.cz/en/catalogue_c627619275997188/pencils_c349326870052867/woodless-pencils_c349773546651657/set-of-woodless-coloured-pencils-8758-24_p28197) - [Koh-I-Noor USA: colored pencils (Progresso Woodless: 26 colors, round, FA8750 part numbers; Polycolor 3.8 mm core)](https://www.kohinoorusa.com/polycolor) - [Blick: Koh-I-Noor Progresso woodless colored pencils and sets (set contents, 4.7 stars from 186 reviews)](https://www.dickblick.com/products/koh-i-noor-progresso-woodless-colored-pencils/) - [Blick: Koh-I-Noor Progresso woodless graphite pencils](https://www.dickblick.com/products/koh-i-noor-progresso-woodless-graphite-pencils/) - [Cult Pens: Koh-I-Noor 8750 Progresso woodless coloured pencil (12 g)](https://cultpens.com/products/koh-i-noor-8750-progresso-woodless-coloured-pencil) - [Aztec: Chartpak Koh-I-Noor woodless colored pencils, 24 set, FA875824 (7.6 mm lead diameter)](https://aztekc.com/product/1cmincsdm1q)