Detailed Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils Review and related article resources.
Adult coloring is among the most satisfying pastimes I have ever experienced. All it takes is your favorite coloring pencils, coloring book, comfortable chair, or favorite place for the day. Coloring happens at home when traveling, at the park, or in your neighborhood coffee shop. Whether you are just beginning or becoming an experienced colorist, there is nothing more satisfying than seeing and experiencing the joy of coloring.
This article is about my personal experience with Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils, and I have written the article from a colorist’s perspective on adult coloring. The review is subjective, based on my experience, research, and the performance of colored pencils in activities like coloring books, pages, and sheets. My review seeks to provide as much information as possible to ask the right questions, evaluate the information, and make better decisions about the colored pencils you choose and use. I will update this article as new information becomes available.
Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils
Table of Contents
Additional Resources. The following are additional resources you can find on ColoringButterfly.com to assist you in learning more about colored pencils.
- Buying A Coloring Book: Everything You Need to Know (Guide)
- Buying Colored Pencils? Everything You Need Know (Guide)
- How to Find Colored Pencil Reviews (50+ ColoringButterfly.com)
- Guide to Amazon Colored Pencil Reviews (Fake vs. Trustworthy)
- Guide to Using Colored Pencil Set Reviews (Step-by-Step)
Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils Descriptions and First Impressions
This section provides the facts, descriptions, and my first impressions of colored pencils. I am going to provide my subjective/personal review based on my experience, research, and the performance of colored pencils in activities like coloring books, pages, and sheets and answer the question; I am focused on answering the questions for the colored pencils, “What are the basic facts for Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils?”; “What did you experience during the first inspection of Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils?.” Let’s get started.
Go to ColoringButterfly.com YouTube Channel for more videos about coloring pencils, coloring books, and more.[Return to TOC]
Colored Pencil Facts
The following are some basic facts about the Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils.
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- Best for: Student/Hobbyist
- Size of sets: 90
- Available in open stock: No, you cannot purchase replacement pencils.
- Lightfastness rating: No, the pencils do not have a lightfast rating.
- Cost range: Mid-range/average (.51 cents to $1.00 dollar)
- Barrel size: 7.7 mm
- Core size: 2.9 mm
- Type of pencil core: Wax-based
- Barrel type: Round
- Wood:
- Where to buy online: Amazon, Aliexpress, DickBlick
- Made by: Tombow
- Where manufactured: Vietnam
- Company URL: https://www.tombowusa.com/irojiten-color-pencils.html
- Google search term: tombow irojiten colored OR coloured pencil review [Return to TOC]
Barrel Description
The Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils come in a slender, round barrel and are nicely designed. The shaft of the pencil is a bright glossy white. On the barrel of 
each pencil, you find the color name printed in silver followed by a letter/number combination. This combination stands for the volume/box and order of placement in the box. You will then find the dragonfly logo, and “Tombow” brand name. The top portion of the barrel has a 1-inch color cap representing the pigment core’s color and includes the logo “Irojiten.” The following is an example of pencil writing on the pencil and its meaning:
- Orchid Pink P1 = (e.g., Color-Orchid Pink, Volume 1/Pale Tone, Pencil 1)
Lightfast Rating
No rating. Lightfastness is a property of a colorant such as dye or pigment that describes how resistant to fading it is when exposed to light. Lightfast rating is essential to artists, especially when they spend long hours creating art; they will want the work of art to keep its vibrancy for years to come. The lightfastness has a lot to do with the higher cost of the pencils. [Return to TOC]
Range of Colors
Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils are a wax-based core from Japan. I found the color pigments to be rich, vibrant and delightful as I used them during coloring.
There are three sets/boxes of 30 colored pencils (i.e., Set 1, Set 2, Set 3). Tombow as organized/built each set around specific types of landscape (i.e., seascapes, rainforests, and woodlands). In each box of 30 pencils, three small boxes open like a book to reveal ten pencils. On the inside lid of each box is a detailed listing of each pencil and color. Each small box is identified with a “Volume” number.
The Tombow Irojiten color palettes were well thought out, unique, and work very well together. The color are sufficient to allow me to color an image in any themed adult coloring book. The downside is if you want to keep the pencils in their boxes, you will need to fuss with opening and retrieving pencils.
Before using the colors on a project, I recommend swatching the colors for the set (and for every pencil you own) rather than relying on the color printed on the pencil barrel. This will help you make wiser and more appropriate color choices. Here is a closer description of each set. As an extra step in swatching, I would suggest that you swatch the Tombow Irojiten on different levels of paper, so you can see how pigment lays down. I believe there is a noticeable difference in the pigment vibrance on Amazon coloring book paper vs. artists’ edition coloring books.
Set 1 is the Rainforest collection (which includes an image of Kingfisher on the spine of the box). The three boxes inside (Vol 1-3) are Volume 1-Pale Tone I, Volume 2-Vivid Tone I, and Volume 3-Deep Tone I.
Set 2 is the Woodland Collection (which includes an image of Peaches on the spine of the box). The three boxes inside (Vol 4-6) are Volume 4-Pale Tone II, Volume 5-Deep Tone II, and Volume 6-Light Greyish Tone I.
Set 3 is the Seascape Collection (which includes an image of a Tree on the spine of the box). The three boxes inside (Vol 7-9) are Volume 7-Florenscence, Volume 8-Very Pale Tone, and Volume 9-Dull Tone. [Return to TOC]
Container Description
The Tombow Irojiten is a set of 90 colored pencils. There are three sets/boxes of 30 colored pencils (i.e., Set 1, Set 2, Set 3). Tombow as organized/built each set
around specific types of landscape (i.e., seascapes, rainforests, and woodlands).
In each box of 30 pencils, there are three boxes that open like a book to reveal ten pencils. Each box includes an elastic band that can be placed round the box to secure and keep the box closed. The pencils are in individual slots that help protect the pencil and keep it from moving around. On the inside lid of each box is a detailed listing of each pencil and color. Each small box is identified with a “Volume” number.
I think the Tombow Irojiten package presentation is among the best designs for colored pencils; I find it awkward to store and interact with the pencils for coloring projects. [Return to TOC]
First Inspection
As a habit, when I first open the box of pencils, I like first to check pencil duplications and missing pencils. Check to make sure the cores are centered. Next, I will check them for pencils for imperfections (e.g., shaft spits, broken cores, light printing). I would have liked to have seen a better design interacting with the pencils and making the presentation more user-friendly. I also would have also like to have liked to have seen a basic set of primary colors that I could purchase to test the pencils out before buying one or all three of the sets. Overall, I was very pleased with what I found. I found the pencils to be exceptionally well designed and the presentation enjoyable. [Return to TOC]
Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils Review and Summary
In this section, I move beyond the description and facts of the colored pencils. I am going to provide my subjective/personal review based on my experience, research, and the performance of colored pencils in activities like coloring books, pages and sheets and answer the question; I am focused on answering the questions like
- What do you think about Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils?
- Are the Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils better than other colored pencils?
- What are the Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils’ pros and cons?
- What are some tips on making the best purchase decision?”.
How the Colored Pencils Performed
The Tombow Irojiten colored pencils are wax-based core, medium to firm hardness, and round pencils. When I was coloring, I purposely colored with varying levels of pressure on different levels of coloring book paper and was able to
experience various levels of color application. There are three sets of 30 pencils that are designed for landscape drawing called Rainforest, Seascape and Woodlands. The packaging is well-designed and portable.
I went from the basic Amazon smooth coloring book paper to the more expensive artist edition coloring books with progressively more tooth in the paper. The greater the tooth in the paper, the better my color application and coloring experience with Tombow Irojiten pencils.
This coloring experience would lend me to use/save these pencils on the more expensive coloring books (e.g., artist editions) with nicer paper from artists like Johanna Basford (e.g., Enchanted Forest Artist’s Edition), Hana Karlzon (e.g., Daydreams Artist’s Edition, Summer Nights Artist’s Edition), Maria Trolle (e.g., Twilight Garden Artist’s Edition), Rachel Reinert (e.g., Botanical Wonderland-Artist’s Edition).
Overall I felt the pencil experience was average. I like the way the pencils easily layer. As I tested the layering, I purposely was heavy-handed and had a thick application on one coloring page, and I applied a lighter touch and gently applied the layers I wanted. The Tombow Irojiten performed well in both cases, producing beautiful colors even after I applied multiple layers.
The blending and shading were very nice for my coloring purposes. The pencils were easy to sharpen, and I got a nice tip for detail work. Because the pencil is a little slender, I had to be careful not to overpower the pencil during hand sharpening. The pencil did feel a little small/petite to me.
I think there are various ways to determine how you gain the most from the Tombow Irojiten colored pencil. You can use these coloring pencils
- As your sole source of a coloring pencil.
- For projects where the paper has more tooth (e.g., artist edition coloring books)
- As a second set.
- In combination with another set.
- As an add-on set to your collection.
- For smaller/petite hands.
- For permanent work.
Review Summary and Rating
The Tombow Irojiten colored pencils are wax-based core, medium to firm hardness, and round pencils from Japan. Tombow Irojiten is a very nice-looking
pencil. Because of the pencil hardness, you will have to work/press a little harder for full pigment vibrancy. I think the best place for Tombow Irojiten in the coloring community is coloring books with more teeth, like the more expensive artist edition coloring books.
If you choose to add the pencils to your collection, make sure you swatch the pencils on different types of paper (e.g., amazon coloring book paper to more expensive paper). That way, you can see what color vibrancy you can expect. Overall I found the color pigments to be rich, vibrant and delightful as I used them during coloring. I enjoyed the range of colors. Layering, blending and shading were easy and pleasing. I felt my overall experience was just average. The important takeaways are as follows:
User Experience (Pros & Cons) Considerations
- Recommend for adult coloring (+)
- Recommend for adult coloring (+)
- Budget-friendly colored pencils (+)
- Best for student/hobbyist (+)
- Wax-based, medium-hardness core (+)
- A broad range of colors (+)
- Rainforest, Seascape and Woodlands color sets (+)
- Color application is smooth and creamy (+)
- Pencils respond well to light and heavy pressure (+)
- Quality layering and blending for coloring books (+)
- Works well with different quality coloring books (+)
- Colors were unique (+)
- Packaging is excellent (+)
- Pencils feel good in the hand (+)
- Excellent quality for the price (+)
- Average adult coloring experience (+)
- Pencils do not have lightfast rated (+/-)
- Not available in open-stock (+/-)
- Sharpens fast but must be careful not to overpower (-)
- Minor to high wax blooming (-)
Tips for Purchasing
Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils are considered low-end/budget (Under .50 cents) and come in set 90 pencils. Usually, before purchasing, it is advisable to get a feel of the pencils by either purchasing a small set or individual pencils when you can buy open-stock or if you know someone who has the pencils can try theirs.
Tombow Irojiten is an expensive pencil. You can buy the pencils in one or all three sets. If you want to get a feel for the pencil, you can purchase one set. However, the cost of that set can be as much as 50% of what you would pay for all three sets. I wish there were an easier way to get a feel for the pencils to evaluate them.
If you decide to get a set, I suggest getting the most extensive set you can afford to avoid duplicates and give yourself a full pallet of colors to work with. In the long run, I feel like I save the most, and I especially look for special promotions during holiday seasons and put out price watches on my favorite eCommerce sites.
An excellent way to learn about the performance is to read reviews like this, view YouTube reviews, and read Amazon reviews. In the long run, I feel like I save the most, and I especially look for special promotions during the holiday seasons and put out price watches on my favorite eCommerce sites.
Tombow Irojiten is an expensive pencil. You can buy the pencils in one or all three sets. If you want to get a feel for the pencil, you can purchase one set. However, the cost of that set can be as much as 50% of what you would pay for all three sets. I wish there were an easier way to get a feel for the pencils to evaluate them [Return to TOC]
Other Valuable Resources
The following are a few more resources to support your review of Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils.
Free Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils Swatch Downloads
To give back to the adult coloring community, I have developed color pencil swatches for all the colored pencil sets I own and have reviewed. Note below two listings for each swatch, “Blank” and “Filled-in.” These terms mean. “Blank” is a swatch version you can download and fill in yourself, and “Filled-in” refers to a version of the swatch I filled in when I reviewed the pencils. You can also use these as a reference to see what the colors will look like before purchasing. Also, see the article “Free Color Pencil Swatch Charts for Adult Coloring (Detailed).”
- Tombow Irojiten 90 Color Pencil Sets Swatch
- Tombow Irojiten 90 Color Pencils Swatch-v1-Blank
- Tombow Irojiten 90 Color Pencils Swatch-v2-Blank
- Tombow Irojiten 90 Color Pencils Swatch-v2-Filled In
- Tombow Irojiten 90 Color Pencils Swatch-v3-Blank
- Tombow Irojiten 90 Color Pencils Swatch-v3-Filled In
Suggested Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils YouTube Reviews
I encourage you to seek other written evaluations, YouTube discussions, and Amazon-like reviews. I want to suggest the following a few YouTube reviews/opinions.
If you would like to find other reviews, do a Google search query on “tombow irojiten colored OR coloured pencil review.”
Thank you for taking a moment to view and read the article. Feel free to provide your comments.
Don’t forget to share the post. [Return to TOC]
