Crayola has been famous for its crayons since 1903, and they didn’t add colored pencils until over 80 years later in 1987. But they stepped up their game in 1987 when they came out with a crayon-pencil hybrid called a Twistable. But what are Twistables, exactly, and are they wax?
Classic Crayola Twistables are highly pigmented wax-based cores surrounded by plastic. The plastic barrel twists to reveal more color as the core wears down, similar to how a lipstick tube works. The brand also produces gel and oil-based Twistables.
This article will cover several of Crayola Twistables’ most popular products, what they’re made of, some of their pros and cons, and where to get them. There are several varieties of Crayola Twistables, and each one is a little different. In this section, we’ll get into how they each differ, including what they’re made of. By the way, most of the varieties mentioned here also come in scented or mini versions, but they’re similar enough that it doesn’t make sense for them each to get their sections.
Twistable Barrel
The most important part of a Crayola Twistables product is the twistable barrel. These plastic barrels are similar across the different product styles, consisting of two separate pieces that colorists can twist to expose more or less of the core as needed. They function in much the same way that a lipstick tube or traditional twistable pen does.
Twistable Colored Pencils
Crayola Twistables makes a wax-based, twistable colored pencil with a relatively fine tip that’s ideal for coloring in more intricate drawings. Many colorists appreciate that it glides more easily than many traditional colored pencils, and layers and blends well.
Twistables Crayons
Twistables Crayons are very similar to Twistables Colored Pencils, containing a highly pigmented wax core. The main difference is that the crayons are much thicker than the colored pencils. Because they’re thicker, they’re not as well suited to coloring in finely detailed works, but more for filling in backgrounds or use by children. They’re just as smooth and blendable as the colored pencils are, though.
Twistables Gel Crayons
Crayola doesn’t provide much information about what their Twistables Gel Crayons are made of, but they look similar in width to the Classic Twistables Crayons. Reviewers mention the gel crayons as having a creamy core that glides onto the page easily. Crayola doesn’t say what the core of their gel crayons are made of, but Faber-Castell has a similar twistable gel crayon that they say contains more pigment and less wax, so one can assume that this may also be the case with Crayola’s version.
Twistables Slick Stix
Twistables Slick Stix is another product that was difficult to get information on, as far as finding details of what the core is made out of. But they’re marketed as oil pastel alternatives, so most likely, they’re made similarly to oil pastels, using oil, pigment, and binder. As the name suggests, Slick Stix skates across the page effortlessly, laying down color and blending with the ease of oil pastels. As you might expect, some colorists report that they’re pretty messy, so be extra careful of smudges when using these.
Pros of Crayola Twistables
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons that Twistables products are so popular.
Convenient
One of the biggest selling points of Twistables is the convenience of never having to rummage through your desk drawer for a sharpener, and then clean up all of the shavings. When your core wears down, simply twist the bottom of the crayon, and voila – instant color.
No Paper Mess
Sharpening isn’t the only annoying thing about traditional crayons – the paper mess they leave behind is time-consuming to clean up, making it annoying as well. But since the Twistables are covered in plastic, you’ll never have to worry about picking up bits of crayon paper out of your carpet ever again.
Less Chew-Worthy
This benefit is more for people with children, although we’ve all got our strange habits. Parents who regularly find their children chewing on crayons often find that Twistables are less appealing for some reason. So if your kid has a habit of munching on the art supplies, you might try Twistables and see if that helps stop the problem.
Durable
Anyone with a box full of art supplies knows how frequently crayons break and end up as sad, partial crayon chunks in the bottom of the box. But thanks to the plastic outer shell, Twistables are more durable than traditional crayons, resisting breakage from dropping or pressing too hard.
Travel-Friendly
Twistable products are incredibly travel-friendly, largely due to the plastic barrel. With Twistables, you don’t have to worry about breakage or stains, since the colorful cores are tucked safely inside the plastic barrels, safe from harm. Do remember that since the cores are made of wax, it’s never a good idea to leave them in a hot car, or they might melt.
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Cons of Crayola Twistables
To give you a full picture of Crayola Twistables, we’ve included the biggest drawbacks to using these art tools. It’s up to you to decide if the pros outweigh the cons, depending on your preferences and situation.
Potential for Waste
The most common complaint people have about Twistables products are parents who have given the products to young children. Young kids tend to over-twist the barrels, exposing too much product so that it breaks off and is wasted. The solution to this, of course, is to keep them away from young children or to supervise them while they’re using them. If you’re interested in using Twistables yourself, this isn’t likely to be a problem for you, since the amount of color needed is pretty intuitive.
Less Control of the Point
If you use the Twistables crayons instead of colored pencils, you have less control over the size of the point, so they’re not great for intricate works. But the colored pencils are much finer, so unless you require needle-thin precision, the pencils should work out just fine for detailed art pieces.
Possibly Not Recyclable
Perhaps the biggest downside to Crayola Twistables compared to traditional crayons is the fact that they contain plastic barrels that may or may not be recyclable. Crayola itself says that they cannot be recycled, but Springdale National School in Dublin found that their local recycling program can recycle them as long as there’s nothing left inside the barrel. If you’re concerned about recycling, we recommend contacting your local recycling program or looking into Crayola’s ColorCycle program.
Where to Buy Crayola Twistables Products?
Now that you know a little more about what Crayola Twistables are made of and how the various types differ, you’ll probably have a pretty good idea by now about which one you’d like to try first. We’ve listed the most popular ones here in one spot for your convenience – you can purchase them by clicking the links in their names.
Twistables Crayons
Twistables Crayons are the classic twistable crayons – just wax-based crayons surrounded by a plastic barrel. They’re a perfect introduction to the product line, especially if you tend to share your art supplies with the youngsters in the family.
Twistables Colored Pencils
Twistables Colored Pencils are another classic, with a finer point than the crayons which makes them ideal for adult coloring books and intricate designs such as mandalas. If you’d like to add crayons to your adult coloring routine but don’t want the hassle of sharpening, give these a try.
Twistables Mini Twistable Crayons
Twistables Mini Twistable Crayons are just what they sound like – mini versions of the classic twistable crayons. These are great for stashing in a bag so you can color on the go. They also make good party favors or just something to keep handy when you’re out with the kids and need to entertain them for a while.
Twistables Slick Stix
Twistables Slick Stix aren’t as great for travel, since they can tend to get a bit messy if you’re not careful. Still, though, they’re less messy than oil pastels. Slick Stix will take your coloring to a whole other level, with unlimited potential for blending.
Twistables Silly Scents Gel Crayons
The ultra-smooth gel crayons got a fun makeover with these Silly Scents Twistable Gel Crayons. Crayola includes traditional scents like cherry and green apple, plus a few bonus scents, like a beach and fresh air.
Mini Twistables Crayon & Paper Gift Set
Mini Twistables Crayon & Paper Gift Set is a perfect gift for the young colorist in your life. Mini Twistables Crayons and paper all fit into a handy carrying case for coloring on the go.
Final Thoughts
Crayola Twistables, the wax-based crayon-colored pencil hybrid, is a convenient coloring tool for youngsters and travelers looking for convenience and durability. While they may not be the perfect art medium for every situation, there is certainly a lot you can do with them. Give them a try and see for yourself what you think!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I remove Crayola Twistables Crayon stains from my clothes?
Crayola recommends washing the garment in hot water and Oxi Clean detergent, and spot treating remaining stains with dish soap before washing in hot water with Oxi Clean again. They recommend air drying to prevent the stain from setting.
How can I preserve Crayola Twistables Crayon art?
To preserve art made using Crayola Twistables or similar art mediums, store it in a frame, box, or art binder where it will be protected from dust, direct sunlight, and smudges. You can also use a spray fixative, although this may yellow over time.
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