Caran d’Ache at Pen Week 2026: Swiss precision meets the art of writing

Discover how more than a century of Swiss tradition, innovative materials, and a passion for color transform the writing experience during Pen Week 2026 · The Writing Lab.

Can the shape of a fountain pen change how it feels in your hand? What's the difference between a steel nib and a gold one? How much do materials, color, or design influence our choice?

Some writing instruments are instantly recognizable by their silhouette. Others draw us in with their colors, the texture of their materials, or the precision of their finishes. Yet when we hold them, we discover something no photo can fully convey.

The shape of the barrel, its weight, the geometry of the nib, and even the way it's filled with ink can transform our writing experience.

That curiosity is exactly what inspires Pen Week 2026 · The Writing Lab, which we'll be celebrating from October 26 to November 1 at Iguana.

And among this year's partner brands is Caran d'Ache, a brand that combines the precision of Swiss manufacturing with deep expertise in materials and a close connection to the world of color and creativity.

CARAN D'ACHE: MORE THAN A CENTURY OF SWISS CREATIVITY

Caran d'Ache's story begins in 1915, in Geneva, with the founding of the Fabrique Genevoise de Crayons.

In 1924, it adopted the name Caran d'Ache, inspired by the Russian word for pencil, whose etymology is linked to the Turkish term meaning black stone, a reference to graphite.

Since then, the brand has built a world that spans both writing instruments and drawing and fine art materials, making this dual expertise one of its defining hallmarks.

Because Caran d'Ache doesn't see writing only in terms of technical precision. It also connects it with color, creativity, and personal expression.

Its collections reflect a manufacturing tradition rooted in its Geneva workshops and the Swiss Made label, with expertise spanning metalwork, decorative engraving, and the making of writing instruments.

A story that reminds us that writing can also be a way of creating.

DESIGN TEST: THE POWER OF A RECOGNIZABLE SHAPE

If there's one visual feature that identifies many of Caran d'Ache's creations, it's the hexagonal barrel.

This geometry appears in collections as recognizable as Ecridor and Varius, becoming one of the most distinctive expressions of the Swiss brand's design.

But why is it so interesting for our Design Test?

Because the shape of a fountain pen isn't just an aesthetic decision. It also determines how it comes into contact with our hand.

A cylindrical barrel, a hexagonal one, and another with a different grip section can each feel different to hold.

The Ecridor collection is an especially interesting example of this relationship between design and craftsmanship. Its hexagonal brass barrel serves as the canvas for different decorations created using engraving techniques, including guilloché.

With the Ecridor Avenue, for example, Caran d'Ache combines a micro-blasted palladium-coated finish with engraved geometric patterns that add texture and personality to the surface.

The same geometry can take on completely different visual identities depending on how the material is treated.

And that's where one of the big questions of the Design Test comes in: do we prefer understated shapes and sober finishes, or are we drawn to decorated surfaces and designs with more personality?

MATERIAL TEST: METAL, CERAMIC, AND RUBBER

One of Caran d'Ache's great strengths is its ability to work with very different materials and finishes, exploring how each one can transform the look and feel of its instruments.

The Varius collection offers some especially interesting examples.

The Varius Ceramic Black combines a hexagonal brass structure with a black ceramic coating, creating a contrast between the solidity of its construction and the character of its outer finish.

Meanwhile, the Varius Rubracer uses genuine rubber over a brass structure, combining a matte surface with polished metal details.

The brand itself links this material to technical applications in fields such as motorsport and fine watchmaking, where the properties of rubber also play an important role.

These are two completely different ways of interpreting a fountain pen.

And that's exactly what we want to explore during the Material Test.

What changes when we go from a metal surface to a ceramic one or to a coating with a softer texture?

The temperature we perceive, the surface finish, and the feel on contact are all part of our relationship with the instrument.

Some people especially enjoy metal surfaces, while others prefer materials with more texture.

NIB TEST: STEEL AND GOLD, TWO WAYS TO EXPLORE WRITING

The nib is one of the elements that most directly shapes our writing experience. It's the point of contact with the paper and a key component in determining how the stroke behaves.

Caran d'Ache offers different configurations depending on the collection, which lets us introduce one of the big questions of the Nib Test: how much does the nib material matter?

In the Ecridor collection, we find fountain pens like the Ecridor Avenue, with a steel nib available in F, M, and B widths.

In the Varius collection, on the other hand, we find rhodium-plated 18k gold nibs.

The Varius Ceramic Black comes in F, M, and B widths, while the Varius Rubracer also offers oblique options such as OM and OB, depending on the version.

These differences let us explore two key aspects: the nib's material and its geometry.

Although gold and steel have different properties, a gold nib doesn't necessarily write better than a steel one. Design, polishing, tuning, and tip shape also have a huge influence on the result.

An F nib can suit those who want precision and write small. An M offers a more generous line, while a B better showcases the color of the ink.

Oblique options, meanwhile, have a geometry that can adapt to certain writing positions and angles.

FILLING TEST: DIFFERENT WAYS TO ENJOY INK

The experience of writing with a fountain pen begins even before the nib touches the paper. It also includes the moment you fill it.

In collections like Ecridor and Varius, Caran d'Ache uses cartridge or converter filling systems.

Cartridges offer a simple, practical way to replenish ink. A converter, on the other hand, lets you fill directly from an ink bottle and enjoy a wider range of bottled colors.

These are two options that suit different habits.

Some people especially value the convenience of swapping a cartridge, while others enjoy choosing their own ink, opening a bottle, and taking part in the refilling ritual.

During the Filling Test, we want to discover which system best suits the way we use a fountain pen.

Because choosing how we fill our instrument is also part of the experience of writing with it.

INK TEST: WHEN COLOR BECOMES EXPRESSION

Talking about Caran d'Ache without talking about color would leave out an essential part of its identity.

The Swiss brand has a long history in art supplies, pigments, and instruments for drawing and creative expression.

And that relationship with color also reaches the world of fountain pens through its Chromatics ink collection.

This range offers different shades that let us explore how color visually transforms a page and how the same sentence can take on a different personality depending on the ink we choose.

Black can convey sobriety. A bold blue can add character to our notes. And other colors let us experiment with more creative, expressive writing.

But beyond the shade itself, characteristics like intensity, flow, drying time, and how the ink behaves on paper also influence our experience.

During the Ink Test, we'll explore exactly these differences.

Do we choose an ink only for its color, or also for the feel and results it delivers?

BALANCE TEST: WHEN GEOMETRY MEETS THE HAND

The hexagonal shape of the Ecridor and Varius collections also lets us explore another dimension of writing: balance.

Because design doesn't stop at appearance. It also influences how we hold and use an instrument.

The Ecridor Avenue, for example, features a hexagonal brass barrel with a stated diameter of 10 mm.

The Varius Ceramic Black takes a different approach, with a ceramic coating and other dimensions that change how the instrument feels in the hand.

However, measurements alone can't determine which fountain pen will be most comfortable.

Weight, weight distribution, barrel diameter, and the shape of the grip section all influence the final feel. And our preferences also depend on hand size, how we hold the fountain pen, and how much time we spend writing.

Some people prefer compact instruments, while others enjoy fountain pens with a stronger presence.

During the Balance Test, we want to help you identify which features may suit you best.

Because a fountain pen can be technically outstanding, but its true comfort is only revealed when we hold it between our fingers.

CARAN D'ACHE AND THE WRITING LAB: PRECISION IN THE SERVICE OF EXPRESSION

Caran d'Ache's story shows that writing can be understood from many perspectives.

From the precision of Swiss manufacturing to decorative metalwork. From the geometry of a hexagonal barrel to experimentation with materials. From choosing a nib to the endless possibilities of color.

But during Pen Week, we want to go beyond technical specifications.

We want to turn them into questions that help us discover our own preferences.

Are you drawn to metal fountain pens, or do you prefer materials with a different texture? Are you looking for an understated design or a piece with more personality? Which nib width suits your handwriting? Do you enjoy experimenting with colors? What size and weight feel comfortable to you?

Each answer brings us a little closer to our own way of writing.

And that's exactly the philosophy behind The Writing Lab.

DISCOVER CARAN D'ACHE DURING PEN WEEK 2026

From October 26 to November 1, Caran d'Ache will be one of the partner brands of Pen Week 2026 · The Writing Lab.

A chance to get closer to more than a century of Swiss tradition and discover how precision, design, materials, and color can transform our writing experience.

Through our content and Writing Tests, you'll be able to explore your preferences, get to know writing instruments better, and discover fountain pens you may never have considered.

Because choosing a fountain pen isn't just about finding a design we like.

It's also about understanding what sensations we're looking for and which features make writing more enjoyable for us.

If you need help, contact us and we'll be happy to help.