Behind the Design: Blackwing 746

The new Blackwing 746 is a tribute to the Golden Gate Bridge. Each pencil features our firm graphite core and is finished with a special multi-layered technique to resemble the iconic International Orange color of the Bridge.

Blending In, Standing Out

International Orange is a standard color used across industries to distinguish objects from their surroundings. Exact color coordinates vary by industry, however, and the reddish-orange tone of the Golden Gate Bridge is unique when compared with variations seen in aerospace or general engineering.

Architect Irving Morrow believed the color would help the bridge blend in with its natural environment—the warm earth tones of the bluffs, the cool shades of sky and sea—while providing enhanced visibility for passing ships. Visibility was extremely important given the considerable amounts of fog that roll through the Bay Area.

Fun fact: The U.S. Navy wanted the Bridge to be painted with black and yellow stripes for even greater visibility.

A Color-Matching Challenge

When designing the Blackwing 746, we collaborated with The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, to accurately match the color of the pencils to the Bridge.

But achieving this took more than simply dipping each pencil in a can of orange paint. These pencils underwent a special multi-layered technique, with each one receiving eight or more coats of lacquer for precise color matching.

The result? A distinctive orange-vermillion pencil that we believe does justice to San Francisco’s beloved landmark (which was designed with pencils, by the way). Shop the limited-edition Blackwing 746 below.