Non-Photo Blue Pencils — Col-Erase / Pilot Color Eno

Non-Photo Blue Pencils — Col-Erase / Pilot Color Eno

Col-Erase Non-Photo Blue Pencil
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Non-Photo Blue Pencils — Col-Erase / Pilot Color Eno
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  • Non-Photo Blue Pencils — Col-Erase / Pilot Color Eno
  • Non-Photo Blue Pencils — Col-Erase / Pilot Color Eno
Non-Photo Blue Pencils — Col-Erase / Pilot Color Eno

Non-Photo Blue Pencils — Col-Erase / Pilot Color Eno

Non-photo blue pencils produce marks invisible to photographic scanners set correctly — used by manga and comic artists to sketch underdrawing that disappears when the inked page is scanned. Available as a Col-Erase wooden pencil and a Pilot Color Eno mechanical pencil.
Ink Type

Col-Erase - Wooden pencil, 7.4mm barrel, erasable, requires sharpening

Pilot Color Eno - Mechanical pencil, 0.7mm line, no sharpening needed

Scanner behaviour - Marks invisible to photographic scanners set to greyscale with blue wavelengths excluded

Test required - Yes — always test with your specific scanner and software settings before committing to a project; behaviour varies

Paint compatibility - Blue marks do not affect most paint applications — suitable for layout work that will be painted over
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Shipping

Packaging: 

We know art supplies are fragile. All professional pair and boards are shipped in reinforced rigid flat mailers. No tubes, no folds, no crushed corners. 


Order Processing Times: 

Orders are processed within 1–2 business days - we always aim to dispatch all “in-Stock’ items within 24 hours..

Note: Orders placed after 2 PM GMT on Fridays will be processed the following Monday.

Domestic Shipping (UK):

Standard (2–4 days): £3.50 (Free for The Illustrator & Studio Master tiers).

Priority (1–2 days): £4.50 (Free for Studio Master tier)

International Shipping: 

We ship globally. Costs are calculated at checkout based on weight and destination. Please note that customers are responsible for any local customs duties or taxes.

Order Tracking: 

You will receive a tracking link via email the moment your tools leave our studio. 
Returns

30-Day Change of Mind: 

We offer a 30-day return window (exceeding the UK legal minimum of 14 days). Items must be unused, in original packaging, and in "as-new" condition.

Faulty Goods: 

In the rare event of a defect, you are entitled to a full refund or replacement within 30 days. We will cover all return shipping costs for faulty items.

Defective Nibs: 

Occasionally, a pen may arrive dry or a nib maybe scratchy. Contact us within 7 days of purchase with a photo/video of the issue and we will send a replacement immediately.

Exclusions:

Due to the nature of the product, unless faulty we cannot accept returns on opened markers or used paper pads returned.

Digital Goods: 

The "Birthday Palette" and other digital downloads are non-refundable once accessed.


How to Start a Return: 

Email studio@inkwellartsupplies.com with your order number. We aim to process all refunds to the original payment method within 5–10 business days of receiving the item
The Nib Safety Net

"Gravity Happens. We’ve Got You Covered."

We know the heartbreak of a fountain pen hitting the floor. As a member of our Creative Rewards, you don't have to worry about the 'tines.' If the worst happens, just send us a photo and we'll send you a 50% discount for a fresh start.

"The Nib Safety Net" – Terms & Conditions

  • Eligibility: This benefit is exclusive to active members of the Creative Rewards program at the time of the accident.
  • Coverage: The 50% discount applies strictly to accidental damage (e.g., dropping the pen) that renders the nib unusable. It does not cover intentional damage, loss of the pen, theft, or normal wear and tear.
  • The Claim: To activate your discount, you must provide a clear photo of the damaged nib and your original order number to oops@yourstore.com.
  • Limitations: This discount is valid for a one-time replacement per pen purchased and applies only to the cost of the replacement nib unit. It cannot be combined with other promotional codes or used for full pen replacements.
  • Availability: We will provide the discount for the exact nib model where stock is available. If the model is discontinued, we will offer a 50% discount on a comparable alternative nib unit.

Underdrawing that disappears — how non-photo blue works

The traditional manga production workflow: sketch the composition and panel layout in non-photo blue pencil, ink over the sketch with dip pen and production black ink, scan the page with the scanner set to exclude the blue wavelengths, and the pencil marks are gone from the output — no erasing required. Non-photo blue works because standard photographic scanners (both CCD and CIS sensor types) can be set to exclude specific colour wavelengths when producing a greyscale output. The light blue of non-photo blue pencils falls in the wavelength range that is excluded in greyscale mode, meaning the marks are simply not recorded by the sensor when the setting is applied. The result is a clean scan of the inked linework without any pencil residue, no erasing marks on the inking surface, and no risk of erasing disrupting the ink lines. The technique requires testing on your specific scanner before committing to a project — scanner behaviour varies between models and software.

Col-Erase versus Pilot Color Eno — which to choose

The Col-Erase Non-Photo Blue is a traditional wooden pencil — erasable (which is useful for correcting the underdrawing before inking), with a 7.4mm barrel diameter that most illustrators find comfortable for extended sketching. It needs sharpening, which maintains a consistent point size and sharpness but requires a sharpener. The Pilot Color Eno 0.7mm is a mechanical pencil — no sharpening needed, consistent 0.7mm line width throughout, and more portable. The mechanical pencil is preferred by illustrators who want consistency in the underdrawing line width; the wooden pencil is preferred by those who want the flexibility of a sharper point for detail and a broader point for rough blocking.

Honest Note:

Always test your scanner settings with the specific non-photo blue product before committing to a production workflow. Scanner behaviour varies significantly between models — what works invisibly on one scanner may reproduce visibly on another. The test takes two minutes and prevents an entire project's underdrawing from appearing in the final scans.

Who is it For?

  • Manga and comic artists working in analogue production who want to sketch underdrawings without having to erase before scanning
  • Illustrators who work in a scan-and-clean workflow and want to reduce post-processing time
  • Anyone who does layout or composition underdrawing that they want to be invisible in the final scan
  • Comic artists who have been using regular pencil and erasing before scanning, and want to explore whether non-photo blue eliminates that step

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUSTIONS (FAQ)

Will non-photo blue actually disappear on my scanner?

On most flatbed scanners set to greyscale with blue wavelengths excluded — yes. The specific setting varies by scanner model and software: look for 'remove non-photo blue', 'drop cyan channel', 'greyscale with blue exclusion', or test whether the standard greyscale mode on your scanner excludes the blue wavelengths automatically. Test on a scrap page with your specific non-photo blue product and scanner before beginning a project. Some older or lower-specification scanners may not have adequate blue exclusion capability.

Does it work on standard office photocopiers?

Less reliably than scanners. Many office photocopiers do reproduce pale blue marks, particularly at higher contrast settings. Test your specific photocopier before relying on non-photo blue for photocopy production. For zine production that relies on photocopying rather than scanning, erasing the underdrawing before photocopying is the safer approach.

Col-Erase or Pilot Color Eno — which should I start with?

If you currently use wooden pencils for sketching and want a direct like-for-like substitution in non-photo blue, Col-Erase. If you currently use mechanical pencils or want consistent line width without sharpening, Pilot Color Eno. Both produce non-photo blue marks that behave identically on scanners. The choice is a matter of preferred pencil format.

Works perfectly with....