Celebrating 125 Years of Noris
The Noris brand is celebrating its 125th birthday. First registered in 1901, today Noris is a well-known classic in STAEDTLER's product range which appeals to all ages - whether it’s the Noris pencil with the recognisable yellow and black stripe pattern, or a wax crayon, sharpener or compass. Even from a young age, children can enjoy the Noris range which encourages correct grip and aids first writing exercises. We are excited to celebrate 125 years of diversity and stories from all over the world.
Win the Golden Noris Pencil
On 10th September 2026, YOU could win a legendary Golden Noris. On this day, our jury will select the winner of the main prize.
Until then, you can also look forward to monthly prizes.
1. Buy a promotional pack & scan the QR code.
2. Click on "Take part" on the landing page.
3. Fill out and submit the registration form.
4. Monthly question: A new challenge awaits you every month – sometimes a creative task, sometimes a timed question. Only those who complete the monthly challenge will be entered into the respective monthly draw.
125 years of Noris History
Noris trademark registration
A proud age: in 2026, the Noris brand is celebrating its 125th birthday. On 1st April 1901, it was signed up for registration. and finally registered at the Kaiserlicher Patentamt in Berlin on 10th September of the same year.
The diverse brand history is developed in numerous historical product catalogues and brochures. Noris appeared in the "Illustrated A4 Price List" from 1919, for example, in 37 places.
"With the 'Noris' stamp in pretty, new equipment, especially inexpensive and attractive item for the wholesale and small goods trade“ – this is how the 1919 price list promotes the early Noris pencils. In addition to pencils, the Noris brand name also includes pocket pencils, pastels and copying pens.
Noris – a Nuremberg brand
The Noris brand has a special feature in common with its country of origin: its name. In the Middle Ages, they knew Nuremberg under the name "Norimberga” or “Norimberg”. In the 17th century, the Franconian city was then given its famous nickname Noris.
Fabel creatures and fantasy designs also served as role models for personalised city names at the time. The Nuremberg doctor, Dr. Johann Helwig, shaped the name Noris for the city when he personified the city as a nymph in his 17th century work “Die Nymphe Noris”.
Visually speaking there is also a strong connection between Noris' product range and its namesake: the city and its castle served as a template for numerous colourful product packaging and advertising materials from the 1930s to the 1980s. The city view of the Franconian city travelled around the world with Noris.
Yellow-and-black striped – the iconic colours of the Noris pencil
Noris pencils did not always look like they do today: in 1934, STAEDTLER launched the Noris 1100, a “yellow/orange pencil with a traditional dark brown stripe pattern”.
Today, people primarily associate the Noris brand with the colours of the Noris 120. The iconic pencil was given its yellow-black striped exterior in 1955. Since then, many other products have also worn the familiar dress.
The stripe pattern can also be found in other colours, such as the Noris colour pencil or the Noris junior children's pens. Today, however, there are also different coloured products in the versatile range.
Nevertheless, yellow-black has a distinctive effect. In a 2017 survey conducted by STAEDTLER in the UK, passers-by were asked to draw a pencil. Eight out of ten respondents painted a striped pencil – half of which were in yellow-black.
Pencil history as school history
The Noris school range is firmly embedded in the minds of schoolchildren and pencil cases today. Writing articles and accessories for everyday school life have long been part of the brand's history.
A STAEDTLER catalogue from 1919 already contains numerous school products under the Noris name: from sharpeners, pencils, fountain pens and copying pens to coloured pastel chalk. We also found round and hexagonal Noris pencils. The school also picks up an advertising poster from the 1930s and advertises: "If you like nice handwriting, only write with Staedtler pens".
STAEDTLER further expanded its range in the middle of the last century with erasers, fountain pens, compasses, felt-tip pens, ballpoint pens, eraser lead holders, wax watercolour crayons and writing exercise books. Also included: Noris "for blackboards and booklets" from the 1950s.
STAEDTLER offered its own primary school programme from 1975. The Noris school range was promoted and sold in Germany under the name Kiddi in the 1990s – internationally as Noris Club. STADTLER also used relevant advertising campaigns such as the colourful Noris Club mascot.
Everyday school life is changing and becoming increasingly digital, and Noris has joined in. Since 2017 and 2020 respectively, the Noris digital classic and Noris digital jumbo have been part of the Noris family as input pens for tablets and other devices.
The world's longest coloured pencil
In 2015, Noris made it into the Guinness Book of Records: with a Noris colour, which was the longest coloured pencil in the world at the time of the record at 459.97 metres.
At that time, 110 employees worked on the giant in Nuremberg. Thanks to the material WOPEX specially developed by STAEDTLER and its innovative manufacturing process, the pen was created from a single cast.
Known around the world
From its headquarters in Nuremberg and around the world. In Greenland, a primary school pupil carries out writing exercises, while in Spain a boy dressed as a policeman makes notes with an extra-large Noris pencil. STAEDTLER enjoyed this international popularity in a 1969 issue of Staedtler Nachrichten.
In Barcelona, Noris caused a sensation in 1989; a giant Noris pencil was built for the 120th international “Comic Barcelona”. The obelisk beneath the structure is normally used as a guide for local and visitors.”
Another international highlight: Noris pencils became superheroes in an advert from Malaysia in 2015. School assignments are set up in Malaysia as multiple choice assignments and completed with pencils. And who wouldn't want to take the next exam with a superhero by their side?
Noris product range
Noris graphite pencils: Precision in graphite
With its striped, yellow-black design, the Noris pencil is a true classic today. Their anti-slip, soft surface helps small hands learn the perfect writing grip. Thanks to the high-break resistance of the lead, they can withstand even the wildest attempts at writing, ensuring that children can try their first attempts at drawing and writing notes on paper without any frustration. The Noris pencils are perfect for daily adventures at school, as well as creative sessions at home. The pencils are also made from upcycled wood, making them even more sustainable thanks to using saved wood chips in the manufacturing process.
Intense colour with Noris
The Noris range has expanded over the years to include a wide variety of creative colouring products designed to inspire imagination and artistic expression. Alongside the classic Noris colour pencils, the range now features vibrant fibre-tip pens, easy-to-use crayons and versatile paints. Each product offers bright colour and dependable quality, making them ideal for different colouring techniques and creative activities. Designed to meet every colouring need, Noris products make creative expression fun, accessible and inspiring for everyone.
Learn to write with Noris
Included in the Noris range is the ideal handwriting pen for kids transitioning from pencil to pen, with a robust plastic tip that resists pressure and offers a smooth glide over paper, ensuring consistent, neat handwriting. Available in 10 bright colours, the Noris handwriting pen is the perfect classroom accessory.
Noris accessories: Tools for school
Noris has been a trusted school brand for many decades, offering reliable tools designed for everyday classroom use. The versatile range provides essential equipment to support students throughout their school day. Products such as the Noris School Compass come neatly stored in a folding lid case and feature a blunt angled safety needle for added safety during maths lessons. The range also includes practical essentials like scissors, glue sticks, erasers, and sharpeners ensuring pupils have everything they need in their school bags for creative activities, crafts and general schoolwork.
Noris junior: For little artists
The Noris junior range is designed to introduce young children to the joy of arts and crafts. Designed for children aged two and up, the range offers sustainable art materials that encourage playful learning while supporting early writing skills, creativity, and fine motor development. Easy to use and fun for young and old alike, Noris junior products are safe, dermatologically tested, and designed for small hands. The range includes first pencils, crayons, finger paints, modelling dough, and helpful accessories. All products are environmentally friendly and sustainably manufactured, with packaging that is at least 80% recyclable or reusable.
Noris jumbo: For growing artists
The Noris jumbo range is designed for children aged 4 and above, supporting painting and crafting during the preschool and early school years. The assortment includes beginner’s pencils, coloured pencils, felt-tip pens with ergonomic jumbo triangular shapes, and soft modelling clay. All products are high-quality, safe, and environmentally friendly. Created to encourage creativity, the range is easy to use and sustainably produced, with packaging made from at least 80% recycled materials that is recyclable and reusable.
Let's celebrate this anniversary as it deserves!
For 125 years, Noris has been a benchmark for young and old alike, accompanying every stage of its users' lives, always dressed in stripes and brimming with quality. To celebrate this wonderful moment, STAEDTLER is launching promotional packs that appeal to both nostalgia and innovation. Join the Noris movement!
