The Story of Prang
Inspiring Creative Expression
Where does the story of Prang art supplies begin? With Louis Prang, of course.
Once upon a time (or rather, in the 1850’s), Louis Prang emigrated from Breslau, Prussia to Boston in the United States and started a lithography publishing business. By the 1860’s L. Prang & Company was up and running.
During this time, Prang also invented the Artist’s Color Wheel and pioneered developments in the chromolithographic process — a form of color printing that revolutionized modern art. Additionally, it led him to create the first commercially printed Christmas card, which earned him the title “Father of the American Greeting Card.”
However, Prang’s true passion was advocating for art in education.
WEAVING ART AND
EDUCATION INTO THE
FABRIC OF AMERICA
While teaching his own daughter to paint, Prang discovered most children in the United States did not have adequate access to art education – if any. So, he decided to do something about it.
Prang began advocating for wider access to art education for children. By the 1870’s, he was publishing his own art education materials for use in schools. With the help of friends and colleagues, Prang’s campaign for art education began to pick up steam.
By 1882, the Prang Educational Company was formed to supply schools with the materials they needed to provide art education for children – even those as young as kindergarten.
Making Quality Art Supplies
In addition to advocating for art education, Prang wanted to make art materials safer. Most paints at the time contained ingredients that were highly toxic, and therefore not appropriate for children to use.
So, Prang developed his own formula for watercolor paints. They were bold, vivid, and (most importantly) non-toxic. Now he could offer both safe watercolors and art education to children everywhere. Thus, the Prang brand we know and love today was born.
The same passions that drove Louis Prang’s innovations still drive the Prang brand today. From paints to papers, markers and more, we’re constantly seeking ways to ignite creativity by offering superior products to help kids unlock their creative expression.
