Graphite pencil is pure graphite and contains no wax; which will normally bind marks to your quilt top. A majority will generally rub off while you are quilting, however a light line should remain on your top for the duration of the quilting (machine quilting will often remove more than hand quilting). Because there is no wax this pencil creates a dark line easily- the graphite pencil is not recommended for use with a heavy hand, only mark as light as you need to see. When finished the remaining marks can be erased with a fabric eraser or washed in cool water. Graphite Pencils contain no chemicals and are of archival quality.