Bayer-HMS Washing's new tools put creativity back in the hands of customers.
The Turkish company, which offers an eco-friendly alternative to pumice, has launched HMS Designer Pen, a crayon-like stick that allows consumers to customize the color fading of denim at home.
Although simple, the designer pen has the potential to redefine how consumers interact with denim, the company said.
Stone Pen creates a sandpaper effect on denim, allowing consumers to create precise beard patterns that wash out over time. Beyza Baykan, founder and managing director of Baytech-HMS Washing, says the pen can also be used to create intricate drawings and imprint textures on items.
The “aha'' moment that inspired the creation of the designer pen was inspired by Una Pluma's unconventional use of HMS stones.
The Portland, Oregon-based independent women's brand reached out to the company to sustainably launder its first denim collection. HMS stone disintegrates much more slowly than pumice and consumes 15-20% less water. In 2023, Unapurma imported 200 kg of his HMS washing stones from Turkey to Nepal to create a collection.
In addition to using HMS Stone in its denim collection, Una Pluma also used HMS Stone to create patterns for various table top accessories such as denim placemats and coasters. This gave us the idea to create an easy to use and accessible pen for DIY projects.
The tool is made from waste generated during the manufacture of HMS Stone and is molded into the shape of a pen. Bakan said more shapes and tools are in development.
The tool is easy to use and provides consistent results, tested by HMS Washing with designers. Ideal for rough, unwashed denim. “You'll get the best results using the pen on raw or rigid denim,” added Bakan. The intensity and amount of repetitions determines the level of the fade.
Although the new product has not yet been tested for durability, Baykan expects a single pen to last for years. “Even though the surface wears down with continued use, the pen is porous, just like HMS, so it gets bumpy and wears easily during use,” she said.
This pen retails for $25 and is currently on sale on the HMS website. We offer 5 decorative colors that will not transfer to the fabric.