A process for the production of leads which contain pigments and/or effect substances, wherein pigments and/or effect substances are mixed with fillers and further lead ingredients, the resulting material is homogenised and then extruded to provide extrusions of predetermined diameter, wherein then the extruded portions are dried optionally after adjustment of the extrusion length to a constant weight, wherein at least a proportion of the pigment and/or effect material is brought into contact with a polysaccharide solution and an aqueous solution of a precipitation agent prior to admixing of the further ingredients, the mixture is dried and then optionally ground.