Overwhelmed by must-have pens for the back-to-school season? This is understandable, considering that there are many types of pens, not to mention hundreds of different brands and designs within these types. Consider the gel pen, which provides a fun and easy-to-use writing experience – perfect for students of all ages. Like ballpoint and rollerball pens, they have a small roller ball at the tip that deposits ink from the pen’s reservoir into the paper. The difference is that while ballpoint pens use thick, oil-based inks, rollerballs use water-based, free-flowing pigment ink, and gel pens use ink made of pigment in a water-based gel made from xanthan gum and polyacrylate thickeners. What you get is vibrant lines that flow smoothly so that you can apply less pressure while writing. It is also generally the best choice for document signature due to its tint load. The ink takes a little longer to dry, which can be a problem for lefties. Dive into some of our favorites in this family below.
How we choose each product:
Our mission is to recommend the most appropriate tool or artist supply for your needs. Whether you’re looking for the best gear or beginner’s basics, we’ll make sure you get good value for your money by doing the research for you. We search the internet for information on how to use art supplies and read customer reviews by real users; We ask experts for their advice; And of course, we draw on our accumulated experiences as artists, educators and craftsmen.
1. Uni-Ball Signo UM-151
Some would say Uni-ball Signo is the mullet for pens. Well, maybe we’re the only ones saying that. But consider this: Uni-ball Signo is business and party equal. Smooth-flowing gel ink is water-resistant, fade-resistant and archival, making it ideal for assignments, drawings, and many other projects. On the party side, it comes in a rainbow of colors, including muted “near black” shades, bold primary colors, and sweet pastels, as well as a wide range of tip sizes. This handy set of 12 pens comes with six medium-point pens (0.7mm) in black and six in blue.
2. Zebra Sarasa Dry x1
Miraculously, this is a gel pen with ink that dries almost instantly. This makes it a smart choice for younger students who may be a little impatient, but also for left-handers who have to be extra careful when navigating the page from left to right. The high-tech ink is applied smoothly and steadily. You can hold it comfortably for a long time, thanks to the rubber grip and the wide barrel. These pens only come with 0.7mm tips, although you can choose from 14 colors. We love this essential bundle of 12 black pens.
3. Pilot Frixion Persian pens
These special tools combine the sophistication and vibrancy of pens with the use of pencils. They make erasable marks thanks to their special heat-sensitive ink, which clears up when exposed to increased temperature — in other words, the friction created by erasing. Really, it leaves no trace behind. Each features a 0.7mm thread and a round rubber end that you must use to create the proper pressure; An ordinary eraser, unfortunately, will not be compatible. But one pro is that the “erase” leaves no residue, unlike pencils. We have to note one fun thing kids can do with these pens: If you write a message and then erase it on paper, freezing that paper will make the ink appear again. Go wild with secret messages with this set of 10 pens in assorted colors.
4. Uni-Ball Signo Gel Ink Rollerball Pen
If you are looking for a pen to write on dark paper or to add highlights to your artwork, you will probably need a pen loaded with white ink. We’re fans of this white gel pen, which comes from our favorite brand, Uni-Ball. The nib delivers ink consistently and smoothly with minimal scratching, and the white is dependably opaque to produce uniform lines that stand out well on the page. These pens also provide comfort, with a low-profile rubber grip.
5. Sakura Jelly Roll Classic
A student favorite of the ’90s, these adorable pens will never go out of style. In fact, they were the first gel ink pen to come on the market. They skip from time to time, but they outshine the competition in the sheer number of colors you can buy. This classic set of 10, for example, comes in practical colors like blue, red, and black, but you can buy Gelly Rolls in metallic sets, pastel sets (marketed as “Souffle”) and even as a glossy assortment (“Stardust Galaxy””). Very fans of the minimalist design – these are, after all, from Japan – consisting of a round matte lid and a translucent chamber.
6. Pilot B2P Bottle 2 Pen
The beloved G2 pens from Pilot have a long life for their ink cartridge, which is very long compared to the competition, and for ink that applies smoothly without skipping or smudging. The company’s B2P pen, in addition to using the same ink, has a sturdy barrel made from 89% of post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. The point of the stylus advances and retracts with a firm click of the end cap button, and its ribbed grip provides comfortable handling (though not as comfortable as the rubberized version of the G2). The pen comes with a 0.7mm G2 cartridge in black, blue or red and can be refilled with G2 ink cartridges, making it a doubly environmentally friendly choice. We recommend this pack of four pens loaded with black ink.
7. Pentel EnerGel Pro Permanent Gel Ink Pen
Like our top pick, the Pentel EnerGel Pro is archival, featuring fade-resistant, water-resistant ink. In fact, consider it a slight upgrade to the Uni-Ball Signo UM-151, because its ink is a touch smoother and smoother drying. These are intensely pigmented pencils; However, it comes in only two sizes, 0.5 or 0.7 millimeters, and only three colors – blue, black and red. This listing is for two black 0.7mm pens.
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