Every Bullet Journaler knows, the less prep work you have to do, the better. You can start writing your daily tasks in your bujo immediately, instead of searching for the right color pen. But finding the right pens can sometimes be a challenge.
There are so many types of pens on the market, and even more blogs about what pens other people use. This post provides insight into my favorite writing utensils that I like using for my bullet journal.
Notebooks
The notebook is the foundation of your whole bullet journal operation, so I would highly suggest you get a notebook that you love. Don’t spend so much money that you’re afraid of writing in the journal and wasting the pages — after all, those pages are there for you to write in. So find a notebook that is a balance of economic and luxurious.
Leuchtturm 1917 Dotted A5
This is hands down my favorite overall bullet journal notebook. Grab the dot grid instead of ruled or blank pages for a bit of subtle structure that allows a ton of creative freedom. One thing I especially love about the Leuchtturm is that you can use watercolors lightly in them! Check out my bullet journal watercolor test to see for yourself. And if the A5 size isn’t your cup of tea, you can grab a Leuchtturm A6 or B5, which both perform just as beautifully as the A5.
Read my full Leuchtturm1917 review.
1,488 ReviewsLEUCHTTURM1917 – Medium A5 Dotted Hardcover Notebook (Berry) – 251 Numbered Pages
- The A5 MEDIUM notebooks are the perfect size with a wide range of colors making them ideal companions for all walks of life — this notebook series is perfect for midnight ramblings, daily entries,…
- Thread-bound to open flat which helps make reading the contents easy and adds efficiency to note-taking
- Features 80g/m² acid-free paper with high ink compatibility to help prevent bleed through, an expandable gusseted pocket on the back cover, 2 page markers / bookmarks and an elastic closure band
- Includes 251 numbered pages of DOTTED paper (punktkariertes / pointillées) with 8 perforated detachable sheets, a blank table of contents for easy organization and notes, also includes stickers for…
Archer & Olive Watercolor Dot Grid Journal
A new breed of bullet journal is on the market. This watercolor journal has the quality paper you need for true watercolor art combined with the utility and structure of a journal. That’s what makes this Archer & Olive exclusive my favorite choice for a more art-heavy bullet journal.
You can see my full review of this heavy hitter here.
Archer & Olive BlackOut! Book
Want a bullet journal that’s going to stand out? Get a full journal of luxurious black pages and you’ll have page after page of stunning contrast. This lovely Blackout! Book from Archer & Olive packs a punch without diminishing quality. All you need is a pack of your favorite gel pens and you can have the most unique bullet journal on the block.
You can read my full review here, or see all my favorite pens for this special journal here.
Rhodiarama Dot Notebook
The Rhodiarama notebook is yet another excellent option for the beginner bullet journal. The notebook has a softcover with a lovely texture and it’s available in many colors. And the paper is a dream to write on, especially if you’re a fan of juicier pens.
Rhodia Rhodiarama SoftCover Notebook – 80 Dots Sheets – 6 x 8 1/4 – Sapphire Cover
- PREMIUM PAPER – 90g smooth ivory sheets, acid-free, pH neutral. French Milled. Inks won’t bleed or feather.
- EXPERTLY CONSTRUCTED – Italian faux leather hardcover, glued spine, rounded corners.
- HIGHLY FUNCTIONAL – Includes inner pocket, ribbon page marker and elastic closure to keep papers secure.
- THREE SIZES: 4 x 5.5″ has 72 sheets (144 pages); 6 x 8.25″ (A5) and 7.5 x 9.75″ has 80 sheets (160 pages).
Moleskine Soft Cover Dot Grid Notebook
The Moleskine line of notebooks is another great place to turn for your bullet journal. Their softcover and slim profile make them a great notebook to slip in your bag and take on the go. And you can also use watercolors in the Moleskine if you wish, though their paper is a hair thinner than the paper of the Leuchtturm.
Read my full Moleskine review.SALE
Moleskine Classic Notebook, Soft Cover, Large (5″ x 825″) Dotted, Reef Blue, 192 pages
- CLASSIC MOLESKINE NOTEBOOK: Moleskine classic notebooks are perfect notebooks for writing journals, a daily diary, or note taking in college classes or meetings Moleskine notebooks are beloved by…
- DURABLE COVER & ELASTIC CLOSURE: Hold writing projects & notes in your Moleskine notebook with an elastic closure band & inner storage folders Leather-like classic Moleskine cover & thick, ivory paper…
- GIFT QUALITY NOTEBOOKS: Moleskine planners, journals and notebooks come in hardcover or softcover and colors like black, red, blue, green and brown The binding and cover have a durable finish,…
- DELUXE QUALITY PAGES: Moleskine’s thick, ivory paper pages in a hardcover Moleskine notebook, softcover Moleskine notebook, cahier or volant journal, or Moleskine planner are perfectly textured for…
»»» Read More: All You Need to Know: The Best Bullet Journal Notebooks «««
Pens
The notebook might be the foundation for your bullet journal, but the pens you use can impact your use of the bullet journal just as deeply. It’s important to use a writing utensil that you don’t hate. If you’re trying to use a crusty old pen that you got from your banker’s desk, it will likely not add joy to the process of using your bullet journal. Instead, opt for one pen or a set of pens that are nice to use — this will make it easier to use your bullet journal more regularly, which is imperative as you develop the habit.
Ticonderoga Pencils
Is it a pen? No. But is it useful? Yes! I love these cheap pencils for laying out spreads before I use ink or simply for doodling. Ticonderoga has been my go-to pencil brand since high school.
4,964 ReviewsTiconderoga Pencils, Wood-Cased Graphite #2 HB Soft, Pre-Sharpened, Yellow, 12 Count (X13806)
- Exclusive #2 graphite formula provides extra smooth performance
- Pre-sharpened to save you time
- Top quality, latex-free eraser provides easy, clean corrections
- Made with premium wood from responsibly sourced forests
Pigma Micron Pen Set
Looking for a nice set of black pens? These Microns will do the trick! They come in a variety of nib sizes so you can get extra fine lines to more bold strokes. Mine lasted me for years of abuse, so I can personally vouch for their dependability.
20,085 ReviewsSakura Pigma 30062 Micron Blister Card Ink Pen Set, Black, Ass’t Point Sizes 6CT Set
- THE GO-TO TOOL FOR ART WORK & PLAY: Micron is the fineliner standard that delivers with precision.
- PRECISE POINTS & LINES: Create precise marks that stand the test of time with professional inking pens used by comic artists, illustrators, watercolor artists, archivists, and laboratory…
- SMOOTH WRITING: Experience smooth, skip-free writing in crisp, rich black ink that achieves consistent line widths that won’t smear, feather, or bleed-through most papers.
- ARCHIVAL QUALITY: Pigma ink colors are derived from single pigment colors for color consistency and are waterproof, chemical and fade resistant, bleed free, quick drying and pH neutral.
Tombow Mono Drawing Pens
If you want to have some options for black pens, here’s another that I use and love. The Mono drawing pens are perfect for plain ol’ writing all the way to doodles and drawings. And they, too, come in a variety of nib sizes.
Tombow 66403 MONO Drawing Pen, 3-Pack. Create Precise, Detailed Drawings with Three Tip Sizes –…
- Water-based pigment ink drawing pens produce smooth, skip-free drawing and writing with no smudging – ink dries instantly
- Create precise, detailed drawings with three tip sizes – 01, 03 and 05
- Ideal for illustrations, technical drawings, manga, anime, lettering and journaling
- Durable nibs will withstand firm pressure without bending tips, ensuring steady ink flow
Pilot G-2 Pens
Sometimes you just want a cheap pen on hand. If you bullet journal on the go or at work, your supplies might get lost or stolen by sticky-fingered coworkers. But you don’t want to compromise on performance, do you? That’s where these G-2 Pens (or their Pilot Precise cousins) come into play. They come in black as well as a variety of colors, and their ink is quite satisfying to lay down on the page.SALE
PILOT G2 Premium Refillable & Retractable Rolling Ball Gel Pens, Fine Point, Assorted Color Inks,…
- The Ideal Pen for Overachievers: The smooth writing, long-lasting Pilot G2 Premium Gel Ink Pen features a comfortable rubber grip, & is available in ultra fine, extra fine, fine, & bold point
- Longest Lasting, Refillable Gel Ink: Proven to be the longest writing gel ink pen among top brands, the smooth-writing, retractable G2 gel ink pen is a classic choice for all your writing needs
- Perfectly Suited For You: If you love the original Pilot G2, you’ll want to try our full G2 line of Mini, Metallic, Mosaic, & Fashion gel ink pens in a variety of sizes, barrel designs & colors
- Trusted Quality: We’ve been making pens for over 100 years. Whether you’re taking notes, stocking up on school or office supplies, or writing in a bullet journal, Pilot has the perfect pen for you!
Conclusion
Creativity is a gift which needs a right kind of tools for creativity. In this article, I have explained all the best pens and writing tools which will really help you to boost your creativity.