So, Blackout journaling is really catching on it seems, and I’ve seen a big increase in the number of people who are asking what pens to use for blacking out words. So I decided it was time to create this guide.
Here you’ll find the best pens for writing in your journal, no matter whether you’re left-handed, right-handed or ambidextrous.
Pilot FriXion Pens
A major problem that many beginner bullet journalers face is the fear of making mistakes. It’s one that can be overwhelming and lead to a delay or outright halt of progress. If that’s something that worries you, then I would suggest the erasable Pilot FriXion pens. With an erasable pen, you might spend less time worrying about mistakes and more time writing.SALE
9,916 Reviews Pilot Frixion ColorSticks Erasable Gel Ink Pens, Fine Point (0.7mm), Assorted, 10 Count (32454)
- PILOT FRIXION COLORSTICKS: These pens write smooth & erase clean with Pilot’s unique thermo-sensitive gel ink. No wear or tear so you can erase & rewrite until it’s right without ruining the page.
- UNLIMITED DO-OVERS: FriXion ColorStick pens feature a slim, non-rolling capped barrel design & are available in 16 stunning gel ink colors. Ideal for homework, grading or creating bullet journal…
- WRITE & CREATE FEARLESSLY: If you love FriXion erasable ink pens & markers, you’ll want to try Pilot’s full line of erasable Clickers, ColorSticks, Fineliners, Colors Marker Pens, & Highlighters.
- 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!
Staedtler Triplus Fineliners
If color is the name of your game, then consider this fineliner set. As the name implies, they indeed have very fine lines. And their range of colors is incredible and crisp on the page. These pens are excellent for taking color-coded notes or for simple doodling with all the power of the rainbow.SALE
2,192 Reviews Staedtler 334C42 Triplus Fineliner 42-Color Assorted Super Fine Water-Based Marker
- Assorted colors
- Perfect for charts, maps, and graphs
- Fiber-tipped
- Water-based ink
Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens
Personally, I love the feel of a felt tip pen. I just love the way they write. That’s why I’m throwing this set of Paper Mate Flair pens on the list — some people might prefer a colorful set of pens with that unbeatable felt tip feeling.
Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens | Medium Point 0.7 Millimeter Marker Pens | Back to School Supplies…
- Point Guard prevents the tip from fraying even after repeated use
- Quick drying, Water based ink resists smearing
- Specially Designed ink will not bleed through paper
- Medium Point produces Bold and expressive Lines
Zebra Mildliners
You need highlighters for your bullet journal, right? Look no further than these Zebra Mildliners. I was never a big fan of highlighters until I found this brand. But after using the Mildliners, I became a convert. Most highlighter sets have the same screaming neon colors, but Zebra offers you softer hues. You can get pastels, jewel tones, and earth tones — which to me is a million times better than neon yellow.
Read my full Zebra Mildliners review.
»»» Read More: The Best Pens for Bullet Journaling «««
Accessories
Besides the obvious bullet journal supplies of a notebook and pens, there are a few other items that you might want to pick up to make your experience fun. These are by no mean necessary, but they might make your bullet journal easier to create or just more enjoyable!
Free Bullet Journal Printables
When you’re first beginning your bullet journal, you might want to lean on bullet journal printables every once in a while to let you focus on other aspects of your planning. If that sounds like something you’d like to do, I’ve got you covered with the free bullet journal printables available in the Fox Den Resource Library. Just subscribe to my email list and the printables are all yours!
Washi Tape
There is something intoxicating about washi tape. The ability to add colorful flair and design to your bullet journal with a snap of your fingers (or nearly) is pretty amazing. And washi tape comes in an infinite variety of colors, textures, patterns, and sizes, so there really is something for everyone. A word of warning, though: you may become addicted and collected a thousand washi tapes. Beware.
Best Overall: Sakura Pigma Micron Ink Pen Set
Perfect for journaling, as well as writing and illustrating, the Sakura Micron pens are one of the most reliable and most popular drawing pens. And with good reason: the pens glide across the paper leaving smooth clean lines. These pens are rich in pigment, waterproof, fade-resistant, and do not leave smears on most types of paper. The ink stays on the top layer of the paper rather than absorbing through, which means no bleed-through. The Sakura Pigma Micron Blister Card Pen Set includes six nib sizes: 0.20, 0.25mm, 0.30mm, 0.35mm, 0.45mm, and 0.50mm. The pens are great for doing fine detailed line work where precision is important. All pens in the set have black ink.
Best Gel Pens: Papermate InkJoy Gel Retractable Pens
Create bold lines in bright, beautiful colors with the Papermate Inkjoy Gel Retractable Pens. Because the pens are retractable, you don’t have to worry about them drying out if left uncapped. The ink dries three times faster, which dramatically reduces smearing. The ergonomic comfort grip wraps around the entire pen barrel, making it easier to hold as you jot your notes, plan your schedule, or create your journal templates. The assortment of colors gives you the opportunity to add a variety of hues to your journaling pages. Pen tips can be used to create controlled and fine lines, making the gel pens great for small or large journaling projects.
Best Colored Pens: Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pens
If you’re looking for a set of colorful fine-liners to add to your collection of journaling pens, the 20-pack of Staedtler Triplus Fineliners are a perfect choice. The pack includes an array of colors, including yellow, orange, pinks, violet, brown, and gray. The 0.3mm tip size will allow you to write and draw fine lines with amazing precision. The inks have a great, vibrant color quality that almost pops off the page. There’s no skipping when you write and the ink dries quickly, without leaving any smears behind. You won’t have bleed-through on copy weight paper, though you may be able to see the colors from the other side of the pages on thinner types of paper. Staedtler Triplus Fineliners are ideal for writing, drawing, and sectioning pages.
Related: The Best Gel Pens
Best for Everyday Use: Sharpie Fine Point Pens
Sharpie pens are the perfect mix of quality and affordability. Designed with a fine tip and soft grip, these pens will easily become your go-to for everyday journaling. Not to be confused with the markers created by the same company, your writing with Sharpie pens will be bold and smooth, but won’t bleed through to the other side of the page. The fine point allows you to create smooth sharp lines or write clearly and legibly in smaller spaces. Quick-drying ink prevents smearing and is water- and fade-resistant. All in all, these Sharpie pens are a quality writing instrument at a great price.
Best Fountain Pen: Pilot Metropolitan Collection Fountain Pen
If your journaling includes a lot of writing, a fountain pen is a must-have for your collection. Fountain pens provide an easier writing experience, like the Pilot Metropolitan Collection Fountain Pen. The pens are created with a durable brass barrel, premium matte finish, and have polished accents that add a bit of sophistication to your journaling experience. The pen comes with a cartridge, a converter, as well as a carrying case. If you go with a fountain pen, you’ll want to pair it with a journal that’s created with fountain-pen friendly paper to avoid bleed-through.
Related: The Best Fountain Ink Pens
Best for Bible Journaling: Pigma Micron Bible Study Kit
The Pigma Micron Bible Study Kit is a perfect set of pens for those who enjoy taking a fresh and creative approach to Bible journaling. The set includes a total of eight pens: Sakura’s 05 Pigma Microns and 01 Pigma Micron. The Micron 05 colors include blue, light green, orange, pink, violet, and yellow; and the Micron 01 note pen colors include black and red. The colors offer great contrast, allowing you to highlight the most meaningful passages in the Bible text. The pens are great for detailed lettering and offer minimal to no bleed-through, even on lightweight Bible pages.
Conclusion
Putting together your first bullet journal is an exciting endeavor. It’s not just about getting organized, but also about self-discovery. We all have a different way of remembering things, and a different way of following patterns. The best part about a bullet journal is that it’s flexible, so everyone can find what works for them. This means that there are no rules or wrong pens when it comes to your notebook! But this also means that there is a lot of room for experimentation and finding the best pens for you.