Depending on your handwriting style, a pen that works for your favorite studytuber might not be
the best pen for you. In this video, we’ll go over some important characteristics to consider
and suggest pens for cursive enthusiasts, left-handed writers, fast writers, and more.
Considerations Pen Type
The most popular pen types are ballpoint, gel, and rollerball pens, and we’ll focus on them in this
video. So what’s the difference between these pens? Basically, it all comes down to the ink
formula. Ballpoint pens use an oil-based ink. Gel and rollerball pens use water-based inks,
although gel inks are thicker and rollerball inks are more liquid. This affects how they perform: as
an example, ballpoint inks dry almost instantly, while rollerball inks can take much longer to dry.
Pen Body Pen bodies aren’t just for looks:
they can also affect how comfortable your writing experience will be. A well-balanced pen will fit
nicely in your grip and reduce the chances of a hand cramp. Depending on the size of your hand,
look for pens with grip sections that are wide enough for your fingers to get a good hold.
Ink Flow A pen with good ink flow
will write smoothly without a lot of pressure, but ink might bleed through the paper if it’s too wet.
A pen that’s too dry can skip and distract you from writing.
The “right” ink flow depends on the writer, so make sure to find a pen that works for you.
Dry Time An ink that dries quickly is a must for
left-handed or fast writers. However, an ink that dries too fast can soak into the paper’s fibers,
increasing the chances of feathering or bleedthrough.
Tip Size For most writers,
0.5 millimeter and 0.7 millimeter tip sizes are good options because they balance reasonable dry
times with smooth flow. However, you might want to consider a finer or broader tip size
based on your handwriting. A smaller tip size dries faster,
but it can feel scratchy. A broader tip size is slow to dry, but it can feel much smoother.
With those considerations in mind, let’s get into our recommendations!
Best for Print Writing The Zebra Sarasa Clip
is one of our favorite workhorse pens. Its archival quality ink flows smoothly
and ensures that your writing will last. The rubber grip is comfortable to hold,
and its handy push clip can be attached to pockets and bulky book covers. We especially
love the range of tip sizes and colors that will appeal to every note-taking enthusiast!
Best for Cursive Writing Cursive relies on continuous strokes
with only brief pauses, so it’s important to use a pen that won’t skip—like the Uni-ball
Air. This rollerball pen has generous ink flow and a special tip that can be used at any angle,
so your writing session won’t be interrupted. The Uni-ball Air’s liquid ink might bleed through
low quality print-outs and copy paper. If this bothers you, the 0.7 millimeter Uni-ball Signo
is a good alternative. Its gel ink is less likely to bleed through the page.
Best for Small Handwriting Tiny handwriting pairs best with tiny pen tips,
and the Pilot Hi-Tec-C is the perfect pen for precise lettering. It comes in tip
sizes as small as 0.25 millimeters, so you can pack tons of words into compact spaces.
We recommend starting with the 0.4 millimeter tip before reaching for smaller tip sizes,
because the Hi-Tec-C’s ultra-fine tips can feel scratchy.
Best for Large Handwriting For those with large handwriting, a broad tip
like the 1.0 millimeter Zebra Surari Ballpoint Pen makes sure that your writing doesn’t look
spidery or uneven.
The emulsion ink formula flows so smoothly, you might even think that it’s a gel ink!
Best for Left-Handers Smudged ink is a constant concern
for left-handed writers, and a fast-drying ink like the one in the Zebra Sarasa Dry
is a must. It features Zebra’s DRYJELL ink, which dries 85% faster than comparable gel pens—and it
won’t bleed through the page. The Sarasa Dry comes in three tip sizes and black, blue, and red inks.
Best for Heavy-Handed Writers Pens like the Uni-ball Signo Premier 207
have been carefully designed to help heavy-handed writers. The pen’s wide,
squishy grip is so comfortable to hold. Its gel ink flows smoothly, and you don’t have to press
hard to create crisp, vibrant lines. Best for Slow Writing
To combat smudged notes and distracting bleedthrough, we recommend a ballpoint pen like
the Uni Jetstream for slow writers. Unlike liquid ink, the oil-based ink won’t soak into the paper.
The Jetstream’s low-viscosity ink is richly pigmented,
and it needs much less pressure to create a dark line when compared to other ballpoint pens.
Best for Fast Writing Fast writers need a pen
like the Pentel EnerGel that can keep up with their writing speed and won’t smear. Its ink
flows effortlessly with a light touch, and it also dries remarkably quickly.
It comes in conical, needle point, retractable, and capped body styles.
What handwriting style do you have, and what pen do you use? Let us know in the comments
below. You can find all of these products and more at JetPens.com. Thanks for watching.