Best Brush Pens For Hand Lettering

Sharing is caring!

Bullet Journal lettering is such an exciting way to add personality and creativity to your planning. But if you’ve ever tried hand lettering with the wrong tools, you know how frustrating it can be.

The good news? Finding the best brush pens for hand lettering can completely transform your experience, helping your strokes become smoother, your lines more dynamic, and your overall designs pop right off the page!

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve mastered your own creative style, choosing the right pens makes all the difference. Stick around, and we’ll walk you through some top picks to elevate your lettering game.

First and foremost, let me clarify that unfortunately, the right supplies are not a shortcut to becoming a master letterer in just one day., Great supplies will not give you skills from zero; that only comes with practice.

But, finding the pen that works for you can help you make the process more comfortable, fun, and easier. And everything that can help you make your learning easier is worth it.

After all, you’ll need a brush pen to practice and improve your lettering skills, so you might as well get the one that works best for you.

But how do you choose the right pen for you? Let’s start from the basics, and let me explain a few things to think about before you choose a pen.

Oh, and be sure to check the end of the post for some FREE printables to help you master brush lettering.

How To Pick The Right Brush Pen

Each brush pen is different, and understanding their characteristics can help you identify the ideal pen that matches your style and needs.

Everyone has their own personal preferences when it comes to tools, and brush pens are no exception. Finding one that feels just right for you is key.

Here are a few important aspects to keep in mind:

• Nib Size

One of the first things to consider is the size of the nib. Brush pen nibs generally come in small, medium, or large.

Keep in mind that most hand lettering practice sheets are designed for either small or large nibs. If you’re using a pen with a medium-sized nib, you’ll likely find worksheets for large nibs to be the better fit.

• Nib Elasticity

Nib flexibility varies across brush pens, ranging from soft to firm. If you’re just getting started, I recommend opting for pens with firmer or mid-range nibs. These tend to produce more consistent line thickness and are easier to control as you practice.

• Ink Flow

The ink flow of a brush pen plays a big role in the final result. Some pens are drier, while others release ink more heavily. If you’re working with thin Bullet Journal pages, a drier pen is often better, as it reduces the risk of ink bleeding or ghosting through the pages.

Finding your perfect brush pen might be a little trial and error at first. Personally, I’m a fan of small-sized pens with medium firmness, but your ideal combination might be completely different.

A good way to figure out your preferences is to experiment with both small and large nib pens. This way, you can see what works best as you refine your hand lettering skills.

Now that you know what to look for, I’ve rounded up a list of brush pens that cover a wide range of characteristics. Let’s get started!

This post may contain affiliate links. They will be of no extra expense for you, but I receive a small credit. Please see my Disclosure for more details. Thank you for supporting Masha Plans!

Best Brush Pens For Hand Lettering

There is no one best brush pen for everyone. We all have different needs, and you just need to pick one that would work best for you.

In this list, I’ve gathered various pens with distinct characteristics, so you can definitely find something on this list that you’ll love.

Pentel Touch Brush Pens

These little beauties are a must-try. The nib has that ideal balance of flexibility and firmness, making it easy to control even if your hand isn’t the steadiest yet.

This makes them an excellent choice for beginners. These pens work wonderfully for detailed, small-scale lettering and longer texts. Plus, they’re surprisingly durable.

Key features of Pentel Touch Brush Pens you’ll love:

• Water-based ink that’s ideal for blending.
• Smaller nibs that are perfect for petite lettering and fitting more words onto a single page.
• A wide range of colors to play with.

Sakura Koi Brush Pens

With their vibrant water-based ink, these pens create bold, striking strokes that make your lettering pop. They’re also a blast to blend for watercolor-style effects.

However, one thing to watch out for is fraying. These pens won’t hold up well on rough surfaces, so stick to smooth, high-quality paper to extend their life.

Sakura Koi at a glance:

• Medium-to-large synthetic nibs that retain their shape.
• Medium-firm elasticity for excellent stroke variation.
• Heavy ink flow that creates stunning, ombre-like effects.
• A spectrum of 48 dazzling colors to choose from.

Tombow Dual Tip Brush Pens

These pens are like old friends I love returning to. Admittedly, I haven’t tested every brush pen in existence, but these remain my favorites for creating bold, chunky letters.

I got my first set in 2018, and even 7 years later, they are still in great condition and a pleasure to use.

Another bonus? Their water-based ink doubles as watercolor paint, making them both versatile and creative. Just remember to grab good-quality paper to prevent wear and tear.

Tombow Dual brush pens main characteristics:

• Dual tips: Flexible brush tip for bold strokes and fine tip for details.
• Water-based ink: Blendable and vibrant.
• 108 colors available, including a colorless blender for shading.
• Large firm nibs to create those big chunky letters.

ZIG Fudebiyori Brush Pens

These beginner-friendly pens feature a medium tip size that’s easy to control and perfect for slightly larger lettering projects.

What makes ZIG Fudebiyori pens a win:

• A rainbow of 48 colors, including metallic shades.
• A medium, firmer tip, ideal for those with a heavier hand.
• Water-based ink for blending and creative effects.

If you’re balling on a budget but still want quality, these pens are a fantastic choice for your collection.

Karin Brushmarker Pro

These pens are all about vivid colors and bold strokes. The ink flow is juicy and generous, so you might find yourself going through your favorite shades pretty quickly.

If you’re looking for pens that deliver big, bold lettering with a watercolor vibe, Karin Brushmarker Pros are an excellent choice. Just make sure you’re using thicker paper to handle the ink flow effectively.

Here are some main characteristics:

• Dye-based ink: Intensely colored and vibrant.
• Liquid ink technology: Ensures consistent flow and uses every drop.
• Flexible nylon tip: Great for smooth transitions and bold strokes.
• Blendable: Perfect for creating gradients and watercolor effects.

Dingbats Atopen Dual Tip Pens

Dingbats Atopen pens are dual-tipped and packed with vibrant, archival-quality ink. These are an amazing choice for doodling, coloring, and hand lettering, thanks to their durability.

They also hold their own against Tombow Dual Tips, with a slightly firmer brush and finer liner tip for added versatility.

Here’s what sets Dingbats Atopen brush pens apart:

• Archival-quality ink that’s fade-proof and waterproof.
• Eco-friendly packaging made from recycled materials.
• Large flexible brush tip and a bullet tip for more detailed work.

Crayola Supertips

If you’re looking for an affordable entry point into brush lettering, Crayola Supertips are a solid option. They are not necessarily brush pens, but the tip gives enough flexibility to allow for brush lettering.

What’s great about Supertips is the sheer variety of colors! Their smaller nibs are ideal for crisp designs, although they don’t offer as much contrast between thick and thin strokes as other brush pens do.

Here are some of the main characteristics of Crayola Super Tips:

• Vibrant colors: Wide range of bold and bright options.
• Versatile tip: Allows for both thick and thin lines.
• Affordable and accessible: Great for beginners and widely available.

And there you go, here are a few of the best brush pen recommendations for you. Any of these can be the perfect pen for you, so think of what you might enjoy more and get the one that fits your needs the most.

Before you leave, don’t forget your freebies!

Free Brush Lettering Resources

Brush lettering is a very fun hobby, and you can do so much with just a few pens. Mastering brush lettering is also all about practice, so I created a few resources to help you with that.

Simply sign up in the form below, and you’ll get exclusive practice worksheets and more information on mastering lettering delivered straight to your inbox.

More Brush Lettering Resources

Are you looking for some more ideas, recommendations, and worksheets to master brush lettering? I’ve got you covered.

Check out these posts next:

• Free Brush Lettering Practice Sheets
• 11 Free Online Calligraphy Courses For Beginners
• 5 Engaging Lettering Exercises To Spark Creativity

>>> What pens are your favorite for brush lettering? Share with us in the comments!

Hope this post was interesting. If you find it so, please share! If you enjoy my content and want to show your appreciation, please consider supporting me with a cup of coffee.

And remember: Keep Bullet Journaling, and Don’t Be A Blob!

Sharing is caring!