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The Best Pens for Every Handwriting Style

October 5, 2021 - Posted by Connie to Guides, Gel Pens, Pens, Ballpoint Pens, Rollerball Pens, Beginners' Guides, Stationery 101

Choosing from the sheer variety of pens is one of the great joys of stationery, but it can be daunting to navigate all the options. Factors like tip size, ink formulation, and even tip type can influence what the best pen for your handwriting style will be. To help you narrow down the choices, read on or watch this video to see our pen recommendations for cursive writing, left-handed writers, fast writers, and more.

Table of Contents

Considerations

Pen Type

Ballpoint, gel, and rollerball pens are the most popular pen types.

The most popular pen types are ballpoint, gel, and rollerball pens. They use different ink formulations and have different characteristics. We discuss the differences between these inks in our guide on How to Pick a Pen with the Right Ink, and have summarized them below:

Ballpoint inks are oil-based. They dry quickly but can have inconsistent ink flow.
Gel inks are solid when at rest and become liquid when the ball in the tip of the pen rotates and exerts force on the water-based ink. They have a smooth flow and come in dozens of colors, but the ink can take longer to dry than ballpoint ink.

Rollerball inks are a liquid ink that is water based. They take almost no pressure to write, but they take the longest to dry and can bleed through low quality papers.

Fountain pens are great for some writing styles, but they require upkeep that may be troublesome for the average writer. If you are interested in using a fountain pen, start your journey by reading our Beginner’s Guide to Fountain Pens.

Pen Body

Pen bodies come in a variety of different forms.

Pen bodies are not for aesthetics only: they are also a large factor in how comfortable your writing experience will be. A well-balanced pen that fits nicely in your grip will reduce the chances of a hand cramp. Look for pens with grip sections that are wide enough for your fingers to get a good hold. Cushioned grips are not a necessity, but even a firm rubber grip can help ease the pressure on your fingers.

Ink Flow

Wet pens—like this Uni-ball Air—produce a smooth line, but can bleed through the paper.

Ink flow, dry time, and tip size are related factors, so it is important to consider all three while picking your pen. A pen with good ink flow will write with a light touch and produce a smooth, steady line—but an excess of ink may bleed through the paper. A pen that is too dry will skip, leading to distracting pauses that hinder your train of thought. The “right” ink flow is largely up to personal preference, so find the pen that works best for you.

Dry Time

Left-handed writers often smudge slow-drying inks.

A slow-drying ink is an endless frustration for left-handed or fast writers. Smeared ink is hard to read, and it can stain the side of your palm with unsightly marks. As such, a fast-drying ink is a must for those who are most susceptible to smudged writing. However, an ink that dries too quickly can be a problem, too. The ink soaks into the paper’s fibers, increasing the chances of feathering (an effect that makes your writing look jagged) or bleedthrough.

Tip Size

Gel pens come in many different tip sizes.

For most writers, 0.5 mm or 0.7 mm tip sizes should suffice. They balance reasonable dry times with smooth flow. However, if you decide on a finer or broader tip size, it is important to consider how those tip sizes can affect other aspects of your writing experience. A smaller tip size restricts the amount of ink flowing through the tip, so writing dries faster, but the pen can feel “scratchy.” Conversely, a larger tip size can be wetter, leading to longer dry times, as well as a “glassy” feel against the writing surface.

Pens for Every Handwriting Style Recommendations

Best Pen for Print Writing: Zebra Sarasa Clip Gel Pen

The Zebra Sarasa Clip is a reliable workhorse pen.

The Zebra Sarasa Clip is one of our favorite general purpose pens. It is a reliable workhorse thanks to its comfortable rubber grip and archival quality ink. A handy push clip attached to the body opens wide enough to attach to pockets and bulky book covers, so you will always have a note-taking pen on hand. The Sarasa Clip comes in five tip sizes and dozens of colors, including pastel hues, marble effects, and more. Read our guide on the Sarasa lineup to learn more about this popular gel pen.

Best Pen for Cursive Writing: Uni-ball Air Rollerball Pen

The Uni-ball Air has a smooth, generous ink flow.

Unlike print writing, cursive depends on continuous strokes with brief pauses for spaces and to reposition the hand. Using a pen that is prone to skipping is a surefire way to turn a relaxing journaling session into an annoying experience. The Uni-ball Air Rollerball Pen has a special tip that allows it to be used at any angle. Paired with its generous flow, the Air’s tip ensures your writing session will remain uninterrupted. Unlike ballpoint and gel pens, rollerball pens are more prone to showthrough and bleedthrough on low quality paper. We recommend using paper that is made for liquid inks, such as those made for fountain pens. Using regular paper is fine, but you may see some feathering. Additionally, you may not be able to use the back of the page.

If you usually write on print-outs or other papers that you cannot control the quality of, the 0.7 mm Uni-ball Signo is a good alternative. Its ink is less likely to bleed through the page while maintaining a smooth flow.

Best Pen for Small Handwriting: Pilot Hi-Tec-C Gel Pen

For those with tiny handwriting, the Pilot Hi-Tec-C comes in several extra fine tip sizes.

Tiny handwriting pairs best with tiny pen tips, and the Pilot Hi-Tec-C is the perfect pen for anyone who demands precise lettering. It comes in tip sizes as small as 0.25 mm, but for those who are new to the Hi-Tec-C, we recommend trying the 0.4 mm tip first. Ultra-fine points can be more finicky and feel scratchier than broader tips. The 0.4 mm tip is noticeably finer than a 0.5 mm one, but is still smooth and easy to use. To learn more about the Hi-Tec-C, read our comprehensive guide.

Best Pen for Large Handwriting: 1.0 mm Zebra Surari Ballpoint Pen

The broad 1.0 mm Zebra Surari is a perfect fit for those with large handwriting.

For those with large handwriting, extra-fine tip sizes can make handwriting look spidery or uneven. Look for broad tips like the 1.0 mm Zebra Surari Ballpoint Pen to match your writing style. Despite the large tip size, the Surari’s ink dries quickly and will not smudge. Additionally, the Surari uses an emulsion ink that flows smoothly and with little effort.

Best Pen for Left-Handers: Zebra Sarasa Dry Gel Pen

The Zebra Sarasa Dry uses quick-drying gel ink that won't bleed through the page.

Smudged ink is a constant concern for left-handed writers, and a fast-drying ink is a must. The Zebra Sarasa Dry Gel Pen features Zebra’s DRYJELL technology, and its ink dries 85% faster than comparable gel pens without bleeding through the page. Although it comes in a limited range of tip sizes and colors, it shares many of the same features as the Sarasa Clip, including a convenient push clip and comfortable rubber grip.

Best Pen for Heavy-Handed Writers: Uni-ball Signo Premier 207 Gel Pen

The Uni-ball Signo Premier 207 has a wide, squishy grip that is comfortable to hold.

Heavy-handed writers may find writing a painful experience. Gripping the pen with too much force causes hand fatigue, while pressing down on the paper may damage pen tips or even gouge the paper. Thankfully, pens like the Uni-ball Signo Premier 207 have been carefully designed to help those who suffer from death grips and allow them to enjoy writing again. The pen has a wide grip section that feels substantial in the hand and encourages a gentle hold. Additionally, the grip is made from squishy rubber that is comfortable even if the pen is held tightly. Finally, the Premier 207 uses the same ink as other Signo gel pens, which flows smoothly with very little pressure needed.

Best Pen for Slow Writing: Uni Jetstream Ballpoint Pen

The Uni Jetstream has a quick-drying ink.

Slow writers tend to experience excessive dry times as well as more feathering and bleedthrough. This is because writing slowly allows the tip of the pen to linger on the page longer, causing more ink to flow and pool onto the paper. To combat smudged notes and distracting dots of ink, we recommend a ballpoint pen like the Uni Jetstream. The oil-based ink dries quickly and will not soak into the paper. Learn more about the Jetstream’s low-viscosity ink in our dedicated guide.

Best Pen for Fast Writing: Pentel EnerGel Gel Pen

The Pentel EnerGel uses ink that is both free-flowing and fast-drying.

Fast writers need a pen that can keep up with the speed of their writing, as well as an ink that will not smear. The Pentel EnerGel checks the box on both of these characteristics. Its ink flows effortlessly with a light touch, and it also dries remarkably quickly. We especially like that the EnerGel comes in your choice of a needle point or conical tip as well as a variety of capped and retractable body styles.

More Resources

Conclusion

No matter which pen you choose, be sure to pair it with high quality paper for the best writing experience. Read our guide on The Best Notebooks for Every Use to find picks for students, professionals, artists, and more. What handwriting style do you have, and what pen do you use? Let us know in the comments below.

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Recommendation	Pen Name	Pen Type	Tip Sizes	Add to Cart
Best Pen for Print Writing	Zebra Sarasa Clip	Gel	0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, 1.0 mm	Add Items to Cart
Best Pen for Cursive Writing	Uni-ball Air	Rollerball	0.7 mm	Add Items to Cart
Best Pen for Cursive Writing	Uni-ball Signo	Gel	0.7 mm	Add Items to Cart
Best Pen for Small Handwriting	Pilot Hi-Tec-C	Gel	0.25 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm	Add Items to Cart
Best Pen for Large Handwriting	Zebra Surari	Ballpoint	0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, 1.0 mm	Add Items to Cart
Best Pen for Left-Handers	Zebra Sarasa Dry	Gel	0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm	Add Items to Cart
Best Pen for Heavy-Handed Writers	Uni-ball Signo Premier 207	Gel	0.7 mm	Add to Cart
Best Pen for Slow Writing	Uni Jetstream	Ballpoint	0.28 mm, 0.38 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, 1.0 mm	Add Items to Cart
Best Pen for Fast Writing	Pentel EnerGel	Gel	0.3 mm, 0.35 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, 1.0 mm	Add Items to Cart