This pen is made with thermosensitive ink that allows you to remove mistakes cleanly by using its included eraser. If you are anxious about using permanent gel pens, then the Pilot – FriXion Ball Clicker is our favorite erasable gel pen. Pens that moved effortlessly while writing were ranked 10/10, while some pens like the Muji gel pen had too much friction and some skipping was ranked 2/10. We noted if there was any friction or skipping by both writing words and using lines across the page. We tested the gel pens on different paper types to see how smooth each pen wrote on each surface. (need photos of different hands holding pens?) Smoothness tests We tested each pen on different writers and noted the comfort level based on their design. We also observed if there was any feathering or bleeding on the paper during these tests. Pens ranked between 0-10 depending on their drying time (instantaneous is 10/10 and longer than 30 seconds is 0/10). Bleeding, feathering, and smudge testsįor each pen, we performed a smudge test to see how long the ink takes to dry. During these tests, writers noted each pen’s comfort level, ink smudge tests, and smoothness. We tested each pen over two months on different paper and materials, in varying lengths (like to-do’s, journals, instructions, and letters), and evaluated each pen’s user experience with different writers. These gel pens are all under $8 per piece, with many pens under $5. We selected 19 gel pens from smaller and well-known brands, with varying line thicknesses, designs, and other features like erasability and the option to refill the ink. Lastly, if you want to produce less waste, try to find a pen that you can refill in the future. If the permanence of pens troubles you, there are also erasable gel pens with ink removable with friction and heat. Different colors are important for people who like different options (or use color to organize). Gel pens also have other features to look for, like color options, erasability, or being able to buy refills. However, there are now gel pen brands that formulate an ink with faster drying times and they actually work! Other features Gel pens can be a little tricky with drying time because they’re often more watery this also depends on the thickness of the tip and the amount of ink that comes out. If you’re a lefty or have quirky-styled penmanship that ends up in lots of smudges, having a gel pen that is made for quick-drying will help with any potential ink accidents. Try to find pens with bodies that are appropriate for the size of your hands if you have bigger hands, it will be difficult to continuously grip a super slim pen and vice versa. A well-balanced pen also alleviates muscle cramping, or lighter pens could help with extended periods of writing. Pens with rubber or silicone grips were easier to use because they felt more secure in our hands. With this in mind, comfort level could completely depend on each person, but certain designs help support your fingers and hands during writing.įor example, some pens have silicone or rubber bands to contour to your grip. Keep in mind that how someone holds their writing utensil also affects their comfort level. The design of a pen affects how comfortable it is to hold for short or extended periods. However, the thickness also affected the darkness and vibrancy of the colors. We experienced that the thinner pen sizes produced thinner lines and less ink, which made them dry more quickly. Thickness also affects the amount of ink that comes out of the pen. The gel pens we tested come in various sizes ranging from 0.28 to 1 millimeter thick. The tip thickness or size of a pen is an essential feature because it affects the user experience, handwriting style, and quick drying time. Plus, this model of Sarasa is nowhere near as good as the Clip model.FriXion Ball Clicker Erasable 0.5 mm See Price at Amazon The 19 gel pens we tested Name I rarely visit office supply stores any more so I haven’t noticed this. Clean, and impressive.įinally, how new is this ink technology from Zebra? I was thinking this Japanese model was newish, but as I dug around, Zebra USA has marketed the Sarasa Gel as Zebra Sarasa Rapid Dry Ink Gel for what looks like a year or two. I ran my finger along the line when writing, as in this video, and there was no ink smear or ink transfer to my finger. It lives up to the marketing, drying almost immediately after going on the page. The more important aspect, of course, is the ink performance. The clip is too bulky on the Dry Gel model for me, although the grip may be a bit better. The first question I had about this pen wasn’t to see if the fast-drying gel ink worked, but how close this pen compares to an all time favorite: the Zebra Sarasa Clip.
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