The 10 Best Calligraphy Pens 2020

Good calligraphy requires great precision, so you’re going to create ornate lettering you’re going to need the right tools for the job. In this article we’re covering the best pens for calligraphy.

10. Daveliou Calligraphy Pen Set

The kit includes two beautiful straight dip pens. One is made of glass and the other of birch wood, and both have great balance which makes them a pleasure to work with.

The 12 chisel tip and specialist nib selection are made from stainless steel tipped with iridium alloy to protect them from wear and tear. Each nib is robust, long lasting, and delivers a smooth finish.

Five colored inks make the perfect foundation for your calligraphy kit. The ink is free of toxic soluble dyes, which will keep your artwork looking fresh and crisp for longer.

We like that the entire kit is presented in a beautifully ornate case that harks back to the origins of this traditional craft. The only issue with this set is that it can be tricky to change the nibs on the glass pen.

9. GC Quill Antique Feather Writing Quill Pen 

The six stainless steel nibs cover various sizes and techniques, and they function well even when used with fairly high pressure. Ink flows smoothly from each nib, creating smooth, even script.

There is one bottle of black ink included in the kit, as well as a gold color sealing wax which is a beautiful touch to this luxurious calligraphy kit.

The entire case comes in a very pretty presentation case which is also handy for transporting the pens. There’s also a guide to lettering, which is handy if you or the recipient of your gift is just starting out.

The price is the only clear downside of this lovely set, but it must also be noted that the feather will require lots of care and attention if you don’t want it to get tatty after a few uses.

8. Pilot Parallel

We don’t know about that, but text is certainly beautifully clear and even novices will find it easy to create accurate, elegant script with this kit.

Each refillable pen comes with a black and a red ink cartridge so there’s no danger of creating a mess like there is when using dip pens. The cool thing about these Pilot pens is that each one is capable of both colored inks flowing from the nib at the same time which creates a beautiful graduated effect.

You might find that even the smallest nib size is too big for some projects, and this is the only downside of this set. Other than that we love everything about this set.

7. Staedtler Calligraphy Pen Set

There are five nibs of various shapes and sizes covering everything from extra fine to extra broad. Each nib can be used with any of the four marble-look pens so you can have your most used nibs and ink colors loaded and ready to go.

There’s also an instruction book and practice pad included which is a nice touch if you’re just getting started with calligraphy.

The set comes stored in a nice tin, so this attractive kit would make a great gift. The pens aren’t the most robust, though, so be aware that they probably won’t last forever.

6. Zig Memory System Calligraphy Markers

The ink in the markers is permanent, waterproof, and lightfast so you can expect artwork made with these pens to last. Plus, it’s acid-free.

The nibs on these markers can sometimes become dry when they’re not used frequently and the thick chisel tips might be a little heavy for some applications. But, Zig also sells a black 0.45 mm marker separately which would complement this kit nicely.

5. Sakura 38062 8 Piece Pigma Brush Pen Set

The brush pens are made from flexible fibers so you can draw, write, and paint with them, and the results are free of bleeding and smearing with most paper.

The only drawback of this kit is that brush pens tend to feather over time which can ruin the crispness of your work. But, these pens are very reasonably priced so if this happens it’s not the end of the world to replace them.

4. Speedball Oblique Pen Set

This kit comes with six different nibs which is impressive considering the price. There’s no ink supplied though, which is the only minor drawback of this kit.

3. Speedball Calligraphy Set

The reservoirs within the six nibs keep the ink flowing smoothly and effortlessly.

There’s no ink included with this kit, so if you’re unsure what to buy we recommend you go with one of the options recommended in the introduction to this article. You might also notice some scratching on your page with one or two of these nibs, but once you’re over the learning curve we think you’ll really enjoy using this kit.

2. Pentel Fude Touch Sign Pen

The tips of the pens are fairly firm so it’s easier to create the thin upstrokes used in calligraphy scripts with control and accuracy.

There aren’t really any negative points for these pens, other than experienced artists might like a little more variety from their calligraphy kit.

1. Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen Set

The pens themselves are lightweight and easy to handle, which is a real perk for beginners just getting to grips with calligraphy.

The water-based pigmented black ink delivers smooth and crisp lines that are long-lasting, and it won’t stain clothes which makes them a good option for children as well as adults.

These pens aren’t refillable so when they’re empty you’ll have to replace them. But considering the price, that’s not really an issue.

What Tools are used for Calligraphy?

There are several types of pens to consider for calligraphy:

• Dip pens – Used with a pot of ink, this is the traditional calligraphy tool used for modern and ancient script.
• Brush pens – These tend to be cheaper and easier for beginners to get to grips with.
• Fountain pens – Nibs don’t tend to be flexible and so can’t manage both thick and thin lines. As a result, this option is preferred for penmanship.
• Flat nib – Great for Gothic, italics, Roman capitals, and more.

Nibs come in a huge variety of widths and shapes for different applications and it’s a good idea to have a selection on hand to work with. Every kit we feature on this list includes multiple nibs for this reason.

Many kits come with ink but when it comes to buying extra we recommend Speedball India Ink because it’s easy to work with and is waterproof when dry. Sumi Ink is also an excellent choice and it has a flat, shine-free finish to it (Speedball’s ink dries with a shine to it). If you’re using a cartridge pen, refills can be purchased from the pen’s manufacturer. The Postman Knocks has lots of great advice on inks if you’d like to do some further reading.

You’ll also need to invest in some decent paper to work with. Lettering Daily suggests that whatever you use needs to be bleed-proof to handle all the ink you’re putting into it, and that you should choose something nice and thick for final projects to avoid wrinkling.

You’ll also need a ruler, a pencil, and an eraser to create parallel lines to guide your lettering.

How to Choose Calligraphy Pens

Comfort – Look for ergonomic handles, and if your hands are small it’s wise to look for lightweight options.
Cartridge vs dip – Cartridges are less messy and are better for beginners, but dip gives more flexibility in ink and nib choice.
Nib – Flex nibs are more delicate and elegant, and italic nibs are better for dramatic script.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to give dip pens a try, the Oblique Pen Set from Speedball is our favorite. The angle of the nib makes scripting comfortable and helps create professional standard curves and flourishes. For variety and ease of use, Zig’s Memory System Calligraphy Markers is the ultimate starter kit. Beginners will love how easy the markers are to use, and the dual tips give plenty of creative flexibility. For a budget calligraphy pen kit, Tombow’s Fudenosuke Brush Pen Set is astoundingly good value for money and is the perfect pair of pens for calligraphy practice.

Which calligraphy kit do you recommend and why? Let us know in the comments.