Gel pens are amazing tools for arts and crafts because they use a rollerball ink mechanism to lay down pigments on a page super smoothly. Since the gel ink is packed with pigment, they also come with many color options, including white, metallic, and glitter options.
What are the best white gel pens? The original maker of gel pens, Sakura, offers white gel pens that come in various tip sizes. You can also find great substitutes from other prominent art pen brands, but the most important things to look for are high opacity, long-lasting ink, and a quick drying formula.
In this article, let’s learn more about gel pens and find the best white gel pens for your art project!
What Are Gel Pens?
The first gel pens were first introduced by Sakura during the 1980s. At first, the brand was experimenting with different types of gel that were solid at rest but could become free-flowing once disturbed.
This phenomenon, known as thixotropic action, required a balanced viscosity and gel to be very smooth. This is also how they came up with the gel ink formula used in gel pens today.
The gel ink is made from pigment suspended in a water-based gel formula. Because of this formula, you’ll find that gel ink often appears more vivid, and there are more color options available. Metallic and glitter colors tend to look more vibrant when it’s a gel pen.
Similar to other types of rollerball pens, a gel pen has a revolving ball inside its tip. When you write, the ball’s surface gets coated with the ink, which then flows onto the page.
However, unlike regular pens, gel pens have a pigment suspended in a water-based gel, allowing the ink to flow smoothly onto the page and create wider lines than those found in a standard ballpoint.
Thanks to the smooth gel formula, you’ll find that working with a gel pen is much easier than using other types of pens. However, because gel ink formulas tend to take longer to dry, a lot of left-handed writers find that their writing tends to smudge more with gel pens.
There are some new improvements to gel ink that allow it to dry faster, so lefties can opt for the quick-drying gel ink option.
One of the main complaints about gel pens is that they tend to run out quickly because they lay down a lot of ink on the page. This means that they won’t last as long as regular pens and will need to be replaced more often, adding to an already higher price.
Gel Pen Buying Guide
If this is your first time buying gel pens, here are some of the things that you will need to consider.
Colors
Gel pens come with a lot of color options, and even neutrals like white or beige are packed with more pigment so that the colors will show up more vibrantly, especially on dark pages.
If you are buying a white gel pen on a dark page, you can look for a regular option or even glitter and metallic options to really make the lines pop.
Thickness
Similar to other types of rollerball pens, you also have your pick of a range of tip sizes, which will decide how big your lines will be.
The common tip sizes are 0.3 mm, 0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.6mm, 0.7 mm, 0.8mm, and 1.0 mm. All of these sizes are great for writing and drawing.
Left or Right-Handed
As we’ve mentioned, gel pens are quite tricky for lefties because the ink takes a while to dry, and your writing can smudge as your hand moves from left to right.
If you are left-handed, you should look for a quick-drying gel ink formula that can prevent smudges when you write. Some manufacturers have also recently created left-handed gel pens with ergonomic designs that can be quite comfortable for left-handed users.
Special Ink
With gel ink, you can also opt for an erasable formula, which is great when you are practicing your drawings or even just day-to-day writing.
Depending on your preference, you can also look for a marbled effect (where the ink changes colors as it flows out of the reservoir). Waterproof ink and quick-drying ink are also popular options for those looking for convenience and durability.
Best White Gel Pens
If you are intrigued, here are our suggestions for the best white gel pens on the market.
Rank | Product | Tip Size |
---|---|---|
1. | Uni-Ball Signo Broad Point Gel Impact Pen | 1.0 mm |
2. | Sakura Classic Gelly Roll White Pens | 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.8 mm, 1.0 mm |
3. | Pentel Arts Milky Pop Pastel Gel Pen | 0.8 mm |
4. | Arteza White Gel Pens Set | 0.6 mm, 0.8 mm, and 1.00 mm |
5. | Gelly Roll Gel-Ink Pen | 0.4 mm |
6. | White Gel Pen for Artists 0.7mm Fine Point | 0.7 mm |
7. | Mr. Pen White Gel Pens for Artists | 0.8 mm |
1. Uni-Ball Signo Broad Point Gel Impact Pen
The Uni-Ball Signo Gel Pen is a versatile pen that can be used for both writing and drawing. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking to add a bit of flair to your work or just want a simple but effective pen to use on the go.
This gel pen comes with a fine 1.0mm tip that accommodates the gel ink beautifully, ensuring a smooth flow of ink and bold, broad lines on the page.
A finely-tuned set of features has been designed into this pen, providing a comfortable writing experience and making it easy to create precisely aligned lines with minimal effort.
The rubber grip makes it comfortable to hold, while the form-fitting body ensures it fits perfectly in your hand.
2. Sakura Classic Gelly Roll White Pens
Sakura Classic Gelly Roll White Pens are the original gel pens from the inventors of gel ink.
Sakura Classic Gelly Roll White Pens have a creamy, opaque, smooth texture that allows you to create beautiful fine lines without having to press hard or struggle to get your writing right the first time.
The pens write smoothly on all kinds of paper and can be used for drawing, writing, and coloring.
These pens are so smooth and creamy that they glide across the paper with ease, making them a joy to write with. The beautiful sheen of the white ink makes them perfect for writing on dark backgrounds.
This set comes with five pens with different sized tips: 0.3mm, 0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.8mm, and 1.0mm.
3. Pentel Arts Milky Pop Pastel Gel Pen
Pentel Arts’ Milky Pop Pastel Gel Pen is a smooth writing instrument with a rich color that you can’t find in traditional ballpoint pens.
The 0.8mm tips provide a high-quality drawing and writing experience for anyone who wants to express their creativity, working well on both light and dark paper. The smooth gel ink dries quickly, making it perfect for writing on the go or in your favorite notebook.
The cap screws on securely to prevent leaks, while the barrel fits comfortably in any hand, and the rubber grip provides extra stability for writing on uneven surfaces.
4. Arteza White Gel Pens Set
The Arteza White Gel Pens Set is a versatile pen that can be used for writing, sketching, and drawing.
The Arteza white gel pens are a set of three different-sized pens. The 0.6mm pen is the smallest and most subtle, while the 1.00mm pen is the largest and boldest.
The 0.8mm pen is somewhere in between in terms of size and boldness while still remaining consistent throughout the line.
The opaque white ink dries quickly and works on all colored surfaces, including black paper, without bleeding through to other pages.
5. Gelly Roll Gel-Ink Pen
The Gelly Roll Gel-Ink Pens are made with gel ink that is unique and long-lasting. The ink is a water-based formula that dries quickly and can be written on almost any surface without smudging or bleeding.
Gelly Roll Gel-Inks are also known for their archival quality, meaning that they will not fade or smear over time like other types of ink do. This makes them perfect for artists and writers who need to store their work for years at a time without worrying about it fading.
This set comes with 2 gel pens with 0.4mm tips, perfect for both writing and drawing. The brilliant white gel ink will show up well on dark paper, and your drawings will stand out thanks to the amount of pigment packed in the ink.
6. Art-n-Fly White Gel Pen for Artists
The Art-n-Fly White Gel Pen is a great addition to any artist’s tool kit.
The smooth-flowing, waterproof gel ink makes it easy to create art, and the opaque white color shows up especially well on dark backgrounds.
This white gel pen has a 0.7 mm point tip and provides a rich, smooth writing experience while creating fine precise lines.
It’s made of archival ink, so the pen can be used on any type of paper without bleeding through or smudging your artwork.
7. Mr. Pen White Gel Pens for Artists
Mr. Pen White Gel Pens are another great option for artists. The ink is non-toxic, water-based gel ink that works beautifully on dark papers and dries quickly.
Each pen has a 0.8 mm point that allows for smooth and easy writing, and it’s even perfect for artists who love sketching with gel pens. The gel ink allows for smooth and effortless drawing without smearing or feathering.
These gel pens can create an effortless writing experience for artists who want to get their creativity flowing!
Related Articles
Best White Pens For Watercolor
Best Glow In Dark White Paints