Anyone with a bullet journal understands the importance of using quality pens. Bullet journaling is a creative way to keep track of daily life, and various pens are needed for drawing weekly schedules, hand-lettering headlines, and drawing creative pictures. Because of this, it is important to find bullet journal pens that don’t bleed.
We researched and analyzed a number of the best non-bleed pens for bullet journaling. While comparing the products we focused on ink type and ink flow, durability, and cost of the pens, among other aspects. The following list includes the best bleed-free pens for bullet journaling.
Best Pens for Bullet Journaling:
1. Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pens
Bullet journal calligraphy pens are essential to your bullet journal pen collection. This Tombow Fudenosuke set has both a soft tip and a hard tip calligraphy pen and uses water-based ink, which sits on top of the paper without saturating or bleeding through.
The plastic barrel of the body is sturdy and the brush tip of each pen is encased in a metal tip. This capped pen has a pocket clip for ease of carrying and use. Frequent users of the pen set enjoy the two types of tips for various detailed drawings and lettering. Some people even argue that these are the best calligraphy pens ever.
One of the most essential items for bullet journaling is a good calligraphy pen. The Tombow 62038 Fudenosuke is the perfect pen if you want quality ink that won’t bleed through the paper. This set comes with a hard-tip pen and a soft-tip pen and would be a welcome addition to your office supplies.
Pros
- The ink is water-based and packed with pigment which sits gently on the top of the paper without bleeding through.
- The soft and hard-tipped pens are great for practicing calligraphy and penmanship.
- The pen cap ensures that your pen will not dry out, and the pocket clip makes traveling with this pen much easier.
Cons
- The ink has been known to run out quickly with this style of pen, so be sure to keep your pen capped whenever it’s not in use to lengthen its lifespan.
- This set of two pens – is one of the more expensive pens on this list.
- These pens are not refillable and will need to be replaced once the ink runs out.
2. Sharpie Pen, Medium Point for Bullet Journals
Sharpie is a well-known and trusted brand in the office supply industry. Sharpie pens were created to be everyday versions of the beloved Sharpie ink markers, and the formula is specifically designed to be bleed-proof on paper.
The felt tip of this pen prevents any smudging or skipping on the page as you write, making for neater notes and drawings.
You will love the medium-point bold lines of this pen. People have said that the Sharpie pen is an excellent replacement for ballpoint pens and because the ink does not bleed through the paper, this pen is perfect for bullet journaling.
If you are looking for the best black pens for bullet journaling that won’t bleed through the paper, the Sharpie pen is the perfect pen for you. While these pens may be a bit more expensive, the acid-free ink is quick-drying and smear-free to keep your notes and drawings neat and clean.
Don’t let your collection go without one of these felt-tip pens from a trusted and long-lasting brand. The Sharpie pens will be a great addition to your bullet journal writing.
Pros
- The acid-free non-toxic ink is water-resistant and smear-resistant when it is dry.
- Each medium-point fabric tip is surrounded by a metal casing to keep the pen safe from bending or breaking.
- Sharpie pens come in ten different colors to help keep your bullet journal neat and organized.
Cons
- Because the tip of this marker is felt, it is prone to fraying. Be sure to use light pressure when writing with this pen.
- This pack of four pens is a bit expensive.
3. Paper Mate Flair Felt-Tip Pens for Bullet Journals
Another great felt-tip pen for your bullet journal is the Paper Mate Flair pen. The classic design of this pen produces a medium point of smear-resistant, fade-resistant, and bleed-resistant water-based ink. The cap has a metal pocket holder for ease of travel.
People love Paper Mate Flair pens because of how smoothly they write without smearing or smudging. Many even use these as their everyday pens for letter writing and note-taking. These are the perfect pens for writing detailed notes in your bullet journal.
Bullet journaling often requires dark, bold lines to differentiate between categories and this pen is a great option for doing just that. These affordable felt-tip pens create crisp dark lines every time and the bleed-free ink ensures that your drawings will be clean from front to back.
Paper Mate is another well-known brand of office supplies and the Flair pens have been a staple of their company for decades. It is well worth your investment to have a set of Flair pens in your office supply collection.
Pros
- Because this pen has a felt tip, there is no worry about skipping or globbing ink while you are writing.
- This set of pens is a great deal. For the price, you are guaranteed the bleed-free quality of a well-known brand.
- The ink stays dark for years without fading.
- The plastic point guard at the tip of the pen helps prevent the felt tip of these pens from fraying.
Cons
- These pens can dry out fast if you do not keep them properly capped and stored. If you take care of these pens, they will last you a long time.
- These pens are not waterproof and will bleed on the paper if it gets wet.
4. iBayam Journal Pens for Bullet Journals
In your search for good pens for bullet journaling, you should look into the iBayam journal planner pens. These fine-point felt-tip marker pens will draw crisp dark lines every time, without bleeding through the paper.
The slender modern design of this set of 18 different colored pens adds flair to your pen collection and the durability of each pen ensures you will use this set for years.
Each pen uses a pigmented water-based ink that sits on top of the paper without soaking through.
Many people love this pen for being affordable for such a variety of colors. They say that the size and shape of this pen make it easy to draw for long periods of time while still being comfortable.
If you are looking for an affordable set of multi-colored pens then iBayam has what you need. These felt-tip pens leave boldly colored lines without bleeding through the paper.
Pros
- Each pen is designed to resist smearing and not bleed through the paper so your journal stays neat and organized.
- The company offers a money-back guarantee for this set of pens if for some reason you are not happy with the set.
- The ultra-fine metal tip on these pens helps to protect the felt tip of each pen for longer use without splitting.
- For the price, you get 18 different colors.
Cons
- The caps can be difficult to remove and replace, which can be a hassle if you are bullet journaling and switching between multiple colors at a time.
- The cap colors do not necessarily accurately represent the ink colors and some markers may look different than their cap color.
5. Tombow Dual Brush Markers
Tombow dual brush pens are excellent bullet journal markers that don’t bleed through paper. Each black pen comes with a cap that corresponds to the color of the marker. The markers have a fine tip for bold lines and drawing as well as a brush tip to work on calligraphy and lettering.
For the cost, you get nine different colored pens and one blending pen for drawing creative tabs in your bullet journal. Each pen has non-toxic acid-free water-based ink that won’t bleed easily on most papers.
Customers love all that you get for what you pay. Nine bold colors and a blending brush are perfect for bullet journaling, and the dual tips add more possibility. Many people say this is a great starter pack of pens for someone new to bullet journaling.
If you are looking for a pack of bleed-free multi-color pens then this Tombow set is a great option at an affordable price. While they may not be the most durable pens on the market, if you take care of these pens, they will work well for most of your bullet journaling needs.
Pros
- Each pen has two brush heads which give you twice as many writing options as other ten-packs of markers.
- These markers come with a blending marker and can be blended with each other. The marker tips self-clean after being blended.
- You get nine colors of fine point and nine colors of brush-tip pens for bullet journaling for an affordable price
Cons
- The tips of these markers tend to dry up quickly, so you should be sure to keep these markers capped when they are not in use.
- The brush-tip on this set of pens may take more wear and tear with lefties.
6. Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens for Bullet Journals
Like the black Paper Mate Flair pens, the bleed and fade persistent water-based ink of this colorful pack of felt-tip pens come with the same classic design with a metal pocket holder for ease of travel.
People love Paper Mate Flair pens because of how smoothly they write without smearing or smudging. Many even use these as their everyday pens for letter writing and note-taking. These are the perfect pens for writing detailed notes in your bullet journal.
Flair pens offer the bold lines of a felt-tip pen with ink that won’t mess up your journal. These affordable felt-tip pens create crisp dark lines every time and the bleed-free ink ensures that your drawings will be clean from front to back.
Because Flair pens have been a staple in the office supply community you can trust that they know what they are doing. This colorful set of pens is perfect for drawing up pages in your bullet journal.
Pros
- Because this pen has a felt tip, there is no worry about skipping ink while you are writing.
- Sixteen various colors come in this pack.
- The plastic point guard at the tip of the pen helps prevent the felt tip of these pens from fraying.
Cons
- These pens can dry out fast if you do not keep them properly capped and stored. If you take care of these pens, they will last you a long time.
- These pens are not waterproof and will bleed on the paper if it gets wet.
7. Pigma Micron Sakura Fine Line Pens for Bullet Journals
The Pigma Micron line of pens by Sakura is one of the most popular sets of markers for people who keep a bullet journal. The classic look of this pen has a beige body with the end of the pen matching the color of the ink of the pen.
These pens use pigment-based ink as opposed to dye-based ink. While dye ink can easily bleed through paper, pigment-based ink sits on top of the paper and does not feather or bleed through the pages.
Each pen has a cap with a metal pocket clip to easily keep your pens together and organized and the set comes with a special carrying case.
Users of these pens appreciate that they are waterproof, bleed-proof, and produce clean fine lines every time. Those who use these pens for bullet journaling say that this set is the best set of fine-line pens because of the color options and the bold lines every time.
This well-known brand gained its popularity for producing quality felt-tip pens with an ultra-fine line and bleed-proof ink. Sakura Pigma Micron pens are sure to become a staple in your bullet journaling pen collection.
Pros
- Pigment-based ink will not bleed into paper and is waterproof to keep your documents safe and clean for a long time.
- This set comes with a black zipper carrying case to make organizing and traveling with these pens a breeze.
Cons
- This pen set is fairly expensive.
- Because the tips of these pens are so fine, they can bend and split easily if you use too much pressure. Be sure to write lightly with these pens.
8. Sharpie Art Pens for Bullet Journals, Fine Point
Some of the best art journaling pens on the market today are the Sharpie Art Pens. These fine-point pens come with a hard-shell carrying case and colorful caps that match the color of the ink for each pen. The quick-drying ink is acid-free and resistant to fading and smearing.
The pens come in black, blue, turquoise, green, clover, yellow, orange, coral, hot pink, red, purple, and brown and don’t bleed through paper.
Customers love the stand-up hard plastic case that the pens come in for easy access while you are bullet journaling. These pens write bold fine-point lines without bleeding through the paper and the various colors help with organization.
Sharpie is a trusted brand in office supplies and these pens will not disappoint. The bleed-proof ink will let you write a goals tracker on one side of the paper and a finance tracker on the other side without showing through either side of the paper.
If you are looking for a quality fine-point pen for your bullet journal, and love working with various colors, these Sharpie Art Pens are a great investment.
Pros
- The bleed-free ink is great for keeping your bullet journal neat and organized.
- These pens are reasonably affordable and come in twelve colors with a hard plastic case for travel and ease of use.
- Ink does not skip or smear while writing.
Cons
- Because these pens are felt-tip, they can split easily so you want to write gently when you use them.
- The ink tends to run out quickly in these pens and they are not refillable so you will have to buy an all-new set when they run out.
9. Pilot Metropolitan Collection Fountain Pen for Bullet Journals
There is nothing like the elegance and style of writing with a fountain pen. Unfortunately, most fountain pens can be messy and the ink can feather and bleed through the pages of your journal, giving it a sloppy look.
The good news is that the Pilot Metropolitan Collection features a bullet journal fountain pen with a modern twist on a classic look.
Because this fountain pen uses refillable cartridges, you have the freedom to choose which type of ink you’d like to use. While this fountain pen comes with bleed-free ink, when that runs out you can continue to refill this pen with bleed-free ink for years to come.
People who use this pen say that this is the finest fountain pen for the price. They like that the ink flows smoothly and can be refilled either with cartridges or an inkwell.
The Pilot Metropolitan series fountain pen will make a great everyday pen for your bullet journal. Whether you are taking notes or drawing out a monthly calendar, the ink from this fountain pen will write smoothly and not bleed through your paper.
Pros
- This stunning fountain pen is refillable and can be in your collection for years,
- This pen is sturdy and comes with a magnetic clip-on cap.
- You get an included plastic and metal carrying case to carry your pen in.
Cons
- This fountain pen has been known to leak when you use the press converter with an inkpot.
- Because this pen is so durable and sturdy, it is quite heavier than more pens on this list.
10. Crayola Ultra-Clean Washable Broad Line Markers for Bullet Journals
Crayola has been inspiring creativity for decades. If you are looking to practice hand-lettering or draw doodles in your bullet journal, this set of 40 different color markers will get the job done. Each marker has a bold-tip for thick and brightly colored lines.
You will not be disappointed by the beautiful colors offered in this set. Many say that this pack of markers is essential for any bullet journalist. These pens can be used for calligraphy, coloring and doodling, making them a multi-use pen for your collection.
This classic brand of markers has been used in hand-lettering and calligraphy for many years, which makes them a great addition to any bullet journalist collection. You will love the color variety and durability of these pens.
Pros
- This pack comes with 40 unique and bright colors in a convenient cardboard carrying case.
- The non-toxic ink in these markers won’t smudge or bleed through your paper.
- This affordable pack of pens gives you a wide variety of colors.
- The width of these pens makes them comfortable to write with for long periods of time.
Cons
- If you use a lot of pressure when writing, the tips of these markers will wear out over time.
- These markers tend to dry out fast so be sure to keep the cap on them whenever you are not using them.
11. Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pens for Bullet Journals
Staedtler pens are good pens for journaling. Their slim bodies make them easy to hold for long periods of time and the gunmetal grey of the bodies gives these pens a modern look. Most importantly, the acid-free ink will not bleed through the paper.
The fine tip of these pens won’t skip or smear on the page and work great for even lines as well as long, handwritten paragraphs.
Each pen comes with a cap color to match the ink color of the pen and the tip is enforced with metal to help prevent splitting.
Customers love the vivid colors of these pens without any ink bleeding through the pages. Many users of these pens have said that it is a great deal for all of the different colors you get.
Staedtler offers a great deal with this vibrant set of pens for bullet journals. You get this set of 20 pens and a carrying case at an affordable price and you can rest easy knowing that the ink in these pens will not bleed through your paper.
Pros
- For the price, you get an assortment of 20 different colored fine-tip pens.
- The metal guard around the pen tip prevents any splitting or breaking of the felt tip.
- The acid-free ink does not smudge or bleed through paper, which helps to keep your bullet journal organized and neat.
Cons
- These pens have been known to dry up fast, even when the caps are on. If you don’t plan to use these pens on a weekly basis you might want to consider longer-lasting pens.
- The case for this set of pens is not very sturdy so you may have to invest in a separate carrying case for these pens.
12. Reaeon Colored Journal Pens for Bullet Journals
One of the best deals on markers for bullet journals is the Reaeon colored pens. With this pack, you get 36 unique colors with a pen cap and end to match the color of the pen itself. The black of the pen body gives each pen a minimalist look and the acid-free ink will not bleed through the paper in your bullet journal.
People love the value that this pack provides. These are quality felt-tip pens at a lower price than most of the rest of the pen sets on our list. You will love how smoothly this pen writes without skipping or bleeding through the page and the variety of colors will keep you inspired for hours at a time.
Using multiple colors is a great way to keep your bullet journal organized, and no other pen set has the greatest number of pens for such a low price.
This great deal of quality pens for bullet journaling will keep you busy for hours writing and drawing. If you are looking for a wide variety of colors at an affordable price, this pen set by Reaeon is perfect for you.
Pros
- The metal tip that surrounds the felt tip of the pen helps to keep the marker from splitting or drying out faster.
- These low-priced 36 colors set one of the best deals on this list.
- The fine-tip of these pens gives you extreme precision and detail in your bullet journal.
Cons
- The pens are thinner than usual and may feel delicate in your hands. As long as you pay attention to the pressure you use, these pens will stay in your collection for quite a while.
Making The Decision
This list of the best pens for bullet journaling is full of pens that could easily be incorporated into your collection. Whether you are looking for a medium-point black pen, a fine-point purple pen, or a bold-point green pen, this list has what you need. And every pen on this list uses ink that significantly reduces bleeding through paper.
A neatly organized bullet journal can help you track your daily life and keep track of your life goals. Having the proper pens around to set up and manage your bullet journal plays an important part in keeping you organized.
Whether you’ve been a long-time bullet journalist or starting bullet journaling and want to change your life, this list has a combination of nearly everything you need to start and maintain a thorough bullet journal.
