20 Best Calligraphy Pens in 2021 & How to Chose The Perfect One For You

Calligraphy is one of the most unique and fun ways to express your creativity! It involves using different pens and tools to create beautiful variations of letters. Calligraphers make these distinctive and exact letters by using techniques that allow for a variation of line width to create the attractive letterings you have seen all over Instagram and Pinterest. 

In 2021, calligraphy has naturally found two outlets for its creativity: traditional calligraphy and modern calligraphy. 

Traditional calligraphy includes thousands of years of history, traditions, and letterings.  This type of calligraphy is mostly defined by its use of tools, but also its rules and traditional practices.  It relies on mathematical precision in its letterings and is still the favorite of many!

In recent years, calligraphy has exploded in popularity with newfound creativity by breaking the rules.  Here enters modern calligraphy!  Modern calligraphy is typically performed with brushes and other unusual tools.  Its defining distinction is that it rejects any hard and fast rules and prefers to write “outside the lines” by changing line-height and creating unique styles such as bouncy lettering.

Calligraphy is a productive, challenging, and fun creative outlet!  However you prefer to write calligraphy, it is important to pick the right tools for the job.

What to Consider When Choosing a Calligraphy Pen 

When choosing a calligraphy pen, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. These considerations will help you narrow down your options and decide on the best pens that work for you. 

Type of Pen

Calligraphy pens vary in a lot of ways so it is important to know each type of pen and how it works. Here are four types of pens to consider depending on your personal preference and style.

• Dip pens

These pens are used by dipping the nib in an ink bottle then applying it to your desired surface. This process can be more time consuming and messy as dip pens do not have any ink stored in them.

However, they allow great stroke variation and are a wonderful option given the versatility when it comes to changing the color of your ink. It allows you to incorporate color into your calligraphy with ease and allows smooth transitions.

• Fountain pens

With fountain pens, the ink is stored in the pen cartridge and you can easily refill the ink once it is depleted. This means that you’ll also have to invest in quality ink if you decide on using these pens. Fountain pens allow shading, are great for hand lettering and are fun to write with!

• Brush pens 

Brush pens come with a brush-like nib that allows you to create both broad and fine lines using the same pen. They have an ink reservoir that feeds the brush as you work on your calligraphy. Brush pens have flexible tips and are quick drying. Brush pens are great to use with modern calligraphy!

• Marker pens

Marker pens feature a tip made of porous, pressed fibers and a cap to keep the ink from drying. They come with ink stored in them that cannot be refilled once depleted. Crayola markers are inexpensive and often used for calligraphy projects. 

Nib Type 

The nibs in the different calligraphy pens vary and have different outcomes when used on paper. Understanding the different types will help you when making a purchasing decision. The different types include:

• Italic Nibs

These nibs are broad and feature blunt edges that don’t allow for much flexibility with width variations. They are mostly used for square and gothic style calligraphy.

• Flex Nibs

These nibs are rounded and offer great flexibility when working with different line variations.

They feature two lines that help achieve different line thicknesses depending on the pressure applied. The higher the pressure, the thicker the lines drawn and vice versa. 

Ink

With a variety of ink options in the market, you might get tempted to experiment with different types which can be fun. However, you should consider the kind of pen you’re using before experimenting.

Using a cartridge pen where you refill the ink will limit you to your manufacturer’s ink recommendations. This is because some inks could clog your pen making it useless.

On the other hand, when using dip pens, you’re free to use any kind of ink. If you are shopping for inks, you can find a variety of dip pens and fountain pen ink bottles at Goldspot Pens.

Best Traditional Calligraphy Pens in 2021 

Traditional calligraphy pens include dip pens and fountain pens. They provide a variety of creative options depending on which pen you choose. Some of the best traditional pens to choose from include:

Pilot Parallel

This pen has been a favorite of ours for years.  It has two parallel metal plates that help make the distribution of ink even and smooth for a beautiful broad stroke. It is durable and comes with four nib sizes. The sizes vary from, 1.5mm, 2.4mm, 3.8mm, to 6.0mm.  It comes in various colors that add to the fun of this amazing calligraphy pen.

It also features a unique ability that allows you to use 2 different colors from one pen. To blend the colors, take your pens, and join their nibs. This will allow the inks to mix and help create a beautiful spectrum on your calligraphy. For an idea of how this pen works, you can check it out here!

You can get this pen at Amazon.

Lamy Safari Fountain Pen

The Lamy Safari fountain pen is my favorite pen ever.  It comes with a sturdy, stainless steel nib that allows for the even distribution of ink and an ergonomic grip that makes it comfortable to use for longer periods.  

The Lamy Safari is a classic fountain pen that writers and artists around the world use, and I have found it to be an incredible calligraphy pen.  You want to get it in a broad nib, and it becomes the best and most comfortable calligraphy pen that is on the market right now.

You can get this pen at Goldspot.

Staedtler’s Calligraphy Set 

If you’re looking for a set that will sort all your calligraphy needs, then this is the perfect choice for you. This set provides all the necessary tools you’ll need. It features 20 ink cartridges with the incorporation of seven different colors. It also comes with five nibs in different sizes ranging from extra fine to extra bold.

These varieties make this set a very good option, especially for beginners. This set comes in a nice compact tin that makes it easy for you to stay organized or travel with them! 

You can get this pen at Amazon.

The Speedball Oblique Pen Set

The Speedball set has a unique handle that makes it easy to use. It comes with quality handcrafted nibs that give you maximum control which is a nice feature that I love! 

This set comes with 6 different nibs. Four of them are No. 101 while two of them are No. 103. It offers great quality at an affordable price. You should however know that the ink is not included in that price.

You can get this at Amazon.

Speedball Calligraphy Set

The dip pens in this set are very lightweight and perfect for use by beginners. The set includes different nib sizes that make it easier to experiment with different stroke thicknesses. These nibs are designed to allow for the smooth and increased capacity of the ink’s flow. The smooth flow of ink will help make sure that your completed work is beautiful!

You can get this at Amazon.

Scribe Sword Calligraphy pen

The Scribe pen is both great in quality and very pretty. It is design-focused with a stainless steel body and a stitched case. It features a stainless steel nib that glides through the paper with ease to give you consistent and uninterrupted ink flow.

It also comes with an airtight cap seal that protects the ink from drying up. It features 6 different ink cartridges which make it easier to use different colors which is very nice.

These pens come with a set of instructions that are emailed to you after making your purchase. 

You can get this at Amazon.

Parker Jotter Fountain Pen

This is a stylish fountain pen that features a stainless steel barrel with a feather-like nib. This nib allows for one to achieve great results with fine writing and calligraphy. I really enjoy writing with this fountain pen!

It has a very classy silhouette and only includes one ink cartridge that uses water-based blue ink. This distinct feature means that you cannot use a different ink or you’ll risk clogging your pen.

You can get this at Goldspot.

Lamy Joy Calligraphy Pen 

This is a simple pen with an ergonomic grip that makes it easy to use for long periods of writing. It is made of plastic which makes it light and perfect if you don’t want anything bulky. 

It also features a stainless steel nib that is 1.1 mm in size which makes it a good choice for calligraphy. It also comes with one blue T10 ink cartridge that can be refilled. 

You can get this at Amazon.

Duke 209 Fountain Pen

This is one of the most unique and affordable pens on this list. It features a fude nib which makes the pen suitable for Japanese calligraphy. The fude nib is bent at the tip making this pen one of a kind.

The variations of strokes by this pen are solely dependent on how the pen is held rather than the pressure that is applied.  This makes them the perfect pen when you want to experiment with writing with different angles.

You can get this at Amazon.

Daveliou Calligraphy Pen Set

This is a complete calligraphy set that includes 2 straight dip pens, 12 nibs, and 5 shades of ink. These pens give you the perfect control over ink flow to create clean smooth lines.

The different nibs available are easy to replace and create different stroke sizes. This makes this set a great option for calligraphy! 

You can get this at Amazon.

Kaweco Calligraphy Set

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a calligraphy enthusiast or a beginner, this is the set for you. It comes in a beautiful box that makes it very appealing.

It features one fountain pen that comes with four nibs ranging from 1.1mm 1.5mm, 1.9mm to 2.3mm. It comes with 3 protective caps and 2 packs of original Kaweco ink in pearl black. 

You can get this at Goldspot.

Best Modern Calligraphy Pens 2021 

Modern calligraphy pens include brush pens and marker pens. These pens work great, especially after you learn how to apply the right kind of pressure to create a specific stroke. Here are our picks for the best modern calligraphy pens.

Sakura 8 Piece Pigma Brush Pen Set

This set is one of our favorites for its wide range of functionality. It comes with a smooth grip and is made of rubber. It comes in a set of 8 and includes different bright colors that make your calligraphy fun. This set features high-quality ink with a consistent and smooth flow.

The ink used in these pens is waterproof, chemically stable, and fadeproof. This makes these pens the perfect choice for creating long-lasting quality pieces!

The pen tips feature flexible fibers that help create great smooth pieces. However, these fibers tend to wear out which means you’ll have to replace the pens to ensure crisp results. 

You can get this pen at Amazon.

Tombow Fudenosuke

The Tombow pens are the most affordable pens for the high quality they provide! They come in a set of two pens with distinct features. One comes with a soft tip, while the other comes with a hard tip.

These differences help you achieve different stroke thicknesses and a variation in texture. It comes with a water-based pigmented black ink that is durable and assures smooth transitions when working. These pens will however need to be replaced once the ink runs out, as they are not refillable.

You can get this pen at Amazon.

Pentel Fude Touch Sign Pen 

This brush pen comes in a pack of three that feature 3 different nib sizes. The nib sizes range from medium, fine to extra fine.

It is one of the few brush pens that feature a small-sized brush which may be needed in certain projects. It has a very smooth and consistent flow of ink that allows you to create great strokes without any smudges or breaks. 

You can get this pen at Amazon.

Zig Memory System Calligraphy Markers

Markers are the perfect pen choice when learning how to do calligraphy. This is because they are smooth and allow you to work on the pressure applied to achieve different strokes.

The Zig memory markers come in a pack of 8 with various colors to experiment with. They also come with dual chisel tips that are 2.0 mm and 5.0 mm thick. The ink in this pen is made to last long because it is waterproof, lightfast, and acid-free.

You can get this pen at Amazon.

SAYEEC Dual Tip Brush Pens Art Marker

These pens feature a dual tip with different thicknesses ranging from 0.8 mm to 1 mm. The 0.8 mm tip is mostly used for outlining while the 1 mm is used to blend the colors.

It comes in a set of 24 with different colors. These colors make it easier to create fun lettering and can be combined to achieve different colors. These pens are comfortable to use and can be used on other different projects like drawing. 

You can get this pen at Amazon.

Artline Stix Brush Marker Pens

The Artline brush pens are unique. They come in the form of blocks that can be joined in any way as you work on your project.

This set comes in a pack of 12 with different colors that add to the look of your calligraphy work. The ink used in these pens is washable and non-toxic which makes it a perfect pen choice for kids! 

You can get this pen at Amazon.

Crayola 40 CT Brush Tip Markers

These brush tip markers are also perfect for kids, as they are washable and help your kids access their creative imagination. They come in a variety of options including; fine line, broad line, metallic, and glitter. They can be on many surfaces including T-shirts.

You can get this pen at Amazon.

Tombow Dual Point

The Tombow Dual point comes with a dual tip that features both a flexible brush tip and a firm fine tip. These pens can be used to create different strokes provided you pay attention to the pressure you apply.

The ink used is however water-based which means you’ll have to be more careful to avoid smudging which could be a problem with this pen.

You can get this pen at Amazon.

Itoya Doubleheader Calligraphy Pen

These pens come with two different chisel points used to achieve different lines. The wide point can be used for bold lines while the other point is narrow for smaller lines. The ink used in this brush is safe to use because it is non-toxic, water-based, and acid-free.

You can get this pen at Amazon.

Finding The Perfect Calligraphy Pen For You

Calligraphy is an expressive form of art that creates beautiful lettering in various styles.  We highly recommend experimenting with different pens to find one that complements your personality and style.  

Calligraphy is an art form that is very reliant on the tool you are using, so once you find the perfect pen to match you, it makes all the difference.  Try out several pens to find the perfect calligraphy pen, then start having fun with writing calligraphy and perfecting your craft!