🖊️ Best Pens for Journaling: Everyday Favorites + Creative Tools You’ll Love

Guides and How-Tos

Aug 11

Journaling isn’t just about what you write — it’s about how it feels while you're writing. Whether you're a daily note-taker or an expressive artist with washi tape and glimmer pens, having the right pen can turn journaling into a ritual you love coming back to. ✨Below you’ll find two cozy sections:

🖊️ Everyday Pens for Writing – smooth, no-smudge, beautiful flow

🎨 Creative Pens for Artistic Journaling – brush pens, colors, and sparkle!

Before we dive in — ✨ psst... if you're just getting started with printable planning too, make sure to check out these beginner-friendly tips. It'll help you pair the right pen with the perfect planner setup!

Now let’s talk pens — smooth writers, no smudges, and all-around journaling joy.

This post may contain affiliate links. I would never recommend a product that I do not truly love. The price does not increase for you. Thanks for supporting Sunflower Child Designs. See my disclosure for more info.

Table of Contents 📖

Jump to a Section:

🖊️ Everyday Pens for Journaling
🎨 Creative Pens & Markers for Journaling
🧠 Understanding Pen Tip Sizes
💛 Final Thoughts + Where to Start
❓ Common Questions
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📌 Spread the Inspiration – Pinterest Pins

🖊️ Everyday Pens for Journaling

These are your reliable, go-to pens for journaling every day. Smooth flow, clean lines, and easy to use with any printable or notebook.

✍️ Signo Dx UM-151 Gel Ink Pen – 0.38mm

Buy on Amazon

🖤 Ultra-fine and silky smooth — this one writes like a dream
→ Best for: Tiny handwriting, planner pages, neat journaling, small planners like A5 sized

✍️ Muji Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen – 0.38mm

Buy on Amazon

🖤 Lightweight, clean, and aesthetically pleasing
→ Best for: Minimalist journaling, daily check-ins, planner lovers

✍️ Pilot Precise V5 RT Retractable Pen – Extra Fine

🖤 Needle-point precision with smooth liquid ink — perfect for detailed journaling and clean lines
→ Best for: Neat handwriting, structured journaling, fans of ultra-fine tips

✍️ Pilot G2 Premium Gel Roller – 0.7mm

🖤 Bold and buttery — a classic for a reason
→ Best for: Long-form journaling, affirmations, brain dumps

✍️ Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliners

🖤 Fade-proof and no bleed-through — they come in multiple tip sizes
→ Best for: Bullet journaling, outlines, precision writing, doodling

🎨 Creative Pens & Markers for Journaling

Want your journal to pop with personality or color? These are the tools that bring flair and fun to the page.

🎨 Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pens (Small Tip)

🖤 Flexible yet beginner-friendly — available in hard or soft tips
→ Best for: Hand lettering, journal headers, daily quotes

🎨 Tombow Dual Brush Pens (Large Tip)

🖤 Dual tips: brush on one end, fine on the other
→ Best for: Mood trackers, vision journaling, colorful spreads

🎨 Metallic Brush Pens – 8 Pack (Medium Tip)

🖤 Adds shimmer — especially on dark or kraft paper
→ Best for: Sparkly affirmations, magical headers, dreamy accents

🎨 Crayola Super Tips – 50 Count

🖤 Affordable, washable, and surprisingly versatile
→ Best for: Color-coding, playful journaling, journaling with kids

🧠 Understanding Pen Tip Sizes

When shopping for journaling pens, those numbers like 0.38mm 0.5 mm or 0.7mm actually tell you how thick or thin the pen will write. But it’s not always straightforward — especially with brands like Micron using their own system!

Here’s what you need to know:

✍️ 0.38mm vs 0.5mm vs 0.7mm — What’s the Difference?

0.38mm pens write very fine and precise. They’re great for tiny handwriting, small journal like A5 sized, filling in planner boxes, or writing on thinner paper where you don’t want any bleed-through.

0.5mm pens are a balanced fine tip — not too thick or too thin. These are a great middle ground for everyday journaling.

0.7mm pens feel bolder and smoother. They create a thicker line and are great if you like expressive writing or fast, flowing journal entries.

Brush pens don’t use numbered tips in the same way. Instead, the line width changes depending on how much pressure you apply. They're perfect for creative journaling, headers, lettering, and decorative flair.

📝 If you’re using thinner paper or printable planner pages, stick with a 0.38mm or a Micron-style pen to prevent bleed.
🎨 If you love bold strokes or want your journaling to feel more expressive, go with a 0.7mm or a brush pen.

🖋️ What About Pens That Say “07” or “05”?

Some pens (like the Pilot G2) don’t include the decimal — so if your pen says 07, it’s still a 0.7mm tip. Same with 05, which equals 0.5mm. The brand just drops the decimal for a cleaner look on the pen barrel, but the size is the same.

🖋️ What Do Micron Pen Numbers Mean?

Micron pens don’t use standard millimeter labels like 0.38 or 0.7. Instead, they’re numbered with codes like 005, 01, 03, and so on — and each one has a different tip thickness.

Here’s what those numbers actually mean:

005 → About 0.20mm. Super fine and delicate — perfect for tiny details or fine outlines.
01 → About 0.25mm. Great for precise writing and tiny planner spaces.
02 → About 0.30mm. A good middle ground if you want fine but not ultra-fine.
03 → About 0.35mm. Feels like a traditional fine-tip pen — good for everyday journaling.
05 → About 0.45mm. A bit bolder for headers, darker lines, or visual contrast.
08 → About 0.50mm. The thickest option — great for bold lettering or titles.

👉 Hot tip: Instead of buying a single size, grab a Micron pen set like this one. You’ll get a variety of sizes to experiment with, and you’ll quickly notice that different tips come in handy for different parts of your journaling — like using a thinner tip for your planner, and a thicker one for headers, sketches, or creative spreads.

Once you try a few, you’ll find your go-to favorites — but having the full set gives you more freedom to play!

🎨 What About Brush Pens?

Brush pens work a little differently from standard pens. Instead of numbered tip sizes like 0.38mm or 0.7mm, the thickness of the line depends on how much pressure you apply when writing or drawing.

That means the same pen can create thin upstrokes and thick downstrokes, which makes brush pens amazing for lettering, headers, creative accents, and expressive journaling.

🖌️ But here’s the tricky part:
Most brush pens don’t list a size like “small” or “large.” The packaging rarely tells you how big the strokes will actually be — which can make shopping a little confusing. You usually have to rely on:

Product reviews
User photos
Personal trial and error

For example, the Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pens (hard and soft tip) are much smaller and more precise — ideal for writing or tight spaces.

Meanwhile, the Tombow Dual Brush Pens have large, flexible tips that create bold strokes — perfect for big headers, blending, and decorative flourishes.

✍️ So even though they’re all called “brush pens,” they’re not all the same in how they write — and unfortunately, size isn’t always labeled clearly. When in doubt, check how others are using them or test a few to see what fits your journaling style best.

💛 Final Thoughts + Where to Start

Journaling is a personal practice — and your pen can become part of your self-care toolkit. Whether you're scripting dreams, processing emotions, or decorating a daily log, having a pen you love can elevate the entire experience.

🌿 Start with a Muji 0.38mm for clean, mindful writing.
🖤 Try a Pilot G2 for smooth, satisfying journaling.
🎨 Feeling expressive? Grab a Tombow Dual Brush Set and color your thoughts.

No wrong answers here — just what feels good in your hand and on the page.

❓ Common Questions About Journaling Pens

What is the best pen for journaling on thin paper?
For thinner or printable planner paper, go with ultra-fine tips like the Signo DX 0.38mm or the Micron 01. These pens are less likely to bleed or ghost through the page.

Are brush pens good for everyday journaling?
Brush pens are better for creative journaling — like headers, quotes, and decoration. For everyday writing, you’ll get more control and consistency with gel pens or fine-tip ballpoints.

What does 0.38mm, 0.5mm, or 0.7mm mean on a pen?
These numbers refer to the pen tip size in millimeters — and they affect how thick or thin the line appears.

0.38mm pens are ultra-fine and great for small handwriting or tight planner spaces.
0.5mm pens offer a smooth, balanced feel — perfect for everyday journaling.
0.7mm pens are bolder and glide easily for expressive, fast writing.

What pen writes the smoothest?
If you want buttery-smooth writing, try the Pilot G2 0.7mm or the Pilot Precise V5 RT. Both offer a super satisfying flow and are great for long-form journaling.

Do gel pens smudge easily?
Some do, but quick-drying options like the Pilot Precise V5 RT or Pilot G2 are much better for reducing smears — especially if you’re left-handed.

What’s the difference between Micron numbers like 01, 03, and 08?
Micron pens use a unique numbering system. A Micron 01 is about 0.25mm and ideal for detailed lines. Larger numbers like 05 or 08 are thicker and great for bold headers or outlines.

Are all brush pens the same size?
Not quite. Most brush pens don’t list an exact size, and the tip size varies across brands. For example, the Tombow Fudenosuke has a small, firm tip for detailed lettering, while the Tombow Dual Brush Pens are larger, softer, and better for big headers and decorative strokes. You usually have to test a few to see what fits your style.

Can I use colored pens in my journal?
Yes! Adding color can make journaling more fun and expressive. Try the Crayola Super Tips for affordable color variety or the Tombow Dual Brush Pens for blendable, artsy spreads.

Are any of these pens refillable?
Yes! Both the Pilot G2 and Pilot Precise V5 RT are refillable, which makes them a more sustainable option if you journal regularly.

What pen is best for bullet journaling?
Bullet journalers often love the Micron Fineliners or Muji 0.38mm. These pens are precise, smudge-proof, and great for clean spreads and layouts.

Can I use highlighters with these pens?
Yes — just let the ink dry first! The Micron pens are especially good under highlighters because their waterproof ink doesn’t smear once dry.

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