Best White Ink Pens For Drawing On Black Paper
I actually bought each one on Amazon and created a screenshot of ink on black paper to help you decide if it's what you're looking for. Scroll down to see all white ink pen tests to help you make a choice. I found that all pens were of good quality, and there was almost no differences between any of the currently available brands: Sakura Gelly Roll, Arteza, Martcolor, and Yuancheng.
Making this page took hours, share this page on social media! I purchased each pen not knowing what to expect, just to create this page! Scroll down to see my ink tests.
Best white ink gel pens will produce aesthetically pleasing contrast on black paper.
Quality of white ink gel pens also depends on your drawing technique on black paper. Moving the tip slow is ideal for filling up a region of black paper with a generous amount of ink.
There are some white ink gel pens will produce dry line at first, it doesn't it's a bad quality pen. Scribble around with it. The ink may have started to dry up at the tip. The pen can still be recovered.
Have you decided to break the mold and start working on black paper? Sometimes it can be hard to choose the right ink pens for using on dark paper, especially if it's your first set.
Choosing the right pen for black paper is crucial, but it can be a bit tricky. Even after reading numerous white ink gel pen reviews, it was still difficult to make a choice.
I'm going to break down the top ink pens for black or dark paper and provide helpful tips.

Could Brusarth be the best white ink pen on the market?
Not really. All of the white ink gel pens I tested on this page were of excellent quality.
Brusarth is just one of them.
Also Arteza, Sakura are on top of the list.
Best Ink Pens for Black Paper
As an artist myself, I recognize challenges of finding the perfect pen for your projects on black paper. To simplify your search, I have curated a selection of the top pens designed specifically for use on black paper.
White ink gel is ideal for producing high-contrast artwork, elegant calligraphy, or simply jotting down notes. These pens have been thoroughly tested and reviewed by me for their performance on black paper, gray, brown, dark or kraft paper.
So, let's dive right into our carefully chosen recommendations for the finest pens for black paper.
Arteza: White Ink Gel Pens For Smooth Writing
This is my favorite set of basic white ink gel pens. In my experience, they produced a good quality line even at fast fill speed. The ink dried fast. (Note that this implies that you are also using high-quality black paper.)

This set comes with 3 different tip sizes: 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 with 12 pens total.
Here is an example of what my white ink gel pens actually look like when applied to black paper. I tested 3 pens with 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 millimeter nib size.
Here is a screenshot of the results produced by Arteza ink pens:

Each pen has a substantial amount of white ink flowing out, without having to press hard on surface of the paper. I noticed lifting the pen or holding it lightly against the paper increased the ink flow, which allowed me to create thick white areas that were completely opaque. The ink thickness was consistent from smallest tip (0.6) to the largest (1.0 millimeter tip.)
Note: I am not affiliated with Arteza, I placed it #1 on the list because they actually did appear the highest quality compared to other products I tested.
Simply, these are the white ink pens I found to work well for my own black paper art projects (after making the mistake of trying several cheaper brands.)

I tested Arteza again, so here's a close up of white ink on black paper.
These are some of the best white ink gel pens on the market right now. It leaves a thick trail of white ink and doesn't smudge after drying.
According to the company website Arteza was started by a group of friends who were motivated by lack of high quality art tools. They also make high quality charcoal pencils.
Sakura Gelly Roll: Another Quality White Ink Gel Pen
As I continued to test many different brands, I found that there really wasn't that much difference. They were all good.
Still, images must be made. So I provided this white ink test of this Sakura Gelly Roll, which is just another white ink gel pen. See for yourself what you think:

Everyone was talking about this one. So I also tested Sakura Gelly Roll.
The image is a bit darker compared to what it actually appears on black paper. This is just effect created by my iPhone camera. Fear not! The ink on this pen is absolutely white and opaque.
Sakura Gelly Roll was almost the same as Arteza. But it felt a bit more elegant. Similar to Arteza there was a good amount of ink flowing out. But it just felt like the ink wasn't drying or stacking up as fast and created a smooth feel.
Whereas Arteza at times felt a bit like turning into clay the more you painted over the previously dried ink. (Neither of which are bad things, just a slightly different feel.)
The amount of ink flowing out depends on the speed with which you move the tip of the pen on black paper. So it isn't always up to the pen quality, but rather, your drawing technique.
Next In This Article:
- This article will help you pick the best white ink pen for your art projects, whether it's journaling, captioning, drawing on kraft paper, or making fancy stars and galaxies drawings on black paper
- White ink pens are fun, but many come in subpar quality. This might be disappointing, especially when picking a white ink pen for the first time
- What to look for in a good quality white ink pen?
- White ink pens project ideas
Are you excited to start drawing with white ink pens on black paper? It is recommended to avoid cheap white ink pens and invest into something you will enjoy drawing with a lot more. I wrote this article to help you, while doing my own research.
So you've used the Sakura jelly roll pens and Uniball but noticed they’re just not as opaque. You may have seen bullet journalers on YouTube use Sakura but noticed you often have to go over the same ink lines twice, and it might still not look that great.
So much can be said about integrity of art tools impacting quality of artist's work.
Giving a subpar guitar to beginner musician will thwart their learning progress. A professionally constructed and correctly-tuned guitar will make them feel like a pro.
The same applies to art tools.
When it comes to white gel pens, opaqueness is the characteristic you're looking for. The best white ink pens use thick white ink, which will not look translucent after drying, but a bright striking white. Making opaque pigment is more expensive, which means these pens will cost more than cheap imitations, because they are actually of greater worth.
One key feature of quality white ink pens is they don't leave smudge marks after drying. (Or minimal smudging, it's actually impossible to completely eliminate all smudging on black paper.) Having said this, and tried many different ink pens for my art, I've come to the conclusion...
To make the story short Arteza white gel pen is currently the best white ink gel pen. I've bought a few others, but they were either cheaply made, or just didn't produce that smooth and easy flow that inspires you to make art in the first place.
These white gel pens are also excellent for learning and practicing drawing.
Things To Draw On Black Paper
Black paper drawings are not limited to a subject. However, some things just work better when drawn specifically on black or dark paper.
These examples include subjects where contrast plays a significant role in creating the effect to describe them. For example crystals, drinking glasses, bottles or vases are made of glass.
The best items for drawing on dark paper revolve around physics-based and light effects. For example water in motion. Or a block of melting ice.
Look for objects that have high reflectivity and refraction effects. These are just among few ideas of things that make them perfect as subjects for drawing on black paper.
Here is the complete list of subjects to draw on black paper:
- Sunrises
- Sillhouettes
- Water and objects made from glass
- Eye with a tear drop inside it
- Animals that have fur such as dogs, cats or mouse.
- Translucent underwater creatures like jellyfish or starfish.
- Flowing water streams or objects made of ice.
This is just a few simple examples.
How To Choose The Best White Ink Pen?
Choosing right drawing tools can be a complex process, particularly when it comes to writing on unique surfaces. Black paper, for instance, can create striking contrast, but it demands pens with a certain level of quality and pigment.
In order to yield the most desirable results, one must consider a number of factors including ink opacity, durability, and drying time:
It's all about level of opaqueness, but here is the breakdown:
- Opacity: a high quality white ink gel pen should be able to leave thick trail or a dot of white ink. You won't have to draw over it a second time. The ink should be solid white without any translucency.
- Drying time: the ink should be fast to dry once applied. No longer than than 10 seconds. Ink should not be able to be smudged easily.
- Durability: ink longevity, nib or tip durability, construction quality, ink water resistance.
Durability of a white ink pen can be described as follows:
- Ink longevity: Durable pens have ink that does not fade or degrade over time. This ensures that the white lines or marks you make will remain bright and clear for many years.
- Nib or tip durability: The nib or tip of the pen should be able to withstand repeated use without bending, breaking, or wearing out. This ensures that you can get a lot of use out of the pen before needing to replace it.
- Construction quality: The overall construction of the pen also plays a role in durability. High-quality materials and good manufacturing processes ensure that the pen will not break or fall apart with regular use.
- Ink Resistance: A durable white ink pen should also be resistant to water, smudging, or erasure once it has dried. This will ensure that your work stays intact even if it comes into contact with water or other substances that might otherwise damage it.
The best gel pens for writing on black paper are those that feature high-quality, opaque ink. This is because they provide a stark contrast, ensuring that the writing is clear and legible. Moreover, gel pens typically have a smooth flow, offering a comfortable writing experience on black paper. The vibrancy and richness of color found in gel pens serve to enhance the visual effect of the written word against the black background.
In conclusion, when it comes to writing on black paper, the right gel pen can make a significant difference. Prioritizing quality and opacity can ensure your words not only remain visible but also create an aesthetically pleasing contrast.
What type of paper is best for drawing with white ink gel pens?
As an experienced artist, I can tell you that the choice of paper plays a significant role when drawing with white ink gel pens. For optimal results, I recommend using dark-toned paper, with black being the prime choice. The dark background provides a high-contrast canvas that allows the white ink to shine brilliantly.
Moreover, a heavier paper stock is advisable as it can absorb the gel ink without causing bleed-through or warping. Acid-free paper is preferred to prevent yellowing and degradation over time.
What type of projects can you do using white ink gel pens?
White ink gel pens are excellent for creating highlights in drawings or sketches on dark paper, which can bring depth and dimension to your art.
White ink pens can also be used for intricate mandala designs, where the contrast between the white ink and dark paper makes every detail pop.
In hand lettering or calligraphy, white ink on black paper gives a dramatic, elegant effect. For journaling, white ink gel pens can be used in blackout journals for writing, doodling, or adding embellishments.
In scrapbooking, they are great for adding annotations or captions on dark-colored photos or paper.
What defines a good white ink gel pen?
A good white ink gel pen is characterized by several features.
Primarily, it should have highly pigmented, opaque ink to ensure maximum visibility and contrast on dark paper. The ink should flow smoothly and consistently, with no skipping or blobbing, providing a seamless drawing or writing experience.
The pen's nib size also matters - finer nibs are ideal for detailed work, while broader nibs are suitable for filling larger areas or bold lettering. Moreover, a good white gel pen should have a comfortable grip and a sturdy, durable design.
Are white ink gel pens like Arteza, good for drawing on kraft paper?
White ink gel pens like Arteza can indeed be used for drawing on Kraft paper. Kraft paper's natural, earthy tone provides a moderate contrast with white ink, which can yield subtle, aesthetically pleasing results.
However, the performance of any pen greatly depends on its ink quality. In the case of Arteza, the pens are known for their vibrant, opaque ink, and hence, they should work well.
As always, testing the pen on a small piece of your kraft paper before starting a project will ensure compatibility and prevent any undesired surprises.
Tags: Art Supplies, Artists, Craft, Drawing, best pens for black paper, gel pens, posca
Questions About White Ink Gel Pens
Will a white gel pen bleed through paper?
Unlike fountain pens or felt-tip pens, white gel pens do not bleed through the paper. They deposit a smooth, seamless layer of ink onto the paper surface without bleeding through.
Can a white gel pen be refilled?
Most pens, no. The majority of white gel pens on the market are not designed to be refilled. Some might be packaged with one or two additional refills. You may need to purchase a new pen once the ink is depleted.
What are the purposes of a white gel pen?
White gel pens serve a variety of purposes, including drawing, sketching, and coloring on dark or black paper. They can also be used in combination with colored pens to create murals on a black background. Furthermore, white pens are applicable on glossy surfaces, such as photographs, x-rays, and magazines.
How can I use white gel pens to highlight?
White gel pens are perfect for adding highlights to your work. To accentuate brightness, simply apply a small amount of white ink to the lightest area.
How can I regulate the amount of ink dispensed by my gel pen?
The quantity of ink released from your gel pen is determined by two factors: pressure and the pen's tip size. By applying more pressure, you can increase the amount of ink output. Conversely, a pen with a smaller tip will produce less ink.
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