Pens by type

A fountain pen generally makes anyone's handwriting look better. Writers take more care and time when using a fountain pen and a letter written with a good fountain pen has a more intimate and personal feel. A good fountain pen can also be used to impress, particularly in business.

The water-based ink of a rollerball pen can combine the look of a fountain pen and the convenience of a ball pen and makes a good choice for everyday use.

The retractable ball pen is convenient and the viscous oil-based ink doesn't 'run' in the wet, which can be an advantage for the shopping list or golf score card!

With the ability to instantly change between colours, or from ball point pen to pencil, the utility of multifunction pens is valued by many. Multifunction pens are also available with a highlighter and with a stylus, for use with touch screen devices.

Our selection of pen sets feature combinations of complementary items to present a collection of ideal gift choices. Whether you're looking for matching pen sets or to match a pen with complementary item such as a keyring or portfolio, browse our selection for gift suggestions from some of the world's leading manufacturers.

Described as a calligraphy pen, the brush pen is identified by its brush-like tip. As this produces thicker and more visible lines than a regular pen, the brush pen is suitable for drawing or calligraphy.

Calligrapy Pens come with a stub nib, which has a straight writing tip forming a rectangular 'footprint' on the page. It is this, that enables the calligraphy pen to produce different stroke widths, depending upon the direction of movement.

Dip pens are an old technology, used for calligraphy, painting and similar uses. These pens are dipped in ink when they run dry. Dip pens come in a variety of styles from the modern to the highly decorative.

Fibre tip pens are water-based and use a fine felt-tip like fibre tip through which ink is transferred onto paper. Popular with artists, they can offer a smooth writing and drawing experience and come in a wide range of colours. Fibre tip refills can often be used interchangeably with rollerball refills in some pens.

Fineliner pens are a high quality type of pen used for writing with a very fine line. Fineliner pens are used by graphic designers, artists and architects for detailed work, and are renowned for the accuracy they offer.

Gel pens are a type of pen which use gel ink; a long-lasting, quick-drying ink that produces an even line with minimal smudging. The special gel formula is water-resistant and long-lasting, giving bold, vibrant colours. Gel pens are frequently used for drawing and are suitable for all kinds of writing, anytime, anywhere.

These pens are used for bonding two surfaces together. Unlike some other adhesives, glue pen sticks dry quickly and do not require heat to transfer to the surface. Glue pens are used for a wide range of tasks from arts and crafts to model assembly.

Just about everyone finds highlighters useful, from the barrister to the school student. These highlighters are available in a wide range of colours and sizes to suit every task.

Permanent and white board (wipeable) marker pens for those jobs where larger and bolder marks are required. Browse our selection of permanent markers and white board markers in a selection of sizes and colours.

White board markers are not wipeable on absorbent surfaces and can be used to leave a permanent mark.

Parallel Pens are a specific type of fountain pen nib featuring a double-blade nib in stainless steel and are capable of achieving greater variation in line width than a standard pen nib. They enable precision pencraft and highly defined lines, and are ideal for calligraphy and fine detail work.