Pens That Don’t Bleed Through Paper Banner

Pens that don’t bleed through paper

30 Jan 2023

Ever write a note in the margin of a book, only to find after you flip the page, that the ink bled through to the other side? Maybe you’re at a coffee shop writing in your journal. Someone accidentally bumps your table and suddenly your cafe latte is everywhere it ought not to be. Before your eyes, all the brilliant thoughts and observations you diligently wrote down, washed away.

Chances are you’ve experienced something like this. How great would it have been if you had a pen that didn’t bleed through paper? Wouldn’t you be relieved if you could just wash your journal and all your writing would still be there?

Quick Links

First things first — you need the right pen

We’ve done the research and the Sakura Pigma Micron technical pen is a solid place to start. They come in various sizes and use archival ink. Hundreds of Sakura Micron reviews sing the praises of the pen over and again. It’s even recommended for taking notes in your Bible since the ink doesn’t bleed - amazing considering how thin the pages of the Bible are - and the archival quality ink won’t smudge.

According to Sakura, “Scientists, architects, archivists, anthropologists, entomologists, and laboratories alike consider Pigma Micron a necessary tool for any archival-quality, handwritten project, and record-keeping.” We can’t outright recommend this pen though because it is disposable. Sakura has no program to recycle used pens and buying more to just throw them away later is not a practice we can get on board with.

Micron Pen
Pen That Doesn't Bleed Through Paper

Sustainable choices — refillable technical pens for long-term use

There are several reusable technical drawing pens available that are designed to last a lifetime of continuous use. However, as we noted when we discussed fountain pens, a reusable technical pen will have to be periodically disassembled for refilling and maintenance. (We’d like to note that maintaining a pen isn’t like maintaining a car, it only takes a few minutes and the directions aren’t difficult to follow.)

A good entry-level reusable is the Koh-I-Noor Rapidosketch series of pens. They are affordable (20 USD) and a good gateway into technical pens. For a larger investment, look at Rotring Rapidographs. They come in 11 different tip sizes and because the ink is pressurized it flows smooth and blob free the entire life of the cartridge. Both companies use archival quality inks that stick fast to the page. And you can also refill these pens with bottle ink.

Disposable pens typically require little maintenance and are great for beginners but if you find you like writing with a technical pen, we encourage you to look into using a refillable one. Also, don't miss our reusable pens made from meadow grass — they come with soy ink refills, making them an eco-friendly choice for your writing adventures.

You need the right paper

If you spill coffee on a notebook made from pulp-based paper that notebook will never be the same. The paper might survive but after it dries may be stained and most likely be wavy. On pulp paper, normal ink tends to run when it gets wet. So even if the paper survives, every time you wipe the coffee you’re also smudging or erasing the ink.

Go ahead and get our stone paper notebooks wet. Water will roll off the page. Get a sponge and scrub it. Guess what? All those notes. They’re not going anywhere. Stone paper is waterproof and even non-archival inks adhere to it better than pulp paper.

Ever have your notebook out while you were snacking? Maybe you just had some french fries and forgot to wipe your fingers? Grease and oils tend to stain pulp paper. Stone paper is resistant to such things. There’s a reason for that; we developed our journals in collaboration with outdoor experts and chefs.

Paper Stone Turned Into Dust

Traditional pulp paper vs stone paper

There’s also the environmental aspect of pulp paper to consider. Paper comes from trees. Turning trees into paper means using massive quantities of fossil fuel, millions of gallons of chemicals and bleach, and depriving countless insects and animals of their homes when you cut down trees. A lot of paper is recycled but even recycled paper can be traced back to trees that had to be removed from the land.

Paper made of stone causes none of these things. Our stone paper notebooks are made in a solar-powered factory from calcium carbonate - marble mining cast-offs - and a small percentage of recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Making our stone paper notebooks required no water, acid, bleach or optical brighteners - things that when spilled spoil the water and poison environments. And since trees aren’t used, animals aren’t forcefully evicted from their homes and landscapes aren’t denuded of trees. We actually plant a tree with every sale. We stand proudly behind our notebooks and know they will last you as long as you need it.

agood company stone paper notebook collections

Choosing the right tools for timeless memories

If you use a napkin to write something down, you don’t expect it to stand the test of time. But if you want to write something down that will survive more than one day in a pocket, then a quality diary or journal teamed with a solid pen with archival ink is key. You’ll have a trusty companion that will survive pretty much anything.

Articles of further interest

As you explore the blank pages of your notebook, you might find inspiration in our article on Empty Notebook Ideas where we provide creative prompts to kickstart your writing and make the most of those pristine pages.

Brown agood company Pen Made from Meadow Grass

And have you ever wondered about the subtle differences between a diary and a journal? It's like this mini-debate on where to spill your thoughts. Check out our take on Diary vs. Journal to see how each brings its own vibe to capturing your moments. Whether you're looking for writing inspo or trying to figure out your style, these articles are here to make your journaling adventure more fun.

Final thoughts

To put it simply, selecting the right pen and paper is vital for keeping your thoughts alive. Whether it's the dependable Sakura Pigma Micron or the eco-friendly refillable pens like Koh-I-Noor Rapidosketch and Rotring Rapidographs paired with durable stone paper, your words will endure. It's not just about writing; it's about making sure what you put down stays for a long time. When you pick your pen and paper wisely, you're also doing well for the planet by making eco-friendly choices and being a thoughtful consumer.

Back to blog

You may also like

1 of 10
Anders Ankarlid

Anders Ankarlid

Co-founder & Product Development Lead

Co-founder of agood company and product development lead. A serial e-commerce entrepreneur, and a father of three. Have worked in e-commerce for more than a decade. Mindless consumption activist.

"I want to be able to look into my kids’ eyes and honestly say: "I did everything I could to hinder climate-change”

1 of 10