Buying guide
Blackout & Metallic Set
Updated How we research
High-contrast lettering on dark paper. The page is split into five sections (Black paper worth writing on; Metallic brush pens; Pastel pens for soft contrast; Metallic calligraphy inks; White gel pens for details), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 20 picks. Our scores range from 6.6 to 9.0 out of 10.
- Best overall:Tombow 56187 Dual Brush Pen Art Markers, Pastel, 10-Pack, Blendable Brush and Fine Tip. Highest overall score in this guide at 9.0/10.
- Also great value:Kuretake Gold MICA Ink for Dip Pen and Brush, Metallic, 60ml. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.3/10.
- Solid build:Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens, Brush Lettering, 4 Pastel Colors. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 7.8/10.
- Feature-rich:ARTEZA Dual Tip Brush Pens, 12 Pastel Tones, EverBlend Watercolor Calligraphy Markers. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.0/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Black paper worth writing on
- Hamilco Black Colored Cardstock Thick Paper - 8 1/2 x 11 Inch Heavy Weight 80 lb Cover Card Stock - for Scrapbook Craft Calligraphy or Chalkboard Papers for Printer, 100 PackOur score7.8/10
- Black Paper Sketchbook 9 × 12 in, 30 Sheets, 160gsm Spiral Bound | Acid-Free 98lb Black Paper, Lays Flat, Clean Tear-Out Pages, for Colored Pencil, Chalk, Gel Pens & Mixed MediaOur score7.6/10
- Strathmore 400 Series Artagain Pad, Coal Black Paper, Glue Bound, 9x12 inches, 24 Sheets - Pastel & CharcoalOur score7.2/10
- Envelopus Black Cardstock 8.5 x 11, Black Construction Paper, 85Lb, 30 Sheets - Heavy Black Card Stock Paper for Invitations, Scrapbooking and Paper CraftsOur score6.6/10
Metallic brush pens
- Dyvicl Metallic Brush Marker Pens for Calligraphy, Brush Lettering, Black Paper, Set of 10Our score7.8/10
- BRUSTRO Metallic Brush Pens, Soft Brush Tip for Calligraphy and Hand Lettering, Set of 10Our score7.8/10
- 30 Colors Dual Tip Metallic Acrylic Paint Marker pens with Brush & Fine | for Black Paper, Scrapbooking, Photo Album, Rock, Wood, Card Making, Pumpkin & Halloween DIY Arts Crafts, Scrapbook SuppliesOur score7.5/10
- ARTISTRO 24 Metallic Dual-Tip Acrylic Paint Marker Pens for Drawing | For Fabric, Rock, Glass, Wood, Arts & Crafts Gift for Adults, Teens & Kids, Pumpkin Decorating Kit & Halloween CraftsOur score7.3/10
Pastel pens for soft contrast
- Tombow 56187 Dual Brush Pen Art Markers, Pastel, 10-Pack, Blendable Brush and Fine TipOur score9.0/10
- ARTEZA Dual Tip Brush Pens, 12 Pastel Tones, EverBlend Watercolor Calligraphy MarkersOur score8.0/10
- Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens, Brush Lettering, 4 Pastel ColorsOur score7.8/10
- Online Calli.Brush Handlettering Brush Pens Pastel, Set of 5 Dual-Tip Calligraphy PensOur score7.4/10
Metallic calligraphy inks
- Kuretake Gold MICA Ink for Dip Pen and Brush, Metallic, 60mlOur score8.3/10
- Dr. Ph. Martin's Iridescent Calligraphy Color (11R) Ink Bottle, 1.0 oz, Copper Plate GoldOur score8.1/10
- Dr. Ph. Martin's Iridescent Calligraphy Color (1R) Ink Bottle, 1.0 oz, Iridescent SilverOur score7.8/10
- Winsor & Newton Calligraphy Ink, 30ml (1-oz) Bottle, GoldOur score7.8/10
White gel pens for details
- PANDAFLY White Gel Pens, 1mm Extra Fine Point Gel Ink Pens, Opaque Archival Ink for Black Paper Drawing, 5 PackOur score8.0/10
- Art-n-Fly White Gel Pens For Black Paper, White Ink Pen for Artists 0.7mm Fine Point Tip, 3 PackOur score7.6/10
- Blulu White Gel Ink Pens 0.8mm Fine Tip Artists Fine Point Gel Art Pen for Black Paper Drawing, Pack of 6Our score7.0/10
- Liquidraw White Gel Pen, 0.8mm Fine Point Gel Pen For Artists, Ideal for Highlighting, Coloring, Drawing on Black PaperOur score6.8/10
All 20 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1A Tombow Dual Brush Pen 10-pack in pastel shades, with blendable brush and fine tips for soft lettering and journaling.
Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Blendable water-based ink lets pastel shades melt into soft ombre lettering
- + Fine bullet tip on the other end handles small text and outlines
- + Tombow Dual Brush pens are a long-standing lettering favorite with durable nylon tips
- - Large brush tip is harder to control for tiny script than a small fude pen
- - Pastel ink can look faint on white paper for readers who need strong contrast
#2Kuretake Gold MICA ink in a 60ml bottle, a metallic ink made for dip pens and brushes on invitations and envelopes.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Mica pigment gives a real shimmer that catches light on wedding envelopes
- + Works with both dip pens and brushes, so it suits many lettering styles
- + 60ml bottle is generous for a metallic ink used on large mailings
- - Mica particles settle fast, so stir often while you letter
- - Metallic ink can clog fine pointed nibs, so rinse between sessions
#3Dr. Ph. Martin's Iridescent Calligraphy Color in Copper Plate Gold, a 1.0 oz bottle of shimmering ink for pointed pen work.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Iridescent formula glows on dark cardstock and black envelopes
- + Copper Plate Gold is a warm gold that reads rich rather than brassy
- + Dr. Ph. Martin's inks are a staple among wedding calligraphers
- - Pigment separates in the bottle, so it needs shaking and stirring
- - Small 1.0 oz bottle goes quickly on big envelope orders
#4ARTEZA EverBlend dual tip brush pens in 12 pastel tones, a budget watercolor-style set for calligraphy and card making.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Twelve pastel tones give more choice than smaller premium packs at a lower cost
- + Dual tips pair a brush end for lettering with a fine end for details
- + Watercolor-style ink can be blended with water for soft background washes
- - Brush tips can fray sooner than Tombow nylon tips under heavy pressure
- - Some pale tones are close in shade, so the palette is less varied than it sounds
#5PANDAFLY white gel pens in a 5 Pack, 1mm extra fine point opaque archival ink for black paper drawing.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 1mm tip lays down bold opaque lines for faux calligraphy on black
- + Archival ink is a plus for keepsake cards and journals
- + 5 Pack gives enough pens for classes or long projects
- - Calling a 1mm tip extra fine is confusing, as lines are fairly bold
- - Bold tip is less suited to tiny detail work
#6Hamilco black cardstock, 8 1/2 x 11 Inch heavy weight 80 lb cover stock in a 100 Pack for chalkboard style and white ink lettering.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 100 Pack gives plenty of dark sheets for white and metallic lettering
- + Printer friendly black stock lets you print faint guides first
- + Cover weight keeps signs and cards from feeling flimsy
- - 80 lb cover is lighter than premium black stock for large signs
- - Black dye can rub slightly onto hands during long sessions
#7Dyvicl metallic brush marker pens in a set of 10, designed to stand out on black and dark paper.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Metallic ink shines on black paper and dark cardstock
- + Brush tips allow thick and thin lettering strokes
- + 10 colours give options for cards and invitations
- - Metallic ink needs longer drying time to avoid smudging
- - Less vivid on white paper than on dark backgrounds
#8BRUSTRO's 10 metallic brush pens with soft tips for calligraphy and hand lettering on dark paper.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Soft brush tips give expressive metallic lettering
- + Set of 10 metallic colours for festive designs
- + Works well on black and coloured cardstock
- - Soft tips wear faster on rough surfaces
- - Metallic sheen can look uneven with fast strokes
#9Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens in 4 pastel colors with brush tips, using pigment ink made for lasting lettering art.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Pigment India ink is lightfast, so pastel lettering holds up in framed work
- + Firm brush tip is easier to control than very soft felt tips for beginners
- + Faber-Castell build quality means tips keep their shape for a long time
- - Only four colors, so it works as an add-on rather than a full pastel palette
- - Pigment ink does not blend as easily as water-based dual brush pens
#10Dr. Ph. Martin's Iridescent Calligraphy Color in Iridescent Silver, a 1.0 oz bottle for cool metallic lettering.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Silver shimmer looks elegant on navy, black and winter-themed stationery
- + Flows from dip pens and brushes for script and faux calligraphy
- + Pairs with the gold shade from the same line for two-tone designs
- - Silver reads faint on white paper, so it works best on dark stock
- - Metallic pigment settles quickly and needs frequent stirring
#11Winsor & Newton calligraphy ink in gold, a 30ml (1-oz) bottle of metallic ink for accents and holiday lettering.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Gold ink adds instant polish to place cards and greeting card headers
- + Winsor & Newton formula flows reliably from standard dip nibs
- + Easy to find in art stores, so reordering the same shade is simple
- - Shimmer is subtler than mica-heavy golds, so it may look flat on white
- - 30ml bottle suits accents more than large volume projects
#12Prudiut 9 x 12 inch black paper sketchbook with 30 sheets of 160 gsm acid-free paper and top spiral binding. A dark base for white gel pen and metallic lettering.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Black 160 gsm acid-free paper gives a strong contrast surface for white and metallic pens.
- + The 180 degree lay-flat spiral binding makes it easy to work across the page.
- + The 9 x 12 inch size and 30 sheets match the pad format of the earlier pick.
- - A single pad of 30 sheets replaces a 2-pack, so there is less paper per purchase.
- - Prudiut is a little-known brand, and the listing says little about how paint or wet ink behaves.
#13Art-n-Fly white gel pens for black paper, a 3 Pack with 0.7mm fine point tips for artists and letterers.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 0.7mm fine point is good for highlights on brush lettering
- + Opaque white stands out on black and kraft paper
- + 3 Pack keeps spares for when one pen dries
- - Fine tip is too thin for bold faux calligraphy downstrokes
- - Gel pens can skip if not stored cap down
#14IVSUN set of 30 metallic acrylic paint markers with a 1 mm tip and a 0.5 to 5 mm brush tip, listed for black paper, scrapbooking and card making.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Dual tips: a 1 mm fine tip for outlines and a 0.5 to 5 mm brush tip for larger strokes.
- + Thirty colors, and the listing names black paper and card making as uses, a common metallic lettering job.
- + Listed as needing no shaking or pressing, with opaque, non-toxic ink.
- - Acrylic paint markers rather than classic brush pens, so tip feel differs from a fiber brush.
- - The listing notes the white marker looks transparent when first applied.
#15Online Calli.Brush pastel set of 5 dual-tip calligraphy pens, a German-made option for soft hand lettering.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Dual tips combine a brush end with a chisel-style calligraphy end for two lettering styles
- + Pastel shades suit wedding stationery, baby cards and planner headers
- + Small five-pen set is an easy way to test the brand before buying more
- - Five colors give limited range for layered or multi-tone designs
- - Less common in US stores, so replacing single colors can be harder
#16ARTISTRO set of 24 metallic dual-tip acrylic paint markers with a 1 mm fine tip and a flexible 1 to 5 mm brush tip, for lettering on paper and dark surfaces.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Flexible 1 to 5 mm brush tip plus a 1 mm fine tip, and the listing names lettering as a use.
- + Water-based acrylic ink, opaque on most surfaces, with pre-activated nibs so no pressing is needed.
- + Twenty-four metallic colors, which is a wide range for metallic lettering and card making.
- - These are acrylic paint markers with cotton-style nibs, not traditional fiber brush pens.
- - Priced at the upper end for the guide, and the listing says coverage varies with surface color.
#17Strathmore 400 Series Artagain pad in coal black, glue bound, 9x12 inches with 24 Sheets for pastel, charcoal and chalk lettering.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Artagain recycled paper has a soft tooth that grabs chalk and pastel
- + Coal black color gives strong contrast for light media
- + Glue bound sheets remove cleanly for display
- - Toothy surface is less suited to fine pointed pen hairlines
- - 24 Sheets is limited for regular practice
#18Blulu white gel ink pens with 0.8mm fine tips, a Pack of 6 for black paper drawing and highlights.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Pack of 6 is great value for regular white ink lettering
- + 0.8mm tip balances visibility and precision
- + Handy for adding highlights to brush pen lettering
- - Budget pens may vary in opacity between individual pens
- - Can clog if paper fibers catch on the rolling tip
#19Liquidraw white gel pen with a 0.8mm fine point, for highlighting, coloring and drawing on black paper.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + 0.8mm tip gives a little more line weight than finer gel pens
- + Works well for highlight dots and shine on lettered letters
- + Liquidraw brand focuses on art and ink supplies
- - Single pen listing means no spare if it runs dry
- - White gel needs time to dry before handling to avoid smears
#20Envelopus black cardstock 8.5 x 11, 30 Sheets of 85Lb black construction paper for invitations and paper crafts.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 7/10
- + 85Lb weight is sturdy for invitation inserts and place cards
- + Deep black surface makes gold and white calligraphy stand out
- + Small pack is a low cost way to test black paper lettering
- - Only 30 Sheets, so large projects need several packs
- - Construction paper style may have more fiber than smooth cardstock
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Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.
Calligraphy Nest curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.