Buying guide
Watercolor Lettering Kit
Updated How we research
Soft washes, blended letters, painterly script. The page is split into five sections (Watercolor sets for lettering; Paper that takes a wash; Water brush pens for blending; Gouache for opaque color; Blending tools and helpers), 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 7.0 to 8.6 out of 10.
- Best overall:Arches Watercolor Paper Block, Cold Press, 9 x 12 Inch, 140 Pound. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Fabriano Studio Watercolor Pad, Cold-Press, 9 x 12 Inch, 140 lb., 50 Sheets. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:Winsor & Newton Designers' Gouache Introductory 10-Tube Paint Set, 14ml. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Feature-rich:Schmincke AQUA DROP Liquid Highly Lightfast Watercolor Paint, 12 x 10 ml Set for Watercolor Painting, Calligraphy, Hand Lettering. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Watercolor sets for lettering
- Schmincke AQUA DROP Liquid Highly Lightfast Watercolor Paint, 12 x 10 ml Set for Watercolor Painting, Calligraphy, Hand LetteringOur score8.4/10
- SKETCHMARKER AQUA Watercolor Markers, 24 Colors Citrus Set, Brush Pens for Calligraphy and Hand LetteringOur score7.6/10
- Handmade Water Color Paint Set, 30 Colors Metallic Solid Quarter Pans Pearlescent Watercolor Calligraphy Ink Hand LetteringOur score7.6/10
- Faber-Castell Modern Calligraphy Kit - Lettering and Calligraphy Crafts for Adults with Pitt Artist PensOur score7.2/10
Paper that takes a wash
- Arches Watercolor Paper Block, Cold Press, 9 x 12 Inch, 140 PoundOur score8.6/10
- Fabriano Studio Watercolor Pad, Cold-Press, 9 x 12 Inch, 140 lb., 50 SheetsOur score8.6/10
- Strathmore 440-1 400 Series Watercolor Pad, 9x12 Inch Wire Bound, 12 SheetsOur score7.3/10
- Canson XL Series Watercolor Pad, Heavyweight White Paper, Foldover Binding, 30 Sheets, 18x24 inchOur score7.2/10
Water brush pens for blending
- SAYEEC Watercolor Brush Pens 20 Colors Flexible Brush Tip Watercolor Markers with 1 Refillable Blending Water Brush Pens Water Color Paint Brushes for Adult Coloring Books Artists Beginner CalligraphyOur score8.0/10
- CHROMATEK 22 Watercolor Pens Set | 2 Aquapens & 20 Unique Colors | Brush Pens | Easily Blendable, Vivid, Smooth | Professional Art SuppliesOur score7.8/10
- UPINS 12 Piece Water Color Brush Pen Set for Watercolor Paint Markers | Splatter-Free Shape-Retaining Nylon Tips, Artists and Hobbyists,Self-Moistening Controlled Flow,6 Assorted Varied Tip PensOur score7.4/10
- Alycoco Watercolor Brush Pens Set - Premium Soft Flexible Dual Tips Coloring Brush Pen & Fineliner Color Marker Pens for Adult Coloring Sketching Books, Manga, Comic, Calligraphy (20 colors)Our score7.2/10
Gouache for opaque color
- Winsor & Newton Designers' Gouache Introductory 10-Tube Paint Set, 14mlOur score8.6/10
- Winsor & Newton Designers' Gouache Primary Color 6-Tube Paint Set, 14mlOur score8.2/10
- Winsor & Newton Designer's Gouache, 14 ml (0.47oz) Tube, Permanent WhiteOur score8.1/10
- Holbein Artists Gouache 15ml Primary WhiteOur score7.9/10
Blending tools and helpers
- COPIC Ciao Marker 0 Colorless Blender - Clear, Dual-Tip Alcohol Blender with Brush and Chisel TipsOur score8.0/10
- Arhomet 6 Pack Blender Colorless Alcohol Markers, Blending Double Tipped Soft Fine Tips and BrushOur score7.5/10
- Prismacolor Colorless Blender Marker, Individual, ClearOur score7.0/10
- ArtBeek Alcohol Markers, White Blender Pens, 6Pcs Blending Blender Dual Tips Brush & Chisel Pen (Colorless)Our score7.0/10
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.
#1Arches cold press watercolor paper block, 9 x 12 Inch at 140 Pound, a professional cotton paper for finished painted lettering.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 10/10 · Value 7/10
- + Block format is glued on all sides, so washes dry flat without taping
- + Arches cotton paper handles layered washes and lifting beautifully
- + Frame worthy surface suits commissioned quotes and gifts
- - Premium cost makes it wasteful for everyday practice drills
- - Cold press texture breaks up fine hairlines from pointed pens
#2Fabriano Studio cold-press watercolor pad, 9 x 12 Inch with 50 Sheets of 140 lb. paper for lettering and loose washes.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 50 Sheets of 140 lb. paper offer strong value from an Italian mill
- + Cold press surface gives gentle texture for watercolor backgrounds
- + Fabriano quality is consistent enough for gifts and cards
- - Studio line is cellulose rather than cotton, so blending is less forgiving
- - Texture is a little rough for crisp pointed pen detail work
#3Winsor & Newton Designers' Gouache introductory set of 10 tubes at 14ml, a broad starter palette for colored lettering.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Ten tubes cover primaries plus extras for easier color mixing
- + Designers' Gouache is a favorite for opaque dip pen lettering
- + Introductory set is a cost-effective way into professional gouache
- - Colors are set by the kit, so some favorite shades may be missing
- - Paint can dry in the tube caps if not closed tightly
#4Schmincke AQUA DROP liquid watercolor, a 12 x 10 ml set of highly lightfast colors for painting and calligraphy.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Liquid format fills dip pens and brushes without mixing pans
- + Highly lightfast colors are safe for framed lettering and commissions
- + Schmincke is a premium German maker known for pigment quality
- - Premium price is high for casual colored lettering practice
- - Small 10 ml bottles go quickly if you use one shade heavily
#5Winsor & Newton Designers' Gouache primary color set of 6 tubes at 14ml, for mixing custom calligraphy ink colors.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Primary colors let you mix almost any shade to match wedding palettes
- + Opaque gouache gives flat, even color that scans and prints well
- + Professional-grade pigments from a respected art brand
- - Mixing exact colors takes practice and some trial and error
- - Six-tube set is a small starting range for broad color mixing
#6Winsor & Newton Designer's Gouache in Permanent White, a 14 ml (0.47oz) tube for mixing opaque white calligraphy ink.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Highly opaque white makes bright lettering on black and dark papers
- + Mix with water to the right consistency for dip nibs or brushes
- + Tube format keeps paint fresh longer than open jars
- - Needs mixing each session, unlike ready-to-use bottled white ink
- - Small 14 ml tube runs out fast for bulk envelope work
#7SAYEEC watercolor brush pens, 20 colors with flexible nylon tips and one refillable blending water brush. Closest match to the old 20-color set with water brush.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Twenty water-based pigment colors plus a refillable water brush for gradients and blending.
- + Flexible nylon brush tips are described as keeping a fine point and snapping back for broad and detailed lines.
- + Low price for a 20-color set, and the listing names calligraphy and hand lettering among its uses.
- - Lesser-known brand, so the listing is the only source for ink quality and lightfastness.
- - Only one water brush is included, which gets used for every color you blend.
#8COPIC Ciao Marker 0 colorless blender, a clear dual-tip alcohol blender with brush and chisel tips.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Copic brush tip is famously smooth for blending lettering shadows
- + Chisel tip covers wider areas quickly
- + Refillable Copic system extends its lifespan
- - Pricier than generic blenders for the same basic job
- - Only blends alcohol markers, so it is useless with water brush pens
#9Holbein Artists Gouache in Primary White, a 15ml tube of smooth opaque white for pointed pen and brush lettering.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Finely ground Holbein pigment mixes smoothly for clean nib flow
- + Bright opaque white for lettering on dark cardstock and envelopes
- + Slightly larger tube than many competitors for similar use
- - Premium Japanese gouache costs more than student-grade whites
- - Must be mixed with water and gum arabic tweaks can take practice
#10CHROMATEK 22-piece watercolor pen set: 20 numbered colors with flexible brush tips plus 2 refillable aqua brushes, with online video lessons.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Twenty named and numbered colors with flexible brush tips, handy for keeping swatches in order.
- + Two aqua brushes in the set, listed as 4 portable pens, blend colors without a palette.
- + Water-based paint described as blendable and transparent for glazing and layering, with video tutorials.
- - Priced above basic 20-color brush pen sets, so the value depends on whether you use the tutorials.
- - The listing makes general watercolor claims and says little about lettering use specifically.
#11SKETCHMARKER AQUA watercolor brush markers in a 24 color Citrus set for calligraphy and hand lettering.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Watercolor ink blends with water for soft, painterly lettering effects
- + Twenty-four bright citrus shades suit cheerful cards and signs
- + Brush tips make them usable for lettering straight out of the box
- - Citrus theme leans warm, so cool blues and purples are limited
- - Brush tips can fray if pressed hard on rough watercolor paper
#12A handmade watercolor paint set with 30 metallic pearlescent quarter pans for shimmering calligraphy and lettering.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Thirty metallic and pearl shades give lots of shimmer options
- + Quarter pans can be activated with water to load brushes or nibs
- + Pearlescent paint pops on black and colored paper
- - Pigment quality can vary a little between small-batch pans
- - Small quarter pans can wear through quickly on favorite colors
#13Arhomet 6 Pack colorless alcohol blender markers with double tips, soft fine tips and brush ends.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + 6 Pack means spares as blenders dry out quickly
- + Brush tip lets you blend inside thick lettering strokes
- + Fine tip handles small corrections and tight counters
- - Alcohol blenders will not work with water-based Tombow style pens
- - Budget brand ink may be less consistent than premium blenders
#14UPINS set of 12 refillable water brush pens: 6 flat and 6 pointed in three sizes, with nylon tips, for blending ink or watercolor in lettering.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Six flat and six pointed brushes in small, medium and large cover both fine lines and washes.
- + Unscrew the barrel to fill with water or ink, then squeeze the barrel to control flow.
- + Works with watercolor, gouache, water-soluble pencils and inks, at a low price for 12 pieces.
- - Brushes only, so you supply the paint or ink, unlike the pre-filled sets in the guide.
- - Marketed to kids and students as well as artists, with little detail on barrel leak resistance.
#15Strathmore 400 Series watercolor pad, 9x12 Inch wire bound with 12 Sheets, a step-up paper for painted brush lettering.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + 400 Series paper is a noticeable upgrade from basic student pads
- + Wire bound pages turn over fully for comfortable painting angles
- + Good surface for testing watercolor script before final pieces
- - Only 12 Sheets, so it runs out after a few projects
- - Check the paper weight before attempting heavy washes
#16Faber-Castell Modern Calligraphy Kit for adults, built around Pitt Artist Pens for lettering and craft projects.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Pitt Artist Pens use lightfast pigment ink for lasting lettering
- + Kit format gives a guided start for adult beginners
- + Trusted Faber-Castell quality for pens that last
- - Pens rather than paints, so watercolor blending is limited
- - Check exactly which pens and colors are included before buying
#17Canson XL watercolor pad, 18 x 24 inches, 30 sheets of 140 lb cold press paper with foldover binding. A large sheet format for big washes and lettering pieces.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 140 lb (300 gsm) cold press paper is described as handling multiple washes without warping or buckling.
- + Acid-free sheets from a trusted student-grade brand suit watercolor, gouache and ink lettering.
- + Large 18 x 24 inch sheets can be cut down to smaller sizes for several practice or final pieces.
- - The 18 x 24 inch pad is much larger than the 9 x 12 inch wire-bound pad it replaces, and is awkward on a small desk.
- - Cold press texture can feel rough for fine dip pen nibs, so it suits brush lettering more.
#18Alycoco watercolor brush pen set, 20 colors with soft flexible dual tips (brush plus fineliner), a low-priced alternative for lettering and journaling.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Twenty colors with a soft flexible brush tip for broad and fine strokes plus a fineliner end.
- + Listed uses include calligraphy, journaling, sketching, manga and architectural drawing.
- + Non-toxic, odorless and low priced for a 20-color set.
- - Unknown brand with no water brush in the set, so blending relies on the pens themselves.
- - The listing is general and gives no ink lightfastness or paper guidance.
#19Prismacolor colorless blender marker, a single clear alcohol blender for smoothing marker lettering and gradients.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Softens hard edges between alcohol marker colors in lettered words
- + Clear blender can push color to make ombre fades
- + Prismacolor is a well known art marker brand
- - Works only with alcohol based markers, not water-based brush pens
- - Single marker runs dry quickly with heavy blending
#20ArtBeek colorless blender pens, 6Pcs of dual tip brush and chisel alcohol markers for blending color.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + 6Pcs of blenders keep one clean for light colors and one for darks
- + Brush and chisel ends give flexibility for different stroke sizes
- + Budget friendly pack suits students learning marker blending
- - Title calls them white pens, which can confuse buyers wanting white ink
- - Alcohol ink can bleed through thinner lettering paper
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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.