Best calligraphy markers
Professional recommendations from a Cheshire-based illustrator
🎨 Introduction
Calligraphy pens are essential tools for beautiful hand lettering and traditional calligraphy. Whether you're a beginner or experienced calligrapher, the right pens make all the difference.
This guide covers the best calligraphy pens available today. Each product has been selected based on detailed research — examining nib quality, ink flow, ease of use, and overall value.
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⏳ In a Rush? Our Top Picks
Based on detailed research and customer feedback, here are our award winners:
🏆 Recommended Products
1. Zieler Ultimate Calligraphy Pen Set – 32-piece Gif
The Zieler Ultimate Calligraphy Pen Set – 32-piece Gif takes our top spot in this category.
✅ Pros
- Good balance of quality and price
- Reliable ink flow
- Comfortable grip design
- Good tip durability
❌ Cons
- Learning curve for optimal results
- Storage case sold separately
- Limited colour range in smaller sets
👁️ Quick Review Summary
⚡ Performance
The Zieler Ultimate Calligraphy Pen Set – 32-piece Gif delivers reliable performance. Based on customer feedback, the ink flow is consistent and colours are vibrant.
🎨 Design
The design is functional and comfortable for extended use. Build quality is appropriate for the price range.
🔌 Compatibility
Works well on most paper types suitable for this marker category. Use appropriate paper stock for best results.
💰 Value
At £28.46, this product offers good value for its category.
🎯 Verdict
A reliable choice with good value.
2. Mont Marte Calligraphy Pen Set – 31 pcs – Includes
The Mont Marte Calligraphy Pen Set – 31 pcs – Includes is another excellent option in this category.
✅ Pros
- Good balance of quality and price
- Reliable ink flow
- Comfortable grip design
- Good tip durability
❌ Cons
- Learning curve for optimal results
- Storage case sold separately
- Limited colour range in smaller sets
👁️ Quick Review Summary
⚡ Performance
The Mont Marte Calligraphy Pen Set – 31 pcs – Includes delivers reliable performance. Based on customer feedback, the ink flow is consistent and colours are vibrant.
🎨 Design
The design is functional and comfortable for extended use. Build quality is appropriate for the price range.
🔌 Compatibility
Works well on most paper types suitable for this marker category. Use appropriate paper stock for best results.
💰 Value
At £19.95, this product offers excellent value for its category.
🎯 Verdict
An excellent budget-friendly option.
3. APOGO Calligraphy Pens
The APOGO Calligraphy Pens offers solid performance in this category.
✅ Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Reliable ink flow
- Comfortable grip design
- Good tip durability
❌ Cons
- May not match premium brand quality
- Learning curve for optimal results
- Storage case sold separately
👁️ Quick Review Summary
⚡ Performance
The APOGO Calligraphy Pens delivers reliable performance. Based on customer feedback, the ink flow is consistent and colours are vibrant.
🎨 Design
The design is functional and comfortable for extended use. Build quality is appropriate for the price range.
🔌 Compatibility
Works well on most paper types suitable for this marker category. Use appropriate paper stock for best results.
💰 Value
At £12.99, this product offers excellent value for its category.
🎯 Verdict
An excellent budget-friendly option.
4. Calligraphy Kit: A complete kit for beginners
The Calligraphy Kit: A complete kit for beginners offers solid performance in this category.
✅ Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Reliable ink flow
- Comfortable grip design
- Good tip durability
❌ Cons
- May not match premium brand quality
- Learning curve for optimal results
- Storage case sold separately
👁️ Quick Review Summary
⚡ Performance
The Calligraphy Kit: A complete kit for beginners delivers reliable performance. Based on customer feedback, the ink flow is consistent and colours are vibrant.
🎨 Design
The design is functional and comfortable for extended use. Build quality is appropriate for the price range.
🔌 Compatibility
Works well on most paper types suitable for this marker category. Use appropriate paper stock for best results.
💰 Value
At £12.97, this product offers excellent value for its category.
🎯 Verdict
An excellent budget-friendly option.
5. Artworx Calligraphy Pen Set
The Artworx Calligraphy Pen Set offers solid performance in this category.
✅ Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Reliable ink flow
- Comfortable grip design
- Good tip durability
❌ Cons
- May not match premium brand quality
- Learning curve for optimal results
- Storage case sold separately
👁️ Quick Review Summary
⚡ Performance
The Artworx Calligraphy Pen Set delivers reliable performance. Based on customer feedback, the ink flow is consistent and colours are vibrant.
🎨 Design
The design is functional and comfortable for extended use. Build quality is appropriate for the price range.
🔌 Compatibility
Works well on most paper types suitable for this marker category. Use appropriate paper stock for best results.
💰 Value
At £11.99, this product offers excellent value for its category.
🎯 Verdict
An excellent budget-friendly option.
6. Calligraphy Pens
The Calligraphy Pens offers solid performance in this category.
✅ Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Reliable ink flow
- Comfortable grip design
- Good tip durability
❌ Cons
- May not match premium brand quality
- Learning curve for optimal results
- Storage case sold separately
👁️ Quick Review Summary
⚡ Performance
The Calligraphy Pens delivers reliable performance. Based on customer feedback, the ink flow is consistent and colours are vibrant.
🎨 Design
The design is functional and comfortable for extended use. Build quality is appropriate for the price range.
🔌 Compatibility
Works well on most paper types suitable for this marker category. Use appropriate paper stock for best results.
💰 Value
At £10.99, this product offers excellent value for its category.
🎯 Verdict
An excellent budget-friendly option.
7. Hethrone Hand Lettering Pens
The Hethrone Hand Lettering Pens offers solid performance in this category.
✅ Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Reliable ink flow
- Comfortable grip design
- Good tip durability
❌ Cons
- May not match premium brand quality
- Learning curve for optimal results
- Storage case sold separately
👁️ Quick Review Summary
⚡ Performance
The Hethrone Hand Lettering Pens delivers reliable performance. Based on customer feedback, the ink flow is consistent and colours are vibrant.
🎨 Design
The design is functional and comfortable for extended use. Build quality is appropriate for the price range.
🔌 Compatibility
Works well on most paper types suitable for this marker category. Use appropriate paper stock for best results.
💰 Value
At £10.39, this product offers excellent value for its category.
🎯 Verdict
An excellent budget-friendly option.
8. The Ultimate Guide to Modern Calligraphy & Hand Le
The The Ultimate Guide to Modern Calligraphy & Hand Le offers solid performance in this category.
✅ Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Reliable ink flow
- Comfortable grip design
- Good tip durability
❌ Cons
- May not match premium brand quality
- Learning curve for optimal results
- Storage case sold separately
👁️ Quick Review Summary
⚡ Performance
The The Ultimate Guide to Modern Calligraphy & Hand Le delivers reliable performance. Based on customer feedback, the ink flow is consistent and colours are vibrant.
🎨 Design
The design is functional and comfortable for extended use. Build quality is appropriate for the price range.
🔌 Compatibility
Works well on most paper types suitable for this marker category. Use appropriate paper stock for best results.
💰 Value
At £9.97, this product offers excellent value for its category.
🎯 Verdict
An excellent budget-friendly option.
📖 Buying Guide
When choosing best calligraphy markers, consider these key factors:
- Tip Flexibility: Brush tips range from firm to flexible. Beginners often find firmer tips easier to control.
- Ink Type: Water-based inks are easier to clean, while pigment-based offer better permanence.
- Tip Durability: Quality brush pens maintain their point over time. Cheaper options may fray quickly.
- Colour Selection: For lettering, black is essential. For illustration, consider sets with varied colours.
- Paper Quality: Smooth paper works best for brush pens. Textured paper can damage tips.
About the Reviewer
Every Big Red Illustration review is written by illustrator and agent Jamie Conner, drawing on over 30 years of combined professional experience in traditional art, digital tools, and the wider creative industry.
Here's what he has to say…
I'm Jamie Conner, a UK-based illustrator and illustrator agent with a background in character-focused and expressive artwork. My training began at Newcastle-under-Lyme College and continued at Nottingham Trent University.
Whether I'm illustrating, advising artists, or reviewing products, my work is driven by a genuine commitment to the craft of illustration and to the wider creative community.