Gel pens need to strike the right balance when it comes to flow. If they do not deposit enough ink on the page, they will be scratchy and not sufficiently opaque. Too much ink, and they will bleed through the paper. Some pastel gel pens flow similarly to standard gel pens. They dry in a reasonable amount of time and can be used for note-taking. On the other hand, pastel gel pens made for crafting tend to have very wet flow. This makes them smoother and more opaque, especially on dark papers. However, they take longer to dry and are prone to smudging and bleeding.

Opacity refers to how easily the ink shows up on a writing surface, particularly dark papers. Pastel gel pens that will be used for writing do not need to be very opaque to show up on white paper, but crafters will appreciate an ink formulation that pops on toned or dark papers. Opacity usually goes hand in hand with flow. A pastel gel pen with very wet ink flow tends to have more opaque ink.

Some pastel gel pens feature interesting finishes that add distinctive flair to artwork. Gel pens that are geared towards crafting (like the Sakura Souffle) create lines that are slightly raised when dry for a three-dimensional effect. On non-porous surfaces, the Souffle also has a glossy finish.

Look for gel pens that are fade and water resistant to ensure that letters or artwork will stand the test of time. For casual usage like notes and doodling, fade resistance isn’t necessary, though water resistant ink can be paired with other art supplies—and survive a spilled water bottle. If pastel hues will be the star of an heirloom art piece, fade-resistant inks will make sure that colors stay true through the years.

These pastel colors use the same ink formulation as the original Pilot G2, so they make great note-taking pens. The ink also shows up well on dark paper, so it can be used for crafts in a pinch. The firm grip is comfortable to hold for long writing sessions and matches the color of the ink inside.

The Pilot Juice Up is one of the few pastel gel pens that boasts smooth writing with an extra-fine tip. It has the smallest tip size of any of our recommendations at just 0.4 mm. The unique “synergy tip” combines the precision of a needle point with the durability of a conical point. The ink shows up easily on both dark and light papers.

With its 0.8 mm tip, the Pentel Hybrid Milky Gel Pen lays down smooth, opaque lines. It stands out on light and dark papers and can even be used on glossy photos. The Hybrid Milky’s water based ink is acid free and scrapbook safe which makes it suitable for writing and crafting, from recording important information in your planner to adding highlights in your artwork.

For pastel shades that are difficult to find in other gel pens, the Sakura Gelly Roll Moonlight is an excellent pick. The lineup includes six pastel shades like Fresh Green and Pale Brown. The 0.6 mm tip is suitable for writing and crafting, and the ink shows up equally well on both light and dark papers.

The Sakura Souffle is a favorite for craft and art projects. The ink dries to a glossy, raised finish for a unique three-dimensional effect. It has very wet flow and works best when writing or drawing slowly, so it’s prone to smudging and bleeding. We recommend using it on smooth papers and non-porous surfaces like plastic. When paired with absorbent papers, the Souffle’s ink may appear matte.

Are you still not sure which pastel gel pen to try? Check out our Pastel Gel Pen Sampler! You can try out a variety of pens in a rainbow of colors. The sampler features the Pilot Juice Up, Sakura Decorese, Sakura Souffle, plus other softly-colored inks.

Add to Cart