My Favorite Lettering Supplies

Favourite Lettering Tools on desk ordered

The #1 question I get asked is which pen is my favorite. The answer is more complex than just a single pen. They are all unique and each with their own qualities that are great for different types of lettering.
And what inks and paper you use with the pen are equally as important.

I proudly present to you:

Winterbird’s Favorite/Recommended Supplies:

For your convenience I have added a link straight to Amazon for each of the products.

Basic/everyday pen

The Perfect Starting Pens

Looking for a long-term friend that you will most likely find a use for every single day? Something to cover your basic lettering needs? Look no further!

Tombow Fudenosuke Twin Tip Brush Pen is a great choice. Long lasting, works on many types of paper and comes with a grey tip as well so that you can do shading with just this one pen! I would not want to be without it.

Pentel Sign Brush Pen is another very good choice of a long lasting,
simple brush pen that works on most types of paper. The great thing about the Pentel pens is that you can get one or you can get the whole set of colors!

Pentel Sign Brush Pen (set) is a set of small brush pens that I could not be without. Just like most other small fude pens,
these are all long lasting and can be used on most paper.
But with more colors you can have so much more choices.

Advanced Brush Lettering Pens

Ready to step it up?

If you have covered the basics, and you are comfortable with a basic brush pen, then these pens can take you to a whole other level!

Royal Talens Ecoline Brush Pens is an absolutely great choice of bigger size brush pens. The colors are vibrant and strong, the stroke is moist and they are so gorgeous to blend together.

ZIG Fudebiyori Metallic Brush Marker works so well on both white and dark paper. They leave a lovely metallic look. They are nice and moist to the tip and a good thick downstroke.

Tombow Dual Brush Pens have an amazing big and flexible brush tip which means you can push your brush lettering to the limits! But it is not for amateurs. You must handle them with love and care!

Lettering with Watercolor

Get your hands wet!

If you think you are ready, take a dive into the world of Watercolor Lettering! Don’t forget a glass of water, and some paper/cloth.

Royal Talens Ecoline Watercolors is what I have found to be the best choice for lettering. I dip my watercolor-based brush pens in them, I use it with my Dip Pens and I use them with brushes.
They are beautiful in every way I have tried so far.

Pentel Aqua Brush has a great tip, works wonderfully with the Ecoline watercolors that I like to use, and they have a smart design that prevents them from rolling off your table. I love them.
I mostly use the medium and big tip sizes.

Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Series 111 is a perfect brush for Watercolor Lettering (besides its gorgeous blue design). The tip helps youmake the most beautiful letters with watercolor, and it’s a perfect match to the Ecoline Watercolors.

Paper

You will need something to letter on!

Sometimes all you need is paper to practice on.
After all, you will need to practice a whole lot, if you want to become great at lettering!

HP Premium Choice Laserjet has a good smooth surface that makes it overall great to letter on. I use this paper every day! I print my practice sheets on this paper, and I practice dip pen, brush pen, and watercolor lettering on it.

Canson Bristle Smooth is a smooth quality paper. It is so smooth it almost feels like silk.
The paper is also thin which makes it excellent to trace with. I use my Tombow Dual Brush Pens with this paper.

Canson
Watercolor
paper is perfect for (yes, you guessed it) everything watercolor! Use this when you are going to use lots of ink or watercolors, in one way or another. Do not use this with your fragile Brush Pens.

wax sealing

Supplies for Wax Sealing

My favorite tools for wax sealing.

Sakura Pen Touch from dickblick.com

Sakura Pen-Touch Pens in Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Molotow Liquid Chrome from dickblick.com

Molotow Liquid Chrome.

Chalkboard Lettering

Want to letter on a Chalkboard?

Here are some great tools to start your Chalkboard adventure.

Cedar Liquid Chalk Markers are the best choice of chalk markers I have tried. Vibrant and strong colors, chisel and bullet tip, and many colors. You also get additional glass marker pens and chalkboard labels. Erasing these markers off the chalkboard is easy, just use a little water and a paper towel.

Chalkboard (+ Whiteboard) is needed when you want to do chalk lettering. If you are using chalkboard markers you want to make sure that the surface is 100% Non-Porous, like this one. This is my favorite because it also comes with a whiteboard on the other side. I like it so much I have 3 of them!

Chalk Pencil for you who (like me)
don’t want to get your fingers full of chalk, but still want to sketch out your art before using your chalk markers. This pack comes with 5 white pencils and a handy sharpener.

Other

Some more helpful items

I wouldn’t want to be without…

This Artist Glove is a very handy two-finger glove that I use for drawing, lettering, tablets, working on light boards and more. 

Crafter’s Companion Spectrum Noir Marker Storage Trays is my favorite pen storage tray. They stack both on top of each other, but also next to each other so you can expand in either direction to fill your space and needs.

I hope you found my recommendations helpful. Feel free to share your thoughts and let me know if you think there is anything missing on the list.

6 thoughts on “My Favorite Lettering Supplies

  1. Sonya Adams says:

    I think I have died and gone to heaven – I am a beginner – Have not even attempted to write yet because I didn’t know what to buy – I just bought some books to learn from – any suggestions for those ????
    Do you give any private lessons vis Skype or any other way – I would so love to have somebody sit by me and show me for instance a position of the pan etc. but I live in Salt Lake City Utah and I have yet to find anyone in this area that does that
    Please let me know your thoughts I would appreciate it so so very much – I’m older and have always wanted to learn how to write calligraphy – I’m frustrated and would love some help

    • Winterbird says:

      Hi, Sonya! I will be happy to help you. I sent you an email to answer and discuss your questions, please look in your email inbox. 🙂

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