Manuscript Pens

For over 150 years, English company Manuscript Pen co. have been at the forefront of pen nib manufacture and design. Creating some of the most innovative and fresh products in the mark making industry, Manuscript develop everything from traditional quills and inkwells to italic and coloured markers- which I'll be reviewing today.

The first thing I have to show you is the italic Calligraphy pens, from their 'Callicreative' range.

​Obviously these aren't designed or suitable for colouring, but if you colour then you're probably quite a creative person and wouldn't mind having a go at a bit of penmanship! This is my first foray into calligraphy, and I don't think I did too badly! The coloured italics come in a set of 12, and can be bought in either broad or fine tip. They contain washable ink and have an ergonomic grip for comfort. The price? just over £11 for 12!

​The metallics are more limited, coming in just 4 colours: pink, purple, green & turquoise. They have a 2.4mm slanted tip, and contain long-lasting pigmented ink. There's no need to 'pump' these pens; the ink flows freely through the barrel giving consistent results from the fibre tip. All the calligraphy pens come in clamshell packaging to keep them neatly stored together. They're currently priced at just over £6 on Amazon.

My attempt at calligraphy!

Next I have 3 sets of colouring markers, including fine, broad and brush tips. They come in a plastic wallet and are very reminiscent of those Berol pens you get at school, with lots of bright colours and variety.

Fine

These fine nibs give a line of 2mm and come in Purple, Dark Green, Red, Pink, Black, Brown, Turquoise, Violet, Grey, Yellow, Orange and Light Green. 

Broad

The broad nibs give a line of 3.9mm and come in Yellow, Orange, Red, Peach, Dark Green, Pink, Black, Purple, Brown, Light Green, Blue and Turquoise.

Brush

The brush tips give a variable line and come in Yellow, Orange, Red, Peach, Dark Green, Pink, Black, Purple, Brown, Light Green, Blue and Turquoise.

All of these colouring pens contain washable ink and have a 14 day 'cap-off' period where they won't dry out- handy for when little fingers raid your colouring stash! Despite being waterbased ink, they run very smoothly across the paper and don't feather it easily- on a par with Staedtler Triplus. I just wish they came in more tones! They are very juicy and the colours are vivid and bold on the paper, so regardless of the fact they look like a children's product they really do step up to the mark for adult colouring. At under a fiver per pack of 12, they're extremely purse-friendly too! 

Here's a cute little mandala I coloured with the brush tips :)

I hope you've enjoyed my review of these Manuscript products, and have learned about some really good quality pens you may not have come across before :)

I was given these materials for an honest review. You can find them on Amazon here:

Manuscript Callicreative Clam Broad Markers, Pack of 12, Multi-Colour

Manuscript Calli Creative Metallic Marker (Pack of 4)

Manuscript Fine Marker - Assorted (Wallet of 12)

Manuscript Broad Marker - Assorted (Wallet of 12)

Manuscript Colour Creative Brush Tip Marker Pen (Wallet of 12)