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I bought a package of glitter pens at the dollar store recently and even though the ink is dry the glitter rubs off and gets all over everything. I love the look and pop these give when used but not the mess they create. I broke my own 'rule' about no glitter, I knew better. Glitter and I just don't mix, insert heavy sigh.
I was wondering if this is an issue with all glitter pens or just some brands. A.K.A. cheap! What brands of glitter pens have you had success with?
Sorry y'all I just realized I didn't put the word Gel in the title. I know about pens that you put over the top to add sparkle but I'm interested in Gel style glitter pens specifically. thanks
I think it is "cheap" issue. I have Kaiser Craft gel pens (the glitter ones are beautiful) and they stay well. $10 for 10 pens still a bargain. Found on Amazon and at Hobby Lobby.
I also think it's the "cheap" brand issue. I have some glitter pens from Sakura that I got from Amazon and the glitter doesn't rub off -- it's sealed by the gel and it dries slightly raised.
Another vote for Sakura; these are the ones I've been using for years. Never had a problem. They have many styles from which to choose: metallic, glitter, glaze, souffle - one to meet every need.
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
For everyone who uses the Sakura pens - how do you store them? I went through phases twice where I would buy a bunch of the different kinds and then when I'd go to use them, I couldn't get the ink out. Nothing would happen when I would go to write. No matter how much I scribbled. I gave up on Sakura even though I want to love love love them!
I keep mine vertically, in a cup, and I haven't had issues. But I do use them on a somewhat regular basis, too.
Did the pens have a little wax ball at the tip? If so, you could try keeping that and replacing it between pen uses, as it should seal the barrel and help the ink stay wet.
Before I throw out a pen I will do the age old thing of passing it over a lighter flame a couple fast times. Operating word being fast or you melt the barrel. No lollygagging! I figure if I am going to toss it, I dont have anything to lose anyway.
Sakura here too. I like the clear glitter-it is a fine point to do detail work.
I keep mine vertically, in a cup, and I haven't had issues. But I do use them on a somewhat regular basis, too.
Did the pens have a little wax ball at the tip? If so, you could try keeping that and replacing it between pen uses, as it should seal the barrel and help the ink stay wet.
SaveSave
And if you didn't save the little wax ball that came on the tip, put a small ball of polymer clay on it. Since I started doing this, I've never had to throw away a gel pen, especially the white ones, which seem to be the worst culprits. I store some vertically, some horizontally - doesn't seem to make a difference in mine.
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
I have found with a few different brands of gel pens, they tend to get a air pocket with no ink. If you remove the barrel from the pen and blow hard into the end of the pen. more times than not the will start working again.
And if you didn't save the little wax ball that came on the tip, put a small ball of polymer clay on it. Since I started doing this, I've never had to throw away a gel pen, especially the white ones, which seem to be the worst culprits. I store some vertically, some horizontally - doesn't seem to make a difference in mine.
I may have to invest in one more of the white ones, after the third disappointment and swearing No More, and give this a try
I tried flame, blowing and freezing and always storing upright, to no avail after only a few uses!!!!
I agree Sakura pens are the best. I have had my white pen for five years and still works great. I've had other white pens and don't last very long. I don't use it very often, so it's amazing it still works. I mainly have glitter pens. I store mine in a jar tips down.
__________________ Carolyn My Gallery - Fan Club Member "Snowmen fall from heaven...unassembled." Author unknown
I agree Sakura pens are the best. I have had my white pen for five years and still works great. I've had other white pens and don't last very long. I don't use it very often, so it's amazing it still works. I mainly have glitter pens. I store mine in a jar tips down.
Well, I must have purchased the lemons, because this is also how I stored mine. Each time I was thrilled with how they worked until after using them for a few times. Now I just use my color pencil or white emboss.
Three years ago (maybe four) I bought a bargain container of lots of different kinds of gel pens from Staples. The set contains glitter, shimmer, flat, and neon, and they are fabulous --generic, no brand but Staples. I also like Sakura, especially the pens with colors outlined in gold and silver, which I haven't seen anywhere but Sakura. But those generic, old Staples pens haven't dried up, skipped or in any way performed less than perfectly. They are held upright in a stepped heavy plastic case that opens from the top and folds out to show four stand up rows of pens at once. I think it's the way they're stored that makes a difference --in an upright, airtight container. They were $9.99 for 36 pens!
I decided to try heat setting my $1 store pens, didn't help. The glitter still smears and rubs off. Frustrating since the colors, especially the gold are gorgeous.
How fine tipped are the Kaiser one that could be a deal breaker for me if the are too finely tipped. Wonder if they come in different sizes.
may have to check out the Staples ones. Does it include glitter and if so does the glitter stay put.
A fine mist of matte acrylic sealer will prevent the glitter from smearing and rubbing off.
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
I decided to try heat setting my $1 store pens, didn't help. The glitter still smears and rubs off. Frustrating since the colors, especially the gold are gorgeous.
How fine tipped are the Kaiser one that could be a deal breaker for me if the are too finely tipped. Wonder if they come in different sizes.
may have to check out the Staples ones. Does it include glitter and if so does the glitter stay put.
Yes. the Staples glitter gel pens' glitter stays in place, but I don't know for how many years, if that's an issue. Sakura glitter gel pens did not last; sfter three years on a cardstock card face (I should have finsihed the card sooner!), the Sakura glitter gel had totally disappeared.
I haven't seen the Staples gel pen special since I bought it. It may be a Christmas special --that's when I bought it some years ago.
Wonder if they'll have a special now since it's back to school time...
Well, here they are! These look just like what I purchased--same case. The reviews are great. It's only available online, and I don't know if they're the exact variety with glitter that I have. These are 48 for $11.99 so a better bargain even than mine, which were 36 for $9.99: https://www.staples.com/Office-Style...#/revs_content
I saw those online the other day and was wondering if they might be the ones you were talking about. I did not notice that they were online only though, darn it. So much for a quick trip to Staples to get a set, the packaging would have made them the perfect on the go set for my Monday (today) bible journaling group.
Shuttle Art is a great glitter gel pen set. Gel pens have the advantage of seldom blotting or bleeding through. As a result, I can confidently state that they are among my preferred writing tools
Glitter pen issue
