Memories are created every moment, even as I write this article. While some of these memories might be some that you want to cherish forever, some you just want to forget and not bother with them.
There are also cases when we write on our photos to make them nostalgic and reminisce those moments even better.
A bunch of pens is made solely for that purpose, not to ruin your memories, so I present the best pens for writing on photos.
A Quick Look At My Favorite Pens For Writing On Photos
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
The Most Versatile  | 8.6 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best Fade-Resistant  | 8.6 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best For Most People  | 8.5 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best Ergonomic  | 8.8 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best Overall  | 8.6 | Check Price On Amazon |
Key Takeaways
- A pen for writing in photos is considered a great accessory for those people that love to remember everything, and it is a great way to save memories.
- If you want to find the most colorful pens, you should check out the Staedtler Triplus Fineliner, as it includes 20 colors.
- There is the Sakura Pigma 30062, which has different sizes of pen tips.
- The main features that a pen for writing in photos should have is Fade and Water resistance.
In this article, I will introduce the best pen for writing on photos.
Top 5 Best Pens To Write On Photos
5. Dyvicl Metallic Marker Pens – The Most Versatile
What I Like
- A Set of 10 Colors
- Affordable
- Great-Quality
- Water-Resistant
What I Don’t Like
- Only One Tip
Start the list with great medium-point metallic markers that are perfect for people who seek a quality marker set.
They are water-based ink and are odorless, non-toxic, xylene-free, and even acid-free.
Dyvicl promises us that you can write on photo paper, cardstock, rock, wood, and even photo papers.
They can be used almost for anything and come in different colors and medium-sized tip that will feed your creativity.
Pin size measures at 5.5 x 0.47 inches and the line width sits at 2 mm. As for the colors as I said there are 10 to choose from; Green, Dark Red, Purple, Light Green, Blue, Silver, Black, Gold, White, Bronze.
Why should you buy it?
The most versatile pen because you can write on photo paper, cardstock, rock, wood, and even photo papers.
4. Sakura Pigma 30062 – Best Fade-Resistant
What I Like
- Waterproof
- Fade-Resistant
- Precise
- No Bleeding
- Different Sizes of Tips
What I Don’t Like
- Only Black Color of Ink
Next on the list, we have a pair of pigma ink pens.
This kind of ink was invented by Sakura in 1928 and continues to be one of the most reliable archival inks on the market to this day.
It has the benefits of being waterproof, fade-resistant, no smears or feathers on photo papers, and ink dries to ph neutral.
With that being said, no doubt that those are great pens for writing on photos.
The whole set contains 6 different pieces and each of them has a different nib size for a precise line. The widths goes from 0.20m, 0.25mm, 0.30mm to 0.50mm respectively.
Why should you buy it?
This is the best fade-resistant pen with no smears or feathers on photo papers, and the ink dries to ph neutral, so you won’t be going wrong with this one.
3. Uchida 140-C-1 Marvy – Best For Most People
What I Like
- Super Cheap
- Resistant
- Versatile
What I Don’t Like
- Only One Pen
Third, on the list, we have a Deco Color fine paint pen that is great for writing on things like glass, photo paper, wood, clay, porcelain, stone, and mirrors.
It comes acid-free, lightfast, and even weatherproof, to withstand harsh sudden rains and such.
It is a great tool to use for your crafting, and for photos, it is taken for granted.
It is a solo marker and it comes in black color while being opaque and xylem based. It measures 1/2-inch length by 2-inch width by 7-1/4-inch height.
Why should you buy it?
This pen is best for most people and you can use it not only for photos.
2. The Staedtler Triplus Fineliner – Best Ergonomic
What I Like
- 20 Colors Included
- Acid-Free
What I Don’t Like
- Fragile Tips
Coming in second, we have a pair of fineliner pens.
The Staedtler fineliner pens have an ergonomic triangular shape so you can enjoy your writing in a more relaxed way.
They are dry-safe which means that even if you leave them uncapped for days they won’t dry up.
Being water-based ink it promises to wash off on many textiles, in case you accidentally write on “yourself” instead of your photo.
As for the tip, it has a superfine metal-clad and a linewidth of 0.3mm. As for the colors, there are a bunch of them to pick from.
Why should you buy it?
This pen has an ergonomic triangular shape so you can enjoy your writing in a more relaxed way, writing down your most beautiful memories has never felt more comfortable.
1. Sharpie Ultra Fine Point – Best Overall
What I Like
- Resistant to Fading and Water
- 12 Pens
- Permanent
- Affordable
What I Don’t Like
- May Bleed at the Beginning
People who know a thing or two about pens and markers, sure expected Sharpie to hold the first spot.
Sharpie is made to mark and stand out on almost anything, you name it. From photo papers to wood and rocks. It has the iconic permanent ink that is quick to dry while being water and fade-resistant.
The Ultra Fine comes from the tip that makes exact marks with great precision.
There are a bunch of colors to choose from and all of them are brilliantly bold and vivid to the max.
If i had to choose just one, then I’d choose the ultra fine point sharpie. Definitely gets the job done well!
Why should you buy it?
This is the best overall pen and you can get it in any color you want.
Choosing The Best Pen For Writing On Photos
As I mentioned above, you simply can’t write on photos with any pen, you should know a few things before buying a pen and which one is suitable for writing on photographic paper.
Ink’s Base Material
I would recommend going for pens with alcohol or oil-based ink since they dry faster and on the other hand, Gel pen ink is something you should avoid.
They take longer to dry and most likely will smear on your photos, if you are forced to use one, make sure you wait for a long period of time.
Color
We all know that Pens come in different colors, from basic black and white to bright and vivid colors.
While black pens are the most simple and ideal ones to write on a photo, a colored pen might give the photo a more aesthetic feeling, especially on a Polaroid photo.
Finish
They also come in a mixture of finishes from matte, and glossy to metallic.
While each of them has its benefits, you want to choose the finish that will appeal to your type of photography more.
For example, a matte pen will provide an understated feel and a glossy one is more eye-catching and visible.
Tip Size
All pens come in different tip sizes, and the tip determines the outcome of the writing.
Most photo pens have a larger tip size than traditional pens. Gel ink tends to have a smaller tip size while a marker quite a big one.
Drying Time
As I mentioned above, photo paper is not very absorbent so it might take a while for the ink to dry.
You want to pay attention to this a lot if you need to work quickly.
Pen Longevity
Photographs are memories that are meant to last, so should the pen.
Make sure you look for waterproof pens that are archival and lightfast, in order for the ink to not fade away.
Writing on Glossy Paper
If you want to write on glossy surfaces, you need some kind of ink that dries faster. Some of the fastest drying inks are Oil based inks. Alcohol-based inks work well too.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why would one write on a picture?
Just as I mentioned at the beginning of this article, memories are everywhere, and a photograph is definitely a synonym for memories. I would gladly say that writing on a picture is the best thing to do! Instagram has taken over with its captions, but many people love to see photographs with captions.
Can’t I use normal pens for writing on photos?
If you have ever held a photograph in hand, you know that they are not in the same form as papers, and using a normal pen will dirt the whole photo and destroy it. You shouldn’t use normal pens in photographs.
Can I use photo pens as normal pens?
Even though you shouldn’t use normal pens for photos, you can easily use photo pens as normal pens that we use every day. There will be no problem with doing so!
Final Words
Writing on photograph paper allows you to add a more aesthetic touch to your photos and at the same time, it allows you to keep track of dates and places.
To not ruin your photos, make sure you follow my guide, and hopefully, it adds some insight to you.
There you have it, we listed the 5 best pens for writing on photos. I hope you found this article to be helpful for you!
Enjoy!
Wedding Photographer
From nature to urban landscapes, my camera is my tool for expressing my creativity and telling stories through my lens.
