Mostly I’ve been using extra-fine Sharpies (well, technically a Staedler permanent Lumocolor) for writing my postcards.
Bu-u-ut… I think I’ll load one of my fountain pens with some Noodler’s waterproof ink, and try that instead. I find that even an extra-fine Sharpie-style pen produces too thick a line for my purposes. Also, I love fountain pens in general, so it seems a shame not to use them for Postcrossing!
Did want to add though that I also use a yellow fluorescent pen to highlight my Postcrossing card ID. That way it’s extra easy to spot! (Or, “them” - since I always write the ID number twice.)
I use my Copic SP illustrating fineliners since I KNOW they’re waterproof as I use them for my watercolour pieces . Expensive pens, however I already have them on hand and they’re the re-fillable metal kind, so why not?
I have some beautiful fountain pens with lovely colours, but unfortunately the ink isn’t waterproof and I’m worried it wouldn’t arrive at the destination looking nice.
Great thread. Gives me an overview what exists and is recommended.
Usually I use fountain pen for my letters as I don’t like thin writing and prefer soft bold writing. But on postcards there is not much space available, therefore, I use a
Pentel Slicci 0,3.
It’s refillable, I think. Somewhere I have two Muji Gel Ink Ballpoints 0,38…
I like using stabilo pens for the postcard ID and address, but they’re not too good for writing the actual message. I use BIC pens for the message because the ink flows better (although I always get ink smear on my hand haha). So nothing fancy, but it works for me :))
It depends on the card stock for me. I send out a variety of postcards, so I will use different types of pens for different cards.
For the glossier postcards -My choices are the Uni-ball Jetstream pen and the Staedtler Lumocolor marker pen. I also use the Monami oil-based markers too. These are rain-proof so the words + Postcard-ID remains intact. Plus, ink on glossy postcards smudges really easily so I tend to avoid those. Sharpie pens work too! I use these pens to write my glossy cards.
For the matte-backed postcards and letters - I use fountain pen ink! Matte-backed cards absorb ink a lot better so I do use my Kakuno fountain pen on them. I
use the Iroshizuku ink (they are my go-to inks despite the hefty price tag) - favourite colours include Yamabudo and Fuyu-shogun. I do know these inks aren’t rain-proof (but they are a huge joy to write in) so I will always write the address, date, name and Postcard-ID in oil-based smudge-proof ink.
In the beginning I used a ballpoint pen someone gave me that didn’t smudge.
Recently I started using my Sakura Pigma pens. They are waterproof, are easy to write with and dry quickly. They can be used on all postcards, glossy or not.
I have some fountain pens too and I do not have all of them inked all the time either :). I actually finally got around to cleaning some of my pens that needed to be cleaned for a few months to be honest. :/. They are all resting right now and the 2 pens I still have inked have cartridges in them not converters. I do not count my 2 pilot varsity’s just because they are inked and once you are done you can throw them away.
I am a fan of the Kaweco AL Sport fountain pens; I have five; three are inked and two are resting. I also have a Pilot VP but I don’t use it as often as my Kaweco Sports.
. Expensive pens, however I already have them on hand and they’re the re-fillable metal kind, so why not?
I feel extra fine pens all feels scratchy and I don’t like that.
Which ones do you have?