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Pentel Pen Guide: Gel, Ballpoint, Rollerball and Pencils

Updated from Pentel's current product data.

For a promotional pen, gel ink (Pentel EnerGel) writes smoothest and dries fastest, a ballpoint (R.S.V.P., GlideWrite) costs least and lasts longest, and a rollerball (Floatune) sits in between. This guide compares every Pentel model we sell, with tip sizes, minimums, imprint options and production times taken from Pentel's own product data.

Gel vs ballpoint vs rollerball

A ballpoint uses thick, oil-based ink that dries on contact and lasts a long time, which makes it the safe choice for giveaways in large numbers. Gel ink is thicker and more colorful and gives a darker line with less pressure; Pentel's EnerGel is a liquid gel that dries fast enough not to smear. Rollerball ink is water-based and very smooth; Floatune adds an oil-based lubricant so it does not skip. GlideWrite's TechniFLO ink is a low-viscosity ballpoint ink that writes closer to a gel pen.

Which tip size?

0.7mm is a medium line and suits most handwriting. 1.0mm is bold and is the standard on R.S.V.P. and GlideWrite ballpoints, because ballpoint ink gives a lighter line than gel. 0.5mm needle tips (EnerGel-X needle tip, Floatune needle tip) give the finest line and let the writer see exactly where the line starts, which people who fill in forms appreciate.

Imprint: one color or full color

A one-color screen print is the default and the lowest price, and on many models it can cover up to 2" by 3/4". A full-color imprint costs a little more per pen and prints photos and gradients, but the area is narrow, usually 2" by 3/10", so a tall logo prints smaller. Several popular models (EnerGel-X solid and pastel barrels, Champ, Prime, Twist-Erase) take one color only.

Every Pentel model compared

Gel pens (EnerGel)

ModelTipMechanismImprintMinimumProductionMade in
EnerGel-X Retractable Gel Ink Penpink BCRF 0.7mm Retractable 1 color 250 7 days Mexico
EnerGel RTX Gel Ink Pen 0.7mm Retractable 1 color 250 7 days Japan
EnerGel GO Gel Ink Pen 0.7mm Retractable 1 color 250 7 days India
EnerGel-X 1.0mm Retractable Gel Ink Pen 1.0mm Retractable 1 color 250 7 days Japan
EnerGel-X Pastel Retractable Gel Ink Penpink BCRF Retractable 1 color 250 7 days Mexico
EnerGel-X White Barrel Retractable Gel Ink Penpink BCRF 0.7mm Retractable 1 color or Full color 250 7 days Mexico
EnerGel-X 0.5mm Needle Tip Retractable Gel Ink Pen 0.5mm Retractable 1 color or Full color 250 7 days Japan
EnerGel Kuro Gel Ink Pen 0.7mm Retractable 1 color or Full color 250 7 days India
EnerGel Deluxe Capped Gel Ink Pen 0.7mm Capped 1 color 250 5 days Japan
EnerGel RTX Needle Tip Gel Ink Pen 0.7mm Retractable 1 color 250 7 days Japan
EnerGel Ice Gel Ink Pen 0.7mm Retractable 1 color 250 7 days Mexico
EnerGel Pearl Gel Ink Pen 0.7mm Retractable 1 color or Full color 250 7 days Japan
EnerGel Pro Permanent Gel Ink Pen 0.7mm Retractable 1 color 144 7 days Japan
EnerGel Alloy Gel Ink Penpink BCRF 0.7mm Retractable 1 color 120 7 days India
EnerGel Style Gel Ink Pen 0.7mm Retractable 1 color 60 7 days Taiwan

Ballpoint pens

ModelTipMechanismImprintMinimumProductionMade in
GlideWrite Retractable Ballpoint Penpink BCRF 1.0mm Retractable 1 color or Full color 250 7 days Mexico
R.S.V.P. 1.0mm Capped Ballpoint Pen 1.0mm Capped 1 color 250 7 days Mexico
iZee Retractable Ballpoint Penpink BCRF Retractable 1 color 300 7 days India
WOW! Triangular Retractable Ballpoint Pen 1.4mm Retractable 1 color to full color 250 7 days India
R.S.V.P. Capped Ballpoint Pen 0.7mm Capped 1 color 250 5 days Japan
R.S.V.P. Razzle Dazzle Capped 1.0mm Ballpoint Penpink BCRF 1.0mm Capped 1 color 250 7 days Mexico
R.S.V.P. Colors 1.0mm Capped Ballpoint Penpink BCRF 1.0mm Capped 1 color 250 7 days Mexico
R.S.V.P. RT Colors Retractable Ballpoint Pen 1.0mm Retractable 1 color 250 7 days Mexico
R.S.V.P. RT Translucent Retractable Ballpoint Penpink BCRF 1.0mm Retractable 1 color 250 7 days Mexico
R.S.V.P. RT White Barrel Retractable Ballpoint Penpink BCRF 1.0mm Retractable 1 color or Full color 250 7 days Japan, Mexico
GlideWrite Signature Gunmetal Ballpoint Pen 0.7mm Retractable 1 color 250 7 days Mexico
GlideWrite Signature Ballpoint Pen 1.0mm Retractable 1 color or Full color 144 7 days Mexico
GlideWrite Executive Ballpoint Pen 1.0mm Retractable 1 color or Full color 60 7 days Mexico

Rollerball pens

ModelTipMechanismImprintMinimumProductionMade in
Floatune Capped Rollerball Pen 0.8mm Capped 1 color or Full color 250 7 days Japan
Floatune Retractable Rollerball Pen 0.8mm Retractable 1 color or Full color 250 7 days Japan
Floatune Needle Tip Retractable Rollerball Pen 0.5mm Retractable 1 color 250 7 days Japan

Mechanical pencils

ModelLeadMechanismImprintMinimumProductionMade in
Twist-Erase III Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm, 0.7mm Click, twist-up eraser 1 color 60 5 days Japan
Twist-Erase Express Mechanical Pencilpink BCRF 0.7mm Click, twist-up eraser 1 color 144 7 days Mexico
GraphGear 300 Premium Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 0.9mm Click 1 color or Full color 60 5 days Japan
Prime 0.7mm Medium Lead Mechanical Pencil 0.7mm Click 1 color 144 7 days China
Champ 0.7mm Mechanical Pencilpink BCRF 0.7mm Click 1 color 144 7 days Taiwan
EnerGize Budget Mechanical Pencil 0.7mm Click 1 color 250 7 days Japan
Quick Click Mechanical Pencil 0.7mm Side click 1 color 144 7 days Mexico
EnerGize 0.7mm Mechanical Pencil 0.7mm Click 1 color 144 7 days Japan
Sharp Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 0.9mm Click 1 color or Full color 60 7 days Japan

Gift sets

ModelTipMechanismImprintMinimumProductionMade in
EnerGel Deluxe Pen & Pencil Gift Set 0.7mm Click 1 color 125 7 days Japan

Minimums are imprinted pieces. Production time is business days from proof approval; shipping is added on top. Prices for every model are on the product pages.

Mechanical pencils: which lead size?

0.7mm (medium) is the everyday lead and breaks least, so it is standard on budget pencils. 0.5mm (fine) is for small handwriting and technical notes. 0.9mm (thick) is for sketching and for people who press hard. GraphGear 300 and Sharp come in all three; Twist-Erase III in 0.5mm and 0.7mm. All Pentel pencils come with HB lead, the same darkness as a #2 pencil.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between EnerGel-X and EnerGel RTX?

Both use the same EnerGel liquid gel ink and 0.7mm tip. EnerGel-X is the lower-priced plastic pen made with a high share of recycled materials; EnerGel RTX has metal accents, a heavier barrel and costs about twice as much per pen.

Is EnerGel a gel pen or a rollerball?

It is a gel pen. Pentel calls the ink a liquid gel because it flows like rollerball ink but has the color and opacity of gel ink.

Which Pentel pens are refillable?

Several models, including EnerGel Ice, the EnerGel gift set and GlideWrite Signature, take Pentel refills, and all Pentel mechanical pencils take standard lead. We do not sell refills; they are available from office supply retailers.

Ready to order? Browse gel pens, ballpoint pens or mechanical pencils, read the ordering FAQ or ask for a quote.