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February 12, 2021

Paper Mate Inkjoy Gel Pen (0.7mm) Dupes

If I could only use one pen it would probably be the Paper Mate Inkjoy Gel. They write so smoothly. I’ve had mine for years and they still write like new. If they’re out of your price range or hard to obtain where you live, here are some alternatives that are a bit cheaper.

All of these pens are 0.7mm (my favorite pen tip size!)

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links I’ll receive a small commission in exchange for referring you.

Paper Mate Inkjoy

Price = $15 USD for 14 pack

Retractable, pretty rainbow colors and no ink skipping. I have the 10 pack but there’s a bigger 14 pack as well.

papermate inkjoy gel pen review best planner pens supplies rainbow color coding fine tip

kikki k pen cup with inkjoy rainbow pens

Now let’s compare..

BLOT

Looks very similar doesn’t it?

The only difference appearance-wise is the clear bottom of the pen tip. I actually prefer this pen body to the PaperMate as you can see the entire ink cartridge so there’s more warning when the ink’s about to run out.

Price = $14 USD for 16 pens

blot gel pen review cheaper alternative to papermate inkjoy rainbow retractable teal medium tip

The Paper Studio Gel Pens

A recent find of mine, these have exactly the same pen body as the BLOT, but with slightly different colors (e.g. the purple is brighter while the BLOT is a muted purple and the Paper Mate falls somewhere in between).

the paper studio gel pens review cheaper alternative to papermate inkjoy gel 0.7mm hobby lobby rainbow best pens for planning

Price = $13 USD for 12 pens

the_paper_studio_gel_pens_rainbow_bright_0.7mm_pen_testing_ghosting_bleed_through_review

Colors

paper mate inkjoy gel pens review comparison with blot and paper studio ghosting pen testing plum paper all about planners

Each pen brand comes in a pack with these colors:

  • Black
  • Pink
  • Purple
  • Light Blue
  • Dark Blue
  • Teal
  • Orange
  • Yellow
  • Red
  • Green
  • Dark Green

Note: I only have the 10 pack Inkjoy Gel pens but it also comes in a 14 pack with a dark green, brown and denim blue.

The Inkjoy Gel can also be purchased individually or sometimes in packs of 2 or 3 colors. I’ve only seen the BLOT and Paper Studio gel pens sold in a pack.

Here’s a comparison of the pink ink in all 3 pens. The pink is slightly brighter than the Inkjoy and BLOT. This is true for most of the colors. The Inkjoy and BLOT are very close with the Paper Studio colors close, but slightly brighter.

papermate_inkjoy_gel_versus_blot_and_the_paper_studio_dupes_cheaper_alternatives_best_gel_pens_for_planning_0.7mm_rainbow

Unlike most pen brands, you can actually see the yellow ink in all of these. Each of them comes with a Teal pen too!

papermate_inkjoy_gel_0.7mm_pens_comparison_with_the_paper_studio_and_BLOT_pens

All 3 pen brands write smoothly however the ink feels like it comes out thicker in the Paper Studio.

paper mate inkjoy gel versus the paper studio versus blot 7mm retractable bright colors

Ghosting & Bleed Through

Here’s the backside of my pen test that I did in one of my Plum Paper notebooks (70lb text / approx. 105 GSM paper).

papermate_inkjoy_gel_versus_the_paper_studio_and_BLOT_gel_pens_ghosting_bleed_through_pen_testing_plum_paper

Which brand is best?

I like all 3! If you don’t mind pens that have similar ink colors and write smoothly like the Inkjoy (but look different e.g. retractable or with a pen lid), here are some other gel pens I recommend:

  • Kaco Retractable 
  • Muji (with pen lid)
  • Zebra Sarasa

More Pen Reviews

  • What type of pens write best on correction tape? (gel pens vs. ballpoint vs. marker pens)
  • 10 Pen brands that are available in a pack of 20 or more colors
  • Planner pens I don’t recommend (prone to smearing, bleed through etc.) 

Planning tips & Ideas

  • Highlighter Brands Comparison (And My Favorite Highlighters for Each Brand)
  • 7 Cheaper alternatives to popular (but expensive) planner supplies
  • Hardbound versus coil bound planners (pros and cons)

pen brands comparison all about planners favorite pens best recommended fineliner gel ballpoint review recommendation

Found this post helpful? Pin it!

cheaper alternatives to the papermate inkjoy gel 0.7mm pen blot paper studio write smoothly planner dupes cheaper supplies

similar pens to the papermate inkjoy gel 0.7mm cheaper write smoothly blot paper studio kaco muji all about planners favorite supplies recommendations

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  • 3 Pen brands that have lasted more than 3 years3 Pen brands that have lasted more than 3 years
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  • After trying more than 20 pen brands, these are my top 5After trying more than 20 pen brands, these are my top 5
  • Yellow pen swatches (and my recommended pens that have yellow ink you can actually see)Yellow pen swatches (and my recommended pens that have yellow ink you can actually see)
  • Favorite Rainbow Pens for Planning (Roundup)Favorite Rainbow Pens for Planning (Roundup)
  • High Versus Low Stationery Comparison: Planner PensHigh Versus Low Stationery Comparison: Planner Pens

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Posted In: Planner pens · Tagged: best gel pens for planning, blot gel pens, blot gel pens for planning, favorite gel pens, gel pens, paper studio gel pens, papermate inkjoy gel 7mm, papermate inkjoy gel pen dupes, papermate inkjoy gel pen review, papermate inkjoy gel pens, papermate inkjoy gel pens review, papermate inkjoy pens, review of the papermate inkjoy gel, the paper studio gel pens

Comments

  1. Chelle Wilson says

    February 13, 2021 at 00:59

    I love pens, even better when you find ones that right so smoothly and make your handwriting look on point! haha!!

    What are your thoughts on the Pilot G-2 pens? They are my favourites at the moment

    Reply
    • Rachael says

      February 13, 2021 at 13:50

      Hi Chelle,

      A smooth pen is a must for me as well 🙂

      I’ve tried the Pilot G2 pen in the past and didn’t like it (was too inky). But… that was quite a few years ago now so maybe it’s time to try them again as I have heard many rave reviews about them!

      Reply
  2. Kim says

    February 13, 2021 at 08:45

    This is very helpful. Thank you!

    Reply

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Welcome to All About Planners! I’m Rachael, a 20-something Aussie addicted to graphic design and all things planning. On the blog you’ll find more than 1,000 posts about all things planning including planner reviews, tips, favorite supplies and some of my past weekly spreads.

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