Pilot Lettering Pen Review: Exploring Italic Writing
This December, helping your teen’s handwriting shine can go beyond schoolwork. Mastering italic letters can upgrade everyday writing. It can make cards, notes, and lists look polished. But how did the Get Set Club students find it?
This December's Mystery Pen is the Lettering Pen
Every month in the Get Set Write Club students are sent a mystery pen. This month it was the lettering pen by Pilot. Pilot are a Japanese company that was created in 1919 by Rvosuke Namiki. This company is more well known for the FriXion pen and G2.
Quick Facts
- Pen Name: Lettering Pen
- Brand: Pilot
- Pen Type: Calligraphy pen, 3.0mm nib
- Grip Style: Round hard plastic
- Best for: Any age. Left and right handed. Ideal for technical work.
- Price Range: Medium - £2.70 + shipping costs
Why I Chose This Pen (The OT Perspective)
Every month I choose a different pen and in December I always choose a Calligraphy pen in case the students wish to do some “fancy” writing for Christmas.
The nib of this pen is hard and it has fast drying ink. It is probably easier to explain that the nib is similar to a chisel. There is a trick to using this pen, it it best held at 45 degrees. For the thin italic pen strokes , it needs a light pen touch. For the thicker, downward pen strokes, more pressure is required. This is an excellent way to teach student about pen pressure and how writing with force is not best.
If you are uncertain if your child write with force, take a piece of writing that they have done, turn the paper over. If you can feel bobbly bits similar to Braille then they have pressured too heavily. The reason why we want less pressure when writing is that is can cause hand ache.
What Our Students Said: The Real Truth About The 'Lettering Pen'
- Overall Rating: 3.8/10 stars
"Couldn't use it, really annoying"
Year 8 Student
"I have a better italic pen"
Year 7 Student
"No, rubbish"
Year 7 Student
"Really liked it"
Year 8 Student
This was disappointing but hardly a surprise. A calligraphy / italic style pen is used at special times and is not an everyday writing pen. It also requires patience to learn when to press heavier to get a thicker pen stroke.
The Parent's Guide: Is The Lettering Pen Right for Your Child?
✅ Consider This Pen If Your Child:
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Has tried italic pens before and wants to refine their writing style – The 3.0mm nib is designed for calligraphy-style strokes. Teens who have basic letter formation skills can practice pressure differences to develop a more elegant italic handwriting.
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Enjoys experimenting with writing tools – Students who are curious about different pens and writing styles may enjoy exploring it at home for cards, notes, or journaling.
❓ You Might Want to Try Something Else If:
- Your child needs a pen for everyday schoolwork – Our students rated it 3.8/10; many found it difficult or annoying. It’s not a classroom or exam pen.
- Your child struggles with fine motor control or grip strength – The hard, round plastic grip may feel awkward to hold. Students who find pen control frustrating could dislike it quickly.
💡 Pro Tips for Success (If You Do Try the Lettering Pen):
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Start with short, low-pressure practice sessions – Think (5–10 minutes) rather than expecting full-page writing. Also practice writing familiar words e.g. name until feel comfortable using it.
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Show your child how to use it – The 3.0mm nib requires different pe pressure for vertical vs. horizontal strokes.
The Verdict on the Pilot Lettering Pen
The good thing about the Pilot lettering pen is it’s bright colour. It is fluorescent yellow and can be easily found. No one picked up on this. It really is a pen for people who have the time to “play” with their writing style and are confident in their letter formations.
OT Recommendation: The skill of using an italic pens takes time and practice. It is not a pen to be easily picked up and mastered straight away. It is a fantastic way to help students understand about pen pressure. As to the pilot lettering pen, I personally found I had to write with large letters to achieve the italic look. It is also not a style of writing that I like to replicate.
Student Verdict: Many did not like this pen. I think it is best summed up where one student gave it a score of 000000000000000000.1. The rating is only allowed to be 1 to 10. In reality I think this is due to finding it hard to use rather than the actual pen.
Parent Takeaway: The Pilot Lettering Pen is best as a practice and exploration pen rather than an everyday school pen.
Coming Up Next Month
Our next mystery pen has been chosen for its shape. I’m hoping it might be a winner as it is one of my favourite pens.
Unlike term-time tutoring, the Get Set Write club runs all year round, maintaining your teen’s handwriting momentum through holidays and school breaks. Find out more here.
