Searching For Best writing implements for the Wizard

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alacrity8

alacrity8

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We have just upgraded to a Wizard Z1.
Previously we had been using a Wizard 8000.

We have been playing around with the Uniball pen provided by Wizard.
We were wondering what the best writing instruments are to use.

We know that we will want something fade resistant.

What pen/markers are best?

For pencils, is there a preferred traditional, or mechanical type?

Thanks,
Brian
 
I never really figured out the pen thing either but you might check a FB page called Wizard CMC Users and see if you get some input.
 
Before the holidays, I was playing with a few of my indian ink pens by faber castell but didn't have a fine enough tip on hand that I was satisfied with. I didn't get the uniball pen since my wizard is second hand, but I think I'm familiar with them. Most of my pens are bullet tips, which are actually probably ok for some simple designs, but I wanted to do a flowing script which made it look far too chunky. That said, my metallic bullet tips looked pretty sweet, but I don't know if they're even available any more in fineliner tips. A uniball is pretty fine, like a fineliner/technical pen, so I think that's the range of nibs to look for. Most technical pens use indian inks as well, which flow nicely and stand up pretty well to fading. I'm thinking that's the way to go. Pencils are intriguing to think about, but risky in use considering the tip will wear down as you go, necessitating an adjustment in pressure. Start with just a little too much pressure in an attempt to compensate, and the tip will just snap or crumble.
I'm looking into more fineliners that come in a range of colors. Micron was always an old standard that's easy to find. I'm looking for a metallic still though. If I find one I like I'll try to let you know.
 
I have an 8000, which doesn't have the pen feature... but I was thinking what about gel pens. I like them for general writing because the tips are durable like a standard ballpoint, but they flow better as you write. They come in all kinds of colors, metallics, etc. I have also used them for some hand-applied mat decoration, and they worked well.
:popc: Rick
 
Rick Granick said:
I have an 8000, which doesn't have the pen feature... but I was thinking what about gel pens. I like them for general writing because the tips are durable like a standard ballpoint, but they flow better as you write. They come in all kinds of colors, metallics, etc. I have also used them for some hand-applied mat decoration, and they worked well.
:popc: Rick
Click to expand...
That's a great idea, considering the range of colors available, and they would certainly be more durable than felt/plastic tipped pens. They do usually have waterbased inks, so I imagine they would have to dry for a beat before handling. My main concern would be fading. How well have gel pen accented mats held up from your experience? From a cursory google search, most claim to be pigment based vs. dye based so that's sounds ideal!
 
I think Rick is really onto something there. I'ma order a white and a few other colors to play with and see how they flow on the wizard. It seems they'll check out to be fade resistant and waterproof*(when dry) so it just comes down to a consistent flow!
 
Geez, ok there are enough color options that it can be confusing. I'm going to share what I've gathered so far in an effort to not read a ton of product brochures again.
Sakura Gelly Roll Pens have 7 different varieties:
1) Classic--probably only best used on light colored mats
2) Gold/Silver Shadow--not listed as archival
3) Metallic
4) Moonlight--the flourescent(ie blacklight reactive) ones are NOT archival, but the rest are.
5) Stardust--has a bunch of glitter in it. Be dubious.
6) White
7) Glaze --"3D colors(?!)" Idk. Found them for purchase but not on Sakura's website

They all also come in a few nib sizes. I found a variety pack of whites that are listed as 05(fine), 08(medium), and 10(bold). The moonlights are usually sold as 06(fine) and 10(bold). It sounds like bolds are usually used for filling in areas, so I'm going to hazard a guess that they will be too much for our application. Fine nibs will dry fast enough to reduce smearing and retain a fine line, so we're looking primarily for Gelly Rolls that are listed as 05 or 06 fine, although 08's will be worth playing with as well.

To summarize the above findings: stick to the Metallics, Moonlights, and White for any colored paper mat. Classic is ok, but it isn't opaque enough for dark/colored mats. Also avoid Moonlight Fluorescents(but that's only 5 out of 25 moonlight colors).

I'll add that the metallic line claims to work decently on glossy surfaces, so smooth glossy mats could potentially take one of these pens. It is the only Gelly Roll line that makes this claim.
 
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Today we tried a .5 mm mechanical pencil.
It worked great.
First test were 3 words long, at .25" tall

Just tested with a 6" diameter Deco Flower with very good results.
 
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