Inktober Essentials 2025: The Best Pens, Paper & Ink for Artists

Artober 2025: Your Ultimate Inktober Gear Guide

Because one pen won't get you through 31 days of ink.

If you’re diving into Inktober 2025 and wondering which tools will actually hold up for a full month of ink, you’re in the right place. We asked our in-house artists (from total beginners to inky pros) to pick their top supplies for the Inktober challenge, and this guide is the result.

Whether you're posting to socials every day, sketching quietly in your journal, or trying to actually finish all 31 prompts (we salute you), we've got the paper, pens, inks, and extras to get you there.

What does Inktober mean?

Inktober started back in 2009, created by illustrator Jake Parker as a way to improve his inking skills and build consistent drawing habits. The idea is simple: one drawing a day, for 31 days, using ink.

Over time, it’s grown into a global challenge known as the Inktober challenge, with artists of all levels sharing work using the Inktober prompts and hashtagging #inktober2025.

What are the rules of Inktober?

The "official" Inktober rules are relaxed: do one ink drawing a day based on that day’s prompt. You can follow the official Inktober list or create your own. You can use digital tools, colour, pencil underdrawings, and even mixed media. At its core, it’s about consistency and creativity, not perfection.

And yes, while the name says "ink," many artists now blend watercolour, gouache, alcohol markers, and more. You do you.

(Pro tip: Art Shed's running Artober this year, check our Instagram for our prompt list. Our team will be posting their take on each day's drawing!)

The Essentials: Best Fineliners for Inktober

Whether you're cross-hatching a raven's wing or drawing a tiny frog in a teacup, these are your go-to pens for clean, detailed linework.

Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen Set – Assorted Nibs (8pc)

Crafted with German precision, This set covers extra-super-fine to brush tips, all using archival-quality, waterproof India ink. What sets it apart? The nibs don’t collapse under pressure (even after week 3 of Inktober fatigue), and the pigment holds up on everything from bristol to mixed media paper.

Uni Pin Fineliner Pen Set (Black, 5pc)

These pigment-based, waterproof fineliners are budget-friendly, bleed-resistant, and blessed with the perfect nib range. The Japanese nibs are precise, and the ink flow is smooth even on toothy paper. If you're worried about feathering, don't be, these were built for bristol.

Sakura Pigma Micron Pen Set Fine (3pc, Black)

The OG Micron gang. Trusted by illustrators, comic artists, and ink fiends for decades. The archival ink is waterproof, fade-proof, and plays nicely with watercolour washes. These pens stay consistent even when you're on drawing #28 and a little dead inside.

Uni Pin Fineliner 0.1mm & 0.05mm

When you need a line so fine it barely exists, hello, detail addicts. These two are your secret weapons for eyelash wisps, spider legs, and crosshatching so intense it looks printed. Bonus: they're also waterproof and layerable with washes.

Mont Marte Technical Drawing Pens (12pc)

This set gives you the full size range, from tight architectural lines to bold outlining. Waterproof pigment ink, long metal tips, and a price that makes sense. We chose this over other budget sets for its reliability, and it’s honestly one of the best-kept secrets for beginners.

Tips from the Shed: Keep a scrap paper next to your drawing to warm up your nibs before starting. It also helps prevent ink blobs when switching pens.

Brush Pens: For expressive linework and swoopy drama

Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen Set – Hand Lettering (9pc)

These aren’t just for pretty quotes. With soft and hard brush tips, this pigment ink set works beautifully for gestural figure work, fluid shadows, and swoopy horror flourishes. The ink is waterproof, the tips are responsive, and they handle subtle pressure changes with ease.

Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen – Soft Tip

Favoured by illustrators, manga artists, and hand-letterers, this pen has a crisp felt tip that bounces just enough to give you line variation without losing control. It’s perfect for warmups or full pieces, and especially helpful when you're drawing 31 things in 31 days.

Pentel Artist Brush Sign Pen – Black

This compact beauty gives you painterly strokes with the precision of a bullet nib. It’s great for creating varied line weights in tight areas or adding punchy shadows.

Pentel Brush Pen – Refillable (Black)

The king of brush pens. Real bristles, rich ink, and replaceable cartridges mean this brush pen can last way past October. Want lines that go from razor-thin to bold with one stroke? This is your pick.

Sakura Pigma Brush Pen – Black

Same ink quality as Microns but with a flexible brush nib. The tip holds its shape, the pigment doesn’t smudge, and the overall flow is consistent, even when sketching quickly.

Tips from the Shed: Use brush pens on smooth paper like bristol to avoid wrecking the nib. And always cap them. Dried brush pens are a crime against Inktober.

Best Bottled Inks & Dip Tools

Winsor & Newton Black Indian Ink (14ml)

A staple in the traditional inker's kit. This ink is waterproof once dry, has a gorgeous deep black tone, and works beautifully with dip pens or brushes. It doesn’t lift or smear, making it perfect for clean outlines or bold washes.

Art Spectrum Pigmented Ink 50ml – Ultra Black

Australian-made and rich in pigment, this ink delivers intense blacks and a smooth flow. Its waterproof and lightfast qualities make it ideal for artists who want permanence and reliability. It beat out other pigmented options for its value, volume, and colour payoff.

Mont Marte Signature Drawing Ink Set (16pc + Glass Pen)

Includes 15 vibrant inks and a glass dip pen, giving beginners and creatives a broad colour range to experiment with. While not waterproof, the colours are perfect for overlaying brush pen work or finishing touches. Also looks cute on your desk,bonus.

Amsterdam Acrylic Ink 30ml – Oxide Black

Acrylic-based and waterproof, this ink is excellent for those blending traditional and mixed media. The Oxide Black has a soft matte finish and works with airbrush, brush, or dip pen. It earned its place for its adaptability and velvety finish.

Mont Marte Premium Acrylic Ink Set (12pc x 20ml)

Great for artists branching out from black-and-white work. This acrylic ink set includes bold colours with strong pigmentation, ideal for backgrounds, colour splashes, or layering beneath line art.

Tip from the Shed: Always test your ink on your chosen paper before committing. Some papers absorb differently and will affect dry time and sharpness.

Best Paper for Inking, Washes & Alcohol Markers

Mont Marte Bristol Pad A4 250gsm – 20 Sheets

Smooth and sturdy, this is the go-to for fineliners and brush pens. The 250gsm weight prevents buckling, and the slick surface keeps your lines crisp. It’s affordable, accessible, and one of our team’s daily picks.

Art Spectrum Bristol Pad A3 200gsm – 20 Sheets

A larger format option, great for artists who love dramatic layouts or need extra room to breathe. Slightly thinner than the Mont Marte pad but still holds ink beautifully without feathering.

Art Spectrum Draw & Wash Pad A4 210gsm – Smooth

Versatile and well-loved by illustrators who work in both ink and light washes. The smooth finish keeps linework sharp while absorbing minimal moisture. It made the cut for its dual-purpose flexibility.

Strathmore 500 Mixed Media Pad 570gsm

This absolute unit of a pad is thick, premium, and a dream for artists layering multiple media. Ideal for finished works or heavy inking styles, it holds up under water, ink, and marker without flinching.

Art Spectrum Toned Paper Pad A3 Grey 250gsm

Want to make your white gel pen highlights pop? This pad’s mid-grey tone gives instant mood and depth to ink drawings, helping your blacks look bolder and your whites sparkle.

Highlights, Greys & Tonal Add-Ons

Sakura Gelly Roll Pen Set (3pc, White)

Still the top product for highlights. Perfect for catching light in an eye, flicking stars across a sky, or fixing a happy accident. These are opaque, smooth, and layer over even the darkest ink.

Uni Pin Fineliner 0.5mm – Light Grey & Dark Grey

These waterproof greys are ideal for subtle shading, underdrawings, and environmental effects. They play well with black lines and let you build depth without going muddy.

Chameleon Colour Tone Marker Set (5pc – Grey Tones)

Alcohol-based with clever blendable tips, these markers let you shade smoothly without harsh lines. Excellent for character shading, sketchbook backgrounds, or laying in light before going over with ink.

Sakura Pen Touch Metallic Markers (3pc, Medium Point)

Need a little flair? These metallics show up on dark paper and dry fast. Adds magic to spooky pieces or golden-hour effects. Also excellent for signing your name with unnecessary drama.

Extras Worth Chuckin’ in Your Kit

Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen Dual Markers – 10pc

Two nibs per marker (brush + bullet) and pigment-based ink that’s waterproof. These are ideal for artists who like to sketch fast and fill shadows or hatching quickly. Versatile, high-quality, and built to last.

Mont Marte Signature Mixed Media Drawing Set (152pc Wooden Case)

A whole studio in a box. This set includes pencils, pastels, charcoals, and everything in between. A great option for beginners wanting to try multiple mediums alongside Inktober.

Alcohol Ink Accessories Kit – Blower Tool + Solution

Great for abstract artists or fluid experimenters. This kit adds a bit of chaos (the good kind) to your Inktober. Use in conjunction with alcohol inks or over water-soluble bases.

Mont Marte Dual Tip Alcohol Art Marker Set (61pc + Stand)

A rainbow of blendable colour. Perfect for artists who want to add colour back in during inktober without wrecking their linework complete with a sleek stand that looks schmick on your desk.

FAQs: Inktober 2025 Edition

What does Inktober mean?
Inktober is a 31-day art challenge that encourages artists of all skill levels to create one ink-based drawing per day during October. It was started in 2009 by artist Jake Parker to improve his inking skills and build positive drawing habits. Since then, it has grown into a global phenomenon with thousands of artists participating each year, often using official or self-made prompt lists.

What are the rules of Inktober?
The rules are intentionally simple: create one ink drawing per day in October, using either the official prompt list or your own. Many artists now use a mix of traditional ink, digital tools, and even colour to suit their style. The real goal is consistency and personal growth, not perfection. Even if you miss a day (or three), it still counts.

Where do I post my Inktober art?
Instagram is the most popular platform for sharing Inktober work. Use hashtags like #Inktober, #Inktober2025, and #InktoberPrompts to get discovered and see what other artists are creating. Bonus points if you tag @artshedonline so we can hype you up.

How do I avoid burnout during Inktober?
Plan your pieces ahead of time, keep drawings small and manageable, and remember it’s okay to miss a day. Many artists batch-draw prompts or keep a few "easy wins" planned for busy days. You’re here to grow your skills and enjoy the process — not destroy your sleep schedule.

What’s the best waterproof ink for line art?
Look for pigment-based inks that dry waterproof, like Winsor & Newton Black Indian Ink or Art Spectrum Ultra Black. These inks hold up beautifully under watercolour washes and won’t smudge once dry.

What’s the best paper for inking with bristol?
Bristol paper is ideal for ink because of its smooth surface. The Mont Marte Bristol Pad (250gsm) is a top choice for its affordability, clean line performance, and ability to handle fineliners, brush pens, and light ink washes without bleed-through.

What are the best brush pens for Inktober?
For expressive line work, the Pentel Refillable Brush Pen is a standout, offering real bristles and rich pigment. Faber-Castell’s Pitt Hand Lettering Set and the Tombow Fudenosuke Soft Tip also perform beautifully for controlled strokes and lettering.

What are the best fineliners for Inktober?
Sakura Pigma Microns, Uni Pin Fineliners, and Faber-Castell Pitt Pens are all waterproof, fade-resistant, and offer consistent line quality. They’re ideal for fine details, crosshatching, and outlines.

What are the best tools for grayscale brush pen shading?
Try Chameleon Colour Tone Grey Sets or Uni Pin Grey Fineliners. Both offer tonal variation that’s easy to layer and blend for natural shadows, especially over light sketches or under ink work.

Can I use colour in Inktober?
Yes! While Inktober began as an ink-only challenge, it’s evolved to include mixed media, digital art, and full-colour work. Many artists use alcohol markers, coloured inks, or gouache to add flair to their daily pieces.

Do I have to follow the official Inktober prompts?
Nope. You can follow the official prompt list, make your own, or use a theme that inspires you. We recommend checking out our Art Shed Instagram for this year’s Artober prompt list and seeing what our staff have drawn for each one.

How do I stop ink from bleeding or feathering?
Use the right combo of pen and paper. Smooth, heavyweight paper like bristol or hot-press watercolour prevents feathering. Always let ink dry fully before layering, and test new tools on a scrap page first.

What’s the difference between dye-based and pigment-based ink?
Pigment-based inks (like Micron and Art Spectrum) are made of tiny solid particles that sit on the paper and resist fading and water. Dye-based inks soak into the paper and tend to be more vibrant, but often aren’t waterproof or archival.

Can I use fountain pens for Inktober?
Absolutely, just be sure your ink is compatible with your pen and your paper. We recommend pigmented fountain-safe inks for best results. Always clean your nibs regularly to prevent clogging.

Ink-spired? We Thought So.

Our ink range covers everything, from traditional bottled inks and refillable brush pens to waterproof fineliners and water-soluble wonders. Whether you're hunting for bold blacks to make your linework pop or searching for soft shading tools to layer up your vision, this is your one-stop ink shop.

Need something water-soluble for soft blends? We've got it. Prefer a punchy pigment that won't budge? Got that too. From classic calligraphy to chaotic splatters, we’re stocked up for whatever Inktober 2025 throws at you.

Still not sure where to start? Pop into our store or slide into our DMs, our team of ink nerds (affectionate) can help you sort out your setup from beginner to pro level.

And if you're feeling spooky-season inspired, check out our Halloween blog collection:

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Alcohol Marker Techniques & Blending Tricks