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Writing Utensils Review: What to Use to Write in Your Chatbook

Wondering what you should you use to write in your photo book? Here are our suggestions!

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Chatbooks Ideas

Whether you're creating an interactive Chatbook for Father's Day or designing a photo book to use as the guest book at your wedding, neither would be complete without special, personalized notes and drawings! Help your kids and guests add the finishing touches to your Chatbook by filling in the blank pages. If you're looking for the perfect writing utensils for smudge-proof messages that won't bleed through the page, check out our review of the best pens, pencils and markers to use in your Chatbook...

1. Pilot G-2 Gel Ink Rollerball Pen

These pens are super smooth and come in a variety of colors.

If you're looking for a nicer, thicker pen that comes in a variety of colors and isn't super expensive to use for the guest book at your wedding, this pen fits the bill.

Smearing: Lots!

Bleed-through: Little to none

Vibrance: ✓

Kid-proof: The high smearing factor makes these difficult for writing if you touch while the ink's still wet

Color variety: ✓

4/5

2. Crayola Twistables Crayons:

The Crayola Twistables work well for adults and kids alike! These were our favorite choice.

Smearing: None

Bleed-through: None

Vibrance: 

Kid-proof:  ✓

Color Variety: ✓

5/5

3. Papermate Marker Pen:

Smearing: None

Bleed-through: Little

Vibrance: 

Kid-proof:  ✓

Color Variety: ✓

5/5

4. Crayola Crayons:

Your basic crayon works pretty well. Be gentle when you brush away the crayon flakes though so you don’t smear your drawing.

Smearing: None, but some flaking

Bleed-through: Little to none

Vibrance: 

Kid-proof: 

Color Variety: 

4/5

5. Crayola Washable Markers:

Great vibrance, just wait for the ink to dry and avoid coloring too hard!

Smearing: None

Bleed-through: None, just be careful about pressing too hard!

Vibrance: 

Kid-proof: 

Color Variety: 

4/5

6. Sharpie Neon Permanent Marker:

Great for a pop of color if you’re comfortable with permanent markers.

Smearing: None

Bleed-through: None

Vibrance: 

Kid-proof: No; permanent markers can be tricky with kids

Color Variety: Low

3/5

7. Crayola Colored Pencils:

Colored pencils are hard to see and tend to flake.

Smearing: None

Bleed-through: None

Vibrance: Low

Kid-proof: 

Color Variety: 

3/5

8. Gel Pens:

Even if you’re patient and blot your work, gel pens still smear. 

Smearing: Lots!

Bleed-through: Little to none

Vibrance: 

Kid-proof: The high smearing factor makes these difficult for kids (and adults too)

Color Variety: 

2/5

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