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What is Blots Pens?
Blots Pens is a UK-based specialist retailer of calligraphy supplies, trading since 1993 and shipping worldwide. Its catalogue covers the practical essentials of lettering: calligraphy pens and nibs, inks, papers and pads, plus gouache, gilding glues and pastes, pencils, erasers, and manga pens, inks and markers.
Who it suits
- Beginners assembling a first dip-pen or brush set.
- Experienced calligraphers hunting specific inks, nibs or paper.
- Letterers working in gold and metallic finishes, who need gilding materials.
- Manga and illustration hobbyists who want pens and markers alongside traditional calligraphy stock.
What stands out
The range is organised by material rather than by brand or skill level, which makes it straightforward to shop a project end to end. It stocks some lines exclusive to the shop, and it has expanded its Finetec watercolour range from individual replacement pans through to full palettes. Brause calligraphy paper is offered in A3 and A4 pads, each with 30 cream sheets. Higgins Eternal Ink is described as a solid black suitable for Spencerian and Copperplate work with dip pens.
A practical next step
If you already know your nib or ink, search for it directly. If you are starting out, decide first whether you want a dip pen or a marker-style pen, then choose paper that suits wet ink — smooth, sized paper matters more than most beginners expect. If something is not listed, the shop invites enquiries, which is worth using for obscure nibs or papers.
For broader context on how such supplies are used, Calligraphy.org and Scribblers are useful reference points, though stock and specialisms differ.
Which calligraphy pens are best for beginners?
For beginners, the safest calligraphy pen is a broad-edge felt-tip or cartridge pen rather than a dip pen. Blots Pens stocks dedicated categories for calligraphy pens, inks, paper and nibs, so a beginner can assemble a matched starter kit from one place instead of guessing at compatibility.
What actually matters at the start
- Ink delivery: A cartridge or built-in reservoir pen lets you focus on letterforms. Dip pens add the extra variables of dipping rhythm, ink consistency and cleaning.
- Nib type: Broad-edge (italic/stub) nibs suit foundational, italic and uncial scripts. Pointed flexible nibs suit Copperplate and Spencerian, but demand more control.
- Line-width options: A set with two or three widths lets you see how letter size changes with the pen before buying anything specialised.
- Paper: Smooth, bleed-resistant paper matters more than most beginners expect. Blots Pens lists calligraphy paper and pads as a separate category, including Brause pads in A3 and A4 with cream sheets, which suits practice sheets and finished pieces.
A quick comparison
| Beginner route | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Broad-edge felt-tip or marker | Absolute first steps, italic and gothic lettering | No thick-thin variation from pressure |
| Cartridge fountain pen with italic nib | Regular practice, everyday writing | Limited to compatible cartridges/converters |
| Dip pen with pointed nib | Copperplate, Spencerian, decorative work | Steeper learning curve, more cleanup |
H3. A practical first purchase Pick one broad-edge pen in a medium width, one pad of smooth calligraphy paper, and one bottle or set of ink suited to the pen you chose. Higgins Eternal is described on the site as a solid black ink suitable for Spencerian and Copperplate and for dip pens — a reasonable choice if you go the dip-pen route, but not the first thing to buy if you start with a cartridge pen. If you cannot find a specific item, the site invites you to get in contact, which is useful for asking whether a nib or ink is compatible with a pen you already own.
H3. Next step Decide which script you want to write first, then buy the pen type that matches it. If you want italic or gothic, start broad-edge. If you want Copperplate or Spencerian, start with a pointed nib and expect a slower learning period. For broader context on scripts and tools, see The Calligraphy Society and Scribblers.
How do I choose the right paper for calligraphy?
Choose paper by matching three things to your script and pen: ink absorbency, surface texture, and weight/stiffness. For pointed-pen scripts like Copperplate or Spencerian, you want a smooth, hard, tightly sized sheet so the nib doesn't snag and hairlines stay crisp. For broad-edge and italic work, a slightly more textured sheet gives better edge definition and holds ink without flooding.
Blots Pens stocks calligraphy paper and pads as a dedicated category, including Brause paper in A3 and A4 pads of 30 cream sheets, so size and sheet count are stated up front for that line. The site also sells Higgins Eternal Ink, described as a solid black suitable for dip pens and Spencerian/Copperplate — a useful reference point for pairing a dip-pen ink with a hard, smooth paper.
Quick decision guide
| Your situation | Paper to look for |
|---|---|
| Pointed pen, fine hairlines | Smooth, hot-pressed or coated practice paper; avoid rough watercolour texture |
| Broad-edge / italic | Slightly textured, sized paper that grips the nib edge |
| Wet media (gouache, watercolour, pearl colours) | Heavier watercolour or mixed-media paper that won't cockle |
| Practice and drills | Cheaper pads or loose sheets in the same surface type as your final work |
| Finished pieces / gifts | Heavier stock, cream or white, cut or torn to size |
Practical checks before buying
- Test one sheet first. Buy a small pad, write a full alphabet with your usual ink, and check for feathering, bleed-through and nib catch.
- Match ink to paper, not just pen to paper. A heavily sized, smooth sheet suits dip-pen inks; very absorbent paper pulls ink out of the nib and shortens strokes.
- Think about size. A3 gives room for large flourishes and broad-edge layouts; A4 suits practice, letters and smaller commissions. Pads with around 30 sheets are a reasonable way to sample a brand without committing to a large ream.
- Consider colour. Cream sheets, like the Brause pads, soften contrast slightly and suit traditional and wedding work; bright white gives maximum contrast for modern calligraphy and scanning.
- Buy the same line again once it works. Paper recipes change between brands and even between weights, so if a pad behaves well with your ink, note the brand, weight and surface for reordering.
If you're unsure, contact the retailer with your pen, nib and ink details and ask which sheet they'd recommend — Blots Pens invites enquiries for items not listed, which is useful when you need a specific weight or finish.
Can I use Finetec watercolors with dip pens?
Yes — Finetec watercolours work well with dip pens, provided you treat them as a paint rather than a fountain-pen ink. Blots Pens lists Finetec watercolours as part of its calligraphy range, sold both as individual replacement pans and as full palettes, alongside dip-pen supplies such as Higgins Eternal Ink. That pairing tells you the shop expects buyers to use Finetec with dip nibs, brushes and similar tools.
How to use them
- Load a brush or a small drop of water onto the pan, work it into a creamy liquid, then pick it up with the nib or apply it directly to the nib's underside.
- Keep the mix thick enough to cling to the nib but thin enough to flow; too dry and it drags, too wet and it floods.
- Rinse and dry the nib between colours, especially metallics, so residue does not contaminate the next shade.
- Use smooth or hot-pressed paper for fine hairlines; rougher paper breaks up thin strokes.
Why Finetec suits dip pens
The pearlescent and metallic shades are pigment-rich and opaque, so they show up on dark or coloured paper where a transparent ink would disappear. They also re-wet easily from the pan, which makes them practical for small accent work, illuminated capitals and gilding-adjacent detail rather than long passages of text.
Trade-offs to weigh
| Consideration | Finetec with dip pens | Conventional dip-pen ink |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Opaque, good on dark paper | Usually transparent |
| Setup | Needs water and mixing | Ready to use |
| Consistency | Varies with water ratio | Predictable |
| Best for | Accents, headings, metallic detail | Long text, practice drills |
Do not put them in a fountain pen. Pigment particles and the binder can clog feeds and are difficult to flush out. Reserve them for dip nibs, brushes and ruling pens.
Practical next step
If you are new to this, buy one or two individual pans rather than a full set and test them on the paper you actually plan to use. Blots Pens sells individual Finetec replacement pans, so you can try a single colour before committing to a palette. Pair a metallic pan with a smooth pad and a firm, flexible nib, and compare the result against a standard black ink such as Higgins Eternal to see which suits the piece you are working on.
Do you ship calligraphy supplies internationally?
Yes. Blots Pens states that it posts all over the world, so international shipping is part of its normal service rather than a special arrangement.
What that means in practice
If you live outside the UK, you can order calligraphy pens, inks, paper and pads, nibs, gouache, gilding materials and related sundries from the same catalogue as UK customers. The site also notes that some products are exclusive to it, which matters if you are trying to match a specific ink, nib or pad that is hard to find locally.
Decisions to make before ordering
- Check the practical cost. International postage and any import charges are usually the deciding factor on small orders, so compare the delivered total against a local supplier rather than the item price alone.
- Consider weight and format. Inks, gouache and large paper pads add weight and bulk, while A3 pads can be awkward to ship. If your order is mostly paper, buying locally may be simpler.
- Buy the awkward items abroad. Exclusives, specific nibs, replacement pans and unusual colours are the strongest reason to order internationally.
- Ask about stock. Some listed items show as out of stock or available to read more rather than buy, so confirm availability before relying on a single order.
A useful next step
Build a basket with the exact items you need, then look at the shipping options and total at checkout before committing. If you cannot find an item in the catalogue, the site invites you to get in contact, which is worth doing for special orders or bulk paper.
What is the best ink for Copperplate writing?
For Copperplate, the ink choice matters less than matching it to your nib and paper: you want an ink that flows smoothly from a flexible pointed nib, sits on the page without feathering, and dries to a crisp line that shows the thick-to-thin contrast. Higgins Eternal is specifically described on Blots Pens as a solid black ink suitable for Copperplate and Spencerian writing and for dip pens, which makes it a sensible starting point if you are working with a traditional pointed nib.
What to weigh up
- Nib compatibility. Copperplate is usually written with a flexible pointed nib, so the ink needs to keep up with fast shaded strokes without blobbing. Higgins Eternal is listed as suitable for dip pens rather than fountain pens, so treat it as a dip-only ink.
- Line quality. A dense, opaque black shows the hairlines and swelled shades clearly. If you want colour or shimmer for decorative pieces, Finetec watercolours and pearl refills are stocked alongside the inks and can be used with a brush or dip nib for gilded effects.
- Paper. Smooth, sized paper keeps hairlines sharp. Brause calligraphy paper in A3 and A4 pads (30 cream sheets each) is sold as a companion product, and cream stock suits traditional Copperplate work.
- Drying and handling. Dip-pen inks generally sit on the surface longer than fountain-pen inks, so work with a guard sheet to avoid smudging, especially with a broad shade.
A practical next step
If you are new to Copperplate, start with one bottle of Higgins Eternal, a flexible pointed nib, and a smooth pad such as the Brause paper, then test a page of strokes before committing to a finished piece. If you need a specific colour, shimmer, or a paper weight that is not listed, contact the shop directly, as the site invites enquiries for items it may be able to source.
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