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4 Best Stylus Pens for Tablet / Graphic Designers

These styluses are for tablets, touchscreens, and graphic tablets. These are not pens for writing on paper but rather drawing on digital screens. This will allow you to draw and sketch your designs easily to digital.

1. Bargains Depot Stylus

Maybe your creativity is on point today, and you need a great tool to transfer your ideas onto a screen. The Bargains Depot Stylus pen might be just what you’ve been looking for.

Features

  • Two different-sized tips
  • Durable and compact design
  • Comes in a four-pack with multiple colors
  • 20 extra tips in the box
  • Fine lines with excellent precision

This two-tipped stylus is a bit over 5 inches long and comes in several colors. The pen is made of stainless steel and aluminum and free of plastic parts. Its compact design allows you to easily take it anywhere and use it with any drawing app.

As it’s capacitive, it’s compatible with most touchscreens: iPad, iPod, iPhone, Tablet, Kindle, Huawei, HTC, Galaxy, etc. It also doesn’t need batteries to work, although it does lack pressure sensitivity.

The BD stylus has two rubber tips – one has a 0.18-inch diameter while the other one a slightly bigger 0.24-inch diameter. They are easily exchangeable without any tools. The smaller tip is perfect for designers because it enables you to click on the smallest icon. You will also be able to draw with great precision and make fine lines. The best thing is that you can easily switch between them while drawing.

The replaceable tips make your pen last longer, especially because the Bargains Depot comes in a pack of four – you get as much as 20 additional tips! Replacing the tip is extremely simple and doable in a couple of seconds.

This compact pen will also protect your screen from getting scratched because it’s easy to handle. Your device will remain without fingerprints or smudges. Just make sure to clean the rubber tip from time to time to avoid dirt-inflicted micro scratches.

This pen is a great choice for graphic designers because it’s durable and accurate and works with most screens. If it happens to not work properly, the Bargains Depot customer care team is supposed to be extra helpful.

Pros

  • Replaceable tips
  • Lightweight and easy to handle
  • Compatible with almost any device
  • Highly affordable

Cons

  • The tips might become spongy
  • You might need to press on the screen for the pen to work

2. MEKO Universal Stylus

Touchscreens are not all built the same, so when buying a pen you need to check if your touchscreen is capacitive or resistive. A resistive screen will react to anything, but a capacitive one only detects your finger or stylus. Capacitive screens may need a large surface to detect a pen, but the MEKO Universal stylus uses a transparent disc to fix this issue and provide you with better precision.

Features

  • Comes with a rubber and a transparent disc tip
  • Compatible with capacitive touchscreens
  • The tips enable fine, precise lines and smooth movement
  • Two pens and replacement tips in the box

These MEKO pens are 5.5 inches long with a 0.35-inch tube diameter. They have a cap and a clip just like regular pens so they’re practical to take anywhere with you. Also, you can choose from six available colors and you get a cleaning cloth in the box. This is to make sure that dirt doesn’t get in the way of the screen and the stylus.

The pens are made of stainless steel and aluminum and should fit your hand perfectly. No plastic parts mean the manufacturer really invested in this pen’s quality. You don’t need to set up your MEKO stylus – you’re ready to go as soon as you take the cap off.

There are two types of tips. The disc is for any kind of work that requires absolute precision, like drawing details. It’s clear so you can see exactly where you’re going with it, which enhances the accuracy greatly. The fiber tip resembles an average stylus pen, but it’s a bit more fluid and you can use it for drawing as well.

The tips are replaceable and you get four discs and two fiber tips with the two MEKO pens in the package. You don’t need to use any tools to replace the tips. Additionally, you can replace the disc tip using tweezers, if you don’t want to screw off and on the silver part to take off the disc.

As mentioned, the MEKO pen is compatible with capacitive screens, such as Apple devices (iPhone, iPod, iPad), Samsung Galaxy and Note smartphones, Kindle, etc. It also comes in an elegant box so it makes a perfect birthday present.

You have a wide range of options with this pen. They’re excellent for writing, so you can practice calligraphy and even make up new fonts as you go. As they’re lightweight, they’re also suitable for taking notes, even playing games, but above all, they’ll make your drawing rather effortless. Thanks to the commendable accuracy, you’ll be able to create wonderful visuals without worrying about the details.

Pros

  • Disc tip for high precision
  • Fiber tip flows smoothly
  • Compatible with all types of screens
  • Gift packaging
  • Affordable

Cons

  • The disc holder might wear out too soon
  • The disc has to be completely clean to work well

3. Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)

What some designers forget to check is if the pen feels comfortable in their hand. If you need to spend hours drawing, this might be a crucial feature to help you decide, or it could be the ultimate deal-breaker.

If you have an iPad, it’s only natural to go for the 2nd generation of the Apple Pencil. It’s truly one of the most highly regarded graphic design pens on the market.

Features

  • Elegant and lightweight design
  • Suitable for multiple purposes
  • Feels natural
  • Pixel-perfect precision and responsiveness

The new Apple Pencil comes in only one color, just like the previous model. But this seamless and elegant design and the classic Apple white make this pencil exceedingly good-looking and stylish in a simple kind of way.

The key difference between the 1st generation and this improved model is the doing away of the lightning sensor in the latter. It’s also compatible with only the latest iPad models – the iPad Pro 11-inch and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation).

The way the Apple pencil works is a bit different than entry-level capacitive pens – it connects to the screen via Bluetooth and activates the sensors that detect it. In this fashion, both the pressure and angle can be detected and reproduced accurately on the screen.

How do you connect the Pencil to your iPad Pro? It’s simple. Put the pencil close to the magnetic strip on the side of your iPad. Wait to hear a snap that signals a successful connection. Then wait for a few moments for it to pair automatically. Note that this is also how you can charge your Apple Pencil after using up the 12 hours of battery life. The pencil can be charged remarkably fast if you’re in a punch – connect to the iPad for less than 30 seconds and to get half an hour of use!

The Pencil is highly responsive and you can count on writing and drawing with great precision. It’s perfect for taking notes or creating graphic drawings with many details that would be easy to add with this pencil. It’s longer than most styli on the market and that might be the reason it feels so natural to write with.

Changing between different tools and modes has been made extremely easy. It’s enough just to double-tap the pencil where your fingers are when you write or draw. This can also be customized so switching between the modes you commonly use can be done quickly.

There are plenty of apps available in the App Store that support this pencil perfectly. You can try using the watercolor feature, increase pressure to make your line thicker, tilt the pencil for shading – you name it and the Apple Pencil can probably do it.

Pros

  • Compatible with all iOS apps
  • Automatically connect via Bluetooth
  • 12-hour battery life
  • Easy switching between modes
  • Wireless Qi charging

Cons

  • Quite pricey
  • Not compatible with earlier iPad models

4. Friendly Swede 4-in-1

There isn’t a universal stylus that will fit everyone’s needs. If your tasks require you to use different kinds of pens, the Friendly Swede may be the best fit for you.

Features

  • Strong aluminum body
  • Compatible with most screens
  • 4 replaceable and convertible tips
  • Additional tips in the box

The Friendly Swede 4-in-1 stylus is available in black and it’s delivered to you in a gift box that makes it suitable for use as a present. Its elegant design and sturdy aluminum body make for a handsome stylus, while the four convertible tips make it perfect for any technique and task.

What you get with this stylus are a high precision disc, a fiber tip, a ballpoint pen, and a brush tip. There are also 1 additional brush tip, 2 disc tips, and 2 fiber tips in the box. You can also adjust the tips and set up the pen according to your liking – use the long or the short end cap.

Let’s take a closer look at each of the tips. The precision disc tip is probably the most appreciated by graphic designers who need to pay attention to details in the drawings. The disc is transparent, which enhances accuracy. When using the disc, make sure it’s completely clean because dirt can affect the connection and cause scratches on the screen.

The microfiber tip can be used for browsing, texting, and all other activities on your tablet, in addition to being useful for drawing. The quality of movement may surprise you – this tip is very smooth and doesn’t skip or stick at all, especially when compared to rubber tips. Moreover, it’s highly durable and won’t damage your screen.

The ballpoint pen tip is great for any type of writing you may need to do on your touchscreen. You’re probably aware that it’s legally binding nowadays to sign documents electronically, and this may be the best way to do so as accurately as possible. Taking notes or writing letters is also made easy with this cool tip.

The one feature that makes this stylus unique is the brush tip. You may feel like a real painter when sloshing around with this tip, which is perfect for digital illustrators, such as when illustrating for books. And you don’t have to worry about misplacing or damaging the tip because it can be stored within the pen’s body when it’s not in use.

Pros

  • The length can be adjusted
  • Nicely packed and suitable as is as a gift
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Incompatible with Microsoft Surface and iPad Pro 12.9
  • Dirt may cause scratches on your screen when using the disc

Buyers Guide

Here are the most important features to look for in a great digital pen for graphic design purposes.

Tip

The most suitable tip depends on what you’re working on. Probably the best choice is to go for pens that offer several removable tips. You’ll be ready for tasks that demand high precision, such as using the pen like a brush, and so on. Bear in mind that fiber tips run a bit more smoothly than rubber ones and chances are they won’t leave any scratches on your screen. For producing fine lines and extreme precision, disc tips may be the most suitable.

Compatibility

Needless to say, your pen needs to be compatible with your tablet or another device. Capacitive pens are a safe bet because they’re compatible with almost anything. If you’re investing in a pricey pen that’s going to last for a while, make sure it’s compatible with the device you’re most likely to buy in the future, and also the apps you typically use for designing.

Connectivity

Some touchscreens are not pressure-sensitive and won’t react to a stylus unless it’s connected via Bluetooth. Furthermore, Bluetooth connectivity also helps you avoid losing connection as a result of dust or dirt particles on your screen. You won’t get interrupted if you move the pen too far from the screen either, which may happen with a capacitive pen. However, capacitive pens are compatible with more devices as a whole.

Design

If you often draw for hours, the way your digital pen is designed becomes really important. You should look for a pen that feels natural in your hand, just like a regular pen. Also, it should be lightweight and long enough for you to hold comfortably. The material is also vital if you want a durable pen, which is why you may want to look for aluminum and steel rather than plastic.

Additional features

It may not seem important at first, but pens that are equipped with clips are quite handy to carry around, like attached to your notebook, for example. You may also find useful a pen with an eraser tip. Pens with adjustable length may adapt to different styles. Finally, make sure you get extra tips in the box instead of having to order them in addition to the pen.

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Staff Writer DLC

Daily Logo Challenge staff writers focus on creating in-depth guides focusing on mastery of design and development. Let us know what you think in the comments section above.