Top 12 Pen Brands In The World with Statistics

The top pen brands in the world in 2023 are flourishing at a good pace because of their varied product portfolio that keeps everyone from students to professionals happy.

A pen is one of the most common writing instruments that individuals prefer for smooth writing on paper. Some people keep one or two pens whereas others might prefer to keep a collection of different types of the pen for their use. Fountain pens, ballpoint pens, gel pens, ergonomic pens, luxury pens and rollerball pens are some of the most popular writing instruments available to mankind.

Wealthy collectors, elite class and pen enthusiasts prefer luxury pens, like a luxury ballpoint pen or a luxury fountain pen, premium pens, limited-editions, classic pens and even world-renown pens made from semi-precious or precious metals like platinum, gold and sterling silver as such high-quality writing instruments can be used as status symbol or collectables that depict impeccable style and wealth.

Let us go through some of the top pen brands along with some popular writing instruments to know more about them.

An Overview of Top 12 Pen Brands in the World in 2023

1. Parker Pen Company

• Origin Country: France
• Founder: George Safford Parker
• Founded: 1888
• Headquarters: Nantes, France
• Parent Company: Newell Brands

The French-origin Parker Pen Company is one of the best fountain pen brands in the world in 2022 with a product presence in 120 countries. The pen brand has created a perfect pen line in different shapes and styles like Parker Jotter, Parker 51 and Parker Jotter Ballpoint.

The founder listed the first fountain pen patent of Parker in 1889 and at the onset used to deal in ballpoint pens and rollerball pens. Since then the Parker Pen brand has included several writing instruments like professional ballpoint Parker pens, luxury ballpoint pens, professional style Parker pens, new selections, fountain pens, luxury pens, innovative fountain pen designs, classic style Parker pens and ballpoint pens in the product portfolio.

Parker Pens is of the top-quality pen brands of luxury writing instruments that puts the focus on innovation, style, craftsmanship, tradition and designs. The pens with fluid ink flow are considered natural choices for smooth writing by both everyday users as well as wealthy pen lovers.

Highest quality pen from Parker Pen Company

• PARKER JOTTER BALLPOINT PEN IN CLASSIC STAINLESS STEEL WITH GOLD TRIM
• PARKER JOTTER ORIGINALS
• PARKER 51 (SPECIAL EDITION)
• 23k GOLD-PLATED DUOFOLD
• 2009 PARKER PREMIER PEN COLLECTION

2. A T Cross Company

• Origin Country: United States of America
• Founder: Richard Cross
• Founded: 1846
• Headquarters: Providence, USA

A T Cross Company is one of the oldest fountain pen brands in the world in 2022. The iconic manufacturer has created some of the best writing instruments available to mankind.

Cross Pen brand manufactures a complete line of Cross fountain pens, Cross ballpoint pens, refills, Cross gold pens, Cross mini pens, Cross mechanical pencils, Cross gel pens and Cross rollerball pens along with related accessories and products like Cross nibs, Cross ink cartridges, Cross wallets, Cross silver and gold casings of wooden pencils and pens.

Cross also manufactures stationery items like leather goods (portfolios, pen and pencil casings), desk accessories, cufflinks and wristwatches.

Cross Pen brand is known for some of the best writing instruments that align awesome designs, unique detailing, and quality craftsmanship with jewellery for extraordinary finishes. The well-balanced product line of the Cross pens brand is reliable and lightweight with some Cross pens like Cross Bailey having engraved accents and Cross Beverly in a clip shape and unique profile.

Cross Pens were the official supplier of pens to the White House in the USA. Some of the famous personalities known to use Cross pens are Barrack Obama and Bill Clinton who favoured the Cross Townsend model. Even the current President Joe Biden favours Cross Century II Rollerball felt-tip refill unit.

Highest quality products from Cross Pen brand

• CROSS CLASSIC CENTURY ROLLERBALL PEN IN CLASSIC BLACK WITH GOLD TRIM
• CROSS INK CARTRIDGES IN SPIRE SLIM BLUE/BLACK
• CROSS FOUNTAIN PEN IN EVEREST
• CROSS FOUNTAIN PEN FRONT SECTION MEDIUM NIB SOLID 18KT GOLD
• CROSS FOUNTAIN PEN REFILL INK GREEN (SINGLE BOTTLE)

3. Sheaffer Pen Corporation

• Origin Country: United States of America
• Founder: Walter A Sheaffer
• Founded: 1912
• Headquarters: Shelton, US
• Parent Company: A T Cross Company

If you are looking for a luxury pen with a fluid ink flow for fine writing on paper or for calligraphy then look no further than world-renown brand Sheaffer pens. It is one of the best fountain pen brands especially luxury fountain pens in the world in 2022 that was sold by Bic pen brand to Cross pen brand in 2014.

The fountain pen brand Sheaffer is a manufacturer of 13 luxury writing instruments like fountain pens, rollerball pens, gel pens and ballpoint pens. The luxury pen brand also makes leather goods like pen pouches, stylus refills, tablet holders, Skrip universal cartridges, Sheaffer converters, calligraphy sets, refills for ballpoint and rollerball pens, pencil erasers, Sheaffer Skrip cartridges and Skrip bottled inks.

The pen brand has launched a new line of Sheaffer Pens like The Ferrari Collection, The Sheaffer Ion Collection and The Sheaffer Pop Pen Collection

Highest quality product offerings from Sheaffer pens include

• SHEAFFER VFM FOUNTAIN PEN IN STROBE SILVER MEDIUM POINT
• SHEAFFER CAPLESS GEL BALLPOINT PEN REFILL IN BLUE / BLACK BY MONTEVERDE – FINE POINT
• SHEAFFER BOTTLED INKIN INFERNO
• SHEAFFER 300 ROLLERBALL PEN IN GLOSSY BLACK WITH CHROME CAP
• SHEAFFER SAGARIS FOUNTAIN PEN IN BLACK AND CHROME

4. Conklin Pen Company

• Origin Country: United States of America
• Founder: Roy Conklin
• Founded: 1898
• Recreated: 2000
• Parent Company: Yafa Companies

Conklin is one of the most innovative pen brands especially luxury fountain pens in the world in 2022. It is also the preferred pen brand of pen lovers, wealthy patrons and collectors all over the world. The pen brand is a distributor and manufacturer of writing instruments and deals in ballpoint and fountain pens.

Conklin pen brand has manufactured some of the finest pen models like Crescent Filler (the first auto-functional filling mechanism), Nozac (equipped with piston filler) and Endura (the name written on the body and the nib).

Best pens from Conklin

• CONKLIN NOZAC CLASSIC 125 ANNIVERSARY LIMITED EDITION FOUNTAIN PEN RED/BLACK TRIM
• CONKLIN DURAGRAPH FOUNTAIN PEN IN ABALONE NIGHTS
• CONKLIN DURAGRAPH BALLPOINT PEN IN RED NIGHTS
• CONKLIN REPLACEMENT FOUNTAIN PEN NIB STAINLESS STEEL
• CONKLIN ALL-AMERICAN BALLPOINT PEN IN RAVEN BLACK

5. Waterman Pen Company

• Origin Country: United States of Americ
• Founder: Lewis Waterman
• Founded: 1884
• Owner: Newell Brands
• Parent Company: Sanford L.P.
• Headquarters: Paris, France

Waterman Pen Company is one of the top 12 luxury fountain pen brands in the world in 2022. The iconic manufacturer is one of the first-generation luxury pen brands that deals in best writing instruments with unique style, innovative designs and quality equipment. The product portfolio of Waterman pens includes fountain pens, luxury ballpoint pens, rollerball pens, ink cartridges and inks for a fine writing experience.

At the onset, the Waterman pens were manufactured from hard rubber and equipped with gold nibs. Examples include the #12 slip-cap eyedropper and #42 retracting-nib safety pin. Later the company introduced a line of luxury pens like Le Man 100 and Lady Patricia. Current models of the pen brand are Carene, The Liaison, The Expert and The Audace etc.

Best pens from Waterman luxury pen brand

• WATERMAN EXPERT BALLPOINT PEN IN BLACK WITH GOLD TRIM
• WATERMAN BOTTLED INK IN SERENITY BLUE
• WATERMAN ROLLERBALL REFILL IN BLUE
• WATERMAN CARENE BALLPOINT PEN IN MARINE AMBER WITH GOLD TRIM
• WATERMAN FOUNTAIN PEN CONVERTER

6. Caran D’Ache

• Origin Country: Switzerland
• Founder: Arnold Schweitzer
• Founded: 1915
• Headquarters: Thonex, Geneva, Switzerland

If you are looking for Swiss craftsmanship at its best with modern and artistic designs that will entail a smooth writing experience on paper then look no further than Caran D’Ache. It is one of the best luxury pen brands in the world in 2022 associated with the writing instruments and art materials industry and the only Swiss manufacturer of pencils.

The luxury pen brand is a manufacturing company with a wide product portfolio that includes graphite pencils, markers, fountain pens, ballpoint pens, pastels, mechanical pencils, coloured pencils, ink cartridges and gouache paints.

Product offerings from the luxury pen brand

• CARAN D’ACHE FOUNTAIN PEN V2 PISTON PUMP CONVERTER
• CARAN D’ACHE GOLIATH BALLPOINT PEN REFILL IN BLACK
• CARAN D’ACHE 849 METAL BALLPOINT PEN IN FLUORESCENT YELLOW
• CARAN D’ACHE SWISSRIDE BALLPOINT PEN REFILL IN BLUE – MEDIUM POINT

7. Diplomat

• Origin Country: Germany
• Founder: Carl Rauchle
• Founded: 1922

The German-origin company Diplomat is one of the best pen brands in the world in 2022 that still uses traditional craftsmanship and manual testing process in workshops to create a perfect pen for a fine writing experience. The brand Diplomat Pens introduced the first ink cartridges and modern fountain pens to the German market making it a coveted pen brand of its time.

The pen brand offers rollerball pens, fountain pens, ballpoint pens, felt-tip pens, mechanical pencils, pen cases made of fine leather, wooden desk case, pen refills and fountain pen nibs. The ballpoint pens have an easy flow ink refill process that makes it easy to use and nibs are created with stainless steel and 14k gold for better control. Some of the most popular models of the pen brand are Traveller, Magnum, Esteem and Aero.

Product offerings from Diplomat Pens

• DIPLOMAT AERO FOUNTAIN PEN IN ANTIQUE ROSE
• DIPLOMAT ELOX BALLPOINT PEN IN RING BLACK & ORANGE
• DIPLOMAT AERO ROLLERBALL PEN IN BLACK
• DIPLOMAT EXCELLENCE A PLUS FOUNTAIN PEN IN WAVES

8. Faber-Castell

• Origin Country: Germany
• Founder: Kaspar Faber
• Founded: 1761
• Headquarters: Stein, Bavaria, Germany

One of the best pen brands Faber Castell is a manufacturing company that deals in stationary and writing instruments like pencils, luxury fountain pens, luxury ballpoint pen, fountain pens, ballpoint pens, art supplies, inks, ink cartridges, notebooks, creative papers diaries and office supplies like rulers, refills, erasers, slide rules and staplers.

The brand has spread its presence to 120+ counties with help of 8,000 employees, 20 sales units and 14 factories.

The pen brand is one of the oldest manufacturers in the world of writing instruments and is renowned for innovative and high-quality products. The great pen range includes the eMotion and the Ambition ranges available in almost all parts of the world.

Product offerings from the pen brand

• FABER CASTELL FOUNTAIN PEN CONVERTER
• FABER CASTELL INK CARTRIDGES IN CARBON BLACK
• FABER CASTELL BLACK BOTTLED INK
• ROLLERBALL REFILL IN BLUE CERAMIC
• FABER CASTELL LEAD REFILL

9. Bic

• Origin Country: France
• Founder: Marcel Bich, Edouard Buffard
• Founded: 1945
• Headquarters: Clichy, France

The French-origin Bic is one of the best pen brands in the world in 2022 that manufactures and sells lighters, pens and shaving goods.

At the onset, the pen brand used to manufacture pencil cases and pen holders but later Bic purchased a ballpoint pen patent and started manufacturing stainless steel balls that were needed for the tip of a pen. Soon afterwards with Swiss tools, the pen brand released its first product the Bic Cristal ballpoint pen.

Bic has spread its product presence globally with help of 25 factories all over the world. Important product offerings included the Bic gel pen and Bic ballpoint pen (like the Bic 4 Color pen where the users could change the colour of the inks without changing the pen), Bic lighters, Bic razors, Bic phone, Bic grooming line, Bic ReVolution (a line of stationery products) and tattoo brand Inkbox.

Quality product offerings from Bic Pens

• BIC GEL-O-CITY QUICK DRY GEL PENS
• BIC VELOCITY BOLD RETRACTABLE BALLPOINT PEN, BLACK
• BIC ATLANTIS EXACT RETRACTABLE BALLPOINT PEN, BLACK
• BIC SOFT FEEL RETRACTABLE BALLPOINT PEN MEDIUM POINT
• BIC REVOLUTION OCEAN-BOUND RECYCLED PLASTIC BALLPOINT PEN MEDIUM POINT

10. Sailor Pen Company

• Origin Country: Japan
• Founder: Kyugoro Sakata
• Founded: 1911
• Headquarters: Hiroshima, Japan

The Japanese-origin Sailor Pens is one of the best pen brands in the world in 2022 that puts the focus on quality and excellence.

Product offerings from the pen brand Sailor include rollerballs, fountain pens, ballpoint pens, dip pens, fountain pen nibs, inks and calligraphy. It was the first pen brand in Japan to introduce ballpoint pens in 1948, invent and mass produce fountain pens using plastic, invent the first ink cartridges for the fountain pens in 1958 and introduce portable mini-type fountain pens.

Best pens from Sailor

• SAILOR KING OF PENS WABI SABI LIMITED EDITION
• SAILOR INK CARTRIDGES IN SOUBOKU DEEP BLUE
• SAILOR PRO GEAR REGULAR FOUNTAIN PEN IN BLUE COBRA
• SAILOR COMPASS 1911 FOUNTAIN PEN IN GREEN TRANSPARENT
• SAILOR FOUNTAIN PEN MINI CONVERTER

11. Pilot Corporation

• Origin Country: Japan
• Founder: Ryosuke Namiki
• Founded: 1918
• Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan

The Japanese manufacturer Pilot Corporation is one of the top 12 pen brands in 2022 associated with the stationary and writing instrument industry. The pen manufacturer is the largest in Japan and faces stiff competition from other brands like Uni-Ball, Pentel Co and Paper Mate

Pilot pens have spread their presence globally with help of other brands like G2, Axiom and Razor Point etc. Its product offerings include Pilot ballpoint pens, Pilot medium-point pens, Pilot fountain pens (like the Pilot Capless with retractable nib, Pilot Varsity the disposable fountain pen and Pilot Fountain with semi-flexible gold nib), fountain pen ink, bottled ink in black, and blue, red and blue-black colours, fountain pens cartridge ink, drawing ink and eco-friendly pens made from recycled materials.

Quality product offerings from Pilot Pens

• PILOT NAMIKI INK CARTRIDGE IN BLACK
• PILOT VARSITY DISPOSABLE FOUNTAIN PEN IN BLACK WITH BLUE INK
• PILOT FOUNTAIN PEN PISTON CONVERTER IN SILVER
• PILOT METROPOLITAN CLASSIC FOUNTAIN PEN IN BLACK
• PILOT BALLPOINT PEN REFILLS IN BLACK

12. Uni-ball

• Origin Country: Japan
• Owner: Mitsubishi Pencil Co
• Founded: 1979

The Japanese-origin Uni-ball is one of the popular pen brands in 2022 manufactured by Mitsubishi which distributes the Uni-ball brand pens in nearly 100 countries like Egypt, Netherlands, USA etc.

The Uni-ball pens products include performance pens with metallic caps and water-based ink. These include Uni-ball gel pens (quality ink and smooth flow), Uni-ball rollerball ball pens, Uni-ball ballpoint pens, ink cartridges, highlighters, refills, chalk, marker pens, paint and pencils.

Quality product offerings from Uni-ball pens

• UNIBALL JETSTREAM BALL PEN
• UNIBALL SIGNO UM-151 GEL PEN
• UNIBALL AIR UBA 188M BALL PEN
• UNIBALL NBGK -07 REFILL
• UNIBALL AIR MICRO PEN

Conclusion

The global writing instruments market shows positive trends for the future as there is a great demand for different types of pens amongst daily users as well as pen enthusiasts.

The top 12 pen brands are aware of this fact and continue to include daily essential items like fountain pens, ballpoint pens and rollerball pens for everyday users and luxury pens, classic pens, gold pens and limited editions for pen enthusiasts and collectors in their product offerings.

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