Zebra CLiCKART Retractable Marker Pen Review

(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)

It's been years since I've tried a new type of marker, and after trying the Zebra CLiCKART markers, I can only conclude that I need to try markers more often. Felt tip markers aren't my favorite writing instrument for day-to-day notes and doodles, but they're just so much fun to use.

The particular variant I have is a 12-pack of CLiCKART markers that cover a basic range of colors. At around $14, this set is a great value for what I consider to be excellent markers.

Taking a look at the exterior, each marker features a white body paired with a color-coordinated nose cone and click mechanism. There isn't a clip, but there is a nub where a clip would be that prevents the markers from rolling on your desk.

There's also a round window in the barrel (close to the nock) that is black when the marker tip is retracted, but red when the tip is extended. This is a cool feature, but I'm a little confused as to why it was included since you can tell the tip is extended by looking at the length of the nock button (and also by looking at the tip). The nock button sits low when the tip is extended, but it looks fully extended if you turn the pen upside down. Either way, I'm not complaining about the little window — it's a great feature!

The pen barrel diameter is a great size that fits comfortably in my hand. The plastic material provides plenty of grip without getting slippery after a little use. The nose cone is short and doesn't cause me any issues with the way I grip the marker. I actually found myself wanting the nose cone to be smaller so I could use the broad side of the felt tip to make a wider line. The large nose makes this nearly impossible.

Now, getting to the felt tip that makes this pen so great. Out of the box, the felt tips lay down a 0.6mm line that is a sharp and crisp. I imagine the line definition may get a little larger and maybe a little fuzzy as the felt tip wears down with use. I've been drawing and writing with these pens for a couple weeks, and the tips show no sign of wear yet. That said, I've been consciously trying to use light pressure when using them.

The colors are vibrant and solid. No wishy-washy colors here. A couple of the colors are light by design, but the only one that is hard to see on white paper is the yellow. This color works best on a dark paper or in conjunction with other dark inks on a light paper. Still, when you use the right paper or approach, the yellow is vibrant.

Felt tip pens are great, but most of them use caps. Caps are easy to lose — especially when you have several different colors on your desk at once while working on something. The convenience and practicality of a retractable felt tip marker is amazing. The only downside I can think of is the felt tips drying out prematurely since they're exposed to air constantly. Well, Zebra have thought that through and claim that these markers don't dry out. In fact, they supposedly absorb moisture through the air to remain viable. I haven't had these markers long enough to vouch for this claim, but I hope that the marketing lines up with real-world performance because markers deserve some popularity and notoriety.

Like I said at the beginning, felt tip markers aren't really my thing, but I've really enjoyed using these Zebra CLiCKART markers over the past couple of weeks. My drawings aren't any better for it, but at least I've had a lot of fun making them!

Zebra CLiCKART Markers are available as individual colors for $1.75 each, and in various 12-color multi-packs, and one 36-pack of all the colors, both of which bring the price down closer to $1 per pen.

(Zebra Pen provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Kuretake ZIG Clean Color Dot Double-Sided Marker Review

The Kuretake ZIG Clean Color Dot is the marker I didn’t know I needed.

A few months ago, Kuretake reached out to me to see if I wanted to test out their Ink-Café Ink Mixing Kit, and of course my answer was YES! I had a blast mixing inks on Twitch, ending up with some very on-brand colors to use in markers and brush pens. I need to test them in fountain pens next.

Unbeknownst to me, Kuretake would add a few extra items to my swag bag, including these Color Dot markers. I’m a fan of Kuretake products already, and I thought “Oh cool, some markers to play with. Wait, they do what?”

The Color Dot series isn’t simply a set of double-sided markers with one side featuring a broad tip, and the opposite side a fine tip. Yes, it is that, but the broad tip is round and squishy, allowing for pressure sensitive line variation ranging from 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm line widths.

Also, the squishy round tip makes perfect circles when using the pen like a stamp. This is what I am here for.

While not marketed as a highlighter, these markers are a perfect compliment to any type of journal or planner. Headers, highlights, checkboxes, underlines - all in cool colors - make these markers fun, and functional. That’s my favorite category of stationery.

I have a # and —> habit in my planner that is tough to break. Main topics start with a #, with sub-topics leading with an —>. It’s a functional way of writing for how I process things. If I wanted to add color to my page (I always want to add color, I rarely do,) I could swap those marks with various dot widths. The dots could be used for task lists as well, with a colorful dot marked through with a pen or pencil when completed. I just need to be willing to use multiple pens when I’m focusing on writing. It’s a process.

Box instructions are something I rarely discuss, but Kuretake went out of their way to include all kinds of details on the packaging, and on the pens themselves. There are visuals for pressing the tip on the page to show the range of dot sizes, a caution not to press too hard or the ink might bleed through the page, and even a “Keep Horizontal” note on the pen barrel so you don’t have to question how to store them when not in use. There is even a QR code to scan for additional tips and techniques for the Clean Color Dot series of markers.

Yes, its a lot of information, and yes, the barrels are loaded with text as well, but at least the details are pertinent and proper.

If there was any hammer to drop, it would be the price. $3.45 individually, or as low as $2.05 when bought in sets (This 6-color set is easily the best deal.) That’s expensive on a single pen basis, but fine for a single pen test. If you like them, individually would not be the way to go, unless you wanted to add in some of the Metallic options.

Overall, I’m impressed. I would have never bought these myself, but Kuretake’s sneak attack got me good! I love the dot variability they offer, plus the great marker colors. Consider me Clean Color Dot convert.

(Kuretake provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Zebra Clickart Knock Sign Pen Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter. And check out her latest book, Out of Water, now available where books are sold!)

These Zebra Clickart pens have all the joy of a felt-tip marker with the convenience of a clicky pen. The 6mm tip is fine enough to use for writing or sketching, while the side of the bullet-shaped tip also works for coloring and filling in. They're very versatile and perform better than I expected.

The pen body is in white plastic with a molded roll-stop, but no clip. I wish they had clips, but the lack of one does mean they fit more nicely into overstuffed pen pouches. Since this pen is available in 36 colors, your pen pouch is bound to need all the extra room possible. The tip of the pen is conical in plastic the color of the pen's ink, and the clicky knock is also in the ink color, so you can easily see what color you're selecting from either end. The clicky knock has a very satisfying click. An A+ on the fidget scale.

The felt tip is a fine bullet shape. The tip makes a nicely thin line, and holding it at an angle creates a bolder line. It has the feel of a marker, with that familiar feedback and scritchy sound.

I was skeptical about a click marker's ability to not dry out, and even more surprised to see these don't have any sort of trap door that closes off the tip when it is retracted. The tip just retracts, chilling there in the barrel, open to the air. The secret lies in the ink, according to the specs. It will apparently not dry out for a year, so long as it is kept retracted when not in use. This magical ink absorbs moisture from the air, so it may not work as well in arid climates.

The ink performs beautifully on paper, with rich colors and good coverage. It does feather and bleed a bit on cheap copy paper, though--like just about any marker will. I think these would be excellent for sketching and art, perfect for coloring books, and super fun for planner decorating. I have blue-green, peach-pink, and dark brown here. They cost $1.65 in open stock, or $41 for a set of all 36 colors. I think that's a very good value and I definitely want all the colors.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!