Uni and Uni-Ball

Uni and Uni-Ball make some of the smoothest gel and ballpoint pens available. The Uni-Ball Signo is a favourite for school notes and office use: smooth, smudge-free and great value in multi-packs.

Uni vs Uni-Ball: What's the Difference?

Uni and Uni-Ball are both brand names from Mitsubishi Pencil Company. In practice, Uni tends to refer to the broader range (including Uni Laknock ballpoints, Uni-Pin drawing pens and the Kuru Toga mechanical pencils), while Uni-Ball refers specifically to the rollerball and gel pen line including the Signo, Eye and Air ranges.

For everyday school and office use, most people are looking at either the Uni-Ball Signo gel range or the Uni Laknock ballpoint. Both are reliable and competitively priced, particularly when bought in 10-pack or 12-pack formats.

The Uni-Ball Signo

The Signo is the standout product in the Uni-Ball range. It uses gel ink that flows smoothly, dries quickly and is resistant to water and UV fading. The 0.7mm tip is the most popular size for general writing, though the 0.5mm is a good choice for neater handwriting or when writing in smaller spaces such as planners or notebooks with compact line spacing.

The Signo 207 is a popular retractable version widely used in offices. Multi-packs of 10 in black or blue are a practical buy for anyone who goes through pens regularly.

Uni Pin Drawing Pens

Uni Pin fineliner drawing pens are a popular choice for technical drawing, illustration and hand lettering. They use waterproof, pigment-based ink that is acid-free and won't bleed through most paper. Available in sizes from 0.03mm to 0.8mm, the Pin range is commonly stocked alongside Staedtler and Artline fineliners for art and design students.