Pens and Markers: 7 Mistakes That Ruin Your Bullet Journal Pages
By Notaly · 14 October 2026 · 3 min read
You've finally got a lovely notebook and a brand-new set of markers, yet your pages don't look the way you pictured: the ink bleeds through, colours smudge and lines wobble. The good news is that most of these problems come down to a few easy-to-fix mistakes. Here are the seven most common ones.
1. Skipping the test page
Every combination of paper and ink behaves differently. Before using a new pen or marker, make a swatch on the last page of your notebook: a thin line, a heavy line and a filled block, then turn the page over. You'll see straight away which tools bleed through, which leave a shadow (known as ghosting) and which are perfect. Five minutes of testing saves a ruined spread.
2. Choosing paper that's too thin
Standard 80 gsm paper is fine for a ballpoint, much less so for markers. For a bullet journal where you use gel pens and brush pens, aim for at least 100 gsm, ideally 120 gsm. That's exactly why our dotted bullet journal uses 120 gsm paper.
3. Writing too fast with gel pens
Gel ink flows more generously than ballpoint ink. If you close the notebook or rest your hand on the page too soon, it can smudge. Three habits help:
- write from left to right and top to bottom so you don't drag your hand across wet ink;
- slip a scrap sheet under your hand if you're left-handed;
- leave the page open for a few seconds before turning it.
Our set of 12 pastel gel pens uses quick-drying ink, but these habits are worth keeping with any pen.
4. Pressing too hard on the brush tip
A brush tip is flexible: varying the pressure is exactly what creates the thick and thin strokes of hand lettering. Pressing hard all the time crushes the fibres and wears the tip out early. The right technique: light pressure on upstrokes, heavier pressure on downstrokes, holding the pen at roughly 45 degrees. Practise rows of "u" and "o" shapes before tackling a header.
5. Layering colours in the wrong order
To blend two shades or highlight a header, always start with the lightest colour, then add the darker one. The other way round, the light tip picks up the dark ink and stains your next strokes. And if you're writing over a highlighter or marker with a gel pen, wait until the background is completely dry.
6. Storing your markers any old way
Leave a cap loose and a marker can dry out within days. A few simple rules:
- push every cap on until it clicks;
- store dual tip markers horizontally so the ink stays evenly spread between both tips;
- keep them away from sunny windowsills and radiators.
A desk organiser or a flat pencil case keeps your colours ready to go.
7. Trying to decorate everything at once
Last but not least: piling lots of colours, stickers and washi tape onto the same page. The result quickly looks cluttered and becomes harder to read. Choose a palette of two or three colours per month and stick to it. Stickers and washi tape work best as structure: a strip of tape to separate the weeks, a label for a header, a small icon for an important appointment.
Quick recap
- test every tool on the last page;
- choose paper of at least 100 gsm;
- let gel ink dry and work from light to dark;
- control the pressure on your brush pens and store them flat;
- limit your palette for harmonious pages.
With these habits, your pens will last longer and your pages will look crisper, with no extra effort at all.
