Gel Pens for Art: Glaze 3D, Metallic and White Gel Pens

Posted by

Haanz Team

2026-10-18

On 2026-10-18

Haanz Art GuideFree, practical advice from the team at Haanz Art & Craft Materials

Gel pens are not just for writing. Their smooth, opaque or shiny inks add sparkle, highlights and raised glossy lines to drawings, cards and journals. This guide to gel pens for art explains three special kinds we stock: Sakura Glaze 3D pens, metallic Gelly Roll pens and white Gelly Roll pens, with ideas for using them.

Sakura Glaze 3D gel pens

Glaze pens have a special ink that dries to a raised, glossy, glass-like line, giving a 3D effect. They work on light and dark paper and are popular for cards, scrapbooking, journals and decorative lettering.

Available singly in Clear, Blue, Red, Green, Pink, Purple, Rose, Yellow and Orange.
The clear pen adds a glossy “dewdrop” or glass effect over other colours.

Metallic gel pens

Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic Gold and Silver: shimmering gel ink that shows on dark and light paper, for borders, lettering and festive cards.

White gel pens

Sakura White Gelly Roll in 05 fine, 08 medium and 10 bold tips: opaque white ink for highlights in drawings and for writing on dark paper. See our white gel pen guide for highlight techniques.

Everyday gel pens

For smooth everyday writing and notes, the Pentel EnerGel 0.5mm Blue and 0.7mm Blue use quick-drying gel ink.

Prices change, so see each product page for today’s price. Browse all drawing pens.

Papers that make gel pens shine

Black paper makes metallic, white and Glaze pens glow; try the Black Card Paper Marker Pad (A5) or A4.
Smooth paper gives clean lines and protects the roller tip.
Kraft paper, such as the Craft Paper Art Pad, gives a warm, handmade look for cards.

Creative ideas

Greeting cards: write the message in metallic gold, then outline with a 3D Glaze pen for a raised border.
Dewdrops: dot clear Glaze ink on painted or drawn leaves and petals.
Night skies: on black paper, add white stars, silver planets and a gold moon.
Journals: use Glaze pens for headings and dates so they shine on the page.
Mandalas: fill patterns on black paper with metallic and white pens. See our toned paper guide.

Step by step: a 3D greeting card

Fold a sheet of card in half and lightly pencil your design, such as a flower or a name.
Colour the main shapes with colour pencils or markers.
Outline the shapes with a coloured Glaze pen to make raised edges.
Add clear Glaze dots on petals or leaves for a dewdrop effect.
Write your message in metallic gold or silver.
Leave the card open and flat until all the Glaze ink is completely dry.

For more card ideas, our metallic paint guide covers gold and silver paints and markers.

Tips for using gel pens

Let Glaze ink dry flat without touching; raised lines take longer to dry than ordinary ink.
Use light, even pressure and steady speed for smooth lines.
If ink stops, scribble gently on scrap paper to restart the flow.
Cap pens straight after use.
Test on a scrap of the same paper first.

Frequently asked questions

How long does 3D Glaze ink take to dry?

Longer than ordinary gel ink because it sits on top of the paper. Leave the page flat and untouched until it is completely dry.

Do metallic gel pens work on white paper?

Yes, but they look most striking on dark paper.

Can I use gel pens over paint?

Yes, once the paint is completely dry and the surface is smooth.

Do you deliver islandwide?

Yes. We deliver across Sri Lanka in 2–5 working days, with cash on delivery, card or bank transfer. You can also visit our shops in Boralesgamuwa and Horana, open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Not sure what to choose? WhatsApp the Haanz team on 0711 515 515 and we’ll help you choose gel pens and paper.

More Haanz Art Guides