Most pens are released with two modes—stick and retractable. Inside the modes are tip sizes—usually two, possibly three—and a variety of ink colors, beginning with Black and Blue for business, and adding that old workhorse editor Red.

As pens have changed over the years, manufacturers have added more colors to meet the needs of those who require, want or love color. Colors come and go with fashion so we can’t always get what we want (isn’t there a song in here somewhere?) but we can find something to use.

Paper Mate expanded its InkJoy line so that it is now a family of pens related by the new InkJoy writing system. The ink starts quickly with no drag, and minimal pressure is required so you aren’t “pushing” the pen to make it write. You get a crisp, clear line every time.

InkJoy offers five options in price and style so you can match the pen with the need. All the lines come in both business and fashion colors so you have lots of choices with which to express yourself.

Beginning with the all purpose InkJoy 100, we can find black, blue, red or turquoise open stock (a single color). The other colors come together on a card and include the business four(black, red, blue, green) plus orange, pink, purple, and turquoise. This economical pen comes either stick or retractable and all have a 1.0mm tip. On this site a dozen is only $3.00! If you are home schooling, organizing an office file system, or entertaining all the neighborhood kids and need a colorful, inexpensive answer to making marks or writing things down, this is the product. If they fall behind a book shelf that has been there for years and plans on staying there, or if someone steals them, or if they just go wherever socks go when they enter the drier, you won’t be banging your head on the desk or making growling noises. They won’t strain the budget and they’re easy to replace.

InkJoy 300 RT is another economical pen, and this one has some added features. The grip is soft plastic, but not squishy. The barrel is straight for those who like that support for the hand all along the barrel, and the clip is metal. This one is only $5.16 a dozen on our site, which is a super deal, and this pen is smooth and clean in both its function and the line quality. It writes both .7mm and 1.0mm lines and comes retractable and capped so you have versatility. It’s a sturdy, go-everywhere pen. Once again, you can write all day, and if someone pilfers your pen, it’s not a felony.

InkJoy 500 RT changes up the design with a curve at the waist and a more sculpted metal clip. It also has lovely contrast with the grip and the wrap at the clip molded in soft black plastic. They circle the barrel with a slight wave, which gives the pen a somewhat aerodynamic appearance. The grip has a light cut-out to hold the fingers in place, which matches the overall design. So these are all black merged with the various colors for a very clean, new look. And they are still under a dollar each and can look great in any environment.

InkJoy 550 RT moves you into a more sleek design with the black plastic wrap swirling around the color. The clip is entirely metal and wraps around the barrel beneath the barrel creating a nice contrast with the color beneath. The clicker is slanted and has a dab of the ink color on top. This pen is contoured so it fits the shape of the hand in a nice, balanced manner. It’s really fun to write with and delivers a bold, clean line. I like the smooth quality of the write; and the overall appearance, combined with the choice of delicious colors, is very stimulating. As a writer, I particularly appreciate this. And I get the feel of a much more costly pen for a mere $1.21!

Head of the InkJoy family, the 700 RT comes in with a very narrow, clean barrel. The waist is ultra slim, and the color of the barrel is either all black or all white. The inks available for this gem are the standard business black, blue, and red. Its design is both tech and arty. A steel clicker stands straight up and there is a dab of the ink color right at the clicker base. This is an extremely subtle and elegant pen for the price. We sell it for $1.95, and it will surprise you. It feels like…more.