Product Review: Dingbats* Ātopen Dual Tip Pens

Finding truly sustainable art supplies that actually last is harder than it should be. For example, sustainable dual tip pens can be difficult to find if you care about quality and eco credentials. Many ‘eco’ pens dry out quickly, bleed through paper, or sacrifice performance for marketing claims — which creates more waste, not less.

What makes Dingbats* Ātopen dual‑tip pens different?

Dingbats* Ātopen Dual Tip Fineliner/Brush Pens are fabulous to use – and are still perfect after several years of use! As you can see from the image I took (yes, my writing IS that bad, LOL), the Dingbats* Ātopen dual tipped pens offer a wide range of possibilities for art drawings, journaling, doodling, calligraphy and much, much more.

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Who are these pens best suited for?

• Journalers & bullet journal users
• Calligraphy beginners and hobby artists
• Sustainable stationery lovers
• People trying to reduce disposable art supplies

Sustainability credentials & materials

• The packaging is made from 100% recycled materials. This is why you can still see tiny coloured dot remains from recycled printed paper.
• The plastic barrel is currently made from #5 plastic whilst they develop a way to produce pens with biodegradable plastic. #5 plastic can normally be recycled in your local curb-side program. To make sure of that, you can read the Zero Waste Llama article on recycling plastics, and follow the links provided to search locally for recycling points near you!

Pros

• Long-lasting after years of use
• Dual-tip versatility (brush + fineliner)
• Ethical brand ethos
• Minimal bleed-through

Cons

• Must be stored horizontally
• Plastic barrels (though #5 recyclable)

Dingbats* Ethos

“Dingbats* is an eco-friendly brand of stationery developed in a masterful consideration of materials and design. Our notebooks are hand-made with personality represented by minimalistic ornamental motifs with sound environmental credentials including the mark of the Forest Stewardship Council. All materials used are degradable, vegan and recyclable….. We see a future in which humans live in harmony with nature and communities committed to protect wildlife, fresh waters, forests and oceans. Join us in the promotion of a green digital age whilst serving your craftsmanship, artistry and ingenious self.”

Dingbats*

That paragraph on their site made my day – finally, a brand which deserves a halo!

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Why choosing long‑lasting pens matters for a zero‑waste lifestyle

These pens reflect many of the key features of the Dingbats* Notebooks & Journals, being Archival-quality, Fade proof, Acid-free, Lightfast, Waterproof, Bleed Proof, Xylene-free and Odourless. (Unlike the Journals / Notebooks, these should be stored horizontally!)

If you are thinking of getting one (or more!) sets of pens, please remember to use the discount code at the bottom of this post (and let me know what you do with them! Post your pictures in the ZeroWasteLlama Facebook page or find us on Instagram!

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Final Thoughts: are they worth it?

After years of daily use, I can confidently say that Dingbats* Ātopen dual‑tip fineliner pens are probably the best I’ve ever owned — not just because they’re wonderful to use, but because they reflect the values I want my purchases to support.

If you’re investing time, creativity, and intention into journaling, it makes sense to choose a set of dual‑tip fineliner pens designed to last and made with care for the planet.

Dingbats* have proven time and again that sustainable choices don’t have to mean compromise. They’re durable, thoughtfully designed, and genuinely built to last — which, in itself, is one of the most zero‑waste choices we can make.

👉 Use code LLAMA10 for 10% off your first order — and if you do try any of their fineliners, I’d love to see how you use it. Tag @ZeroWasteLlama or share in the community.

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Product Review: Dingbats* Notebook