Artcraft Spiral Review: A 3D Printed Fountain Pen with a Ceramic Finish

Introduction

Artcraft Pens has built its reputation on 3D printed fountain pens with strong themes, from a Moonwalk model to a Mars rover design and a Year of the Dragon release. The Spiral marks a shift in direction: still 3D printed, but a more standard pen rather than a themed one. That makes it an interesting entry point if you have been curious about the Alabama-based brand but want something you could carry every day.

Design and Finish

The Spiral is made from 3D printed acrylic finished with a Cerakote ceramic coating. Cerakote is usually seen on metal, so it is unusual to see it applied to a 3D printed material. The result is a pen that does not immediately read as 3D printed at all. Layer lines are present if you inspect the cap and barrel closely with a loupe, but they are essentially invisible to the naked eye, which says a lot about how far the printing process has come.

The spiral patterning on the cap and barrel is the standout visual detail, and it aligns nicely across the seam. Because this is a snap cap pen rather than a twist cap, alignment is never perfect every time, but the pattern transition is forgiving. Even when the cap lands slightly out of register, it still looks deliberate. A flat cap end carries the Artcraft logo, and the barrel ends flat as well with a small hole at the very end, so this is not a pen you would want to eyedropper.

Build Quality and Everyday Details

The clip is simple and does have a bit of play, so it can shift position. That is convenient if you want to line it up with the logo, but it would be nicer if it stayed put. Artcraft also sells a clipless version if that bothers you. The snap cap is secure in the sense that the cap will not slide off, but the audible click is inconsistent. Sometimes it snaps firmly, sometimes it does not make the noise at all.

The cap is not designed to post, and it does not even fit on the back of the barrel. That is a point in its favor: there is no ambiguity about posting. On the other hand, the pen is on the light side, and posting might have offset some of that. It weighs roughly the same as a Lamy Safari, though the Safari somehow feels a bit heftier in the hand, perhaps because it is slightly larger.

Nib and Writing Performance

The Spiral uses a number 5 stainless steel Schmidt nib available in fine, medium, or broad, paired with a plastic feed. The section is plastic rather than 3D printed, and it runs thin. For some hands that will be fine, but it is narrow enough that it may not suit everyone.

On paper, the medium nib has noticeable feedback rather than glassy smoothness, though it is never scratchy. Line variation is minimal, ink flow sits around medium with a slight lean toward dry, and reverse writing lays down a crisp extra fine line. The feed keeps up without issue during fast writing. One practical note: the pen is a cartridge converter fill and takes standard international cartridges, and it ships with a converter.

Rollerball Version and Sizing

The Spiral is also available as a rollerball. Artcraft does not sell conversion kits, but the rollerball variant shares the same body and features an extended tip that gives it a slightly distinctive profile. It carries the same thin section as the fountain pen.

Compared side by side, the Spiral sits in familiar company. It is smaller than a Lamy Safari in feel despite similar weight, and it compares in scale with pens like the Faber-Castell Loom, the TWSBI Diamond 580, and the Pilot Decimo. If you like mid-sized, lightweight pens, the proportions should feel comfortable.

Pricing and Buying Advice

The clipless fountain pen is $89, with the rollerball at $79. Adding a clip raises those to $99 and $89 respectively. Within the under $100 range, the Spiral is a decent offering, particularly if you value the unusual Cerakote finish over 3D printed acrylic and want something that does not look like anything else in its price bracket.

If a thin grip section or a very light pen are dealbreakers for you, it is worth weighing those trade-offs carefully. If you write with a lighter grip and enjoy a nib with some feedback, it should be a pleasant daily writer.

Conclusion

The Artcraft Spiral shows how far 3D printed pens have come: clean lines, an unusual ceramic finish, and a standard, carryable form factor from a brand known for themed designs. It is not perfect, with a thin section, light weight, a slightly loose clip, and an inconsistent snap. But at under $100 with a reliable Schmidt nib and cartridge converter filling, it is a solid option for anyone after a distinctive everyday pen.