Best Stationery Releases April 2023: Fountain Pens, Inks, and Paper Worth a Look

Introduction

April 2023 brought a strong mix of stationery releases: pastel fountain pens, a real ebonite piston filler, anniversary inks with striking shading, limited edition notebook colors, and some well-thought-out pen cases. This roundup covers the highlights and who each item makes sense for.

Fountain Pens: Pastel Colors and Piston Fillers

The 2023 LAMY Safari arrives in three pastel colors: Aqua Sky, Light Rose, and Spring Green. The Safari’s familiar shape and dependable nib make these limited editions an easy entry point for anyone wanting a cheerful everyday writer.

The TWSBI ECO in Persian Green is a piston-filling fountain pen that fills directly from ink bottles instead of using cartridges or converters. This edition pairs a blue-green cap and piston knob with the ECO’s practical, high-capacity filling system, which makes it a strong value for ink-heavy writers.

Nahvalur joins the lineup with the Nautilus Ebonite. These piston-filling pens are made from real ebonite, a vulcanized rubber more commonly found in vintage pens, and the barrel features portholes that let you see how much ink remains. It is a distinctive pick for collectors who want vintage materials in a modern pen.

The latest limited edition Platinum Preppy Wa pens use Modern Maki-e designs printed with traditional Japanese patterns. Each pen has a fine nib and includes a black ink cartridge, making them an affordable way to try a decorated fountain pen.

For something more substantial, the Nautilus Ebonite stands out with its vintage-inspired material and visible ink level, a combination that is rare at this tier.

Anniversary and Color-Changing Inks

Teranishi marks its 105th anniversary with a set of inks dedicated to the Taisho era of early 20th century Japan. The colors connect past and present and are known to shade and sheen beautifully across the range.

Sailor has also expanded the Yurameku lineup with five new colors, described as interpretations of changing thoughts. These newer inks are darker and easier to read than many of the originals, which makes them more practical for everyday writing.

If you enjoy inks with character, both releases reward wetter nibs and good paper with noticeable shading and sheen.

Notebooks and Paper to Test

The Delfonics Rollbahn Spiral Notebook keeps its simple, iconic look and remains a solid everyday-carry pick. Inside you get cream paper printed with a five millimeter grid, plus an elastic band to keep the cover shut. Delfonics also offers a matching Carrying Bag for storing stationery if your notebook rotation is already full.

Stalogy Editor’s Series Notebooks stay sleek and minimalist, with a versatile gridded sheet style inside. Both the 365Days and 1/2 Year versions released limited edition 2023 cover colors: bright red Salvia, muted Forest Green, and mysterious Fog Gray.

Not sure which paper suits your pens best? The JetPens Paper Sampler Pack includes one sheet each of Clairefontaine Triomphe, Kokuyo Campus Sarasara, Midori MD, Rhodia DotPad paper, and Tomoe River Sanzen, along with a postcard. It is the easiest way to compare how different papers handle shading and sheen before committing to a full notebook.

One small but clever release is the PLUS Whiper Petit, a correction tape that dispenses a tinted tape closely matching cream-colored papers like those used in Leuchtturm1917 and Hobonichi Weeks notebooks. If you write on cream paper, it blends far better than standard white correction tape.

Pen Cases and Fun Extras

Raymay released two new pen cases worth a look. The 2-Layer pairs a large pouch compartment with a tray-like compartment, while the Cohaco uses a magnetic closure and includes an interior divider in its main compartment. Both keep pens and accessories neatly organized.

Finally, more Pokémon-themed stationery arrived, including pen cases and sticky notes decorated with Pokémon patterns and prints, plus limited edition Pokémon Zebra Sarasa Clip Gel Pen sets to match. Being limited edition, these tend to disappear quickly once stock runs out.

Conclusion

April 2023 offered something for nearly every desk: playful pastels from LAMY, practical bottle-filling from TWSBI, vintage materials from Nahvalur, affordable Japanese design from Platinum, and limited edition notebook colors from Stalogy. Match the pick to your writing habits, and any of these can earn a lasting spot in your rotation.