--- title: "Best Journaling Supplies Under $20: 8 Picks for Planners" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-journaling-supplies-under-20/" description: "Eight planner and journaling supplies under $20 each: Micron, Mildliner, Fudenosuke, mt washi tape, Dot Liner, a habit stamp, MONO Zero and dot stickers." category: "Accessories" type: "Journaling supplies" published: 2026-10-22 updated: 2026-10-22 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 8 products: - name: "Sakura Pigma Micron Pen (sizes 003–12)" brand: "Sakura" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "PP barrel, cap and end plug; steel clip; brass tip holder; POM tip (per Sakura Japan, Pigma 01); pigment ink" released: "1982" price_band: "$ (under $5 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Sakura Color Products Corporation (Osaka); sold in the US by Sakura of America" model: "ESDK (black 01 in Japan: ESDK01, color code 49, item No. 812670)" mpn: "ESDK01#49" gtin: "4901881812675" url: "https://www.craypas.com/products/regular/pigma/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/sakura-pigma-micron/" - name: "Zebra Mildliner double-ended highlighter (WKT7)" brand: "Zebra" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan or Mexico (varies by pack)" material: "Plastic barrel, felt chisel and bullet tips, water-based pigment ink" released: "2009" price_band: "$ (under $5 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Zebra Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Zebra Pen Corporation" model: "WKT7" mpn: "78101" gtin: "4901681401734" url: "https://www.zebra.co.jp/pro/detail/mildliner/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/zebra-mildliner/" - name: "Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen (hard and soft tip)" brand: "Tombow" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Elastomer brush tip, water-based pigment ink (Tombow); recycled plastic barrel (LarryPOST)" released: "2001" price_band: "$ (under $5 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Tombow USA" model: "WS-BH 150 (hard tip), WS-BS 150 (soft tip); in Japan GCD-111 (hard) and GCD-112 (soft)" sku: "62038" url: "https://www.tombowusa.com/products/fudenosuke-brush-pen-2-pack" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-fudenosuke/" - name: "mt masking tape (washi tape), mt basic 1P, 15 mm single roll" brand: "mt" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Washi (Japanese paper) masking tape" released: "2008" price_band: "$ (under $5 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Kamoi Kakoshi Co., Ltd. (Kurashiki, Okayama)" model: "MT01P206R (mt basic 1P, silver, 15 mm × 7 m)" gtin: "4971910271001" url: "https://www.masking-tape.jp/about/brand/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/mt-washi-tape/" - name: "KOKUYO Dot Liner standard tape glue (Ta-DM400-08N)" brand: "KOKUYO" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Thailand" material: "Recycled ABS case (70% recycled content); dot-pattern adhesive on a carrier tape" released: "2005-06" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "KOKUYO Co., Ltd." model: "Dot Liner" mpn: "Ta-DM400-08N" url: "https://www.kokuyo-st.co.jp/stationery/dotliner/standard/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kokuyo-dot-liner/" - name: "Midori Paintable Stamp Pre-Inked, Habit Tracker (35392006)" brand: "Midori" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "ABS and polycarbonate body; PE stamp face; oil-pigment-based black ink" released: "2020-06-25" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Designphil Inc. (Tokyo)" model: "35392006" url: "https://www.midori-store.net/SHOP/35392006.html" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/midori-paintable-stamp-habit-tracker/" - name: "Tombow MONO Zero eraser, round 2.3 mm tip (57305)" brand: "Tombow" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Plastic barrel (at least 40% recycled) with metal guide pipe; synthetic rubber eraser, non-PVC, phthalate-free (Tombow)" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd." model: "57305 (US, silver barrel); EH-KUR (Tombow code)" mpn: "57305" url: "https://www.tombow.com/products/mono_zero/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-mono-zero-eraser/" - name: "Hobonichi TSUKI no IRO Transparent Dot Stickers (3.5 mm, 6 mm, 15 mm)" brand: "Hobonichi" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Clear PET (firm, ハリのあるPET)" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Hobonichi Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)" url: "https://www.1101.com/store/techo/ja/2027/pc/detail_toolstoys/tt_dotsticker_tsuki/" guide: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/hobonichi-transparent-dot-stickers/" --- # Best Journaling Supplies Under $20: 8 Picks for Planners > The best journaling supplies under $20 are a Sakura Pigma Micron for writing, a Zebra Mildliner for color, a Tombow Fudenosuke for headers and an mt washi tape roll for decoration. Add a KOKUYO Dot Liner to glue things in, Midori's habit-tracker stamp, a Tombow MONO Zero eraser and Hobonichi dot stickers. Each sits in our $ or $$ band. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-journaling-supplies-under-20/ - Category: Accessories - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-22 - Updated: 2026-10-22 ![Eight journaling supplies on one line, each labeled with its job: Micron, Mildliner, Fudenosuke, washi tape, Dot Liner, habit stamp, MONO Zero and dot stickers](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/best-journaling-supplies-under-20-16x9.png) *One pick per job, each under $20; drawn in proportion.* Original drawing (SVG): . Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## Product facts | Product | Brand | Brand origin | Made in | Material | Released | Price range (typical US retail, October 2026) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Sakura Pigma Micron Pen (sizes 003–12) | Sakura (by Sakura Color Products Corporation (Osaka); sold in the US by Sakura of America) | Japan | Japan | PP barrel, cap and end plug; steel clip; brass tip holder; POM tip (per Sakura Japan, Pigma 01); pigment ink | 1982 | $: under $5 per item | | Zebra Mildliner double-ended highlighter (WKT7) | Zebra (by Zebra Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Zebra Pen Corporation) | Japan | Japan or Mexico (varies by pack) | Plastic barrel, felt chisel and bullet tips, water-based pigment ink | 2009 | $: under $5 per item | | Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen (hard and soft tip) | Tombow (by Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Tombow USA) | Japan | Japan | Elastomer brush tip, water-based pigment ink (Tombow); recycled plastic barrel (LarryPOST) | 2001 | $: under $5 per item | | mt masking tape (washi tape), mt basic 1P, 15 mm single roll | mt (by Kamoi Kakoshi Co., Ltd. (Kurashiki, Okayama)) | Japan | Japan | Washi (Japanese paper) masking tape | 2008 | $: under $5 per item | | KOKUYO Dot Liner standard tape glue (Ta-DM400-08N) | KOKUYO (by KOKUYO Co., Ltd.) | Japan | Thailand | Recycled ABS case (70% recycled content); dot-pattern adhesive on a carrier tape | 2005-06 | $$: $5–20 per item | | Midori Paintable Stamp Pre-Inked, Habit Tracker (35392006) | Midori (by Designphil Inc. (Tokyo)) | Japan | Not stated | ABS and polycarbonate body; PE stamp face; oil-pigment-based black ink | 2020-06-25 | $$: $5–20 per item | | Tombow MONO Zero eraser, round 2.3 mm tip (57305) | Tombow (by Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd.) | Japan | Japan | Plastic barrel (at least 40% recycled) with metal guide pipe; synthetic rubber eraser, non-PVC, phthalate-free (Tombow) | – | $$: $5–20 per item | | Hobonichi TSUKI no IRO Transparent Dot Stickers (3.5 mm, 6 mm, 15 mm) | Hobonichi (by Hobonichi Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)) | Japan | Japan | Clear PET (firm, ハリのあるPET) | – | $$: $5–20 per item | - Made in (Sakura Pigma Micron Pen (sizes 003–12)): Japan. Unsharpen gives Japan as the country of origin (read October 20, 2026). Sakura's Japanese product page for the Pigma 01 doesn't state a country. Digitec and Galaxus (Switzerland), cited earlier for Japan, blocked our access on that date. Source: https://unsharpen.com/pen/sakura-pigma-micron/ - Made in (Zebra Mildliner double-ended highlighter (WKT7)): Japan or Mexico (varies by pack). Hamster (Canada) lists Japan for the 5-pack MPN 78205, and Japanese-market retailers sell the WKT7 as made in Japan. Nordisco lists Mexico for the US 10-pack, item 78101, and Boston General Store lists a single Mildliner as made in Mexico. Zebra's Japanese product page doesn't state a country of manufacture, so check the pack. Source: https://www.hamster.ca/en/highlighters/mildliner-highlighters-845924 - Made in (Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen (hard and soft tip)): Japan. LarryPOST (Australia) lists the navy-body black hard tip as made in Japan. Tombow's Japanese, US and European pages don't state a country, and we found no origin for the soft tip (WS-BS 150), so check the pack. Source: https://www.larrypost.com.au/apps/aeo/ai/md/default/products/tombow-fudenosuke-brush-pen-hard-tip-black.md - Made in (mt masking tape (washi tape), mt basic 1P, 15 mm single roll): Japan. Kamoi Kakoshi's company page describes its head-office factory in Kurashiki and a second factory in Yakage, Okayama, shipping mt from Japan to the world. Maruzen Junkudo's listings for mt basic 1P rolls give 原産国 (country of origin) Japan, and Jenni Bick, Hunter Paper Co. and Tacto Studio say made in Japan. Source: https://www.masking-tape.jp/about/company/ - Made in (KOKUYO Dot Liner standard tape glue (Ta-DM400-08N)): Thailand. KOKUYO Store lists Thailand for an 8.4 mm × 16 m refill pack, and Simple Paper lists Thailand for its Dot Liner glue tape. We didn't find the origin stated for the Ta-DM400-08N body itself. Source: https://www.kokuyostore.com/en/dotliner-tape-glue-refill-tape-strongly-stick-pack-of-3-8.4mm-x-16m-red/TA-D403-08X3.html - Made in (Midori Paintable Stamp Pre-Inked, Habit Tracker (35392006)): Not stated. Midori's Japanese online store doesn't state a country of origin on the Habit Tracker page (35392006). It gives MADE IN CHINA for several Half Size Paintable Stamps, but that isn't a statement about this stamp, so check the pack. Source: https://www.midori-store.net/SHOP/35392006.html - Made in (Tombow MONO Zero eraser, round 2.3 mm tip (57305)): Japan. STL Art Supply says the MONO Zero 2.3 mm eraser is made in Japan, and Officeworks in Australia lists Japan as the country of manufacture for its black round MONO Zero. Tombow's Japanese page doesn't state a country, and we found no reliable origin for the ER-KUR refills. Source: https://shop.stlartsupply.com/en-ca/collections/japanese-stationery/products/mono-zero-2-3-mm-eraser - Made in (Hobonichi TSUKI no IRO Transparent Dot Stickers (3.5 mm, 6 mm, 15 mm)): Japan. Luiban gives Japan as the country of origin for the 6 mm set. Hobonichi's Japanese and English store pages don't state a country of manufacture. Source: https://luiban.com/en/Planners/Covers-Accessories/HOB26121-hobonichi-tsuki-no-iro-transparent-dot-stickers-6mm ## Key takeaways - The Sakura Pigma Micron 01 writes a 0.25 mm line, and its archival pigment ink is sold as waterproof and fade resistant. - The Zebra Mildliner has a 4.0 mm chisel and a 1.0–1.4 mm bullet tip on one pen; Zebra says the range reached 40 colors in January 2025. - A basic mt washi tape roll is 15 mm wide; current Japanese single rolls hold 7 m (23 ft). - The KOKUYO Dot Liner holds 8.4 mm × 16 m (52 ft) of dotted tape glue and takes refills. - Hobonichi's 3.5 mm transparent dot stickers fit inside one 3.7 mm square of the Hobonichi Techo grid; a set holds 576. ## What are the best journaling supplies under $20? **A fine black pen, a muted highlighter, a brush pen, a roll of washi tape, dot glue, a habit stamp, a precision eraser and a sheet of dot stickers, each under $20.** All eight are in our $ (under $5) or $$ ($5–20) bands. There's no single #1, because it's a kit; buy the Micron first, since almost every other supply goes on top of a black line. - **Writing:** [Sakura Pigma Micron](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/sakura-pigma-micron/). *Why it's here:* archival pigment ink that Sakura says is waterproof once dry, so Mildliners and the Fudenosuke won't smear it; the 01 writes a 0.25 mm line. - **Color:** [Zebra Mildliner](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/zebra-mildliner/). *Why it's here:* 40 muted colors with a chisel and a bullet tip, so one pen both highlights and writes. - **Headers:** [Tombow Fudenosuke](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-fudenosuke/). *Why it's here:* a small brush pen for the headers a fineliner can't do; the hard tip is the easy one to learn on. - **Decorating:** [mt washi tape](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/mt-washi-tape/). *Why it's here:* 15 mm rolls that tear by hand and peel off without residue, per mt, the quickest way to frame a page. - **Gluing:** [KOKUYO Dot Liner](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kokuyo-dot-liner/). *Why it's here:* the kit's only way to stick paper in, a refillable dot tape glue for photos, tickets and receipts. - **Tracking:** [Midori Paintable Stamp Habit Tracker](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/midori-paintable-stamp-habit-tracker/). *Why it's here:* it prints a month of habit boxes in one press, instead of ruling a tracker by hand. - **Erasing:** [Tombow MONO Zero](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-mono-zero-eraser/). *Why it's here:* its 2.3 mm tip lifts one sketched pencil letter without touching the lines around it. - **Marking:** [Hobonichi dot stickers](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/hobonichi-transparent-dot-stickers/). *Why it's here:* tinted clear dots in three sizes for dates and to-dos; the 3.5 mm dots fit inside one grid square. ## How did we choose these picks? **We compiled these picks from published sources, not hands-on testing: makers' specs and claims from our single-product guides, US availability and price band.** Each pick had to sit in our $ or $$ band and do one journaling job well, from writing and color to gluing and tracking. ## How do these supplies compare? **Four are pens and tools you'll use daily; four are add-ons for layouts.** | Supply | Job | Key size | Japan list price | Band | |---|---|---|---|---| | Pigma Micron 01 | Writing | 0.25 mm line | ¥220 (about US$1.40) | $ | | Zebra Mildliner | Color | 4.0 mm chisel · 1.0–1.4 mm bullet | ¥132 (about US$0.80) | $ | | Tombow Fudenosuke | Headers | 142 mm (5.6 in) pen | ¥165 (about US$1.00) | $ | | mt washi tape | Decorating | 15 mm × 7 m (0.6 in × 23 ft) | Not used here | $ | | KOKUYO Dot Liner | Gluing | 8.4 mm × 16 m (0.33 in × 52 ft) | ¥510 (about US$3.20) before tax | $$ | | Midori habit stamp | Tracking | 61 × 61 mm (2.4 in) | ¥1,078 (about US$6.80) | $$ | | Tombow MONO Zero | Erasing | 2.3 mm tip | ¥495 (about US$3.10) | $$ | | Hobonichi dot stickers | Marking | 3.5 · 6 · 15 mm dots | ¥440 (about US$2.80) | $$ | Japanese list prices are the makers' own; US prices are higher, so we give the US band. ![Mark widths drawn to scale at 1 mm = 5 px: Micron 01 line 0.25 mm, Mildliner bullet 1.0–1.4 mm and chisel 4.0 mm, Dot Liner tape 8.4 mm, mt washi tape 15 mm, and Hobonichi dots of 3.5, 6 and 15 mm](https://stationerytimes.com/images/best-journaling-supplies-under-20-widths.svg) *The mark each supply makes, side by side at one scale.* ## Which pen should you buy first? **The Pigma Micron, because almost every other supply here goes on top of a black line.** Sakura says the pigment ink is waterproof and fade resistant once dry, so Mildliners and the Fudenosuke won't smear it. Pick the 01 for writing and the 005 for planner boxes. ## What makes a layout look finished? **Tape, a stamp and a few stickers do more than any pen.** A strip of 15 mm mt tape frames a page, the Midori stamp prints a month of habit boxes in one press, and Hobonichi's 3.5 mm dots fit inside one square of a 3.7 mm grid. Midori says the stamp's oil-based black ink lets you color in with water-based markers without bleeding, and that it prints about 1,000 times. For bigger sticker sheets and more tape, see our [best stickers and washi tape](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-journaling-stickers-and-washi-tape/). ## Which tools fix mistakes and hold things in? **The MONO Zero for erasing pencil guidelines and the Dot Liner for gluing in paper.** Tombow says each click advances the MONO Zero less than 1 mm, so it lifts one sketched letter without touching the next. The Dot Liner lays adhesive as dots, so the tape cuts cleanly when you lift it; KOKUYO says the series passed 200 million units shipped in June 2025. Our [bullet journal starter guide](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/how-to-start-a-bullet-journal/) shows where each tool fits. ## Where are these supplies made? **Six are listed as made in Japan; the Dot Liner tape is made in Thailand and the Midori stamp's origin isn't stated.** Several US Mildliner 10-packs say Mexico, so check the pack. ## Frequently asked questions ### What do I need to start journaling? A notebook, one black pen and one color. A Pigma Micron 01 and a Mildliner in a muted shade cover writing and highlighting; tape, stamps and stickers can come later. ### Do Mildliners bleed through journal paper? They can on thin paper. Zebra fills them with water-based pigment ink; test on the back page of your notebook and use the 1.0–1.4 mm bullet tip for lighter coverage. ### Can you write on washi tape? Usually, because mt tape is washi paper. We haven't tested which inks dry fastest on it, so try your pen on a scrap strip first, and let gel ink dry before closing the page. ### Which Micron size is best for journaling? The 01 (0.25 mm line) for everyday writing and the 005 (0.20 mm) for small planner boxes. Sakura makes ten black sizes, from 003 (0.15 mm) to 12 (0.70 mm). ### Is the Fudenosuke hard or soft tip better for beginners? The hard tip. Its firm elastomer tip is easier to control for small lettering; the US 2-pack, item 62038, includes one of each so you can try both. ### Will the Midori habit stamp fit my planner? It prints a month-long grid on a stamp body of 61 × 61 mm, which Midori sizes for a 70 mm square sticky note. At 61 mm wide it also fits a 105 mm wide A6 page. ### How do you stick photos into a journal without bumps? Use a dot tape glue such as the KOKUYO Dot Liner. Its adhesive is laid in rows of tiny dots, so the strip cuts cleanly and sits flat under a photo or ticket. ## Sources - [ピグマ (Sakura Japan Pigma page: 1982 launch; reference line widths by size)](https://www.craypas.com/products/regular/pigma/) - [ゼブラ株式会社: ラインマーカー マイルドライナー (Zebra Japan: 40 colors, 4 mm / 1.0–1.4 mm, 141.5 mm, ¥132)](https://www.zebra.co.jp/pro/detail/mildliner/) - [筆之助 (Tombow Japan Fudenosuke page: GCD-111 hard and GCD-112 soft, pigment ink, ¥165)](https://www.tombow.com/products/fudenosuke/) - [mt ブランドについて (mt brand page: tears by hand, peels without residue)](https://www.masking-tape.jp/about/brand/) - [KOKUYO: ドットライナースタンダード (Ta-DM400-08N, 8.4 mm × 16 m, ¥510, refill ¥390)](https://www.kokuyo-st.co.jp/stationery/dotliner/standard/) - [Midori online store: Paintable Stamp pre-inked, Habit Tracker 35392006 (61 × 61 × 19 mm, about 1,000 prints, ¥1,078)](https://www.midori-store.net/SHOP/35392006.html) - [モノゼロ (Tombow Japan MONO Zero: 2.3 mm round tip, under 1 mm per click, ER-KUR refills)](https://www.tombow.com/products/mono_zero/) - [Hobonichi Japanese store: TSUKI no IRO transparent dot stickers (3.5, 6 and 15 mm; 576, 192 and 48 dots; ¥440)](https://www.1101.com/store/techo/ja/2027/pc/detail_toolstoys/tt_dotsticker_tsuki/)