--- title: "Sakura Gelly Roll: White Gel Pen Sizes & Moonlight Inks" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/sakura-gelly-roll/" description: "Sakura Gelly Roll gel pen explained: 05, 08 and 10 sizes with ball and line widths, the opaque white ink, Moonlight colors for dark paper, and where it's made." category: "Pens" type: "Gel pen" published: 2026-10-20 updated: 2026-10-20 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 18 products: - name: "Sakura Gelly Roll Classic Gel Pen (05 Fine / 08 Medium / 10 Bold)" brand: "Sakura" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Polypropylene barrel, cap, nib holder and end plug (per Sakura); metal tip" released: "1989" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Sakura Color Products Corporation (Osaka); sold in the US by Sakura of America" model: "XPGB" mpn: "XPGB#50" --- # Sakura Gelly Roll: White Gel Pen Sizes & Moonlight Inks > The Sakura Gelly Roll is a capped gel pen from Sakura Color Products, the Osaka company that sold the first gel pen in 1984. The Classic comes in 05 Fine, 08 Medium and 10 Bold, numbers that give the ball size (0.5, 0.8 and 1.0 mm). Its opaque white is the best-known version, used on black paper. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/sakura-gelly-roll/ - Category: Pens - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-20 - Updated: 2026-10-20 ![Side view of a capped Sakura Gelly Roll Classic 08 Medium white gel pen, 153 mm (6.0 in) long: clear barrel showing the white ink, white end plug and white cap with clip, with an inset of the 0.8 mm ball writing white on black paper](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/sakura-gelly-roll-16x9.png) *The Gelly Roll Classic white 08 Medium, the version most people mean by "Gelly Roll".* Original drawing (SVG): https://stationerytimes.com/images/sakura-gelly-roll-cover.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 Gelly Roll Classic Gel Pen (05 Fine / 08 Medium / 10 Bold) | Sakura (by Sakura Color Products Corporation (Osaka); sold in the US by Sakura of America) | Japan | Japan | Polypropylene barrel, cap, nib holder and end plug (per Sakura); metal tip | 1989 | $: under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | - Made in (Sakura Gelly Roll Classic Gel Pen (05 Fine / 08 Medium / 10 Bold)): Japan. Muziker (Estonia) lists the white 08 Medium (XPGB#50) as made in Japan, and Unsharpen gives Japan as the country of origin (both read October 20, 2026). Sakura's product pages don't state it. An earlier version of this guide cited Digitec and Galaxus (Switzerland) listing China for some white 05 and 10 pens; those pages blocked our access on October 20, 2026, so we couldn't confirm that, but origin may still vary by size, so check the packaging. Source: https://muziker.ee/sakura-gelly-roll-basic-white-medium ## Key takeaways - The size number is the ball, not the line: Sakura lists 05 Fine at about 0.3 mm, 08 Medium about 0.4 mm and 10 Bold about 0.5 mm of line. - Sakura sold the first commercial gel pen, the Ball Sign 280, in Japan in 1984; the Gelly Roll name came with its US launch, which Unsharpen dates to 1989. - Unsharpen lists Gelly Roll pens at 15.3 cm (6.0 in) capped, and JetPens weighs a Gelly Roll Metallic at about 8 g. - Moonlight is the bright, opaque Gelly Roll range for light and dark paper; Sakura lists it in 06 (about 0.35 mm line) and 10 (about 0.5 mm). - Muziker and Unsharpen list the Gelly Roll as made in Japan; Sakura's own pages don't state the country. ## What is the Sakura Gelly Roll? **The Gelly Roll is Sakura's capped gel pen line, and the white Classic is the one most people buy.** Sakura's own company history says it sold the world's first gel-ink ballpoint, the Ball Sign, in Japan in 1984, and that the pen was sold abroad as the Gelly Roll; its global site now simply calls the Gelly Roll the world's first gel ink pen. The Gelly Roll name came with the US launch, which Unsharpen dates to 1989. Sakura says it built the ink on its Pigma pigment ink from 1982, to combine the bright color of water-based ink with the water resistance of oil-based ink. Sakura's Japanese site has no Gelly Roll page, since the pen is sold under that name abroad, so the sizes below come from Sakura's global product pages, with length and weight from retailers. It's an art-supply favorite more than an office pen. The opaque white shows up on black paper, kraft and photos, where most gel inks disappear. ASINsight's July 2026 estimates put a Gelly Roll white 3-pack among the best-selling items for that search on US Amazon, at about 8,000 a month. ## Sakura Gelly Roll specs | Spec | Value | |---|---| | Maker | Sakura Color Products Corporation (Osaka); US seller Sakura of America | | Type | Capped gel pen, water-based pigment ink | | Classic sizes | 05 Fine · 08 Medium · 10 Bold | | Ball / line | 0.5 / 0.3 mm · 0.8 / 0.4 mm · 1.0 / 0.5 mm | | Length | 15.3 cm (6.0 in) capped, per JetPens and Unsharpen | | Weight | About 8 g (Metallic version, per JetPens) | | Barrel | Clear polypropylene, so you can see the ink level | | Model code | XPGB (white: XPGB05#50, XPGB08#50, XPGB10#50) | | Made in | Japan (retailer listings) | Sakura doesn't publish the length or weight in the sources we found, so those come from retailers. The 8 g weight is JetPens' figure for the Metallic version; we haven't weighed a Classic. ## What do the Gelly Roll sizes 05, 08 and 10 mean? **The number is the ball diameter in tenths of a millimeter; the line on paper is about half that.** Sakura's product page for the white Gelly Roll lists a 0.5 mm ball and about 0.3 mm line for the 05, 0.8 mm and 0.4 mm for the 08, and 1.0 mm and 0.5 mm for the 10; Royal Talens gives the same figures. That's why a Gelly Roll 10 looks finer than a 1.0 mm office gel pen might suggest. If you want a bold white on dark card, the 10 is the one. ![To-scale drawing at 120 times of the three Gelly Roll Classic sizes: 05 Fine with a 0.5 mm ball and 0.3 mm line, 08 Medium with a 0.8 mm ball and 0.4 mm line, and 10 Bold with a 1.0 mm ball and 0.5 mm line](https://stationerytimes.com/images/sakura-gelly-roll-line-widths.svg) *Gelly Roll size numbers give the ball; the line on paper is about half as wide.* ## Why is the white Gelly Roll so popular? **Because the ink is opaque enough to write white on black or dark paper, where most gel inks disappear.** Retailers describe it as an opaque, bright white, and Royal Talens sells the 08 Medium as the standard white Gelly Roll. Artists often pair it with a black fineliner such as the [Sakura Pigma Micron](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/sakura-pigma-micron/): black line work, then white highlights on top. We haven't yet tested how well it covers other inks. ## What is Gelly Roll Moonlight? **Moonlight is Sakura's range of bright, opaque Gelly Roll colors made to show up on both white and dark paper.** Sakura's product page lists it in 06 (about 0.35 mm line) and 10 (about 0.5 mm), with XPGB06 item codes; retailers give the 06 line as 0.3 mm. The fluorescent colors glow under a black light. Central Art Supply notes that Moonlight comes in two ink types, archival and fluorescent. Retailers warn that the fluorescent colors aren't archival and can fade in direct sunlight. | Line | Best for | Sizes | |---|---|---| | Classic | White on black paper; everyday colors | White 05 · 08 · 10; regular colors 06 · 08 (per Sakura) | | Moonlight | Opaque brights and fluorescents | 06 · 10 | | Metallic, Stardust | Metallic shimmer and glitter | Varies by set | ## Is Gelly Roll ink waterproof? **Retailers describe the pigment ink as waterproof and fade-resistant once dry, except the fluorescent colors.** Royal Talens says the water-based pigmented formula is fade resistant. Sakura doesn't publish a dry time in the sources we found. Wyndham Art Supplies says the white isn't recommended for fabric that will be washed. ## How does the Gelly Roll compare to an office gel pen? **The Gelly Roll is a capped art pen with opaque pigment inks; an office pen like the Pilot G2 is a retractable writing pen.** | | Sakura Gelly Roll | [Pilot G2](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pilot-g2/) | |---|---|---| | Body | Capped, clear barrel | Retractable, clear barrel | | Sizes | 05 · 08 · 10 (ball) | 0.38 · 0.5 · 0.7 · 1.0 mm | | Signature ink | Opaque white, Moonlight brights | Black and blue | | Refills | None in the sources we found | Yes (77240 etc.) | | Best for | Art, dark paper, journaling | Everyday writing | For a retractable pigment gel pen for notes, see the [Zebra Sarasa Clip](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/zebra-sarasa-clip/). Our [best gel pens roundup](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-gel-pens/) picks one gel pen for each job. ## Where is the Sakura Gelly Roll made? **Retailers say Japan.** Muziker in Estonia lists the white 08 Medium (XPGB#50) as made in Japan, and Unsharpen gives Japan as the country of origin. Sakura's product pages don't state it, and Swiss listings we couldn't open on October 20, 2026 were earlier reported to give China for some white sizes, so check the packaging. ## How much does a Gelly Roll cost? **It sits in our lowest price band, $ (under $5 per pen).** Single white pens at US art-supply shops such as Wyndham Art Supplies fall in that band, and multi-color sets usually cost less per pen. ## Frequently asked questions ### What do the Gelly Roll numbers 05, 08 and 10 mean? They give the ball diameter: 05 is 0.5 mm, 08 is 0.8 mm and 10 is 1.0 mm. The line on paper is narrower, about 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 mm, per Royal Talens and art-supply retailers. ### Which Gelly Roll white is best for black paper? Most artists start with the 08 Medium, the size Royal Talens sells as the standard white. Pick 05 Fine for small details and 10 Bold for the most solid, opaque line. ### Is the Gelly Roll waterproof? Retailers describe Gelly Roll and Moonlight ink as water-based pigment that is waterproof and fade-resistant once dry, except the fluorescent colors, which are not archival. We haven't tested it ourselves. ### Did Sakura invent the gel pen? Yes, by Sakura's own account: its company history calls the Ball Sign, sold in Japan from 1984, the world's first gel-ink ballpoint. Abroad it was sold as the Gelly Roll. ### What is the difference between Gelly Roll Classic and Moonlight? Classic is the original line, best known for its opaque white. Moonlight is a range of bright, opaque colors, including fluorescents, made to show up on both white and dark paper; Sakura lists it in 06 and 10 sizes. ### How long is a Gelly Roll pen? Retailers list Gelly Roll pens at 15.3 cm (6.0 in) capped. JetPens gives 14.9 cm uncapped and 16.4 cm with the cap posted for the Metallic version. ### Where is the Sakura Gelly Roll made? Retailers say Japan: Muziker lists the white 08 Medium as made in Japan and Unsharpen gives Japan as the country of origin. Sakura itself is based in Osaka and doesn't state the country on its product pages, so check the packaging. ### Can you use a Gelly Roll on fabric? Wyndham Art Supplies says Gelly Roll white isn't recommended for fabric that will be washed. ## Sources - [SAKURA COLOR PRODUCTS: Gelly Roll White (maker page: XPGB05/08/10#50, ball and line sizes, PP barrel)](https://sakuracraypas.com/products/464/) - [SAKURA COLOR PRODUCTS: Gelly Roll Moonlight (maker page: 06 and 10 sizes, line widths, XPGB06 codes)](https://sakuracraypas.com/products/465/) - [SAKURA COLOR PRODUCTS: Gelly Roll (maker page: world's first gel ink pen, 1984)](https://www.craypas.com/global/products/gelly-roll/) - [SAKURA 100th Anniversary: History (Sakura Color Products company history: Ball Sign, the first gel-ink ballpoint, 1984; sold abroad as Gelly Roll)](https://www.craypas.com/global/100th-anniversary/history/) - [サクラクレパス「ピグマ」(Sakura Japan Pigma page: Sakura's 1982 water-based pigment ink, later used in the Ball Sign)](https://www.craypas.com/products/regular/pigma/) - [Wikipedia: Gel pen (Ball Sign 280, 1984; Gelly Roll in the US)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gel_pen) - [Unsharpen: Sakura Gelly Roll (US launch 1989)](https://unsharpen.com/pen/sakura-gelly-roll/) - [Unsharpen: Who invented the gel pen?](https://unsharpen.com/who-invented-the-gel-pen/) - [Royal Talens: Sakura Gelly Roll Classic 08 (0.8 mm ball, 0.4 mm line, pigment ink)](https://www.royaltalens.com/products/sakura-gelly-roll-classic-08-open-stock) - [Opus Art Supplies: Gelly Roll Classic white set of 3 (05, 08, 10 ball and line widths)](https://opusartsupplies.com/products/sakura-gelly-roll-classic-white-assorted-set-of-3-05-08-10) - [Royal Talens: Gelly Roll Moonlight 06 (0.6 mm ball, 0.3 mm line)](https://www.royaltalens.com/en/catalog/sakura-gelly-roll-moonlight-06/gelly-moonlight-06-sky-blue/) - [Walmart: Sakura Gelly Roll Moonlight Fine, 10 colors (light and dark paper)](https://www.walmart.com/ip/37715213) - [Central Art Supply: Gelly Roll Moonlight (archival and fluorescent inks)](https://www.centralartsupply.com/shop/c/p/GELLYROLL-MOONLIGHT-FINE-FLO-YELLOW-x49725347.htm) - [JetPens: Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic 1.0 mm set (15.3 cm capped, 8 g)](https://www.jetpens.com/Sakura-Gelly-Roll-Metallic-Gel-Pen-1.0-mm-Dark-Metallic-5-Color-Set/pd/16490) - [JetPens: Sakura Gelly Roll lineup](https://www.jetpens.com/Sakura-Gelly-Roll-Lineup/vd/228) - [Muziker: Sakura Gelly Roll Basic White Medium, XPGB50 (made in Japan)](https://muziker.ee/sakura-gelly-roll-basic-white-medium) - [Wyndham Art Supplies: Gelly Roll white pen (not for washable fabric)](https://www.wyndhamartsupplies.com/products/gelly-roll-white-pen) - [ASINsight: Sakura Gelly Roll pens white, US Amazon sales estimates (July 2026)](https://www.asinsight.com/report/US/sakura-gelly-roll-pens-white)