--- title: "Tombow Reporter: Slim 12 mm 2, 3 and 4-Color Ballpoint" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-reporter-multi-pen/" description: "Tombow Reporter explained: a multi-color 0.7 mm ballpoint with a 12 mm body, a leaf-spring clip, knock buttons shaped by color, a quiet click, 275 to 385 yen." category: "Pens" type: "Ballpoint pen" published: 2026-11-03 updated: 2026-11-03 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 1 products: - name: "Tombow Reporter multi-color ballpoint (Reporter 4 BC-FRC, Reporter 3 BC-TRC, Reporter 2 BC-WRC; 0.7 mm)" brand: "Tombow" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Plastic body made with at least 40% recycled plastic, excluding the refill, with a rubber grip (Tombow)" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)" model: "Reporter 4" mpn: "BC-FRC20" url: "https://www.tombow.com/products/reporter/" --- # Tombow Reporter: Slim 12 mm 2, 3 and 4-Color Ballpoint > The Tombow Reporter is a multi-color 0.7 mm ballpoint sold with two, three or four inks in a body 12 mm across whatever the number of colors. Each color's knock button has its own shape, so you can pick by touch. Tombow lists it at 275 yen with tax (about US$1.74) for two colors and 385 yen (about US$2.44) for four. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/tombow-reporter-multi-pen/ - Category: Pens - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-11-03 - Updated: 2026-11-03 ![Tombow Reporter four-color ballpoint: a clear barrel with a black grip and four different knock buttons](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/tombow-reporter-multi-pen-illustration-16x9.png?v=3f6955fd) *The Reporter 4, drawn in proportion (Tombow lists only the body width); circle: the 12 mm body, 1 mm = 6 px.* Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times. 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) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Tombow Reporter multi-color ballpoint (Reporter 4 BC-FRC, Reporter 3 BC-TRC, Reporter 2 BC-WRC; 0.7 mm) | Tombow (by Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)) | Japan | Not stated | Plastic body made with at least 40% recycled plastic, excluding the refill, with a rubber grip (Tombow) | – | $: under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | - Made in (Tombow Reporter multi-color ballpoint (Reporter 4 BC-FRC, Reporter 3 BC-TRC, Reporter 2 BC-WRC; 0.7 mm)): Not stated. Tombow's Japanese product page lists models, prices, recycled-plastic share and cautions but no country of manufacture. Check the pack. - Good for: Everyday writing, Everyday carry. Skip it if you want a finer line or smoother ink than a 0.7 mm oil ballpoint: Tombow gives no ink-flow claim. ### Tombow Reporter multi-color ballpoint (Reporter 4 BC-FRC, Reporter 3 BC-TRC, Reporter 2 BC-WRC; 0.7 mm) colors - Ink colors (4 standard, 0 special edition): Black; Red; Blue; Green (4-color pen only). - Per Tombow (Japan) (https://www.tombow.com/products/reporter/), checked 2026-11-03. Tombow lists a clear body (BC-FRC20, BC-TRC20, BC-WRC20) and a clear-blue body (BC-FRC40, BC-TRC40) for the 4 and 3-color pens, and one clear body for the 2-color. Ink tints were sampled from Tombow's product image and are representative, not measured. Shops stock different colors; check the listing. ## Key takeaways - The body is 12 mm across regardless of how many colors it holds, Tombow says, with a one-piece rubber grip. - A leaf-spring clip clamps from a single sheet to a thick notebook, and Tombow says it breaks less often than a normal clip. - Each color's knock button has a different shape, so you can choose the ink by touch, and a rubber cushion quiets the click. - The 4-color Reporter costs 385 yen with tax (about US$2.44), the 3-color 330 yen (about US$2.09) and the 2-color 275 yen (about US$1.74). - The refill is BR-CS2 in black, red, blue or green at 88 yen with tax (about US$0.56), and Tombow lists a 2005 Good Design Award. ## What is the Tombow Reporter? **It is a slim multi-color ballpoint that is easy to carry and clip to a notebook.** Tombow calls it the definitive multi pen: four colors in the thickness of a two-color pen, with a 12 mm body however many inks it holds. The slim body, a strong leaf-spring clip and a rubber grip are the selling points. Tombow also lists the 2005 Good Design Award. We read Tombow's Japanese product page on November 3, 2026. Our [best multi pens](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-multi-pens/) roundup compares other makers, including the [uni Jetstream 4&1](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/uni-jetstream-4-and-1/) and the [Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pilot-hi-tec-c-coleto/). ## What makes it different? **Four small touches, all stated by Tombow.** - **Slim body.** A one-piece molded rubber grip 12 mm across fits the fingers firmly. - **Strong clip.** The leaf-spring clip holds boards, planners and thick notebooks, and Tombow says it reduces clip breakage. - **Color by touch.** The knock button changes shape with each color, so you can choose by feel and make fewer color mistakes. - **Quieter click.** A shock-absorbing rubber cushion reduces the harsh high click when the knock releases. ## Which Reporter should you buy? **Pick the number of colors, then a clear or clear-blue body.** | Pen | Models | Inks | Ball | Price with tax | |---|---|---|---|---| | Reporter 4 | BC-FRC20 (clear), BC-FRC40 (clear blue) | Black, red, blue, green | 0.7 mm | 385 yen (about US$2.44) | | Reporter 3 | BC-TRC20 (clear), BC-TRC40 (clear blue) | Black, red, blue | 0.7 mm | 330 yen (about US$2.09) | | Reporter 2 | BC-WRC20 (clear) | Black, red | 0.7 mm | 275 yen (about US$1.74) | The refill, BR-CS2, comes in black, red, blue and green at 88 yen with tax (about US$0.56) each. Tombow's page does not describe the ink type, so check the refill pack. ## Is it eco-friendly? **It is a "Green Tombow" product.** Tombow says the plastic parts, excluding the refill, are at least 40% recycled plastic by plastic weight. The page also marks it as meeting Japan's Green Purchasing Law and listed on the GPN eco-product site. It lists no Eco Mark certification for these pens. ## Who is the Reporter for? **It suits students and office workers who want several inks in a thin pen that clips onto notebooks.** - **Everyday writing:** Tombow sells the Reporter from 275 yen with tax (about US$1.74) with a 0.7 mm ballpoint refill (BR-CS2) at 88 yen (about US$0.56). - **Everyday carry:** Tombow lists a leaf-spring clip that clamps from a single sheet to a thick notebook, on a 12 mm body. Skip it if you want a finer line or smoother ink than a 0.7 mm oil ballpoint: Tombow gives no ink-flow claim. For other multi pens see our [best multi pens](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-multi-pens/). ## What should you watch out for? **Keep the tip pointing down, and retract it.** Tombow says to avoid writing with the tip pointing up, which can leak ink, and to retract the tip when carrying the pen so ink does not stain clothes. Do not force the clip open or overload it, since that can break it. Keep it from small children and use it only for writing. ## Where is it made, and what does it cost? **Tombow's page doesn't state a country of manufacture.** At 275 to 385 yen with tax (about US$1.74 to US$2.44), it is in our $ band (under $5). ## Frequently asked questions ### How thick is the Reporter? Tombow gives the body diameter as 12 mm whatever the number of colors, with a one-piece slim rubber grip. ### How many colors does it have? Two (black, red), three (black, red, blue) or four (black, red, blue, green), all with 0.7 mm balls. ### How do I pick a color without looking? Each color's knock button is a different shape, so you can tell them apart by touch, Tombow says. ### Is it quiet? Tombow says a shock-absorbing rubber cushion inside reduces the harsh, high click when the knock releases. ### What is special about the clip? It is a strong leaf-spring clip that Tombow says grips from one sheet of paper to a thick notebook and reduces clip breakage. ### What refill does it use? BR-CS2 in black, red, blue or green, 88 yen with tax (about US$0.56) each, per Tombow. ### How much does it cost? 275 yen with tax (about US$1.74) for the 2-color, 330 yen (about US$2.09) for the 3-color and 385 yen (about US$2.44) for the 4-color in Japan. ### Where is it made? Tombow's page doesn't say; check the pack. ## Sources - [Tombow (Japanese): Reporter product page (12 mm body, clip, knock buttons, quiet click, recycled plastic, refill, models, prices, 2005 Good Design Award, cautions; read November 3, 2026)](https://www.tombow.com/products/reporter/)