Est. 2026 · Price: FreeEditor-at-large: The Hedgehog

Stationery Times

uni-ball Signo DX UM-151: Fine Gel Pen in 31 Colors

Compiled from 6 sources; we haven't tested this product ourselves yet. How we research

Quick answer

The uni-ball Signo DX is the capped fine gel pen Mitsubishi Pencil sells in Japan as the uni-ball Signo UM-151. It comes in 0.28, 0.38 and 0.5 mm with pigment ink, including 31 colors in 0.38 mm, at ¥165 (about US$1.00). JetPens lists it at 13.8 cm capped and 11 g; it takes UMR-1 refills.

On this page11 sections
Capped uni-ball Signo DX UM-151 gel pen drawn to scale at 138 mm, clear barrel and black cap, with an inset of the 0.38 mm tip
The Signo DX 0.38 in black, 138 mm capped (drawn at 1 mm = 5 px).

Product facts

Product
uni-ball Signo DX (UM-151) gel pen, 0.38 mm, black
Brand
uni-ball
Brand origin
Japan
Made in
Not stated*
Material
Clear plastic barrel, rubber grip, plastic cap and clip; water-based pigment gel ink
Price range
$under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
Ink colors

Black0.28, 0.38, 0.5 mm

Rate it
No ratings yet. Be the first to rate this product.
Notes on these facts
  • Made by Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.. Country of manufacture not stated: Mitsubishi Pencil's Japanese product page doesn't state a country of manufacture, and the JetPens listing as shown in search results doesn't either. Check the pen or package. Price: example listing.
  • Colors: names per Mitsubishi Pencil Japan, checked October 24, 2026. Ink colors and ball sizes as Mitsubishi Pencil's Japanese UM-151 page lists the single pens (names translated from its Japanese; 紫 as Violet and パープル as Purple): 31 in 0.38 mm, 17 of them also in 0.28 and 0.5 mm. The cap and grip show the ink color. Tints were sampled from Mitsubishi Pencil's product photos. Tints are representative, not measured. Shops stock different colors.
  • Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).

Key takeaways

  • Mitsubishi Pencil Japan lists the UM-151 in 0.28 mm (17 colors), 0.38 mm (31 colors) and 0.5 mm (17 colors), each at ¥165 (about US$1.00).
  • JetPens lists the 0.38 mm at 13.8 cm (5.4 in) capped, 15.3 cm (6.0 in) posted and 11 g with ink.
  • Refills are the UMR-1 family: UMR-1-28, UMR-1 and UMR-1-05, at ¥88 (about US$0.60) in Japan, in black, red, blue and blue-black.
  • "Signo DX" is the name importers use; uni-ball doesn't sell the UM-151 in its US range, so US buyers get it from importers such as JetPens.
  • The black 0.38 mm is code UM151.24, JAN 4902778556108.

What is the uni-ball Signo DX?

It is the capped, fine-point uni-ball Signo that Mitsubishi Pencil sells in Japan as the UM-151, called Signo DX by importers. It writes with water-based pigment gel ink, which Mitsubishi Pencil says is smooth and resists bleeding, in more colors than almost any fine gel pen.

US pen fans have long treated it as a benchmark: The Gentleman Stationer calls it the micro gel pen it compares all others to, and JetPens names the Signo its top fine-tip gel pen. Because uni-ball doesn’t sell it in its US range, people often assume it is discontinued; it isn’t.

uni-ball Signo DX specs

Spec Value
Maker Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd., Japan
Type Capped gel pen, water-based pigment ink
Sizes 0.28 mm (UM-151-28), 0.38 mm (UM-151), 0.5 mm (UM-151-05)
Colors 31 in 0.38 mm; 17 in 0.28 and 0.5 mm
Length 13.8 cm (5.4 in) capped; 15.3 cm (6.0 in) posted
Weight 11 g with ink (barrel 9 g, cap 2 g)
Refill UMR-1 family
Black 0.38 mm code / JAN UM151.24 / 4902778556108
Japanese list price ¥165 (about US$1.00)

Sizes, colors, codes and prices are from Mitsubishi Pencil’s Japanese page; length and weight from JetPens.

Which Signo DX size should you choose?

0.38 mm for most handwriting and the full color range, 0.28 mm for tiny planner writing, and 0.5 mm for a smoother, bolder line.

Signo UM-151 ball sizes at 200 times: 0.28, 0.38 and 0.5 mm with refills UMR-1-28, UMR-1 and UMR-1-05
The 0.5 mm ball is nearly twice as wide as the 0.28 mm.

Very fine balls feel scratchier on rough paper. The 0.28 mm works best on smooth paper such as Tomoe River or Rhodia, while 0.38 mm is the usual all-rounder.

What colors does the Signo DX come in?

The 0.38 mm has 31 colors; the 0.28 and 0.5 mm have 17 each. Beyond black, red and blue, the 0.38 mm range includes blue-black, Bordeaux black, green-black and brown-black, pastels such as baby pink, and muted shades such as khaki, beige and grey.

Mitsubishi Pencil also sells a 48-color set code (UM-151 48C), and JetPens sells color sets for the US.

What refills does the Signo DX use?

UMR-1 refills: UMR-1-28 (0.28 mm), UMR-1 (0.38 mm) and UMR-1-05 (0.5 mm), at ¥88 (about US$0.60) each in Japan. Mitsubishi Pencil’s refill table lists the UMR-1 in black, red, blue and blue-black, so most colored pens are replaced rather than refilled.

Where can you buy the Signo DX in the US?

From importers of Japanese stationery, chiefly JetPens, which lists single pens by color and size and color sets. The pen you get is the same UM-151 sold in Japan.

A single pen stays in our lowest price band, $ (under $5). If you want a Signo you can pick up at an office-supply store instead, the retractable Signo 207 is uni-ball’s US model.

How does the Signo DX compare with other fine gel pens?

It is capped and offers the most colors; the Hi-Tec-C is finer-feeling and the Signo RT1 is the retractable alternative.

Signo DX UM-151 Signo RT1 Pilot Hi-Tec-C Signo 207
Mechanism Cap Retractable Cap Retractable
Finest size 0.28 mm 0.28 mm 0.3 mm (Japan) 0.38 mm
US availability Importers Importers Importers US stores
Price band $ $ $ $

For a bolder white or metallic Signo, see the Signo Broad UM-153.

Where is the uni-ball Signo DX made?

Mitsubishi Pencil doesn’t state the country on its Japanese product page. The company is based in Tokyo; we list the country as not stated until we can check a pen or package.

Frequently asked questions

Is the uni-ball Signo DX discontinued?

No. Mitsubishi Pencil's Japanese site still lists the UM-151 in 0.28, 0.38 and 0.5 mm in October 2026. It is hard to find in US stores because uni-ball doesn't sell it in its US range.

What is the difference between the Signo DX and the Signo 207?

The Signo DX (UM-151) is a capped Japanese-market pen in 0.28 to 0.5 mm; the Signo 207 is uni-ball's retractable US pen in 0.38 to 1.0 mm.

What refill fits the Signo DX?

The UMR-1 family: UMR-1-28 for 0.28 mm, UMR-1 for 0.38 mm and UMR-1-05 for 0.5 mm, listed at ¥88 (about US$0.60) in Japan.

What is the finest Signo DX?

The 0.28 mm UM-151-28, which Mitsubishi Pencil calls ultra extra fine (超極細). It is one of the finest gel pens still in production.

How many colors does the Signo DX come in?

Mitsubishi Pencil lists 31 colors in 0.38 mm and 17 each in 0.28 and 0.5 mm, from black and blue-black to lilac, khaki and beige.

Is Signo DX ink waterproof?

It is a pigment gel ink, which Mitsubishi Pencil describes as resisting bleeding. It doesn't publish a waterproof standard in the sources we read, and we haven't tested it.

Sources (6)

  1. Mitsubishi Pencil Japan: ユニボール シグノ UM-151 (0.28/0.38/0.5 mm, colors, codes, JAN, ¥165; read October 22, 2026)
  2. Mitsubishi Pencil Japan: ゲルインクボールペン替芯 (UMR-1, UMR-1-28, UMR-1-05 refills for the UM-151)
  3. JetPens: Uni-ball Signo UM-151 Gel Pen, 0.38 mm, Black (13.8 cm capped, 15.3 cm posted, 11 g; search listing)
  4. JetPens: Uni-ball Signo: A Comprehensive Guide (UM-151 also known as Signo DX)
  5. JetPens: The Best Fine-Tip Gel Pens (the Signo as top fine-tip pick)
  6. The Gentleman Stationer: Uni Signo DX gel pen review

Plain-text version for AI agents: uni-ball-signo-dx-um-151.md · Spotted an error? See how we check facts.