Paper Mate InkJoy Gel: Sizes, Dry Time & Color Packs
The Paper Mate InkJoy Gel is a retractable gel pen sold mostly in multi-color packs, in 0.5 mm Fine, 0.7 mm Medium and 1.0 mm Bold. Paper Mate says its ink dries three times faster than the Pilot G2's. Retailers list it at 5.75 in (146 mm) long, and US distributors give Mexico as the country of origin.
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Product facts
- Product
- Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Retractable Pen (0.5 / 0.7 / 1.0 mm)
- Brand
- Paper Mate
- Brand origin
- United States
- Made in
- Mexico*
- Material
- Translucent plastic barrel and clip, rubber grip
- Price range
- $under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
Notes on these facts
- Made by Newell Brands. Made in Mexico: per US distributor ADI Global, which lists Mexico (code MX) for the 0.7 mm black 6-pack (1951728), the 0.5 mm 8-pack (1968614), the 0.7 mm slate blue (1953048) and a 6-pack of fashion colors (2154002), noting that origin is subject to change. Paper Mate's own pages don't state it in the sources we found. Source. Price: example listing.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026.
Key takeaways
- Three point sizes: 0.5 mm Fine, 0.7 mm Medium and 1.0 mm Bold; the 0.7 mm is the size in most multi-color packs.
- Paper Mate's claim: the ink dries 3x faster than the Pilot G2, based on average dry times of black, blue, red and green.
- OnTimeSupplies lists the retractable pen at 5.75 in (146 mm); The Pen Addict measured the barrel at 10.6 mm.
- The 14-count 0.7 mm assortment carries a Walmart Best seller badge, with about 4,600 ratings averaging 4.7 stars.
- ADI Global lists several InkJoy Gel packs as made in Mexico, noting that origin is subject to change.
What is the Paper Mate InkJoy Gel?
The InkJoy Gel is Paper Mate’s retractable gel pen, sold mostly in bright multi-color packs. Paper Mate is a Newell Brands company, and the InkJoy Gel was on US shelves by 2016, when The Pen Addict reviewed its 10-color set.
It’s one of the best-selling colored gel pen packs in the US. Walmart badges the 14-count 0.7 mm assortment as a Best seller, with about 4,600 ratings averaging 4.7 stars, and ASINsight’s July 2026 estimates rank the same pack near the top of US Amazon results for gel pens.
Paper Mate InkJoy Gel specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | Paper Mate (Newell Brands) |
| Type | Retractable gel pen; capped and stick versions also sold |
| Point sizes | 0.5 mm Fine · 0.7 mm Medium · 1.0 mm Bold |
| Length | 5.75 in (146 mm), retractable, per OnTimeSupplies |
| Barrel | 10.6 mm, measured by The Pen Addict |
| Weight | 0.025 lb (about 11 g) per pen, per OnTimeSupplies |
| Body | Translucent barrel and clip in the ink color, rubber grip |
| Refillable | No (0.5 and 0.7 mm, per The Pen Addict) |
| Made in | Mexico (per ADI Global) |
Paper Mate doesn’t publish dimensions in the sources we found, so the length and weight come from a business-supply listing for the 0.5 mm pen. The stick version is listed at 5.53 in (140 mm).
Which InkJoy Gel size should you choose?
Pick the 0.7 mm Medium for color sets and everyday notes, the 0.5 mm Fine for small writing, and the 1.0 mm Bold for signatures and headings.
- 0.5 mm Fine: a thinner line that suits planners; sold in 8-packs of colors.
- 0.7 mm Medium: the standard size, sold in 6, 14, 22 and 30-color packs.
- 1.0 mm Bold: a bolder line for signatures; the listings we found are black.
Does InkJoy Gel ink really dry faster?
Paper Mate says it dries 3x faster than the Pilot G2, but that is a maker claim we haven’t tested yet. The fine print says the comparison is against the Pilot G2, based on average dry times of black, blue, red and green, and that dry time varies by color.
If smearing is your main problem, the Pentel EnerGel is the other gel pen sold on fast drying. Our best pens for left-handed writers compares quick-drying options.
What does the InkJoy Gel look like?
The barrel and clip are translucent plastic in the ink color, so you can see how much ink is left. The Pen Addict describes a translucent barrel and clip, chrome lettering by the click mechanism and a rubber grip it found helpful for sweaty hands.
At 10.6 mm, The Pen Addict notes, the barrel is fairly wide if you’re used to slim pens like the Pilot Hi-Tec-C. It also notes the 0.5 and 0.7 mm pens aren’t refillable, so treat them as disposable.
How does the InkJoy Gel compare to other gel pens?
It’s the colorful multi-pack pick; the Pilot G2 and Sharpie S-Gel are the usual black-and-blue office choices.
| Paper Mate InkJoy Gel | Pilot G2 | Sharpie S-Gel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sizes | 0.5 · 0.7 · 1.0 mm | 0.38 · 0.5 · 0.7 · 1.0 mm | 0.38 · 0.5 · 0.7 · 1.0 mm |
| Body | Translucent color barrel | Clear barrel | Black barrel |
| Refillable | No (0.5 / 0.7 mm) | Yes | 0.7 mm refills exist |
| Ink claim | Dries 3x faster than G2 | Smear-resistant, quick-drying | No smear, no bleed |
| Made in | Mexico (ADI Global) | Japan (retailer sheets) | United States (Sharpie records) |
Our best gel pens roundup picks one gel pen for each job. For a finer, refillable gel pen in many colors, see the Pilot Juice Up.
Where is the Paper Mate InkJoy Gel made?
US distributor ADI Global lists InkJoy Gel packs as made in Mexico. Its listings for the 0.7 mm black 6-pack (1951728), the 0.5 mm 8-pack (1968614), a slate blue 0.7 mm and a fashion-color 6-pack all give Mexico, with a note that origin is subject to change. Paper Mate’s own pages don’t state it in the sources we found.
How much does an InkJoy Gel cost?
It falls in our lowest price band, $ (under $5 per pen), in a typical multi-pack. Large color assortments at Walmart and Target work out to well under $5 a pen.
Frequently asked questions
Does InkJoy Gel ink really dry faster than the Pilot G2?
That's Paper Mate's claim. Its packaging says InkJoy Gel ink dries 3x faster than the Pilot G2, based on average dry times of black, blue, red and green, and notes that dry time varies by color. We haven't tested it yet.
What sizes does the Paper Mate InkJoy Gel come in?
0.5 mm Fine, 0.7 mm Medium and 1.0 mm Bold. The 0.7 mm Medium is the size in most multi-color packs; the 1.0 mm listings we found are black.
Is the InkJoy Gel refillable?
The Pen Addict's 2016 review says the 0.5 and 0.7 mm pens are not refillable. Treat them as disposable.
What is the difference between InkJoy and InkJoy Gel?
InkJoy Gel uses gel ink. Other InkJoy pens, such as the InkJoy 300 RT, are ballpoints with Paper Mate's low-viscosity ink, so check for the word Gel on the pack.
How big is the InkJoy Gel pen?
OnTimeSupplies lists the retractable pen at 5.75 in (146 mm) long, and The Pen Addict measured the barrel at 10.6 mm, a little wider than many slim gel pens.
Where is the Paper Mate InkJoy Gel made?
US distributor ADI Global lists several InkJoy Gel packs as made in Mexico and notes that origin is subject to change. Paper Mate is a Newell Brands company based in the United States.
Is there a capped InkJoy Gel?
Yes. Walmart sells a capped InkJoy Gel in 0.7 mm, and OnTimeSupplies lists a 0.5 mm InkJoy Gel stick pen, alongside the retractable versions.
Sources
- Walmart: Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens, Medium 0.7 mm, Assorted, 14 Count (Best seller; dries 3x faster)
- Paper Mate (Salsify product record): InkJoy Gel 0.7 mm Assorted, 14 Count
- OnTimeSupplies: InkJoy Gel 0.7 mm 36-pack (3x faster than Pilot G2 claim)
- OnTimeSupplies: InkJoy Gel retractable 0.5 mm, dozen (5.75 in, 0.025 lb)
- OnTimeSupplies: InkJoy Gel stick pen 0.5 mm, dozen (5.53 in)
- The Pen Addict: Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Ten Pen Set 0.7 mm review (August 12, 2016)
- ADI Global: Paper Mate InkJoy Gel 0.7 mm black, 6-pack, 1951728 (Mexico)
- ADI Global: Paper Mate InkJoy Gel 0.5 mm, 8-pack, 1968614 (Mexico)
- ADI Global: Paper Mate InkJoy Gel fashion colors 6-pack, 2154002 (Mexico; origin subject to change)
- ADI Global: Paper Mate InkJoy Gel 1.0 mm bold, black, 4-pack
- Walmart: Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens, Medium 0.7 mm, Dark Blue, Capped, 36 Count
- Paper Mate: InkJoy Gel Pens, Fashion Barrels, Retractable, 0.7 mm
- ASINsight: S gel pens, US Amazon sales estimates (July 2026)