2025 was a brilliant year for fountain pen enthusiasts. From landmark limited editions to exciting new brand launches, the pen world delivered plenty to talk about. Here's our look back at the highlights of the year from the team at Pure Pens.
The Year's Biggest Releases
Pelikan
Pelikan continued their tradition of stunning limited editions in 2025. The M800 and M1000 special releases drew significant attention from collectors, with the brand's signature striped resin and gold nib combinations remaining as desirable as ever. The Pelikan Maki-e range also saw new additions, continuing the brand's collaboration with Japanese lacquerware artisans.
LAMY
LAMY released their annual Safari and AL-Star special edition colours for 2025, which as always sold out quickly. The brand's consistent approach to limited colour releases has made these annual drops a highlight of the pen calendar for collectors and everyday writers alike.
Kaweco
Kaweco continued to expand their Sport range with new colourways and materials, cementing the Sport's status as one of the most versatile and collectible pocket pens available. Their AL Sport and Brass Sport variants remained perennial bestsellers throughout the year.
Diamine
Diamine had another strong year for ink releases, with new additions to their shimmer and sheening ranges proving particularly popular. The Liverpool-based ink maker continues to set the standard for accessible, high-quality fountain pen inks in the UK.
Trends We Noticed in 2025
The Rise of Shimmer Inks
Shimmer and sheen inks continued their meteoric rise in popularity throughout 2025. Brands like Diamine, J. Herbin, and KWZ all saw strong demand for their glittering formulations, with ink enthusiasts sharing swatches across social media in ever-greater numbers.
Gifting and New Writers
2025 saw a continued surge in people discovering fountain pens for the first time. Entry-level pens from LAMY, Kaweco, and Pilot were among our bestsellers, as the slow writing movement and journalling trend continued to bring new enthusiasts into the hobby.
Sustainability
The environmental credentials of fountain pens — refillable, long-lasting, and low-waste compared to disposable pens — resonated strongly with customers in 2025. Our environmental practices page and ethical products range saw increased interest throughout the year.
Our Bestsellers of 2025
Without giving away too many secrets, our top-selling pens of 2025 included the LAMY Safari, Kaweco Sport, Pelikan M400, and Parker Jotter — a mix of timeless classics and accessible entry points that reflects the broad appeal of fountain pen writing today.
On the ink side, Diamine shimmer inks, J. Herbin 1670 anniversary inks, and our own Pure Pens Ink range were consistently popular throughout the year.
Looking Ahead to 2026
We're already excited about what 2026 has in store. New releases from Pelikan, LAMY, and Kaweco are expected, and we'll be adding new brands and products to our range throughout the year. Keep an eye on our blog and Instagram for the latest news and arrivals.
Thank you to everyone who shopped with us in 2025 — it was a fantastic year and we're looking forward to helping you find your next favourite pen in 2026.
— The Pure Pens Team