ASA verdict
Tombow ABT Dual Brush Pens have earned their reputation by doing one thing especially well: making colour feel expressive. The brush tip gives clean line variation from fine flicks to bold downstrokes while the fine tip handles details, outlines, and everyday marking. The water based dye ink is bright, blendable, and especially strong for journaling, lettering, and soft watercolour style effects.
Why it earned this score
Colour Quality
10.0 /10
Bright, attractive colours with a generous 108 shade range, strongest for lettering, journaling, illustration and soft blended effects.
Ink Performance
10.0 /10
Water based dye ink blends beautifully with water or a blender pen, but heavy layering needs suitable paper.
Smudge Resistance
6.0 /10
Dry hand smudging is not the main issue, but moisture can reactivate the ink and rough paper can make blends messy.
Tip Quality
7.0 /10
The resilient nylon brush tip gives expressive stroke control, while the fine tip adds useful detail and outline precision.
Value for Money
8.0 /10
Strong for regular creative use, weaker if you need refillable markers or only use a few colours occasionally.
Buying guidance
Good to know
- Dual ended: brush tip and fine tip.
- Ink type: water based dye ink.
- Colour range: 108 colours including a colourless blender.
- Brush tip: resilient nylon.
Before you buy
- Use smooth marker, lettering, or mixed media paper.
- Avoid rough paper if you want the brush tip to last.
- Use a light hand for better stroke control.
- Expect water based blending, not permanent ink behaviour.
Editorial insight
The strongest pattern is clear: Tombow ABT is loved for colour, control, and creative flexibility. The main weakness is not quality. It is paper choice. Smooth paper makes the pen shine, while rough or thin paper exposes its limits.
Bottom line
ASA recommends Tombow ABT Dual Brush Pens for creative lettering and journaling because their colour range, brush control, and versatility remain genuinely strong.