Review: Staedtler Triplus Fineliner 20-color Felt Tip Marker Set

Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Review

I was recently let loose in Target during back-to-school shopping without any adult supervision. In my melee of shopping enthusiasm, I couldn’t resist buying the largest set of Staedtler Triplus Fineliner felt tip markers they had.

The set included an array of standard colors and six neon colors as well. The set came in a sturdy plastic case with a flip top lid that would create an easel stand. It reminded me so much of those wonderful 64-color boxes of Crayola crayons with the built-in sharpener that I was helpless to resist. To an adult, fresh markers are just like a brand new box of crayons.

Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Writing Sample

Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Writing Sample 2

The Staedtler Triplus series is notable for being quite long pens with a rounded triangular shape that makes them comfortable to hold.

I was surprised with how sophisticated the color palette was for this set including colors like a yellow ochre and rich reds and blues. These were certainly not watery kids’ markers in regards to the colors. The neons are lots of fun but the neon yellow is not dark enough for writing — maybe underlining or filling in shapes. Also, the grey marker was too light for writing but might be nice for drawing or coloring.

Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Review

The whole time I was using the Triplus markers I found myself comparing them to the Stabilo Point 88 markers I purchased not too long ago. There are a lot of similarities in regards to price as well. The Staedtler set cost me about $24 at Target while the mini sized Stabilo 18-color set was $15 from Jet Pens. Stabilo does make full-sized versions of the Point 88 markers which is entirely comparable in size, price and selection to the Staedtler Triplus markers.

Staedtler Triplus Fineliner vs. Stabilo Point 88 0,4

The tips on the Stabilos and the Staedtlers are basically identical despite the numeric coding suggesting that the Stabilos are wider. I could not actually discern any difference in the writing samples I did. Colorwise, the two sets differed with the Stabilos having a wider range of traditional colors and the Staedtler having the wild neons instead. If you compare the Staedtler 20-color set listed on Jet Pens to the Stabilo 25-color set, the colors are very similar. The two sets are competitively priced ($25 and $22) but the Stabilo set offers five extra colors where the Staedtler set offers a more durable carrying case.

Staedtler Triplus Fineliner vs. Stabilo Point 88 0,4
Sorry this photo is a little blurry. (too much caffeine!) But you get the gist.

While I really enjoy the neon colors in the set I purchased, I wish I had seen the 20-color set available on JetPens that does include a wider array of grey shades plus yellow, orange, and aqua which I miss in the reduced set I purchased.

Would you like to win a set of 20-color Staedtler Triplus Fineliner markers or a 25-color set of Stabilo Point 88 markers from JetPens? I’m giving one set of markers away to a lucky reader. Leave a message in the comments and tell me which set you’d prefer and what you hope to use them for to be entered to win.


FINE PRINT: All entries must be submitted by 10pm CST on Thursday, Spetember 17, 2015. All entries must be submitted at wellappointeddesk.com, not Twitter, Tumblr or Facebook, okay? Winner will be announced on Wednesday. Winner will be selected by random number generator from entries that played by the rules (see above). Please include your email address in the comment form so that I can contact you if you win. I will not save email addresses or sell them to anyone — pinky swear. If winner does not respond within 30 days, I will draw a new giveaway winner. Shipping via USPS first class. US residents only please.


Finally, for an awesome chart comparing several type and brands of colored marker sets, check out JetPens’ Guide to Choosing a Felt Tip Marker.

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109 comments / Add your comment below

  1. I have the Stabilo set of mini markers in the little water bottle, which I bought after your review a while back. I really like them, but I wouldn’t mind having the Stabilo set to do my own comparison. 🙂

  2. I loved my Stabilo 88s so much. They’ve lasted me many years but the poor things are finally done and I want more for coloring intricate pieces that need vibrant colors!

  3. I prefer the look and feel of the Staedtler barrel. I like to mark my students’ work in colours other than red. This would give me endless options!

  4. The Staedtler Triplus Fineliner set looks wonderful! I currently have the 10 color set which I use for underlining in school readings and for color coding the days of the week in my Hobonichi Cousin.

    I personally prefer the Staedtler’s to the Stabilo Point 88’s, which seem to have a slightly thicker line and feather more.

    Thanks for this awesome giveaway!

  5. Hi my name is Kafilat, I really enjoyed your review. I would prefer the staedtler set because of the high quality and the sleek design. I would probably use them for notes and other study related things.

  6. I color code my bullet journals, so more colors equals more categories I can add. 🙂 I would love to try the Stabilo set.

  7. I love the Staedtler markers, the colors are gorgeous. I would use them to write letters, no boring blue ink for me, thanks.

  8. I would *love* a set of the Stabilo’s! I’ve been doing a lot of coloring lately (just got an enchanted forest book), and these would be a perfect addition to my set of colored pencils!

  9. I’d love the Stabilo set. My wife’s gotten me into zentagles lately, and they look like they’d be an excellent way to add a bit of color to them.

  10. I would use the Staedler markers to make study notes, to write in my planner, and to write letters — that is, for any kind of writing. Thanks for the giveaway.

  11. The Staedtler. I have a few Stabilos and I don’t know what my problem is, but I hold them too hard or something and the little edges hurt my poor wee fingers.

  12. I used to carry a small sketchbook in which I made pencil drawings. It was relaxing & a creative outlet, but after a move I haven’t done any sketching. The Staedtler set with its colors and nice carrying case would be just the incentive to resume my sketching and explore colors.

  13. I’d love to win the Staedtler Triplus Fineliner set. The colors are much more mature. They’d work great for color coding my planner and for studying purposes for the nursing program I’m about to start in January.

  14. I love my Triplus set so I’d like to try the Stabilo Point 88 markers. I’ve wondered what the difference was between them. I’d use them mostly for zentangling, but I also write letters and notes with my Triplus, too. Sweet to have a give-away! 🙂

  15. I’m not sure which set I prefer. We have a few Stablios – my daughter requested them for school (they are very popular with middle schoolers). We both love the vivid colors and fine tips. I use them sometimes when I write postcards 😉 The tips on the Staedtlers looks marginally shorter – do you think that makes them sturdier? *We* did manage to break a couple of tips on the Stablios.

  16. I’d choose the 25-color set of Stabilo Point 88’s, although they both look fabulous. I’s use them for mail art 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!

  17. I’ve heard about these pens from other sites/pages but haven’t been lucky enough to have any myself. I’d used either set of colors for calendaring purposes. I’m a color coder, since I take of my mom, sometimes pick up my nephews and still have a few of my own activities.
    Would also be great for bullet journaling too
    Thank you for the opportunity

  18. I’d like to win the Triplus Fineliner set. I have had the other set and would like to try something new. I am going to use them for everyday stuff like drawing, writing, and scrapbooking. Thanks for the giveaway – much appreciated!

  19. My SO has gotten me some great colouring books (Flow!) and the Stabilo set would be the perfect colourspace to use in that one. Thank you for the giveaway!

  20. I have been drooling over Stabilo markers from my local art supply store. I just got a grown-up coloring book and it needs super fine points like that.

  21. The Staedtler set thank you – love the stand-up case! I think they would be just the incentive to start color mandalas.

  22. Either would be wonderful for color coding projects in my planner, but the Stabilo Point 88s have stripes! How can you resist stripes?

  23. Staedtlers! [I’ve used the Stabilo before] I would use them in my journal for Hans! And doodling for planning new projects.

  24. Would love to win the Staedtler set. Would make a great gift/surprise for my very artsy wife. Thanks for offering these up!
    You and the blog rock, and I often find myself laughing along with you about so many things. “Without adult supervision” almost made me spit coffee across the room, but at the last second I realized that would be sacrilege.

  25. I would love to try the Stabilo set for letter writing. Also, my younger sisters are into drawing and would put them to great use!

  26. I’ve always been a fan of triangular barrels, and Staedtler’s never steered me wrong. I’m on team Staedtler Triplus!

  27. I think I’d go with the Stabilo 88s. I have a few in black and blue and love the faux-pencil look. They would be great for quick sketches when working on website designs.

  28. This Staedler set would be a perfect gift for my friend who has started using coloring books as therapy. She suffers from cognitive proplems from MS and coloring supposedly helps balance the brain.

    Thanks for the giveaway.

  29. Oh boy, markers! I tend to love whatever Staedtler puts out there, but I might prefer the color range of the Stabilo set. Hm. I have decided that while Staedtler is my number one choice because of brand loyalty, I would be completely happy with either set. Yay! Markers!

  30. How delightful! A chance to win a new set of markers, like shoes and tea, a lady can never have enough of either! I should be very pleased with the Staedtler pens, pretty colors and I love spelling Staedtler ! Thank you for your blog!!

  31. Thank you for this contest! I’d like to win the Stabilo set, as I haven’t used them before and it’d be great to try something new. I’d use them for colouring the very finely detailed pictures I have which thwart my pencil crayons!

  32. I would love to try stabilos. Something about the color and shape just pulls to me. I have touched them soon many times in our local art store, but with so many pens at home it’s hard to justify, even at that proce point. I have recently restarted journaling and keeping paper projects, so they would definitely be well used. Oh and I love to write letters to all my pen pals! One of my concerns about pens like these, are can I actually wrote and entire letter without destroying the tip? But from your writing sample above, seems like I should give it a try! Thanks for the opportunity.

  33. I’d love to win that Stabilio set. I have just gotten into art journaling and artistic planning. On a retirement budget, I have not allowed myself to purchase very much, so these would be a wonderful addition to my new found hobbies.

  34. Thank you for this great giveaway! I like the Stabilo 88s. I’d use them to get back to drawing in ink. Have a wonderful week!

  35. I would love to try the Stabilo Point 88s! I would definitely use them for planning! (Which I have recently become ADDICTED to.)

  36. I would love to try the Stabilos. I’d use them for note taking, calendaring, and coloring with my granddaughter! Thank you!

  37. I did just order a new insert for my Traveler’s Notebook…the Staedtlers would make a good addition for those blank pages!

  38. I used to have a set of Stabilos that I picked up as a high schooler on a study trip to Europe, and I used them all through college. My budget is too tight these days to replace them but I would love to have a new set to use for my fauxdori and work calendaring.

  39. Either set would be great, but since they will be staying put on my desk, I’ll opt for the Stabilo for the extra pens versus the sturdy case. I’m starting to try to use colorful sketches to enhance my journals and other ‘ordinary’ writing, so the markers would be a big help.

  40. I have used Staedtlers to help my students develop an affinity to pens. They were what also brought me into the love of quality pens and are fantastic for study. If I get a set, I will be sharing with my high school freshmen!

  41. Great giveaway. I would prefer the staedtler set with sturdy case and would use them for drawing, hopefully employing the sturdy case to take them along to draw and doodle anywhere. Thanks for the change to win.

  42. I would love to have a Staedtler set! I’ve been eyeing them for a while. I would use them for note taking and also drawing. 😀

  43. Would love to try the Staedtler set. Just cause. No seriously, I’m addicted to pens and stationary they’d be put to great use somehow. Doodles galore in all of these expensive notebooks I keep convincing myself I need.

  44. I’d love to win the Stabilo Point set so I can color in my adult coloring books and write colorful letters. Both look amazing, so it is hard to pick just one! This is a great giveaway! Thanks!

  45. Yes, please—the Stabilo set! I have used and loved the Staedtler but after reading your review am intrigued by Stabilo!! I have a mixed media journal I’m working on that I’d love to subject to these! For page borders!

  46. I Would like to try the Stabilo. I have a small set of Staedtler, but those colors sure are yummy. I’ve been doing a lot of coloring lately, and new colors are always welcome. Thanks!

  47. Staedtler Triplus please. I like the idea of the triangular shape, and would like to try it out. And I am dying to add some color to my newly begun Bullet Journal.

  48. I would love to use the Stabilo markers in my Field Notes journal. My handwriting is always better when I use quality pens and markers!

    1. The bright Fineliners are just printed with “neon” at the end of the name: “Staedtler Triplus Fineliners neon”. No numbers or other identifying information on the individual markers, sadly. (FYI, my autocorrect is a pain in the butt these days!)

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