Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association

10/20/2026

✍️ Happy National Day on Writing!

Celebrated each year on October 20, National Day on Writing recognizes the many ways writing is part of our everyday lives—from jotting down a quick note or making a list to writing a letter, story or journal entry.

Today is the perfect excuse to pick up your favorite pen or pencil and put something on paper. 🖊️✏️

What’s your favorite thing to write by hand?

10/14/2026

✍️ Cursive is making a comeback in classrooms across America!

More than half of U.S. states now require some form of cursive instruction in public schools—a significant increase from just 14 states in 2016.

And there’s good reason to keep students putting pen and pencil to paper. Research highlighted in this article points to handwriting’s role in learning, memory, letter recognition and brain engagement.

In an increasingly digital world, the value of handwriting—and the writing instruments that make it possible—continues to endure. 🖊️✏️

Read more about where cursive is being taught and why handwriting still matters.

Cursive’s comeback in U.S. public schools continues, even as the digital age reaches new heights and some question whether it's obsolete.

10/05/2026

🍎✏️ Happy World Teachers’ Day!

Today we celebrate the teachers who inspire students to learn, create and express themselves—one lesson at a time.

From guiding a child’s first handwritten letters to encouraging them to put their thoughts on paper, teachers play an important role in building skills that last a lifetime.

Here’s to the educators who help students find their voice—and put it into writing! 📝❤️

Teachers create opportunities for children to develop and thrive. World Teachers’ Day honors that incredibly important work.

10/01/2026

On September 8, 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC") welcomed Commissioners Karen Diebel Sessions and Brien Lorenze to the Commission. With the addition of these two new Commissioners - plus Acting Chair Peter Feldman, the CPSC, once again, has a quorum and can conduct business under the CPSC statute.

09/24/2026

✏️ Happy Birthday, F. Scott Fitzgerald! 📚

Born on September 24, 1896, F. Scott Fitzgerald gave us one of America’s most celebrated novels, The Great Gatsby—and much of his creative process began with pencil and paper.

Fitzgerald customarily wrote by hand in pencil, with his work later typed by a secretary. His surviving handwritten draft of The Great Gatsby spans more than 250 pages and offers a fascinating look at his creative process, filled with revisions, crossed-out passages and ideas taking shape right on the page.

On his birthday, we celebrate not only Fitzgerald’s literary legacy, but also the power of handwriting to bring ideas to life. ✍️

09/21/2026

Take a moment today to put pen to paper and tell someone how much you appreciate them. A few handwritten words can be a simple, personal and meaningful way to say thank you.

Who are you grateful for today? Write them a note and let them know! ❤️📝

As our world becomes increasingly digitalized and mobile, people seek faster, even immediate, forms of communication. The times have certainly changed and now it is easier than ever to get in touch; all it takes is a quick email or text message.

09/18/2026

🖊️ Tariff Update for the Writing Instruments Industry

Tariffs can impact the cost of everything from finished pens and pencils to the components and materials used to make them.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced the next phase of its tariff refund process, launching October 6. For writing instrument manufacturers and suppliers affected by recent tariffs, this is an important development to watch.

Learn more about what the new refund process could mean for importers:

On September 15, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) announced in a declaration filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade (“CIT”) that

09/12/2026

Born on September 12, 1898, artist Ben Shahn had a lifelong fascination with the beauty of letters and hand-lettering. As a child, he loved copying the flowing letters of the Hebrew alphabet, and as a young lithographer’s apprentice, he went on to create thousands of letters by hand—learning every curve, serif and detail.

That love of the written form became an important part of his art, demonstrating how handwriting and lettering can be creative expression in their own right.

In honor of Shahn’s birthday, learn more about his lifelong “love affair with letters” and the role hand-lettering played in his work.

Read “Love and Joy About Letters” from SVA Archives here:

Love and Joy About Letters is a testament to Ben Shahn’s love affair with letters: the beauty of the letter forms, the liberating influence hand-lettering, and how the incorporation of letters added meaning to his art.

09/10/2026

The right pen can make all the difference. ✨🖊

Whether you're journaling, taking notes, writing a letter, or practicing cursive, a comfortable, reliable pen encourages you to slow down and enjoy the experience of writing by hand. A recent review by Wirecutter highlights how the best everyday pens combine smooth ink flow, comfort, and consistency—all qualities that make handwriting more enjoyable.

Because when writing feels good, we're more likely to put pen to paper—and that's a habit worth preserving.

Read story below 👇

The Uni-ball Jetstream RT is the best pen for most people. It’s affordable and quick to dry. And it writes smoothly and won’t skip or bleed.

09/04/2026

As students head back to the classroom, it’s the perfect time to remember that putting pencil to paper is about much more than good penmanship. ✍

A recent Education Week article highlights how writing by hand activates neural networks connected to language, memory, attention and learning, while also helping children develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, confidence and perseverance.

In an increasingly digital classroom, handwriting still deserves a place in every student’s school day. Whether it’s practicing letters, taking notes, solving a math problem or writing a story, those moments spent writing by hand can help young minds learn, think and grow.

This back-to-school season, sharpen those pencils and make handwriting part of the routine! ✏️📝🧠

Schools shouldn’t abandon handwriting instruction—including cursive—in the digital age.