Annotating books has become a huge trend among readers , whether it’s for deep analysis, personal reflection, or simply highlighting favorite quotes. But without the right tools, annotation can lead to bleeding ink, damaged pages, or messy notes that take away from the reading experience.

That’s why having high-quality annotation supplies —like non-bleed highlighters, fine-tip pens, sticky tabs, and annotation journals —can make all the difference. The right tools help you color-code themes, track character arcs, and jot down thoughts without damaging your book.

💡 In this blog, we’ll cover:
✔ The best annotation tools for 2025 (highlighters, pens, sticky tabs, and more)
✔ How to choose supplies that won’t damage your books
✔ Creative ways to organize your annotations
✔ Where to find aesthetic, high-quality annotation sets

Whether you’re a seasoned annotator or just starting out, this guide will help you find the best supplies to elevate your reading experience ! ✍️📚

📢 Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally love and think will add value to fellow book lovers.

For readers who love annotating their books but don’t want to spend time individually picking out highlighters, pens, and sticky tabs , annotation starter packs offer a convenient, budget-friendly way to get everything in one bundle. These sets often include non-bleed highlighters, fine-tip pens, aesthetic sticky tabs, and sometimes even a notebook or annotation guide , making them perfect for beginners and seasoned annotators alike .

Below, we’ve ranked the top 5 annotation starter packs of 2025 based on pricing, included items, and average customer ratings to help you find the best option for your bookish needs.

✅ Saves Time & Money – Buying a pre-packaged set ensures you get everything you need at a lower price than purchasing items individually.

✅ Perfect for Beginners – If you’re just starting out with annotating , a kit ensures you have all the right tools without guesswork.

✅ Aesthetic & Organized – Many sets come in color-coordinated themes or include storage cases to keep your supplies neat.

✅ Customer-Approved – These top-rated bundles are based on real reader reviews, ensuring high-quality and smudge-free annotation tools .

If you prefer to build your own annotation kit instead of buying a pre-made bundle, you can mix and match highlighters, sticky tabs, and pens to suit your personal annotation style. Whether you want smear-proof highlighters, ultra-fine pens, or a massive pack of sticky tabs , this section highlights the best individual annotation supplies available.

📌 BLIEVE Aesthetic Gel Pens (Earthy-tone matte finish, smooth ink flow, no bleed-through pages)
💰 Price: ~$8.99 for a 8-pack
⭐ Avg. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4)
📢  Check it out here  

📌 Ddaowanx Gel Pens (Minimalist design, fine-tip, quick-dry black ink, smooth writing)
💰 Price: ~$7.99 for a 6-pack
⭐ Avg. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6)
📢  Check it out here  

📌 NUSIGN Gel Pens (Retractable, fine-tip, black ink, smooth writing, no bleed-through pages)
💰 Price: ~$7.99 for a 5-pack
⭐ Avg. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5)
📢 Check it out here  

✅ Uni-Ball Signo 207 Gel Pens (No smudging, smooth writing, fade-resistant ink)
💰 Price: ~$8.99 for a 3-pack
⭐ Avg. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8)
📢  Check it out here  

✅ Pilot Precise V5 RT Pens (Fine-tip precision, ideal for detailed notes in margins)
💰 Price: ~$9.99 for a 6-pack
⭐ Avg. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8)
📢  Check it out here

✅ Sharpie S-Gel Pens (No Bleed Ink) (Perfect for writing in books without ink bleeding through pages)
💰 Price: ~$7.99 for a 4-pack
⭐ Avg. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7)
📢  Check it out here  

📌 Zebra Mildliner Highlighters (Soft pastel colors, dual-tip, no bleed-through pages)
💰 Price: ~$12.99 for a 15-pack
⭐ Avg. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.9)
📢  Check it out here  

📌 STABILO Swing Cool Pastel Highlighters (Slim, soft-colored, smooth ink flow)
💰 Price: ~$17.25 for an 8-pack
⭐ Avg. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8)
📢  Check it out here 

📌 Mr. Pen Aesthetic Highlighters (Soft Pastel Colors) (Minimalist design, quick-dry ink, smooth chisel tip, no bleed-through pages)
💰 Price: ~$11.99 for a 8-pack (Amazon's Choice)
⭐ Avg. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6)
📢  Check it out here

📌 Sharpie Pocket Highlighters (Mild Pastel Colors) (Soft colors, chisel tip, quick-dry, no bleed-through pages)
💰 Price: ~$7.76 (35% off) for a 12-pack
⭐ Avg. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📢  Check it out here 

📌 BIC Brite Liner Highlighters (Bright, long-lasting, reliable for detailed annotating)
💰 Price: ~$8.99 for a 12-pack
⭐ Avg. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8)
📢  Check it out here

📌 Pilot FriXion Erasable Highlighters (Erase mistakes without damaging books, best for study notes)
💰 Price: ~$8.36 for a 5-pack
⭐ Avg. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6)
📢 Check it out here  

ELII 3200pcs Books Tabs for Annotating (Morandi pastel tones, clear sticky notes, great for color-coding & organizing notes)
💰 Price: ~$8.99 for 3200 tabs
⭐ Avg. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8)
📢  Check it out here 

Cherrytree ELII 2000Pcs Sticky Tabs (Multi-colored, writable, repositionable, perfect for annotating books & planners)
💰 Price: ~$7.99 for 2000 tabs
⭐ Avg. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8)
📢  Check it out here 

📌 DiverseBee Transparent Sticky Notes (Includes Quick Dry Pen) (Clear, pastel-colored, great for annotating without covering text, repositionable)
💰 Price: ~$11.99 for a full set
⭐ Avg. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6)
📢  Check it out here 

📌 Mr. Pen Transparent Sticky Notes (Perfect for writing notes without covering text, great for annotating without marking books)
💰 Price: ~$9.99 for a 3-pack
⭐ Avg. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5)
📢  Check it out here  

📌 Golcellia 540-Piece Transparent Sticky Notes & Page Markers (Durable, writable, repositionable, perfect for annotating books & study notes)
💰 Price: ~$6.99 for 540 tabs
⭐ Avg. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6)
📢  Check it out here 

📌 HCTBN 4200-Pcs Sticky Tabs (Colorful & Transparent) (Massive pack, color-coded for organization, great for annotating books & study use)
💰 Price: ~$8.99 for 4200 tabs
⭐ Avg. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8)
📢  Check it out here  

Annotation isn’t just about marking up pages—it’s a powerful tool that enhances comprehension, engagement, and retention, whether you’re reading for pleasure, study, or work. Here’s how annotating can benefit you as a book lover, student, or professional :

Whether you're a book lover wanting to engage more deeply with stories, a student aiming to retain key concepts, or a professional looking to streamline note-taking , the right annotation tools can make a world of difference. From pastel highlighters and fine-tip gel pens to transparent sticky notes and color-coded tabs , there’s a perfect setup for every kind of reader.

If you're ready to start annotating, explore the best aesthetic and practical annotation supplies to find the tools that match your style and needs. And if you’re not quite ready to dive into annotating yet, check out Kindle, Audible, and other must-have reading tools that can transform your reading experience in other ways.

📢 Which annotation style fits you best? Aesthetic or practical? Let me know in the comments!

📖 Ready to upgrade your reading experience? Check out the best annotation supplies & book-lover essentials here ! 🚀📚