Pen Week 2026 at Iguana | The Writing Lab

From October 26 through November 1, Iguana becomes The Writing Lab. Seven days to experiment with writing, discover new fountain pens, and find your own personal formula, together with Esterbrook.

Some people love the sound of a nib moving across paper. Others prefer a smooth writing experience with barely any resistance. Some look for fine, precise lines, while others find pleasure in bold, expressive strokes rich with ink and personality.

Some people write quickly, while others take their time with every word. Some choose their fountain pen for its design; others for its weight, balance, or the way it feels in their hand.

But they all have one thing in common: their way of writing is unique.

At Iguana, we've spent years sharing our passion for writing instruments. And we've learned that no matter how much we talk about materials, mechanisms, nibs, or manufacturing techniques, one question always matters most: how do you write?

This year, that question becomes the starting point for Pen Week 2026, Iguana's biggest celebration of writing. From October 26 through November 1, our most special week of the year becomes The Writing Lab, an experience we're bringing to life alongside Esterbrook, our official main sponsor.

THE WRITING LAB: WRITING ENTERS THE LAB

For seven days, Iguana transforms into a laboratory dedicated to exploring the small details that make every fountain pen a different writing experience.

Because two writing instruments may look similar at first glance, yet feel completely different when you put pen to paper.

Changing the nib can alter the width of your lines. Different materials can transform the way a pen feels to the touch. Weight and weight distribution affect comfort. Even the ink you choose can change your entire perception of writing.

This year, we want to do more than simply showcase fountain pens. We want to understand what makes them special and how those differences can help us find the right writing instrument.

To make that happen, we've prepared a full week of content, experiences, and hands-on experiments that will allow us to explore writing from six different perspectives.

ESTERBROOK, THE OFFICIAL MAIN SPONSOR OF PEN WEEK 2026

This year, we're delighted to have Esterbrook as our official main sponsor. Founded in 1858, this American brand has built much of its identity around fountain pen nibs and the art of writing.

More than a century and a half later, Esterbrook continues to celebrate that heritage through collections that blend historical inspiration, contemporary materials, and a special focus on the writing experience.

Its renowned Estie collection embodies this philosophy, while the brand's Custom Nib Program shows just how much a nib can become a tool for personal expression.

Specialty nibs such as the Journaler, Scribe, and Needlepoint open up new possibilities, from line variation to exceptionally precise strokes.

This ability to experiment with different writing styles makes Esterbrook a particularly fitting partner for The Writing Lab.

Because the question isn't simply which fountain pen we like best, but which one makes writing the most enjoyable.

SEVEN DAYS TO DISCOVER YOUR WRITING STYLE

Throughout Pen Week, we'll explore the elements that shape our relationship with writing instruments. After introducing the world of The Writing Lab, each experience will focus on discovering a different characteristic.

NIB TEST · FIND YOUR PERFECT NIB

Do you prefer a fine, precise stroke or a broad, expressive line? Are you looking for smoothness, or do you enjoy feeling a little of the paper's texture as you write?

We'll discover how nib width, geometry, and performance can transform the way we write.

MATERIAL TEST · DISCOVER WHAT FEELS RIGHT

Resin, metal, wood, or even volcanic lava. Each material offers a different tactile experience and can change the way we perceive a fountain pen from the very first touch.

We'll explore which materials best match our personal preferences.

DESIGN TEST · FIND YOUR STYLE

Classic or contemporary? Minimalist or expressive? Understated colors or bold combinations?

Design also plays a role in our connection with writing instruments. We'll discover how shapes, proportions, and finishes can reflect our individual tastes.

FILLING TEST · EXPLORE FILLING SYSTEMS

Cartridges, converters, pistons, or vacuum-filling systems. Each mechanism offers a different way to refill your fountain pen.

Do you value convenience and speed, or do you enjoy the ritual of opening an ink bottle and filling your pen?

INK TEST · FIND YOUR INK

The world of fountain pen inks goes far beyond blue and black. Colors, shades, intensity, and special effects can completely transform the way our writing looks and feels.

We'll explore which colors and finishes best reflect our personalities.

BALANCE TEST · FIND YOUR PERFECT BALANCE

A lightweight fountain pen can feel incredibly comfortable for some people, while others prefer the more substantial presence of a heavier writing instrument in their hand.

We'll examine how weight, weight distribution, and balance influence the writing experience.

WRITING TESTS: NOT TO TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE, BUT TO GET TO KNOW YOURSELF

One of this year's most exciting additions is our Writing Tests, a series of interactive experiences you can complete online to identify your personal writing preferences.

You don't need any technical knowledge or previous experience with fountain pens. All you have to do is answer a few simple questions about your writing habits and the sensations you enjoy most.

Do you prefer fine or broad lines? Do you like lightweight writing instruments or pens with a more substantial feel? Are you drawn to classic designs or something a little bolder? Do you love experimenting with inks, or do you always reach for the same color?

Based on your answers, you'll discover which features may suit you best and explore writing instruments that match those preferences.

Maybe you'll confirm what you already knew. Or perhaps you'll discover that your next fountain pen is very different from the one you had imagined.

THE WORLD'S MOST RENOWNED WRITING BRANDS, FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

Pen Week will also be an opportunity to explore the world of some of the most celebrated names in fine writing, each with its own history, personality, and approach to fountain pens.

Alongside Esterbrook, this year's official main sponsor, we'll feature renowned brands such as Visconti, Graf von Faber-Castell, Caran d'Ache, and Scribo, as well as other names joining us throughout the week.

This year, we want to introduce them from a different perspective. Rather than focusing solely on their collections, materials, or manufacturing techniques, we'll explore what makes writing with each of them such a distinctive experience.

Why does one particular nib feel different from another? How important is balance? How does a filling system influence our daily routine? Why can one fountain pen feel perfect for one person but not quite right for someone else?

Every brand has its own philosophy. Every writing instrument offers its own experience. And behind every choice lies something deeply personal.

We want you to do more than discover new fountain pens. We want you to understand why one of them might become your next favorite writing companion.

FROM SCREEN TO PAPER: EXPERIENCE PEN WEEK AT IGUANA MADRID

The Writing Lab won't be limited to the digital world. During Pen Week, you can take part both online and at our Madrid boutique.

On our website, you'll find editorial content, comparisons, and the different tests we've created to help you discover your writing preferences.

And at our boutique, you can take the experience one step further: hold a fountain pen, feel its weight, discover how it fits your hand, and experience the writing process firsthand.

Because some details simply can't be captured in a photograph.

We've also prepared special experiences for visitors. On October 28, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, a handwriting analyst will join us to help explore the characteristics of our handwriting from a different perspective.

We'll also be hosting giveaways and special surprises inspired by the world of writing as another way to celebrate this shared passion with our community.

We want The Writing Lab to be a place where longtime fountain pen enthusiasts and those just beginning to discover this fascinating world can come together.

FINDING YOUR NEXT FOUNTAIN PEN STARTS WITH KNOWING YOURSELF

There's something truly exciting about discovering a writing instrument you connect with from the very first moment.

Sometimes it's the design. Other times, it's the smoothness of the nib. It might be the balance, the story behind it, or simply the feeling you get when you write those first few words.

It's not always easy to explain why we love a particular fountain pen so much. But during this year's Pen Week, we want to help you find out.

Together with Esterbrook, the official main sponsor of Pen Week 2026, and all the other participating brands, we invite you to experience a week unlike any other.

A week to learn, experiment, compare, and discover new ways to enjoy writing.

From October 26 through November 1, we look forward to welcoming you at Iguana Madrid and in our online laboratory.

Because writing is about so much more than putting words on paper. It's a personal experience, and no two people experience it in exactly the same way.

If you need any assistance, get in touch and we'll be happy to help.