Learning to roll a joint with a pen is one of the best joint rolling hacks for beginners and seasoned smokers alike. Instead of struggling to roll a perfect cylinder by hand, you use a pen, pencil, or Sharpie marker as a mold — wrap your paper around it, seal it, then fill it with cannabis. The result is an evenly shaped, well-packed joint with great airflow every time.
Why Use the Pen Joint Rolling Technique?
The pen joint rolling technique works because it gives you a rigid cylinder to wrap the paper around. Without a mold, most beginners end up with an uneven cone that has air pockets, tight spots, or a loose fill. With a pen as a guide, the paper takes the shape of the mold perfectly. The thickness of your pen, pencil, or Sharpie determines the final size of the joint — a thick Sharpie gives you a fat joint, a standard pen gives a slimmer result.
5 Best Tips to Roll a Joint with a Pen
- Remove the cap and ink cartridge — Before you start, pop the cap off the pen barrel and pull out the ink cartridge. You want a hollow tube. The reason to remove the cap is simple: with the cap on, the end is a different width than the rest of the barrel, which creates an uneven mold. A smooth, uniform barrel gives the paper an even cylinder to follow.
- Use rolling glue for joints instead of licking — While you can lick the glue strip on a rolling paper, using dedicated rolling glue for joints makes the seal much more secure and consistent. Apply a thin line of glue where the paper meets the barrel, press it down, and let it dry for a few seconds before sliding the paper off. This step separates a sloppy roll from a clean one.
- Match pen thickness to your rolling paper size — A standard ballpoint pen barrel works well with 1¼ or regular-size papers. A Sharpie or thick marker is better for king-size papers or blunt wraps. The width of your mold determines how much cannabis the finished joint will hold, so match it to the paper you have on hand.
- Make a proper homemade joint filter — Knowing how to make a homemade joint filter is part of the pen joint rolling technique. Fold a small strip of filter paper back and forth in an accordion pattern, then roll a second strip of paper around the outside to hold it in shape. Slide the filter into the open end of the joint before packing your cannabis. This prevents loose herb from falling into your mouth and keeps the joint burning evenly.
- Pack gradually and tap to settle — Once you have rolled the paper around the pen and slid it off, fill the joint from the open end using a packing tool or the end of a pencil. Add cannabis in small amounts, tap the joint on a flat surface between each addition to settle the herb, and continue until full. Do not overpack — the cannabis should sit firm but not rock-hard. Good airflow is what makes this joint rolling hack so effective.
Step-by-Step: How to Roll a Joint with a Pen
- Remove the ink cartridge from a ballpoint pen barrel (keep the hollow tube)
- Pop the cap off for a consistent barrel width from end to end
- Lay your rolling paper flat, glue strip facing up and toward you
- Place the pen along the bottom edge of the paper
- Roll the paper snugly around the pen barrel
- Apply rolling glue for joints along the glue strip, press and seal
- Slide the sealed paper tube gently off the pen barrel
- Make a homemade joint filter using the accordion fold method and insert it in one end
- Pack ground cannabis from the other end using a packing tool or pencil tip
- Tap to settle, top up, and twist the end if using rolling papers
If you are using a blunt wrap or hemp wrap instead of rolling papers, skip the twist at the end — blunt wraps do not need it. The open end sits upright and burns evenly because the wrap is stiff enough to hold its shape on its own. Hemp wraps burn especially slowly and give a clean, smooth smoke.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I roll a joint with a pen using any type of paper?
Yes — rolling papers, hemp wraps, and blunt wraps all work with this method. Hemp wraps tend to give the smoothest burn. Rolling papers are the easiest to seal. The pen joint rolling technique adapts to whatever you have on hand.
What is the best thickness for the pen barrel?
A standard ballpoint pen barrel (roughly 7–8mm diameter) works well with regular and 1¼ papers. For king-size papers or blunt wraps, a thicker marker like a Sharpie gives a better result. Match the thickness to your paper size when you roll a joint with a pen.
Do I need rolling glue for joints?
You do not need it, but rolling glue for joints makes the seal more reliable than licking alone — especially with blunt wraps and hemp papers, where the glue strip can be harder to activate. A small tube of joint glue is a worthwhile addition to any rolling setup.
How do I make a homemade joint filter?
To make a homemade joint filter, fold a small strip of filter paper back and forth several times in an accordion shape, then roll a second strip tightly around the accordion to hold it. Insert it into the end of your joint before packing. This is the standard homemade joint filter method used with the pen rolling technique.
References
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Purchase Links
🛒 USA — AirVape Legacy Pro Steampunk Vape
🛒 EU — AirVape Legacy Pro Steampunk Vape
🛒 Purple Haze Hemp Wraps
🛒 Rolling Glue / Joint Glue
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