How to Easily Create a Stylus Pen for Tablets and Phones

A stylus is a popular tool for increasing the accuracy of writing on a phone or tablet screen. If you’re unable to invest in an expensive stylus, this article provides a simple guide to creating your own stylus using common materials.

How to Make a Stylus from a Ballpoint Pen

Supplies Needed

• Metallic pen

Some supplies to make a stylus from a ballpoint pen

Hot Tip: It’s recommended to use a metal-cased pen as metal conducts electricity, allowing the stylus to work effectively.

Make Your Own Stylus from a Ballpoint Pen

Step 1: Remove the ink cartridge from the pen and discard the tube. Screw the pen back together.

Step 2: Insert a small cotton ball into the pen tip, ensuring it is firmly held inside the pen tube.

Step 3: Trim any excess cotton wool outside the pen tip, leaving about 2mm protruding to prevent the metal shell from scratching the screen.

Step 4: Use the stylus by pressing the cotton ball tip onto the screen and moving it.

Pro Tip: Keep some extra cotton wool in case it falls out or wears down.

How to make a stylus from a ballpoint pen

Which Screens is it Compatible With?

The stylus created from a ballpoint pen is suitable for capacitive touch screens.

How to Make a Stylus from Foil and Cotton

Supplies Needed

• 1 metal ballpoint pen
• Drag (Adhesive Tape)
• Bandage
• 1 chopstick
• 1 square piece of foil (9cm per side)

Some items for making styluses from foil and cotton

Make Your Own Stylus from Foil and Cotton

Step 1: Remove the ink tube from the pen and discard it. Screw the pen back together.

Step 2: Cut the cotton swab in the middle diagonally.

Step 3: Insert the cut end of the cotton swab into the pen, leaving about 5mm of cotton sticking out. Secure the pen tip.

Step 4: Wrap adhesive tape around the plastic core of the cotton swab and the pen tip to hold it in place.

How to make a stylus from foil and cotton

Step 5: Wrap the square piece of foil (9cm per side) around the cotton swab tip and the pen body. The foil will transfer electricity from your hand to the cotton swab when using the pen.

Do not cover the cotton tip with foil to prevent scratching the screen.

Step 6: Before use, dampen the cotton swab tip with a small amount of water. This will enhance the stylus’s performance.

Add more water to the cotton swab tip when its accuracy decreases.

Which Screens is it Compatible With?

The method of making a stylus from foil and cotton is suitable for capacitive touch screens.

How to Make a Stylus from Wooden Chopsticks

Supplies Needed

• 1 pair of wooden chopsticks
• Sandpaper (5 x 10cm)
• Tape (e.g., duct tape)
• Small knife

Supplies needed

DIY Stylus Pen from Wooden Chopsticks

Step 1: Use a small knife to blunt the chopstick tip, making it less sharp.

Step 2: Use sandpaper to smooth the tip of the chopstick.

Step 3: Wrap the chopstick handle with tape to provide a more comfortable grip.

DIY stylus pen from wooden chopsticks

Which Screens is it Compatible With?

The stylus made from wooden chopsticks is suitable for infrared or resistive touch screens.

Notes when Making a Stylus

Notes when making a stylus

• Avoid wetting the cotton swab tip as it may drip onto the screen.
• Both paper tape and adhesive tape can be used.
• If the cotton ball becomes indented, simply add more cotton into the pen tip.
• If you don’t have cotton wool, a small piece of cotton fabric can be used as a substitute.

Above are easy ways to make a stylus for tablets and phones. We hope you find this guide helpful!