A face paint pen produced by Shenlan Stationery. [Photo/Yongpai app]

A Ningbo stationery company is seeing strong overseas demand for its World Cup-themed face paint pens, with 200,000 sets now heading to Europe ahead of the 2026 tournament.

Shenlan Stationery, based in Ningbo, has shipped the products from Ningbo-Zhoushan Port along maritime trade routes to meet rising fan demand ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The compact pens allow users to draw national flag colors on their faces in a single stroke, making match-day support more visual and interactive.

According to R&D Director Yao Chuankui, the idea was first inspired by an overseas client at the Canton Fair several years ago, who suggested creating a product that could easily paint national flags on fans' faces. The company then spent months developing a formula that delivers vivid, long-lasting colors while remaining safe for skin use. A wax-based ingredient was added to improve water and sweat resistance, ensuring the designs remain visible during outdoor events.

Each set contains 20 pens, each designed for a different national flag, including France, Germany, and Spain. The compact design — just 9.5 centimeters long — makes it easy for fans to carry and use during matches. The product has also passed required safety testing in Europe, meeting cosmetic-grade standards for skin contact. 

This is not Shenlan's first appearance on the global sports stage. Its products have previously been used at events such as the Qatar World Cup and the Paris Olympics. The company says it will continue developing sports-related products as part of its international growth strategy.