Guide to ink pens and pen inks. (2024)


There's much more to choosing a writing instrument these days than just color. Factors like grip type, special inks, pocket clip types and refill ability all come into play when selecting a writing instrument.
For this buying guide, we will be focusing mainly on the concept of the ink involved in each pen. Once you have decided on an ink type that suits your needs, you will be able to select color, grip type, clip type, and every other element that goes into choosing the perfect pen. Whether you're bulk-buying pens for an entire office or seeking out that perfect, personal daily-use writing utensil, this guide should remove some of the mystery from a very important purchase.

Guide to ink pens and pen inks. (1)
Ballpoint Pens use thick, permanent, non-water based ink that does not thin while you write. Ballpoint pens use a small rotating ball made of brass, steel, or tungsten carbide to dispense the ink as you write.

Guide to ink pens and pen inks. (2)
Roller Ball Pens use water-based ink that takes very little effort to get flowing, allowing for a smooth write. They utilize the same type of ball as a ballpoint pen, but because the ink is much thinner, it floods the ball and "drags" a pool of ink across the paper as you write. The smaller the point size of your pen, the less ink there is to drag, thus producing a finer line. Roller ball pen ink is usually not permanent.

Guide to ink pens and pen inks. (3)
Gel Pens use water-based ink with a viscosity or "thickness" that can fluctuate (not the thickness of the line, necessarily, but the thickness of the liquid ink itself). When a gel pen is not being used, the ink tends to have a higher viscosity, or thicker ink. When the ball starts to rotate, the ink thins down and is "dragged" in a similar manner as roller ball ink. Gel pens provide the best of both worlds—the smoother write of a roller ball, with the performance of a ballpoint.

Guide to ink pens and pen inks. (4)
Permanent Markers mark on virtually any surface, from packages to labels, glass and so much more. Fade- and water-resistant ink options further extend multiple project uses. A variety of colors and tip sizes are available to make your mark unique.

As an avid writing instrument enthusiast with a deep understanding of pen technologies and functionalities, I've explored and experimented with various pens, inks, and writing styles. My extensive firsthand experience and knowledge in the field make me well-equipped to guide you through the intricacies of selecting the perfect writing instrument.

When it comes to choosing a pen, the article rightly emphasizes that there's more to it than just the color. Factors such as grip type, pocket clip, and refill ability all play a crucial role. However, the focal point of this buying guide is the ink, a critical aspect that significantly influences the writing experience.

Let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article:

  1. Ballpoint Pens:

    • Ink Type: Thick, permanent, non-water-based ink.
    • Mechanism: Utilizes a small rotating ball made of brass, steel, or tungsten carbide to dispense ink as you write.
    • Characteristic: Does not thin while writing, providing a consistent line.
  2. Roller Ball Pens:

    • Ink Type: Water-based ink that flows easily, offering a smooth writing experience.
    • Mechanism: Similar to ballpoint pens, they use a rotating ball to dispense ink, but the ink is thinner.
    • Characteristic: Creates a fine line, with the amount of ink flow influenced by the point size of the pen.
  3. Gel Pens:

    • Ink Type: Water-based ink with variable viscosity.
    • Mechanism: The ink's viscosity changes—thicker when not in use and thinner when the ball rotates during writing.
    • Characteristic: Combines the smoothness of a roller ball with the performance of a ballpoint.
  4. Permanent Markers:

    • Ink Type: Fade- and water-resistant ink suitable for marking on various surfaces.
    • Characteristic: Versatile, marking on packages, labels, glass, and more.
    • Options: Available in a variety of colors and tip sizes for different project needs.

Understanding these distinctions allows you to make an informed decision based on your preferences and needs. Whether you're looking for a reliable office pen or a personal daily-use writing utensil, the choice of ink type sets the foundation for selecting other elements such as color, grip type, and clip type. This comprehensive guide aims to demystify the process, making your pen purchase a well-informed and enjoyable experience.

Guide to ink pens and pen inks. (2024)

FAQs

How do I choose an ink pen? ›

Opt for all pens with consistent ink flow for a smooth writing experience, and make sure you choose writing tools with thicker tips or gel ones that provide bold and vibrant ink. Look for pens with fine nibs or those specifically designed for precise and fine writing.

What type of pen writes the smoothest? ›

Rollerball Pens

Water-based ink flows faster and soaks into the paper more than ballpoint pen ink. The ease of flow requires less pressure and creates a smooth, comfortable writing experience. And, because the ink flows so smoothly, rollerball pens are ideal for writing text with dark and fine lines.

What kind of pen ink lasts the longest? ›

Generally, ballpoint and rollerball pens last for about four years, and fountain pen ink lasts even longer when they're used occasionally. Fineliner pen refills, on the other hand, will last between two and four years, depending on environmental factors and storage.

How do I know what kind of ink I need? ›

Alternatively, you can look for the printer cartridge number or cartridge type in your printer's manual. If you no longer have your printer's manual, you might be able to find this information online by doing a search for your printer's model number, which is often found on the printer itself.

Which is better, ballpoint or rollerball? ›

Ballpoint pens are suited to those who enjoy a scratchier hand-feel whereas rollerball pens have a smoother glide which can be favourable to those who experience hand cramps as they require less pressure.

What is the difference between a gel pen and a ballpoint pen? ›

The difference between gel pen and ballpoint ballpen is shown in three aspects: first, the ink cartridge of a gel pen is a water-based material, while that of a ballpoint point is an ink material; second, the nibs of gel pens are divided into bullet heads, full needle tubes, and half needle tubes, while most ballpoint ...

What kind of pens do comic book inkers use? ›

Most often, I see American comic creators using a G-Pen style of dip pen. The G-Pen consists of a nib holder and a replaceable metal nib that is dipped in ink. The nib is split at the end, so that when pressure is applied, that split widens and more ink goes onto the page.

What is the best paper for pen and ink art? ›

Smooth Brisol is ideal for pen and ink, airbrush, and detailed work with colored pencil or graphite. Vellum surface is ideal for graphite, charcoal, airbrush, pastel, crayon, colored pencil, and pen and ink.

What is the three pen method? ›

Self-checking using the 3 pen method involves finding these errors by tracing program or drawing inputs back to the source document (a spec, a calculation or a sketch or drawing). Our work usually flows from original spec or sketch – to a calculation set – to a drawing. The calculation set is checked against the spec.

Which is better, rollerball or ballpoint? ›

Smoothness of Writing (Winner: Rollerball)

In addition to this, rollerball pens also generally have a much finer writing line than a ballpoint pen. The line on the paper looks much darker and finer than that produced by a ballpoint pen, resulting in a more vivid finish that really pops on the page.

What is the third form of pen? ›

pen
present simple I / you / we / they pen/pen/ /pen/
he / she / it pens/penz/ /penz/
past simple penned/pend/ /pend/
past participle penned/pend/ /pend/
-ing form penning/ˈpenɪŋ/ /ˈpenɪŋ/

What is the most popular pen style? ›

Ballpoints are the most popular style of pen. The best things about ballpoints are how reliable and consistent they are.

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