Buying guide for Best ink pens
Even in our increasingly digital age, you still need to sign a check, leave a quick note, or do some journaling. The ever-classic ink pen never goes out of style; a decent ink pen will work seamlessly at the bank and at your office desk, so it’s always best to keep a few in your regular bag.
Before you go down a rabbit hole of pen products, there are some factors to keep in mind. What will be the primary purpose of your pen? If it’s for quick note-taking or scribbles, a ballpoint would probably suffice. However, if you’re regularly signing documents or prefer to write by hand, you might look into a fancier fountain pen.
A brief history of the ink pen
Ink is an ancient substance, dating as far back as 2500 BC in ancient Egypt and China. Some variation of the pen has existed as long as written language has existed. An early form of the pen was a reed pen, made from a stick of reed with a sharpened, slit end. Reed pens were eventually phased out by quill pens, taken from the flight feathers of large birds. While both pens were dipped into ink, quill pens (which were created around the seventh century) were able to retain the ink better. Quills remained popular until the creation of the ink pen as we know it today. Around the late nineteenth century, the ballpoint pen was patented and has since flourished into different styles, shapes, and colors. Today’s writer has a number of pen styles to choose from.
Ballpoint ink pens provide a unique, easy-to-use design that allows them to be ready to write at a moment's notice. We take great care analyzing options before adding them to our list.
Ink pens can come in one of three designs: felt tip, ballpoint, or fountain. We weigh the drawbacks and advantages of each type of product.
Certain ink pens may be best designed for writing, as they allow the ink to flow in a smooth manner. We investigate how well these ink pens work on a variety of paper types.
Dark blue ink is often used for its ability to be read easily when on white paper. We do a deep dive into the color of each ink pen to see how well it shows up.
Black ink is the most traditional color of ink and is very common in a variety of pen styles. We research the quality of the ink provided and how well it flows out of each product.
The difference between a good ink pen and a great one is often in the comfort it provides while writing. We look for options that provide an ergonomic styling that is easy to hold.
Some pens may utilize a type of gel added to the ink to provide thicker lines and brighter colors. We investigate if this type of ink is worth using.
A felt-tip pen is a good option for users who worry about how much pressure they need to get the ink out of the cartridge. We do a deep dive into these products looking for products that are easy to write with.
Ink pens can be made from plastic, metal, or even wood. While each has distinct advantages, we look at each material to see how durable they are.
The longevity of an ink pen can come down to the capacity of the ink cartridge itself. We look for options that can be used for long periods of time before needing replacement.
Types of ink pens
Ballpoint pens
These pens are ubiquitous. There’s a chance you have one of these somewhere at the bottom of your bag. The world’s most popular writing tool, the ballpoint pen was initially made to replace the fountain pen. Ballpoint pens have a tiny metal ball at the tip. Ink is stored in a plastic reservoir, which is protected by an outer shell made from plastic. As the ball rolls, it dispenses new ink onto a surface. There are different kinds of ballpoint pens. For example, retractable ballpoint pens have a mechanism at the top that exposes or hides the pen tip.
Fountain pens
Appearing on the scene before ballpoint pens, fountain pens were the first ink pens that didn’t require a dipping pot and the first to include an ink-releasing reservoir. Instead of the ink feeding into a rolling ball, a fountain pen has a pointed metal nib. Ink drips down the metal nib and to its point, flowing onto the paper. Though fountain pens aren’t nearly as popular as ballpoint pens, quite a few writers enjoy the experience of using them. Fountain pens have style; they have an elegant silhouette and a pleasing weight in the hand. Plus, some writers find that ink flows much more easily out of fountain pens than ballpoint pens. Fountain pens are more expensive than ballpoint pens and call for careful maintenance.
Felt tip pens
Also known as marker pens, these aren’t too different from markers. As the name suggests, the tip is made from a semi-soft, porous material. Felt is common, but so are porous ceramics. A polyester cylinder serves as an ink reservoir and is covered by a shell of plastic. Felt tip pens don’t require as much pressure as ballpoint pens. They may bleed a little on paper, but they’re less likely to smear.
Features
Ink color
Black ink pens are universal. Dark blue ink is common, as well. Those who need ink pens for professional, formal purposes may want to stick with conventional colors.
On the other hand, people who frequently hand edit (like teachers and copyeditors) can benefit from a plethora of ink colors. You can buy colorful pens in bulk or individually. Even if you don’t opt for a multipack, it’s good to keep a few red or green pens next to your black ones.
Ergonomic comfort
It’s not uncommon to find ink pens with rubber or silicone padding toward the tip, meant to ease hand cramps. Ergonomic padding is found primarily on ballpoint pens, but you can also purchase pen pads separately. A pad is not a bad idea for someone who writes by hand extensively.
Did you know?
The ink in ballpoint stick pens has a tendency to dry out, particularly if the pen hasn’t been used in a while. Try scribbling on a firm surface to get the ink rolling again.
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Ink pen prices
Fortunately, quality ink pens are available in any pricing tier. That said, you could pay anywhere from $3 to $25 for an ink pen.
Inexpensive
For less than $10, you can find a number of ink pens. Some of these pens will be ballpoint, and they will mostly be sold in bulk. If you’re looking for some no-frills ballpoint pens, you can easily find a box of 60 in this price range. You can also find packs of two or three pens with generous rubber padding.
Mid-range
For basic writing needs, there’s no need to spend more than $10 on ink pens. In the $10 to $20 range, however, you’ll have more options. This is where you’ll see colorful ink pens and felt-tip pens in packs of ten. Select fountain pens are available here, too.
Expensive
Any pen for more than $25 is likely a fountain pen, which can make a pleasing gift for the scribes in your life. Just don’t forget to buy an extra ink cartridge.
"Some people still use dip pens (pens with a metal nib that require a small ink pot), particularly visual artists. "
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Tips
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Prevent your pens from drying out. You can do this by storing them with their caps on and the tips pointing downward. You may also try dipping the tips in candle wax to seal them when they’re not in use.
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Consider using an ink pen for artistic purposes. The versatile ballpoint pen is useful for artists of all skill levels. We recommend using a pen with ink that flows easily.
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Tailor your pen choice to your written language. A medium pen tip (think 1.0 to 1.2mm) is standard for writing the English language. However, if you’re writing with characters (such as in Mandarin or Japanese), a fine tip pen of 0.5 may be more suitable.
FAQ
Q. Is it possible to remove pen ink stains?
A. With some elbow grease, many ink stains are removable. First, blot the excess ink with a dry paper towel or napkin. Try leaving a water-based stain remover on the stain for 15 minutes. Then, blot the stain and put in a washing machine. If the stain persists once the garment is out of the wash, repeat the spot treatment until the stain fades
Q. Can ink pens freeze?
A. If the ink is water-based, then yes, ink pens can freeze in extremely cold temperatures. As long as the pen is kept in a dry, enclosed space, freezing should not be an issue
Q. How long will an ink pen last?
A. This is entirely dependent on the quality of the pen, the frequency with which it’s used, and how it’s stored. A ballpoint pen kept in a cool, dry place can last several years, provided the ink doesn’t run out. A well-kept fountain pen may last for decades.
