Exploring Different Types of Pens

The pen you use will impact your writing experience. Each type of pen has its benefits and you may want to consider choosing the right pen for the type of writing that you’re doing.

Use the brief descriptions below to help you choose what type pen to use the next time you pull out a piece of paper.

Ballpoint

Ballpoint pens are quite common. They use a tiny ball bearing to transfer thick, oil-based ink from a reservoir to the page. The quick drying ink, durability, and long-lasting nature of these pens make them a great all-around choice for most tasks.

Rollerball

Rollerball pens works similarly to a ballpoint pen in that they use a tiny ball in the tip to transfer ink to the page. Unlike ballpoint pens, rollerball pens use a water-based ink that flows easily. While the ink may take longer to dry, the writing experience is smoother and requires less pressure.

Gel

Gel pens use a water-based ink like rollerball pens. They sit somewhere between a ballpoint and rollerball when it comes to the smoothness of the writing experience. Where they shine is in the range of available colours, that are often bright and bold.

Fineliner

Fineliner pens are great for drawing and intricate details. The fine, fiber-tipped tip transfers pigmented ink onto the page, allowing for fine lines of consistent width. The inks are often quick-drying, waterproof, and fade-resistant, giving your work a lasting quality.

Brush

Brush pens use, as the name suggests, a brush-like tip to transfer ink to the page. The width of the strokes changes with the pressure applied when writing with them. These are great for lettering, calligraphy, and illustrations.

Fountain

Fountain pens use a nib to transfer water-based ink from the reservoir to the page. They offer a range of nib sizes and require less pressure to write with. Fountain pens allow your unique penmanship to shine on the page unlike any other pen.

Conclusion

It’s important to try the different types of pens to find the ones that suit your writing style. Between the different types of pens, brands, and models, there is definitely a pen out there that’ll offer the best writing experience for you.

Type of Pen

Pros

Cons

Ballpoint

Durable
Quick-drying
Economical

Less smooth
Require more pressure

Rollerball

Smooth ink flow
Less pressure required
Variety

Slower-drying
Bleeding

Gel

Smooth ink flow
Versatile
Vibrant colours

Smudging
Shorter lifespan

Fineliner

Precise
Archival inks
Consistent lines

Delicate tips

Brush

Ideal for art
Expressive

Learning curve
Not ideal for general use

Fountain

Refillable
Variety of inks
Very smooth ink flow
Little pressure required

Maintenance
Learning curve
Can be messy

 

At SANA Stationery & Gifts, we pride ourselves on the quality of our work and the exceptional writing experience our pens offer. We have a range of ballpoint, rollerball, and fountain pens available, each handcrafted and unique in its design. If you don’t find something you like in our current collection, please reach out to us and we’ll work with you to create a custom pen tailored to your specifications. We want you to have the best writing experience possible.

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