Pen and ink FAQ

Common causes are a dried or clogged tip after the cap was left off, a smooth or glossy surface the ball cannot grip, or air in the ink column. Scribble on rough scrap paper to restart the ball, always cap the pen, and store gel pens tip down. If it still skips with ink visibly left, the refill may be at fault.

Standard oil-based ballpoint ink is water-resistant once dry and generally durable, but "permanent" depends on the formula. For documents, look for pens marked as meeting a documentary standard such as ISO 12757-2, or pigment-based gel ink. See Permanent ink for documents and signatures.

They usually describe the ball diameter at the tip. The actual line is often a little narrower than the number, and gel and rollerball lines tend to look bolder than ballpoint at the same size. Fine tips (0.3–0.5 mm) suit small handwriting; medium (0.7 mm) is a common default; bold (1.0 mm) gives an easy, dark line.

Usually a quick-drying ink: an oil-based or hybrid ballpoint, or a gel pen sold specifically as quick-drying. The ink matcher weights drying time higher when you choose left-handed. More detail in Writing left-handed without smudges.

Liquid rollerball ink is thin and soaks into absorbent paper fibres. Thin notebook or copy paper makes it worse. Use heavier or coated paper, a finer tip, or switch to gel or ballpoint for cheap paper.

Usually not well. Carbonless copies rely on pressure, and gel and rollerball pens are designed to write with very little. An oil-based ballpoint pressed firmly is the reliable choice.

Act quickly, blot rather than rub, and test any remover on a hidden area first. Water-based inks (gel and rollerball) often respond to cold water and detergent; oil-based ballpoint ink usually needs a solvent such as rubbing alcohol before washing. Check the garment care label, and do not tumble dry until the stain is gone, because heat can set it.