Nowadays most people use disposable ballpoint pens, but there are also people who choose pens because they are neat, have their own precision and characteristics. The pens have a pointed tip instead of a rounded tip like ballpoint pens, so they can produce different line thicknesses depending on pressure, speed and direction of stroke. You can also refill the ink on the pen, which means the pen can last forever. However, using a pen requires a slightly different technique than a regular ballpoint pen, and by learning it you can write with a pen more easily.
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Part 1 of 3: Writing with a Pen
Step 1. Hold the pen properly
Remove the cap and hold the pen with your dominant hand, pinching it gently between your index and thumb. The barrel (body of the pen) should rest on the middle finger. Place the other fingers on the paper so that the hand position is stable.
- It's important to hold the pen properly so that your hands don't get tired while writing while helping the writing process.
- When writing, the cap can be attached to the back of the pen, or completely removed if you have small hands.
Step 2. Place the nib on the paper
This may sound easy, but the different construction of a ballpoint pen will make it difficult for you. Pens have a pointed tip, not round, so you need to position the tip correctly on the paper when you want to write. This position is called the sweet spot (the most effective point of contact).
- Position the pen at a 45-degree angle and place the tip of the pen on the paper.
- Make a few strokes with the pen, rotating the pen slightly in your hand until you find the right point, which is when the pen writes smoothly without scratching the paper or streaking.
Step 3. Make sure your hands are stiff if you want to write
In the process of writing, there are two ways to control the pen: with your fingers or hands. When using a ballpoint pen, you can control it with your fingers instead of your hands because the rounded tip allows you to do this. However, when using a pen, you must control it by hand so as not to lose the sweet spot. Note the following to do this:
Hold the pen in your hand and keep your fingers and wrist stiff as you move the pen. Do the practice of writing in the air a few times, then on paper until your hands get used to it
Step 4. Press the pen gently
The pen doesn't need to be pressed hard, but the nib should be slightly pressed against the paper to allow the ink to flow. Gently press the pen against the paper and start practicing writing with the pen.
- Make fine strokes as you write because pressing too hard on the nib can damage it and prevent the ink from escaping.
- Using your hands instead of your fingers will also help you not to press too hard on the pen.
Part 2 of 3: Refilling Ink
Step 1. Determine the type of pen
There are three types of pens on the market today: ink cartridges (cartridges), converters, and pistons. The three types are distinguished by the method of ink ejection, and the method will determine how the ink refill process is carried out.
- Pens with the ink tube method are the most popular today and the easiest to refill. To write using this type of pen, you simply buy an ink cartridge that is already filled. So, when you run out of ink, you just need to replace the ink cartridge.
- Converter ink cartridges are reusable ink cartridges. You simply insert it into a pen using the ink tube method. This type of pen is suitable for people who don't mind refilling ink and don't want to throw away the ink cartridge every time the ink runs out.
- The pen with the piston method is similar to the converter ink tube, but the pen has its own filling system. So you don't have to replace the reusable ink cartridges with a separately purchased converter.
Step 2. Replace the ink cartridge in the pen with the ink cartridge system
Remove the pen cap, then separate the barrel (pen body) with the tip of the pen. Remove the empty ink cartridge. With new ink cartridges:
- Tuck the small tip into the nib.
- Push the ink cartridge into the protruding part until it 'clicks', which means that the inside of the nib has pierced the ink tube to drain the ink.
- If the ink doesn't flow right away, hold the pen upright so that gravity can pull the ink to the nib. This can take 1 hour.
Step 3. Refill the ink on the pen using the piston method
Remove the cap from the nib, and, if needed, the pen back cap covering the back of the dial. Turn the dial (usually counterclockwise) to extend the piston toward the front of the pen. After that:
- Dip the entire nib into the ink bottle, making sure that the entire hole behind the nib is submerged.
- Turn the piston dial clockwise to suck the ink into the ink tank.
- When the ink tank is full, lift the nib from the ink. Turn the piston counterclockwise again and allow a few drops of ink back into the bottle. This step will remove any air bubbles.
- Clean the pen tip of the remaining ink with a cloth.
Step 4. Refill the ink in the ink cartridge converter
The pen with the converter method works in two ways, either with a piston mechanism or an air bag (also known as a squeeze converter). To refill a pen with an air bag, dip the nib into the ink bottle and:
- Gently squeeze the converter on the back of the pen, and wait for air bubbles to appear in the ink.
- Gently remove the converter and wait until the ink is sucked into the ink tank.
- Repeat until the ink tank is full.
Part 3 of 3: Using the Pen Tip
Step 1. Choose the right nib for daily use
There are many different types of nibs, which are used for different situations and to create different strokes. For everyday use, choose:
- The nib is round, perfect for making even lines.
- Small pen tip, used to make thin lines.
- The nib is solid with the two inflexible tines so that the tines don't stretch too far when pressed to create a wider line.
Step 2. Select a pen tip for decorative writing
For cursive, italics, or calligraphy, the tip of the pen used is not the same as the tip of the pen for everyday writing. Search search:
- The nib is blunt and angled, which is wider and flatter than the round nib. This nib can make both wide and thin strokes, because the vertical strokes will be as wide as the nib and the horizontal strokes will be as thin as the nib.
- A wider tip will result in a wider stroke. The nib is usually available in 5 sizes: very fine, fine, medium, wide, and super wide.
- The nib is flexible or semi-flexible, which allows you to adjust the stroke thin or thick, depending on how hard you press it.
Step 3. Understand the materials used to make the nib
Pen nibs are also available in a wide variety of metals, and each has its own unique properties. The most common types of metal used for pen tips are:
- Gold, which is very flexible, lets you control the width of the line
- Steel, which is more resilient so you can press the nib more firmly without stretching the tine. That way, the stroke won't widen if you press the pen harder.
Step 4. Rinse the nib and feed (the mechanism that drains the ink)
For optimal performance, you should rinse the pen and nib about once every six weeks or whenever you change the ink type or color. Here's how to rinse the pen:
- Remove the cap, then remove the nib from the pen. Remove the ink cartridge. If there is still ink in the cartridge, stick a piece of tape over the opening to prevent the ink from drying out.
- Hold the nib under running water at room temperature to rinse the ink. Then insert the nib into the bowl of clean water, face down. If the water becomes dirty, replace it with clean water. Repeat until the water remains clear
- Wrap the nib in a soft, lint-free cloth, such as a microfiber cloth. Position it with the tip facing down in the glass and allow it to dry for 12 to 24 hours. When dry, the pen can be reassembled.
Step 5. Take care of the nib
To prevent the nib from getting clogged, always store the pen with the tip facing up when not in use. To prevent damage to the nib and scratches to the pen, store the pen in a protective case.
