Gel pens offer an incredible writing experience and help you complete your assignments, essays, or exam papers quickly and easily. But finding the right set amongst numerous options in hand is not a walk in the park. In order to advise you from investing in the wrong product, we have described a couple of factors to consider before purchasing your next gel pen.
Gel Pens and Ballpoint Pens
Here are a few general things to keep in mind when comparing gel pens to ballpoint pens:
1. In gel pens, the ink is liquid-based and has less viscosity, while ballpoint pens have oil-based ink with a higher viscosity.
2. You don’t need to apply too much pressure while writing using gel pens. On the contrary, when you use a ballpoint pen, you should apply more pressure for smooth ink flow.
3. Gel pen inks do not contain any acid, but in ballpoint pen inks, fatty acids are included.
4. You can easily find gel pens with ultra-fine, fine, medium, and bold points. Ballpoint pens typically do not come with ultra-fine and fine tips, though exceptions do exist.
Factors To Consider
Number of pens and colors
If you want pens for writing your assignments, projects, exam papers, or any other everyday task, a pack of 6-12 pens should suit your needs. But when you plan to doodle, sketch, color different pictures, make colorful journals, or write color-coded notes, you should go for a larger pack of pens. Similarly, for creative writing and other tasks, you should select a gel pen pack with varied colors.
Performance
A premium-quality gel pen helps you write comfortably without skipping or struggling with inconsistent ink flow. You should check if your chosen product allows the ink to flow consistently over most paper types to get a smooth writing experience. The ink must be bold and rich to ensure all the letters and figures are visible and prominent. It should dry quickly, without smearing or bleeding on the paper.
Grip
Most gel pens feature a rubber grip around their barrel. It creates enough friction to improve your grip and ensures no sudden loss of control. This way you can maneuver the pens just the way you want, whether you are doodling or taking extended notes.
Transparency
Some gel pens come with a transparent body to allow you to check how much ink is left. You can easily identify why your pen has stopped writing and continue with your work by securing a replacement.
Clip and retractable mechanism
A few gel pens come with durable clips to allow you to attach them to pages, notebooks, or to your pocket. Some of them even have a retractable mechanism that keeps the tip hidden. These features make gel pens more portable and easier to carry around.
Gel Pen FAQ
Q: Will I get ink refills with gel pens?
A: Most gel pens do not come with ink refills, though they are available separately in some instances. The majority of gel pens you'll encounter are designed to be thrown away once the ink runs out.
Q: Does the ink dry out if I leave the cap off?
A: If you use a gel pen with high-quality ink, leaving the cap off won't cause the ink to dry out.
Q: Is a gel pen the same as a fountain pen?
A: No, gel pens and fountain pens are different. In gel pens, the ink is water-based, but pre-filled in the tubes. You will need to fill the barrel of a fountain pen with ink yourself.