The Ultimate Guide to Pen Refills: How to Find the Right Ink for Your Pen
Are you looking for the best pen refill for your favorite luxury pen? Are you confused on which replacement refill will fit your pen?
Here’s the definitive guide to help you find the right refill for your pen. If you have a gold Cross pen or a Waterman Expert pen (or any other sort of pen for that matter), this guide is for you!
It can be frustrating to spend money and wasting delivery times on a refill only to find out that it doesn’t fit. It might take some digging to figure out which brand of ink cartridge fits which pen: this article is meant to do a lot of the digging for you.
Here's why it takes digging:
Some pen brands take standard refill sizes, so you can buy generic or off-brand pen ink cartridges (and these are usually cheaper and of exactly the same quality), but others have specific profiles and sizes that fit only their pens.
So, what do you need to know when your Cross pen or any other luxury pen needs an ink refill?
- You need to know which pen cartridge types are compatible for, say, Cross pen refills.
- You need to know where to find them.
- You need to know where they're the most affordable.
By following this guide you’ll learn how to find the right refill for your pens.
How Do You Find the Best Pen Refill?
1.) Find Information on the Make and Model of the Pen
Start by identifying your pen’s model and make. Go ahead and use this information to find the right pen cartridge type that fits it perfectly.
A good place to start would be on the manufacturer’s website. Do they mention the specific refill options that go with your pen type?
If not, consider checking with retailers or reviewers.
Is it a pen that’s available at Dayspring Pens? Go to the “shop by style” tab on our site, then click on the ink refill section on the far right. You will find refill options that fit your Cross, Waterman, or Parker pens. Here’s a screenshot to guide you.
2.) Inspect the Pen Refill for Any Identifying Marks
Cross Brand Selectip Rollerball Refills
Not sure what brand or make yours is? Check your pen refill for identifying marks.
Can you see a model number or manufacturer logo?
Search the web using the identifying mark and see what options you can find.
You could ask other users of luxury pens online for recommendations as well. Make use of online forums such as the fountain pen network, Reddit, and Quora.
Be careful when using model numbers, though. It’s not uncommon to find similar model numbers that are designed for different pen cartridge type sizes. Check the specifications to make sure the new refill matches your pen type.
Consider Searching for Similar-Looking Ink Refills
AT Cross Brand - Ballpoint Pen Refill
If you can’t find a branded refill, chances are there are no specialized refill options for your pen type.
In addition, you can also contact the manufacturer online and see if they can offer any recommendations. Alternatively, you can search for a different refill of the same style that’s compatible with your pen.
Note: Only use this method if the first two fail. A similar-looking refill of the same style can have slight variations causing compatibility issues.
Pen Refill Chart Guide
Ballpoint Pen Refill Guide
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Access the Ballpoint Refill Guide PDF here!
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Rollerball Pen Refill Guide
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Access the Rollerball Refill Guide PDF here!
Fountain Refill Guide
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Access the Fountain Refill Guide PDF here!
ISO Standard Pen Refill Types
Many brands adhere to the same standards of size (ISO 12757-1:2017 and ISO 14145-1:2016) when making their pens. This is why most refill sizes have the same dimensions even though the pens are from different makers.
Are you still in doubt about the right pen refill replacement to use? One of these standard refill styles could be it.
The D1 Refill
Image from: inkdependence.com
These are short and slim refills usually seen in small multi-function pens.
It’s worth noting that a lot of brands make their own D1 refill sizes. However, if your pen uses a D1 refill, you can use a refill from any brand as they are compatible. There’s a wide range of inks and color options to choose from.
The fact that D1 refill sizes are small in size means that they run out of ink more quickly. They might not serve you longer as their full-size counterparts. But, small pocket writing tools are precisely what they’re designed for.
Image from: swarovskipenrefills.blogspot.com
Size. About 2.6 inches long and 2.3 mm in diameter.
Ink Type. Generally, D1 pen refills are miniaturized ballpoint refills and are almost all interchangeable. There are a few that use gel ink. They get used up faster than ballpoint refills, however.
Parker-style G2 Refill
A Parker-style refill features a wide body with a long thin tip and a threaded plastic piece on the end. This refill type has an easily recognizable shape and is almost always interchangeable.
Being one of the most common refill styles in the world, there are many Parker-style options to choose from. However, the Parker Pens Ballpoint Refills are some of our favorites.
Size- About 3.9 inches long with a wide barrel and a long thin tip.
Ink Style- Generally, they feature ballpoint ink. You may find a few gel ink refill options as well.
Cross-style Refill
Often referred to as the C1 refill, this Cross Ballpoint Refill features a long, thin metallic body. There’s a threaded plastic knob that allows for screwing into the pen body.
Specs: 4.6 inches long.
Standard Rollerball Pen Refill
See Parker Brand Rollerball Ink Refill.
These are used in retractable gel and rollerballs. However, they aren’t always interchangeable as they can vary from one brand name to another.
Compatibility issues between brands are often caused by varying lengths and tapered ends. Therefore, it’s best that you use a refill size from your pen’s manufacturer.
| Shop Now: Pen refills from Dayspring Pens |
Frequently Asked Questions...
How Do You Refill a Fountain Pen?
This is a question we get all the time, and we've made an entire How To video for it.
We hope that helps to answer the question!
What's the Difference Between Ballpoint Pen Refills and Rollerball Refills?
Simple answer: The ink types are different based primarily on the liquid used to distribute the ink dye.
Ballpoint pen ink is oil-based that dries really quickly and doesn't smudge.
Rollerball pen ink is water-based that seeps a little deeper in the page and looks darker and bolder.
Conclusion
Finding the right replacement refill for your pen doesn’t have to be frustrating anymore.
With this guide by your side, you can now go ahead and explore new combinations of writing instruments and refills that fit.
If you’re looking for an ink refill that will fit your Cross, Waterman, or Parker pens, Dayspring Pens has got you covered.
We have a wide range of generic pen refills compatible with your favorite rollerball, ballpoint, and fountain pen ink.
Featured image: WikiMedia
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Sam Di Nardo is an author for Dayspring Pens, where she has honed her expertise in ballpoint, rollerball, gel and fountain pens since joining the team in 2018. From her initial role as an Engraver to becoming the Production Manager, Sam's journey has been marked by her passion for the history, manufacturing, and the unique value of gifted writing instruments. A graduate of Regent University with a degree in English Literature and a special interest in Old Norse literature, dive deeper into Sam's world and discover why she's your trusted guide in the realm of gift pens. |
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14 comments
I have a Quill ballpoint pen that is rather old. It has the West Point crest on the top. What refill do I need?
@LYNDSAY From what I can tell the manufacturer I-Mark sells both Cross and Parker style refills for ballpoint pens. This means it should be easy to determine which of these style your Inluxus takes. Looking at the refill you have, which brand refill does it look more like? Depending on if it is thin and narrow like the Cross or more round and tapered like the Parker, you can try one of those styles and see if it fits.
I am looking for refills for the Inluxus ballpoint pen. It doesn’t have the original inside it. Any ideas where I can get these please?
@SAMUEL MCCONKEY If your Montblanc is twist-action, then it is a ballpoint. If you have to take the cap off to write with it, it is a rollerball. Once you know the difference, you should be able to find refills for the right style online or at your local office supply store without too much trouble. Hope this helps!
I have aMont Blanc rollerball or ball point pen with no cartridge. How do you tell the difference and where can I get a replacement ?
Thanks in advance.