The Jotted Line

  In this video, I talk about the Parker Jotter, the pen you see in pretty much every movie. You may not realize it, but you’re already pretty familiar with the Jotter.  The Jotter makes appearances in hundreds of popular movies and TV shows. Here’s a list of just SOME of those appearances: The Parker Jotter's Movie Appearances: James Bond GoldenEye The Irishman Shawshank Redemption The Breakfast Club Bank Job Old Boy Red Shutter Island Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Two Popes Se7en Just Mercy Joker Zodiac Hot Fuzz Apollo 13 Lean On Me Continental Divide Stranger Than Fiction Prisoners Danger Close The Watcher The Jotter's TV Appearances: Mad Men Ted Lasso The Office Mr. Bean Endeavor Mindhunters Versace White Collar Luther The Fugitive Psych Only Murders In The Building The Mentalist Daisy Jones and the Six Line of Duty Why is the Jotter in every movie? The Parker Jotter pen is an affordable, reliable, and supremely clickable writing tool (just watch GoldenEye, you’ll see). It became super popular upon its release in 1954, outmatching every other ballpoint on the market up until then. Because of its instant success, Parker released updates to it pretty much annually. So, the Jotter stuck around, and it became a common artifact in daily life, especially in the burgeoning corporate workplace (evident in Mad Men). A growing popular interest in industrial design also contributed to the Jotter’s success. When the Bauhaus design principles of form and function hit America through influence of designers like Marcel Breuer, Charles Eames, and Eliot Noyes, the Jotter perfectly embodied a great many of their highest design ideals. It was easily mass-produced, it performed its function perfectly, and it looked beautiful without the overuse of materials. That’s all stuff the great designers love, and the Jotter has it all. The Parker Jotter’s fast-blossoming popularity made it an instant classic, and so it appears in a lot of period pieces, biopics, and pretty much any other type of film. The Parker Jotter: A Reliable Pen for Daily Use At Dayspring Pens, we’re also totally enamored with the pen . Most of our staff uses one every day to fulfill daily writing tasks. So, we’re happy to feature this pen and share a little more about it to other pen enthusiasts. Jotter's also make incredible personalized gifts!  Shop Now: TRY THE JOTTER TODAY! If you found this video helpful, informative, or just enjoyable, be sure to like and subscribe to our official YouTube Channel for more! And let us know what you love about the Jotter in the comments below! Here’s some other helpful links to information on the Parker Jotter pen: The History of the Jotter Our List of the Best Parker Pens The Parker Jotter’s Wiki Page 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. Follow Sam on LinkedIn.

You thought of it. You almost suggested it to others. But you’re not sure it’s the best way to say “Congratulations on the new job”. That’s why you’re here, trying to decide if you should move to other new job gift ideas, or keep this one. Hold on. What if I tell you it’s a fantastic idea? Whether you’re the employer, colleague, friend or family to the new hire, a personalized pen sits well as a new job gift. Round 1: When We Say Personalized Pen, What do We Mean? Personalizing a pen is not limited to inscribing someone’s name on it. It could be any other detail that tailors it to one's individuality such as engraved signatures, clip emblems and custom colors. I’ve written more on the types of custom pens in this article—Engraved Pens: The Definitive Guide to Buying A Customized Gift. But for today's discussion, my advantages cover all kinds of customized pens. So long as it has something peculiar to the new employee, it'll make a substantial gift. That's what I'm saying!     giftpens.com Round 2: Why a Personalized Pen is the Best Gift From an Employer to a New Hire A. They Would Either Love It, Need It, or Both  How to select a suitable gift for someone you don’t know that much about? Target items that most people love and/or need. Just like a customized pen. You could be singing Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville’s “I Don’t Know Much”. But here is one thing you know—customized items are still a frenzy this year. And that may be all you need to know. Research by Deloitte proved that over 50% of consumers will pay and wait more, just to purchase an item that is unique to them. Also, one in two consumers agreed that a personalized item would make a splendid gift. So most people love custom goods. You’re at least 80% sure of this. The remaining 20% uncertainty can condole on the fact that if it’s not loved, it'll be needed. Whether the new hire is in the tech department, finance or procurement, a pen is a viable work tool. In this digital age, we may not need it as much as before, but it isn’t unnecessary either. One document must be signed at some point, something must be scribbled no matter the nature of the job. B. It Makes Them Feel Super-Duper Welcome We have to agree, some welcome gifts say “We thought you wouldn’t make it” more than “Welcome!” Like when you take something out of the store or order a (cold) dish at the last minute. A better way to welcome the new staff is with a pen that has their name, signature or position on it.  < title="Cross Townsend Fountain Pen Black Gold Trim"> Custom Signature Engraving It tells them you took time to prepare it, and that makes them feel special and appreciated. This could calm their nerves and boost productivity, even on the first day. C. It’s a Marketing Tool Yes, customized pens could be a tool for publicizing your brand and I'll tell you how. Simply engrave your company name/logo beside the recipient’s name (or any other detail of theirs that you want on the pen). You could even opt for a clip emblem, as pictured below: Decoration Styles Either way, it'll be unique to the new employee while speaking for your company at the same time. Fancy your employee saying "My boss gave me that" when people see it with him. Two things will impress business partners, clients and potential clients: How you value your employees How you aim for quality and uniqueness.  This impression builds trust among clients and partners. It also calls in potential clients, as they’ll be curious to know more about your company. And considering a pen is easier to carry around than other new job gift ideas like notebooks or office files, it’s likely to achieve this goal faster. Logo Engraved Pens D. Class & Quality According to Marketwatch, consumers who need to write, recently insisted on a quality and luxury writing tool. What's more luxurious than walking around with a pen that is specific to me? And since engraving and clip emblems only work on luxury pens, you have no worries as to its quality. It's a two-in-one package and the newbie will be proud to be on your team. Most businesses adapt to the recent culture of employee and promotional gifts. But not every brand will pay attention to detail such as quality, elegance and what’s this? A specific engraving!  Round 3: Other Advantages Of These New Job Gift Ideas This discussion doesn't favor employers alone. A friend or family might want to celebrate the occasion. Even a colleague may long to say congratulations. So let’s discuss some general advantages to a personalized pen, irrespective of who is giving it. A. It’s Dynamic In gift-giving, the relationship with the celebrant matters a lot. And for new job gifts, it matters more An overt present from a boss or colleague might spike the wrong impression, while a plain one from a close relation might cause disappointment. But with a custom pen, no one has gone too far nor stooped too low. If you’re the boss or colleague, an engraved pen is professional, simple, and thoughtful. Yet if you’re family, the same engraved pen, or any other customized one could mean something else entirely. By going for a gift that’s unique to them, you communicate love and sacrifice. These gift ideas are the real shapeshifters. B. Time & Piggy Banks Are Left Unbroken  Set aside the piggy bank—not all custom pens are expensive. Some go below $35. The Lumen Light Up Pen - Black  $13.99 Discover Also, the art of engraving takes less than one business day. So if you’re pressed for time yet don’t want to settle for something common or of inferior quality, you could still celebrate the occasion with engraved custom pens. Only a few engravings can’t be done in a rush. Round 4: Time to Address Your Questions A. Engrave, Imprint, Custom Design or Emblem?  The various personalized pens might have you wondering which to go for. If you’re an employer or colleague to the new hire, I’ll advise you to opt for engraved pens or clip emblems—they are more professional. Imprinting does the same as these two, but it's of lower quality and style. The printed words could wipe off anytime. I won't advise it, unless you're on a strict budget. And if you’re a close relation, you could go the extra mile with a custom design. B. Which Pen is The Perfect One to Personalize?  The “perfect pen” largely depends on writing style and purpose. Some pens such as the ballpoint, suit all writing styles and can be used at work. A pen set allows the recipient to explore different options, as they also may not be sure which best suits their writing. Here is a further guide to selecting corporate gift pens. And here's your guide to everything there is to know about engraved pens.  C. How to Present a Personalized Pen?  Pens are best presented in a gift box or a beautiful case. Ours at Dayspring come in a ready-to-give gift box. You could also engrave a pen case or a desk palette to tag along. Conclusion Even if you haven’t yet decided on what your new job gift would be, I hope you've developed some ideas moving forward.  When you decide, we’re here for you. 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. Follow Sam on LinkedIn.

The Secret Santa gift exchange is a fun holiday season tradition in which everyone is both giver and recipient of one gift, but the recipient doesn't know who's giving to them. Those are the rules. Secret Santa is a really fun activity for families, friend groups, and it's especially well-suited to professional work environments around the holidays. But in the office, there's always the potential that you might not really know your gift recipient that well. This can cause some anxiety, stress, and undue pressure. In this article, I want to show you how to find and how to give a Secret Santa gift to a coworker you don't know that well. So, if you're the Secret Santa to someone in the office that you just don't know that well, I want to help. Let's start by addressing the 3 most common difficulties you're probably facing, and I'll offer you some actionable solutions. 3 difficulties in finding Secret Santa gifts for coworkers 1.) Unfamiliarity The first difficulty is just the simple fact that you might not know the coworker to whom you've been assigned to give a gift. If a gift giver doesn't know their recipient, they're going to have to offer them a way for them to get their footing. That's okay we'll talk more about finding out what they like without giving yourself away. You might think that unfamiliarity isn't a problem in your office. However, even if your workplace is a fun, close-knit group, you might still run across this problem in particular cases. For Organizers: Foster familiarity If you're organizing a Secret Santa party, this is for you. While you can't make your coworkers be friends overnight, and you can't really force your way into a stranger's interests to find out what gift they will like, you can do some of the following: Make sure to include first and last names in the participant list. When the group is large and people might only know each other by faces, maybe include photos of all your coworkers so that the giver knows who their recipient is. Make sure to keep open lines of communication. This is because if people have questions about who their recipient is and what they might like, you can answer their questions or direct them to others who can. 2.) Social Distance Some of us might face the challenge of not actually having a physical office space shared by everyone in the company. During the pandemic, a lot of us are working from home, so organizing a Secret Santa party virtually through Zoom or Google Meet is pretty much the only way to make it happen. How to ship or run a quick, safe drop-off If your company is spread over wide distances, it'll be unlikely that you can just drop off your gift at your coworker's door. So, shipping is the likely option. See if your company is willing to reimburse them for shipping costs. If you're coworkers or employees are within a particular distance, drop-offs are a great way to exchange gifts. Leave the gift at the door of your recipient with a note explaining its presence there. 3.) Disappointing Gifts Disappointment about Secret Santa exchanges can really stifle the fun, and worrying about it can cause undue stress. You might be worried that your gift is bound to be bad because you don't know your coworker that well. Or you might be worried that someone's going to give you a bad gift because they don't know you. If you're worried about that, here's a helpful, humorous video of Benedict Cumberbatch teaching you how to react to bad gifts. For Organizers: Set clear expectations, but don't micromanage Organizers can help avoid disappointment by setting clear expectations. To do this: Set a clear budget for all participants. I recommend keeping it below $20 to keep the mood light but also professional. Setting a high budget causes two problems: 1.) people who shoot on the low side might communicate a cheapness through their gift, potentially hurting the feelings of their recipient; and 2.) people who go high or above the budget might break the sense of professional mutuality that all office spaces need to maintain a healthy professional gift-giving environment. Pick a theme for the Secret Santa exchange: picking a theme (for example, a theme like "Christmas in Hawaii" or "The Grinch") might help to focus the gift-giving so that your coworkers aren't just totally left on their own to pick gifts. If there's  and it also provides opportunities for light-heartedness and even some good ol' belly laughs. Allow a window of a few days for givers to get their gifts to their recipients: having some flexibility in when the recipients get their Santa gifts means that unforeseen circumstances are less likely to come up that might hinder a good experience. Set a clear time for your coworkers to open their gifts together: While you can have an open window for gift reception, make sure to have a set time where everyone comes together and opens their gifts. If you can, order food from a caterer, too. Everyone loves free food. This might sound a bit contradictory, but don't hound everyone to buy their gifts: this can only add stress. Keep things light. For Secret Santa givers: Take it easy Just follow the instructions the organizer gives you as best you can. Don't overdo it. Your gift has a much better chance of being great than you think.  Related Reading: How to Foster Healthy and Professional Gift Giving in the Workplace: The Ultimate Guide But to really find the best gift possible, let's take a deep dive. How to find the perfect Secret Santa gifts First off, I want to dissuade you from just getting a gift card. I know that might feel like I'm taking the ground from beneath your feet. While some people love receiving gift cards so they can get whatever they want, and it takes the pressure off you to put in the effort and potential risk of disappointment, it's not really in the spirit of Secret Santa. Go ahead and risk disappointment! You'll want to get something concrete and either 1.) meaningful, 2.) practical, or 3.) at least humorous. There's a ton of lists of Secret Santa gift ideas for everyone out there on the internet, and a lot of them give really great suggestions that your coworkers are sure to love. Sources like Today, The Strategist, and Business Insider suggest things like hot sauce keychains, an insulated water bottle or two, a face mask, a pair of socks, and just generally convenient, neutral gifts. The internet is your friend, but the most important thing to keep in mind is what your recipient might actually want. Find out what your Secret Santa recipient likes You can find out what they like a number of ways: If you know the recipient well, reflect on previous conversations you've had together of their likes, loves, inspirations, and aspirations. Find a theme in those conversations, form a set criteria for gift ideas that matches up with the budget and possible theme of the exchange, and then search Google or stop by a shop that might have something within that set of criteria. If you don't know them well, ask one of their friends about their interests. It's easy: you can simply tell the friend that you're their friend's Secret Santa and you'd like to know what might be a good gift for them. There's no shame in it. Ask the organizer: hopefully the organizer will follow my advice and keep lines of communication open to field questions like this. Opt for a neutral gift: if all else fails... hot sauce keychain or coffee mug. What are the best Secret Santa gift ideas? Narrowing down the perfect gift is a tricky business. It depends on so many variables, one of them being what your recipient actually likes. Here's what I say though: the best Secret Santa gifts for coworkers are ones that communicate your respect of their time, work, and interests. And I tend to think that personalized gifts do this the best. Personalized Gifts While hot sauce is cool and all, the best Secret Santa gifts are personalized. They go above and beyond in communicating respect and attention. And they're actually easy to find and order! I've compiled a list of 101 personalized gifts that might make the best Secret Santa gifts. Personalized gifts are usually super affordable, so they can usually fit the budget of an office Secret Santa party. All that you really need to make the perfect personalized gift is the name of the recipient. Get their name engraved or imprinted on it, and voila! It's done. I've written another article about why I think personalized pens make the best Secret Santa gifts. Personalized pens are obviously my favorite Secret Santa gift, and that's because they fit the professional atmosphere of a workplace while also communicating personal respect. In my mind, personalized gifts are the best Secret Santa gifts.  Learn More: 25 Best Professional Pens   How to Give a Secret Santa Gift Gift Wrap Don't forget to wrap your gift. You might be like me: the sheer effort of finding the gift is enough to take away any energy you might have for wrapping. That being said, even if you put it in a nice bag with some tissue paper to cover it, you've won. Handwritten Note To make your gift the most meaningful, add a handwritten note. It might seem like I'm asking a lot, but really this is the key part of the gift. Write an encouraging note to your coworker for the holiday season. Keep it professional, but don't just wish them well and be done with it. Pick out things like their hard work and their aspirations, show them that you've noticed them and that you hope it all pays off. It's that simple. After that, your gift is ready to go, and you can make your way to the party! Conclusion This has been my guide to hacking Secret Santa parties. I hope it's been helpful to both organizers and participants. Now we can all find the best Secret Santa gifts for our recipients. Now it's your turn! Let me know what hacks you have for Secret Santa parties Daniel Whitehouse is the President and CEO of Dayspring Pens. He uses his expertise with premium writing utensils to create exceptional, intentional products and craft easy-to-understand articles that help both new and experienced users learn more about their writing tools. He lives in Virginia where he and his wife are raising their four children. To learn more about him and his insights about custom engraved gift pens, follow Daniel on LinkedIn.

Many people often wonder "are expensive pens worth it?" While it's tempting to dismiss luxury pens as mere shiny objects with no real value behind their appearance, it's essential to delve deeper into what sets them apart from their cheaper alternatives. In this article, I'm going to talk about 5 reasons why that's not true. I think high end pens are absolutely worth it, but it might take some considerations of what you value for you to agree. We'll talk about that more in this article. First, here are the top 6 reasons why I think good expensive pens are actually worth buying: Luxury pens last longer. They tend to write smoother. They give a greater sense of purpose. As gifts, they're much better suited for commemorating a special occasion (you wouldn't give a Bic to someone who just got a major promotion). They become family heirlooms. THEY'RE BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT!!! But before going deeper into the positive reasons for buying a luxury pens, let's take a look at the myths that stop people from feeling confident about getting one. 5 Myths About Buying an Expensive Pen Here's the top 5 myths about buying luxury pens we hear a lot: "A luxury pen is a waste of money." "There's no real difference in writing quality between a luxury pen and a cheap pen." "It's irrational to buy a luxury pen." "Having a luxury pen means you have of a 'self-esteem problem.'" "Luxury pens are too expensive." Let's take a look at each one and see what the problem is... 1.) "A luxury pen is a waste of money." We hear this a lot, but we couldn't disagree more. They're not a waste of money for a couple of reasons: You might actually save some money. Compare how much you might spend on pen packs over 5 years compared to buying a luxury pen just once. They might be around the same price long-term, or you might even save a bundle. You just need to be intentional about the reasons why you're getting a high-quality or limited edition pen. It's not like you're buying a luxury pen in order to make a profit. It's a gift and a tool. This makes it worth it. You don't have to think about resale value when you get one; you're thinking about having the right pen for you, one that fits your hand, writing needs, and style. 2.) "There's no real difference in writing quality." While it's true that a great way to save money on luxury pens is to find out what ink a more expensive pen is using and see if a cheaper pen uses the same ink, you're not always going to get the same writing experience that way. Admittedly, some metal pens (mostly ballpoint pens) do use the same basic ink refill style. So it's as simple as buying a cheaper pen barrel and refilling it with the same ink as the more expensive one. This means that some pens that have the higher-end refills might have the same functional value. But not all luxury pens are that way: For one, not all barrels and pen bodies are the same. Have you ever gotten a hand cramp from writing? How much effort you have to use to grip the pen, how much pressure you apply to write, how the pen feels in your fingers after scribbling for an extended period of time...these are all the factors that are influenced by the weight and size of the barrel, not the type of ink in the pen. A lot of luxury pen companies spend an inordinate amount of effort making the pen body its own high-quality experience. And they labor over getting the weight and balance just right: these aspects are crucial for a good experience of writing too, not just the ink. Spending more on an expensive pen to get the right balance of size, weight, and ink, and barrel quality is usually worth it for the comfort and ease of writing.  Shop Now: Top Quality Luxury Pens From Dayspring Pens 3.) "It's irrational to buy a luxury pen." Some reviewers seem to think that anyone willing to pay more for a luxury pen is irrational. This is because they distinguish the value of normal pens (which is based on utility, functionality, and the capacity to fulfill its role as a tool) from the value of luxury pens (which they think is simply subjective, symbolic, and gratuitous). This utilitarian mentality is just no fun. It devalues the subjective aspects too much. The folks at The Gentleman Stationer have put it out there honestly: "Once you pass a certain price point, you stop paying for additional functionality and get into things like design, artistry, and, yes, branding and hype. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that." It's okay to enjoy things like luxury pens that don't necessarily serve or improve upon some particular function or achieve some heartlessly mechanical result. It is, therefore, completely worthy to buy an expensive pen for the feeling alone. 4.) "Having a luxury pen means you have of a 'self-esteem problem.'" If they don't have a huge qualitative difference in functionality from normal pens, then why do people spend lots of money on expensive pens? Some would say it's because they have a "self-esteem problem." I think we can all find this sentiment super condescending to most people who own (and, what's more, enjoy) a luxury pen. Plus, if that argument really made sense, then anyone who owns jewelry would really be better off with plastic fakes. Wedding rings would then be better off as plastic too, and those of us who think different would just have bloated mental images of ourselves. That's bananas! The symbolism of luxury pens is appealing, and precious metals just naturally and culturally carry a lot more symbolic worth for us than plastic alternatives. You are also far more likely to value and maintain an item you have spent more on than a cheap throw away. This myth is another result of too much utilitarian thinking about pens. Really, there is something genuinely authentic about expensive pens, even if it's just gold-plated barrels around a normal ballpoint ink cartridge. This makes them a worthy purchase. Let's use an occasion for gift-giving as a litmus test: Say you want to give your dad a pen for Father's Day and you only have two choices: either you get him a plastic Bic pen or a gold-plated pen with a Bic refill. The answer is obviously the second one, even if it's not functionally any different. This is because we put thought into what we give someone. To just hand them a Stick Bic seems like you aren't considering who they are and what they mean to you. Even a little more luxury, however thin it may be, is a more fitting gift. What separates the worth of the Bic from the gold pen isn't just a ruse. Perceived value is real value. It shows we care about the person along with the contextual occasions and celebrations of which we find ourselves a part ever day. It just doesn't help to be cynical. 5.) "Luxury pens are too expensive." Not every pen has to cost $100+ to be luxury. Sure, some luxury pens net over $2000 easy, but you can easily find a lovely luxury pen in the $20-$50 range that is still going to write better, last longer, and just be more special. An example from the world of luxury cars: Not everyone wants to drive a Ferrari. Often times, we just want something a little more comfortable and luxurious than what we already have is. Maybe I have a Toyota and I just want some supple leather seats and a better stereo so I upgrade to a Lexus. The important thing is to find the right "luxury" for your budget.  Discover More: 7 Best Luxury Pens for Note Taking: Workflow for Classes and Meetings The Root of Anti-Luxury Thinking It's evident from the above myths that at the root of the problem lies a cynical and utilitarian mentality that rejects anything extravagant and opulent. In doing so, many people also overlook the real aspects that make luxury pens worthwhile purchases.  What really makes expensive pens worth more? Here's a deeper look at my list of 6 myth-busting reasons for getting a luxury pen over a cheap, plastic one: 1.) Luxury pens tend to last longer. Pen companies like Waterman and Mont Blanc that manufacture a more expensive pen are likely going to spend a lot more time crafting a reliable, long-lasting pen. This obviously means they'll last longer under the pressure of more use. Plus, if you run out of ink, all you need to do is refill it (be sure to check out our article on refilling fountain pens). 2.) More expensive pens tend to write smoother. You're going to get a better writing experience. It's that simple. Even if you find a ballpoint pen with the same ink cartridge as one that costs way more, the weight, balance, and girth of a more expensive pen play key factors in how smoothly the pen writes. How comfortable it fits in your hand and how much you need to grip the pen are all things that we don't think about, but drastically change the writing experience over time. More expensive fountain pens, which we'll discuss more in a moment, are especially hard to compare. 3.) High quality pens give a greater sense of purpose since they have more objective solidity. Because luxury pens with sterling silver barrels or gold nibs aren't meant to be thrown away, they have a permanence that makes them desirable. This desirability gives them that special something that helps us feel that whatever we write with them is that much more special. It gives it purpose and style, and those things make expensive pens worth it. 4.) As gifts, expensive pens are worth it for commemorating a special occasion. We saw before that luxury pens make better gifts and that they can make especially fitting gifts for celebratory occasions like birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries. It's the extra gratuity, extravagance, and elegance that makes them so.  And sometimes, that's exactly what you want to communicate when you are giving to a doctor that helped you or a loved one you care about.  5.) Nice pens can become family heirlooms. Because pens last longer and they make fitting gifts for special occasions, they'll also be more likely to become heirlooms which you can pass down to other family members to enjoy for many years to come. 6.) Luxury pens are more eco-friendly! A great reason to get a luxury pen is to do something small to help protect the environment. Manufacturing plastic pens creates extra waste that inevitably finds its way into ecosystems, and it does a lot of harm. And throwing away "disposable", non-biodegradable pens only makes things worse. Investing in a luxury pen with way less plastic waste is just one small, caring, eco-aware decision that also immediately benefits you. In the table below I've compared several features of luxury pens, why they're important, and listed some high-end pen models to consider. Feature Description Significance Pen Examples Premium materials Precious resin, gold Aesthetic appeal, longevity Montblanc Meisterstück Craftsmanship  Handcrafted or precision machining Attention to detail, unique finishes Waterman Hemisphere Nib Quality Superior grinding and finishing, customization options Smooth writing experience, personalized touch Cross Townsend Limited Editions Exclusive releases, rarity Collectability, potential for increased value Montegrappa limited editions Some Questions to Ask Before Looking to Buy... What is the best luxury pen brand? That's up for debate! I really love my Watermen Hemisphere rollerball, but there's a hundred great pen brands out there to choose from. Do some digging on the web, and check out brands like Pilot, Mont Blanc, Cross, and others. Why are some pens so expensive? For a lot of reasons! Obviously, a lot of pens are made with precious metals, and these can be expensive. Some pen companies really take their craft seriously.  Buying expensive pens from them is worth it as it shows you appreciate what they put their time and effort towards. Precision, hand-made manufacturing and quality materials are just two reasons why it can be a bit pricey.  Further Reading: The Ultimate Guide to Different Pen Styles: Ballpoint, Rollerball, Fountain Pen, and Gel Ink Pen Why do I want to buy expensive pens? Make sure you're buying for the right reasons. Additionally, make sure you take some time to think about which pen fits those reasons. If you're buying for yourself,  buying an expensive pen that fits all of your writing quality conditions (weight, balance, size, ink, and design), is worth it. However ensure that it doesn't cost you everything. If you're buying for someone else, just think about what the pen communicates about the value you have in that person, and buy a pen for a reasonable price the embodies that. What is a reasonable price to pay for a higher quality pen? Finding a better pen for the right cost can be difficult. And spending more money on an expensive pen can feel a bit painful at first. Don't worry though! The price of high end pens can run from anywhere between $20 and some thousands of dollars. You get to be decide how much you want to spend. Set some parameters for yourself, but I tend to think that a pen from either Parker or Waterman starting in the $60 is a great first choice. When is a good time to buy an expensive pen? I think expensive pens are best suited for special occasions. If you're buying one for yourself, get it to commemorate something like a promotion to a new position or a new job entirely. Get one to write that novel you've been thinking about for years. Get one to write your signature on a new house! If you're buying for someone else, there's a thousand great occasions to buy: birthdays, holidays, Valentine's Day, Christmas, Father's or Mother's Day, graduations, promotions, etc. Dayspring Pens offers a number of pens that are specifically designed for particular occasions. Be sure to take a look at our options.  Related Products: Rush Personalized Gift Pens What's the best writing style for me? I've written another article on different pen styles to answer this question! Check it out and let us know if it's helpful to you! What's the best buying option for truly myth-busting luxury pens?: Fountain pens! I think the best option for jumping into luxury pens is going to be a fountain pen. This is because a fountain pen is often the most difficult pen to compare with cheaper counterparts in other writing styles. A luxury fountain pen is often the least comparable with a regular plastic pen. The writing experience is just qualitatively different than, say, a ballpoint pen—especially if it has a gold nib. While you won't spend that much money on disposable versions of fountain pens, the nib quality is often really disappointing. A gold nib is often far softer on the page than steel nibs or a nib of some other, stiffer material. Steel nibs just don't flex like gold ones. A gold nib makes it float on the page. Fountain pens have that extra classiness that so many people love. Fountain pens are high up on the "cool factor." They can make anyone feel more dignified in their writing, even they're just writing a little note to themselves. The shape of the nib, the feel of the page, the look of the pen in your hand—these things are really worth it! Find Out More: What Are the Types of Fountain Pens   Fountain pens are just fun! Check out this quirky video from Goulet Pens about a further 7 myths just about fountain pens. Plus, more expensive fountain pens are the best option for the environment. Thepencompany.com writes that fountain pens beat ballpoint pens as far as eco-friendly waste. "Especially if you refill them with bottled ink instead of using disposable plastic cartridges". With good care and maintenance, a quality fountain pen can last a lifetime. Additionally, inks usually come in glass bottles which can either be refilled or recycled after use." So consider a shiny new fountain pen to get started on your classy, eco-friendly journey into So, with the myths certifiably busted, a fountain pen is your best bet for a great high end pen that's going to last. Conclusion Are expensive pens worth it? I certainly think so! Reddit and Quora threads often have a lot of great information and really thought-out arguments both for and against buying them. A final thought on luxury pens: they're even better when personalized. Be sure to check out my article on everything about personalized pens. Now it's time to hear what you think. Have you bought a luxury pen in the past? Tell us which one is your favorite and why in the comments! 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. Follow Sam on LinkedIn.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, who took over the task of counting jobs, now lists 50 health care and medical professions alone. Professional workers in the 21st century account for 24% of all employees. All those jobs mean two things for us here at Dayspring: Opportunities to award and reward employees with our personalized, engraved, “fancy pants” pens and fine writing implements AND A plethora of acronyms and abbreviations for all those jobs and positions to include in those engravings That’s what this article is here to help you with—getting all those occupational acronyms and abbreviations right. Now, we realize we can’t give you every abbreviation and acronym for every occupation. There are over 4,000 recognized “official” ones, after all. Instead, what we have done is chosen the more popular and/or commonly used ones from the following fields: Medical Management Finance and Accounting Sales and Marketing IT Let’s get this ball rolling, shall we?  Medical Occupation Abbreviations and Acronyms Doctor of Medicine MD Nurse Practitioner CRNP Registered Nurse RN Licensed Practical Nurse LPN Certified Nursing Assistant/Aide CNA Doctor of Dental Surgery DDS Registered Dietician RD Physical Therapist PT Emergency Medical Technician EMT Veterinarian DVM A key event just perfect for gifting your hard-working nursing staff with practical, lovely, and engravable gift pens is National Nurses’ Week. It begins every year on 6 May and ends on 12 May, Florence Nightingale’s birthday. Perhaps one like the model below? Cross Click Midnight Blue Ballpoint Pen Key Management Team Members Your business can’t run without the leadership at the top. They deserve all the credit and rewards you can heap upon them for keeping your management system and your firm going strong day after day.  Here are some of their more commonly used acronyms and abbreviations. Chief Executive Officer (the BIG boss) CEO Chief Operating Officer (the almost Big Boss) COO Chief Finance Officer (the money boss) CFO Chief Marketing Officer (the ad boss) CMO Chief Information Officer (the data boss) CIO October 16 is Boss’s Day every year, and wouldn’t your group of “boss” people be pleased to receive an engraved executive gift pen from you? How do you like the looks of this one? Waterman Expert Stainless Steel Rollerball Finance and Accounting Abbreviations and Acronyms Bean counters. Penny Processors. Number crunchers. Your finance and accounting professionals have their own “fun” names and terms for themselves and their department. And while an acronym like “Acct.” might be on the door or business card, there are many other recognized acronyms and abbreviations for these ledger-loving folks. Here’s a table with some of the more common ones. Chief Accounting Officer CAO Chartered Financial Analyst CFA Certified Internal Auditor CIA Enrolled Agent EA Certified Public Accountant CPA Certified Financial Manager CFM Certified Management Accountant CMA Licensed Stock Broker/Dealer BD Certified Payroll Professional CPP Certified Financial Planner CFP Registered Investment Advisor RIA Qualified (Independent) Underwriter QA/QIA Chief Compliance Officer CCO Reward your money men and women with an executive gift fountain pen, like the one below. Accountants and auditors need different colors of ink, and the various colors available in fountain pen cartridges fit the bill quite nicely.  Abbreviations and Acronyms for Sales and Marketing Professionals No business can thrive without customers, and the network of people who bring in those customers through sales and marketing are invaluable to every firm, from the mom-and-pop on the corner to the Fortune 100s. Whether you’re one of those on the corner or in the corner office 80 floors up, rewarding your sales and marketing network of champions with personalized engraved pens is always a smart action to take. Here are some common abbreviations and acronyms for those whose occupation is getting customers through your door. Chief Marketing Officer CMO Account Executive AE Account Manager AM Director of Sales DoS Business Development Representative BDR Marketing Qualification Representative MQR Lead Development Representative LDR Sales Development Representative SDR Social Media Manager/Marketer SMM Your sales and marketing team is undoubtedly made up of a group of highly trained, skilled, and creative individuals. Gifting them all the same pen may not be a wise choice. Choosing from the variety of styles and colors available in our Cross Bailey line is probably the better solution. Here’s a stylish rollerball in red lacquer finish. You can even get the engraving in several color choices, as well. Check out the entire collection. Cross Bailey Red Lacquer Selectip Rollerball Pen Here’s what one happy executive customer had to say: Information Technology Abbreviations and Acronyms Your “geek squad” is made up of individuals who are highly trained, highly skilled, and, yes, typically just a little geeky-nerdy on the side. That shouldn’t stop you from recognizing their contributions to your business’s safety, security, and success. This table shows you most of the more common IT occupation abbreviations and acronyms to take the glitches out of engraving their personalized pen gifts. Chief Information Officer CIO Chief Security Officer CSO Certified Systems Administrator CSA Certified Professional App Developer CPAD Computer Emergency Readiness Team CERT Certified Information Technology Professional CITP Certified Systems Engineer CSE Computer Science Professional Engineer CSPE A certified technician who can diagnose, repair, and administer both hardware and software systems CompTIA A+ Database Administer DBA We have the perfect high-tech gift pen for your high-tech personnel, the Cross Tech3+. It has three different writing tips, as well as a touch screen stylus in the cap end. And it comes in a fun and functional translucent red finish. Here it is: Cross Tech3+ Pen - Translucent Red Some FAQs About Our Gift Pens While we’ve given you plenty of info about abbreviations and acronyms for members of your company, and even some awesome (if we do say so ourselves) ideas for personalized engraved gift pens, you may still have a few questions. We’ll try to answer them for you, but if you have more, please leave us a comment below or contact our wonderful customer service representatives (CSRs).  How long does it take to engrave a gift pen? It takes less than a day to engrave one gift pen. Bulk orders for an entire team or department will naturally take a bit longer due to the larger number of pens ordered.  What happens if something is wrong with my order? We try our best, but we’re only human, and sometimes things do go wonky. Simply call, email, or use our contact form and we’ll do our best to correct the issue. Here’s one customer’s experience with us: Gabriela | Customer Review Oops! I forgot my ______’s big day. Do you do rush orders?  Yes, we do! You can learn all about our Rush Order One Day Business Service. Don’t fret about your forgetfulness. We’ve got your back. And with that, we’re through for today. Any questions, comments, folks we forgot? Let us know below, please. Daniel Whitehouse is the President and CEO of Dayspring Pens. He uses his expertise with premium writing utensils to create exceptional, intentional products and craft easy-to-understand articles that help both new and experienced users learn more about their writing tools. He lives in Virginia where he and his wife are raising their four children. To learn more about him and his insights about custom engraved gift pens, follow Daniel on LinkedIn.

The answer to the question "When was the fountain pen invented?" is a long and rambling one. From people filling reed pens with ink to the first patents to the modern fountain pen. The history of the fountain pen is a tale of the collaboration to make a beautiful and effective writing instrument. In this article, I'll talk about the history of the fountain pen. From where it got its name to why it was invented. I'll then explore the flood of game-changing innovations of the 19th century that ultimately made the fountain pen. Let's start with the very question of the article. When was the fountain pen invented? The fountain pen was officially invented in 1809 with the first patent filed in England by Frederick Fölsch. But, it's a bit of a tricky question really. Many prototypes existed before 1809 dating as far back as c.974. However,  Frederick Fölsch's first patent marks the beginning of a slew of different patents and innovations that made the fountain pen popular and mass marketable by the 20th century. So what exactly is this thing called a "fountain" pen? Why is it called a fountain pen? This is any pen with ink stored inside its barrel. It uses a metal nib to apply the ink to paper. The original term "fountain pen" described any writing instrument that stored ink inside its body for continuous writing without dipping the pen in the ink. By these standards, we would consider even ballpoint pens and rollerball pens as fountain pens. But for those who invented the fountain pen, the metal nib became a necessary feature, unique to the pen. Where fountain once referred to an unending flowing of ink that needed no interruption, it later referenced the steady flow of water-based liquid ink from the reservoir through the recognizable metal nib.  Learn More: How a Fountain Pen Works   You might now be wondering, "If fountain pens were all about a continuous flow of ink..." What did they use before fountain pens? Before the invention of fountain pens, people used dip pens to write. These were a reed or a quill pen dipped into an inkwell to coat the tip ink and write. The ancient world used a hollow reed cut into a nib (shaped to a point and split down the center) to write. Reeds eventually gave way to quill pens because they were stiffer and dulled quickly. People chose goose feathers or large swan feathers as the material for quill pens and whittled them into the necessary shape.   Reeds and quills both have a hollow tubular body that draws some ink inside when someone dips the pen. This allows the user to write a few words or a line without re-dipping the pen. Problems with dip pens Despite the need of the dip pen, this method of writing was riddled with problems. Quills required constant work and skill to hone. In fact, the ability to cut a good quill was just as important as the ability to write. Each quill could write for a few pages before needing to be retrimmed. A good quill would only last about a week. They also required constant...dipping.... This meant inconsistent ink flow as the ink would run out every few words and have to be re-dipped. Dipping frequently caused ink blotches and splatters. Ultimately, dip pens required a great deal of skill to make, they were messy, and they were inconsistent unless in the most skilled hands. With all these challenges, it is easy to understand the needs of those who invented the fountain pen. Why were fountain pens invented? Fountain pens were invented to create a writing instrument that would provide continuous writing. A continuously writing pen would also allow anyone to write without having to acquire skills cutting quills properly and extra equipment necessary to write (quill, ink, knife, etc...). So who finally made this novel idea a reality? Who invented the first one? Someone unknown actually invented the "first" fountain pen, but many often credit Arab Egypt in the 10th century. Long before the first patent was filed by Frederick Fölsch, inventors sought to crack the mystery of a continuous writing instrument. Prototypes Arab Egypt The first historical record of the fountain pen comes from c.974 when Fatimid Caliph Al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah requested a pen that would not leak and stain his hands and clothes. He was given a reservoir pen that would spill ink when it was held upside down. Da Vinci The great Leonardo Da Vinci may have also invented a fountain pen. Da Vinci's journals show drawings of a reservoir pen that wrote using gravity and capillary action. While no evidence confirms the construction of the pen, some historians note that the writing in his subsequent journals lacks the tell-tale evidence of a dip pen, such as the inconsistent ink flow and ink flooding. When were fountain pens first used? People began using fountain pens in Europe in the 17th and 18th century.  They often referred to these pens as "reservoir pens". Craftsmen made the writing points of quills, silver, or steel. Early European reservoir pens In 1636, Daniel Schwenter combined two quills together with a cork to seal the end and hold ink. By the mid-1600 reports began to circulate about Parisian craftsmen selling a "silver metal pen". Documents such as Samuel Pepys writings mention metal pens that "carry ink". Problems with early fountain pens The people who invented the fountain pen, made little changes to the reservoir pen for the next 150 years for two major reasons. First, inks were highly corrosive and would rapidly eat away at any metal components of the pen. Second and more importantly, there was no proper understanding of how air pressure affects ink flow which meant a consistent, steady ink flow was still a mystery. These reservoir pens were just as impractical (if not more so) as dip pens. They constantly leaked, were prone to the ink clogging the pen, corroded, and were messy to refill. One had to load pens with an eyedropper. When were modern fountain pens invented? In 1809, models of the fountain pen began circulating again. What was the major shift that made innovations of the fountain pen possible? A better understanding of how air pressure affects ink flow. Air Pressure and Fountain Pens To get a steady flow of ink out of a filled chamber, the air pressing on the opening must have a place to flow. Air will act like a seal against a small hole, preventing liquid from leaving. But if a second hole is presented at the other end of the chamber, the air has a place to move to. Air will enter through the first opening and move out through the second, pulling the liquid out of the chamber.     Harnessing the flow of ink by using air would be the biggest impact on fountain pens becoming functional, popular writing instruments. With this discovery, the people who invented the fountain pen caused a rapid succession of patents filed throughout Europe. Each offering a new development. Fountain Pen Patents and Innovations Frederick Fölsch filed the first patent in England in May for an improved fountain pen. His allowed ink to flow through the pen. Joseph Bramah filed another patent in September that made changes to the ink feeder. Petrache Poenaru, a Romanian inventor, used a combined a swan quill with a metal tip to prevent the corrosive nature of ink from eating away the reservoir in 1827. John Jacob Parker filed a patent in 1832 that allowed fountain pens to "self-fill" with a piston screw ink cartridge that would draw ink inside the pen barrel. This meant the end of manual eyedrop filling. Industrial manufacturing in Birmingham, England mass produced cheap steel pen nibs. Steel nibs rust quickly when they come into contact with ink. People preferred slip-in nibs because they could buy them in bulk. Manufacturers made numerous patents and changes to the fountain pen design, but three major changes introduced the widely popular fountain pen.     Three inventions that made the modern fountain pen The Iridium Tipped Gold Nib The discovery of anti-corrosive iridium (a member of the platinum family) created an alternative to corrosive steel nibs. Iridium was rare, but taking a gold nib (which was also anti-corrosive, but too soft to handle the wear and tear of writing) and tipping the point in iridium (a hard metal) gave the perfect mix of a flexible nib that would adapt to movement (the gold) with a durable tip that would not require constant nib changing (the iridium). Hard Rubber The invention of hard rubber or ebonite offered the perfect material for the body of the fountain pen. Hard rubber was smooth, durable, and resistant to ink corrosion unlike a metal pen. It was also cheap to manufacture and readily available. Free Flowing Ink Lastly, free flowing ink which moved through pens better than the previous sediment filled ink infamous for clogging and ruining pens. There was only one more innovation that made the fountain pen the successful, mass marketable pen born in 1884. Even with a better understanding of the role air pressure plays in ink flow and the changes made to the fountain pen before 1884, controlling the flow of ink out of the pen was still a major setback. Ink flow was notoriously unreliable and finnicky. The table below tracks the evolution of fountain pen nib materials through the years: Nib material Time Period Characteristics Gold 19th century Flexible, provided smooth writing experience Iridium-tipped Early 20th century Increased durability and longevity Stainless steel Mid 20th century Affordable, resistant to corrosion Titanium Late 20th century Lightweight, durable, corrosion-resistant  Ruthenium-coated 21st century Sleek black appearance, corrosion-resistant Who invented the fountain pen in 1884? Lewis Waterman invented the modern fountain pen in 1884. He harnessed capillary action to smoothly pull ink from the reservoir, through the feed, out of the nib. Waterman added three grooved sections to the feed and a hole to the nib. Gravity pulls the ink out of the reservoir, and the three grooved sections draw and hold ink in these grooves. Capillary action works through adhesion and cohesion. Liquid adheres to a solid surface and coheres to itself so it does not pool at the tip of the pen. When the nib touched the paper, it pulled the liquid adhered to the grooves through cohesion onto the paper. This ensured that ink didn't stick in the reservoir or pool at the tip, allowing for steady flow of control. By harnessing capillary action, Waterman created the first truly usable modern fountain pen. In fact, collectors still use vintage Waterman pens today. Innovations to the modern fountain pen The solution to the major setback of fountain pens allowed changes and innovations to continue. Each pen inventor and manufacturer worked to solve some recurring issue with the fountain pen. Self-filling systems like the piston filler, squeeze filler, lever filler, and disposable ink cartridges hit the market. The creation of celluloid replaced hard rubber as the material of pens. This is because of its Affordability Durability Ease of customization Developers produced new inks that were less corrosive and more vibrant.  Related Reading: The Best Ink For Fountain Pens   Tweaks to feeders, nib shapes and materials, and pen design lead the fountain pen to quickly dominate as the writing instrument of choice in the Western world. When did fountain pens replace dip pens? The masses used fountain pens more commonly than dip pens by World War I. However, schools continued to use dip pens until 1960s when the production of ballpoint pens began.  Fun Fact: The BIC ballpoint pen was invented by Marcel Bich in 1950.   It was the invention of the ballpoint pen that actually put the nail in the coffin of the dip pen, but the impact of fountain pens left its mark as one of the leading forms of writing instruments. When did fountain pens become popular? Fountain pens peaked in popularity from the 1900s to the 1960s when the ballpoint pen surpassed the fountain pen. Is the fountain pen still used today? The fountain pen is still in use today. Even though the ballpoint pen surpassed the fountain pen in popularity in the 60s, people still commonly use fountain pens throughout the world. In fact, many grammar schools in European countries like Germany, Switzerland, and France require the use of fountain pens. In the United States, fountain pen use is entirely preference. If you prefer smooth ink flow and connected writing you'll find it hard to find a better, more reliable pen than the fountain pen. What is the oldest fountain pen? The oldest fountain pen in the world is the M. Bion fountain pen, designed by Nicholas Bion in 1702. Are fountain pens making a comeback? Fountain pens are not so much making a comeback as they have been a constant, steady market since the advent of the ballpoint pen. Though not as popular as the ballpoint or even the rollerball, fountain pen users have continued to create a demanding market for new fountain pens as well as antiques. Vintage pens have actually grown in popularity over the past decade as more and more people are collecting, repairing and using antique fountain pens. Conclusion The history of those who invented the fountain pen is not a cut and dry story of one individual discovering a new world changing technology. It is instead the story of hundreds of people over a thousand years slowing learning, innovating, and reinventing until at last the modern fountain pen was born. With each innovation and new discovery, the fountain pen morphed and changed to be a beautiful example of what the collaborative work of people can be. What was your favorite innovation or change to the fountain pen? Leave a comment below! 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. Follow Sam on LinkedIn.

The ballpoint pen is the most common writing instrument in the world, but how in the world does it actually work? In this article, I am going to go in-depth into how ballpoint pens work and the ink that makes them special. Additionally, I'll answer questions about cleaning and keeping your ballpoint pens. What is a ballpoint pen? A ballpoint pen is a pen that works by distributing oil-based ink onto a metal ball at the tip of the pen that rotates to dispense the ink onto a writing surface. A ballpoint pen is also called ball pen, biro, and dot pen.  Learn More: Who Invented the Ballpoint Pen Anatomy of a Ballpoint Pen Manufacturers make ballpoint pen refills with an ink reservoir, a ball or brass, steel, or tungsten carbide, and the housing that holds the ball.  The ballpoint pen consists of a ballpoint refill and a barrel. The ballpoint refill is a cylinder that holds the ink, a small rotating ball, and the housing for the ball. A barrel is a casing that holds the refill and allows the user to grip the pen.  Moreover, barrels may include clips that can attach a ballpoint to a shirt front or a notebook. If the pen is a click-action or twist-action, it will include a spring and a thrust device that will engage and retract the ballpoint. As such, the ballpoint pen works, when all these individual parts work together.  Shop Now: Best Ballpoint Pen Brands From Dayspring Pens How does the ball stay in the pen? The ball stays in a ballpoint pen because it rests in a socket, a metal hollow the tiny ball sits inside. The socket fits tightly around the small rotating ball with two openings, one that opens into the ink cartridge and one that faces the writing tip of the pen. The socket holds the ball tightly enough to not fall out of the pen or push back into the reservoir, but loosely enough to allow it to spin freely. It is essentially a single ball bearing mechanism as is demonstrated in this video.     How does ink come out of a ballpoint pen? The ink comes out of a ballpoint on the surface of the ball. As the ball turns against paper, ink spreads over the surface of the ball touching the ink reservoir and rolls with the ball out to the exposed writing tip. It then attaches to the paper which is a more porous surface and is absorbed by the paper. Essentially, the ball acts as a carrier as the pen moves and cycles ink out of the ballpoint tip. What is ballpoint ink made of Ballpoint ink is made of a mixture of 25-40% dye or pigment suspended in a combination of oil and fatty acids. Interestingly, common oils used in ballpoint pens include benzyl alcohol or phenoxyethanol that cause the ink to dry almost instantly on contact with air. Fatty acids such as oleic acid act as lubricants that keep the pens from clogging and allow the ball to spin continuously without tension. Additionally, manufacturers often mix in additives to achieve special effects such as enhancing color vibrancy, helping the ink absorb quickly into the paper, making the ink waterproof, archival, and more fluid. These additives make ballpoint inks proprietary to the brand and chemist formulating them. What keeps ink in a pen? The rolling mechanism of the ballpoint pen acts as a continuous cap that prevents the ink from oozing out of the pen. Since there is no air gap between the ball and socket at the tip, the ink stays in the cartridge until the ball rotates to disperse ink on paper. What's so special about ballpoint ink? Special ballpoint ink is thicker and dries quickly because it uses oil instead of water. Traditionally, people made inks like Dark India Ink by combining a dye or pigment with water. They either dipped the pen into the ink, writing like a reed or pen, or filled the chamber inside the pen with ink, dispersing it through a nib like fountain. Ballpoint ink is a viscous ink which means it is somewhere between a solid and a liquid. It is a thicker ink and very sticky. This allows the ink to stick to the brass, steel, or tungsten carbide ball as well as the paper. Because it is oil based ink instead of water-based, it is less susceptible to drying out when exposed to air which will cause water-based inks to stop writing. The more viscous an ink is, the faster it will dry, but the trade off is that it requires more pressure to write. This is because the thickness of the ink slows down the rotation of the ball and requires extra physical force to move the ballpoint tip around. Brief History of Ballpoint Ink It is actually the ink of the ballpoint pen that made it an innovative feat. Decades ago, inventors created the concept of the ballpoint rolling mechanism, but liquid ink always flowed too freely around the mechanism, causing the pen to leak or dry out and clog. A journalist named Laszlo Biro, along with his brother György, adapted newspaper ink (an oil-paste printing ink) into a workable ink that made the ball pen possible. What is the difference between a ballpoint pen and a rollerball pen? The difference between a ballpoint pen and a rollerball pen is the type of ink inside the pen - ballpoint pens contain oil-based paste ink; rollerball pens contain water-based gel ink. This means that ballpoints dry quickly, can write on different surfaces, and require a good amount of pressure to make the ballpoint pen ink work. Sometimes, ballpoints flow unevenly due to the paste ink. Rollerball pens on the other hand have a more vibrant colored, liquid ink refills that require much less pressure to write and have a smooth ink flow.   The gel means that time is needed after writing to let the ink dry into the paper. The ink can smear or create feathering in low cost paper. Rollerballs have the mechanism of a ballpoint, but write more like fountain pens. All gel pens are rollerballs.  Related Reading: Differences Between Rollerball and Ballpoint Pens What is gel ink made of? Gel ink is a thick, opaque ink made by suspending pigment in a water-based gel. Water and biopolymers like xanthan gum make up the gel, and their higher viscosity allows it to suspend more pigment. Basically, more pigment means a more vibrant color. It also allows for additives like metallic sheens, fluorescents, and glitter that are not possible in ballpoint pen ink. The table below sums up the differences between some popular ballpoint pen brands: Brand Notable Features Popular Models Bic  Affordable, reliable Cristal, Glide Parker Sleek design, smooth writing Jotter, Sonnet Dayspring Pens Free custom engraving, gift sets Alexandria, Monroe Waterman Elegance, smooth writing experience Hemisphere, Expert Cross Premium materials, durable Classic Century, Calais     Troubleshooting a ballpoint pen All pens have their strengths and weaknesses, even the trusty ballpoint. Now, let's talk a little bit about the problems that can occur with ballpoint pens and what can be fixed. Problems with Ballpoint Pens The drawbacks to ballpoint pens include: Firm pressure needed to make a writing line Ink flow can be inconsistent or skip, especially in faster drying ballpoints Ink can clot or clog around the metal ball Why Ballpoint pens stop working? The first question to ask yourself if you cannot make your ballpoint pen work is if it is out of ink. Once you have established that you have ink in your ink cartridge, you will want to try and get the ink moving through the metal ball. Even though the rolling ball mechanism serves as a cap, creating a closure between the ink and air, the ink can still dry out around the ball if you leave it open an unused for many hours or days. How to Get a Ballpoint Pen to Start Working In this section, I will show you how to get a pen to write again when it's stopped working. There are three methods you can use: Scribble Method Take a piece of scrap paper and scribble on the paper with the pen. Continue to scribble until the ink begins to flow. Rubbing Alcohol Method Alternatively, you can try dipping the tip of the pen in rubbing alcohol for a few seconds and scribble on a paper. Alcohol should dissolve the oil in the ink and dislodge any clog that is preventing the pen from writing. The Lighter Method Limiting the point of contact only to the metal tip, hold the flame of a lighter to the nib of the pen for a few seconds and try writing. Continue applying heat, testing occasionally to make sure the tip isn't too hot and testing on a writing surface. Heat will ultimately melt the clot. Why do ballpoint pens leak? Ballpoint pens leak when there is a hole in the ink reservoir such as a puncture, if the metal ball is too loose in the socket, or because of a change in pressure like flying at high altitudes. Since ink is a liquid, it will constantly seek equilibrium. However, if there is some way the ink can flow out of the pen's reservoir, it will try to flow out. Because ballpoint ink is a thicker ink, it is less susceptible to leaking than a water-based, more fluid ink, but it can still leak all the same. Can ballpoint pens dry out? Ballpoint pens can dry out if exposed to air for too long. They do take much longer to dry out than fountain pens or rollerballs whose water-based inks dry quickly in the nib and tip when exposed to air. It will take hours or sometimes days, but uncapped or un-retracted ballpoint pens will dry out. How to store a ballpoint pen Ballpoint pens should be stored with the point down. The viscous thick ink requires gravity to write. Therefore, storing it with the point down will ensure that your ballpoint is ready to write with minimal effort. However, if the pen has a cap or retracts, always make sure to retract the pen or replace the cap to prevent the pen from drying out. How to clean ballpoint pens To clean a ballpoint pen, take paper towel and a cup of hot water. Start by moistening the paper towel and wiping it along the writing tip and any areas where ink is clotted. Holding the barrel, dip the point into the hot water for persistent clots and wipe firmly with the paper towel. Do not soak the tip in the water. Rubbing alcohol can also be used to clean the pen. Simply apply rubbing alcohol to a cotton swab or paper towel and rub along the pen. How long do ballpoint pens work? A ballpoint pen can write on average 50,000 words or roughly 100 pages. The number of days a ballpoint pen works depends on the user and their usage. Can a ballpoint pen be erased? Technically yes, ballpoint pens can be erased. Some ballpoints have been specially formulated with ink that can be erased with a special eraser. These include the Paper Mate Eraser Mate Ballpoint Pen. To erase a standard ballpoint: Apply a small amount of acetone (nail polish remover) to a cotton swab. Gently rub the ink until it is removed from the writing surface. Does ballpoint ink stain? Yes, ballpoint ink will stain fabric. How to Remove Ballpoint Ink Stain Any solvent will remove a ballpoint ink stain. First, test the colorfastness of your fabric before applying a solvent. This ensures you do not damage the dye of the cloth. Next, apply a solvent like rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, or hairspray to the stain. Do this by placing a paper towel or rag underneath the stain and flushing it with the solvent. Apply liquid detergent to the stain and wash with the hottest water the fabric will allow. Before drying, check to see if the stain has been removed. If not, continue the process until the stain is no longer visible. Can a ballpoint pen freeze? Yes, a standard ballpoint pen will freeze. Some manufacturers have used special technology to make ball pens that will work in extreme conditions such as the Fisher Space Pen. These pens are capable of working in outer space, underwater, in extreme heat and cold, etc. Can a ballpoint pen be refilled? Some ballpoint pens can be refilled. Cheaper single use ballpoints such as the Bic Cristal cannot be reused. Instead, they should be recycled when they run out of ink. Any luxury ballpoint or pen priced above $12 will most likely be refillable. Simply unscrew the barrel from the tip and remove the ink cartridge. Replace with a refill that corresponds to the size and your pen will be ready to write again. Conclusion Ballpoint pens work by a combination of their specialized oil-based ink and a small rotating metal ball. The latter cycles the ink from the reservoir onto the writing surface. I hope this article has helped you understand how this amazing invention works. I also hope I've answered any of your questions about this household staple. Is there a question you have that I have not answered? If so, leave a comment below, and I will be happy to answer it. 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. Follow Sam on LinkedIn.

Today, we want to share our top 7 pens for the best MBA graduation gift. Historically, luxury pens are traditional gifts given in celebration of scholarly achievements. Moreover, here at Dayspring Pens, our goal is to help you find the best one for your graduate. Additionally, each of these pens includes a free line of custom personalization and free shipping in the USA. The 7 Best Graduation Pens 1. Cross Classic Century Medalist Pen and Pencil Set These incredibly well made pen sets, the Classic Centuries not only have a history of being used for 40+ years but also are after often gifted as an MBA graduation gift. What you get with a Cross Classic Medalist Set: Twist-action slim barrel ballpoint pen with medium point black ink Twist-action slim barrel mechanical pencil with 0.7mm lead and eraser Lustrous chrome body with 23k gold appointments AT Cross brand Lifetime Mechanical Guarantee against defects Custom engraving is light gold to match appointments Price point: around $120 The small engraving space which is framed by detailed ribbing down the barrel provides the perfect space for a name with new credentials. 2. Parker IM Rollerball Pen Soft matte blue and shining chrome make the Parker IM Rollerball an amazing medium. Furthermore, it's perfect for engraving the name of the college they are graduating or the title of a new business. Key features of the Parker IM Rollerball: Capped rollerball pen with medium point liquid ink Powdered matte blue finish with lustrous chrome accents Parker Pens two year warranty against defects Engraved message is silver to match appointments Price point: around $45 Indeed the Parker IM rollerball is the prime example of how smoothly a good pen writes and what a useful tool it can be in a new job. 3. Waterman Expert Ballpoint Pen No other company offers this same level of attention to detail, luxury, and craftsmanship more suitable for this monumental occasion in life than Waterman. The story on the Waterman Expert Ballpoint Pen: Medium point ballpoint pen exudes professionalism High gloss black lacquer finish with 23k gold appointments Waterman three year warranty against defects Personalization look gold Price point: around $135 Consequently, the cigar shaped, larger barrel of the Expert makes it comfortable to use over long periods of writing from a brand that always delivers quality. 4. Dayspring Pens Monroe Set Affordable and entry-level the Monroe Pen and Pencil Set gifts the experience of writing with a pen that is ready to help them create, perfect as an MBA graduation gift. The features of the Monroe Set:  Medium, click-action ballpoint and 0.7mm mechanical pencil 18k gold-plated finish and rubber ergonomic grip Three year Dayspring Pens mechanical guarantee Price Point: around $35 Balanced with a modern design, the Monroe is a handy set that will be appreciated for its long engraving space, perfect to a logo or a personal message to your loved ones. 5. Cross Calais Ballpoint Pen The Cross Calais Ballpoint Pen is a staple for the writing desk of any new professional. Highlights of a Calais Ballpoint: Twist-action ballpoint with medium point black ink Art deco inspiration contrast a tapered silhouette with straight bandings Cross Lifetime Mechanical Warranty Personalization looks light gold Price Point: around $35 Calaises are amazing graduation pens no matter the field your graduate is interested. Not only are they simple and versatile, but they are also always ready to write, no matter where their lives take them. 6. Waterman Hemisphere Ballpoint Pen The perfect blend of practicality and luxury, the Waterman Hemisphere Ballpoint is as functional as it is prestigious. What makes the Waterman Hemisphere great: Twist-action ballpoint with Mysterious Blue ink inside the pen High gloss black lacquer, 23k gold appointments, perfectly engraved in gold Three year Waterman warranty Price point: around $75 Parisian elegance meets English practicality in this detailed ballpoint. This same pen has been a staff favorite for a reason, it will last a lifetime as beautiful to look at as it is to write. 7. Dayspring Pens Rosewood Graduation Pen and Gift Box A themed wooden case pairs perfectly with the matching Rosewood carved ballpoint pen. Gift a Rosewood Graduation Pen with these features:  Twist-action ballpoint with Cross-style black ink Varnish Rosewood pen with gold bandings and clip and a carved case for a desk Dayspring Pens warranty Price point: around $28 The natural beauty of warm wood offers the perfect space for a custom engraving, matching on both the case and the pen. The most budget-friendly option, this set is all about practical commemoration. Best Graduation Gift Pens By Degree Best graduation gift pen for high school: Coming in under $30 is the Rosewood Pen and Case Set. The cap and scroll emblem commemorate the day, while the pen will write steadily as they go off to college or a career.  Discover: The Rosewood Pen and Case Set Best pen to give for a college graduation: A smooth writer, the Parker IM Rollerball is best for a college graduation present for its durable finish, affordable luxury touches, and the Parker name which means reliability. This pen wont break the bank, but offers the finesse and class that perfectly highlights the day.  Shop Now: Parker IM Rollerball Best pen to give for a postgraduate graduation: Look no further than the Waterman Expert Fountain Pen as a gift for Masters and Doctoral graduates. Indeed, postgraduate work is rigorous and extensive making the graduation a true celebration. Consequently, Waterman offers the prestige and premium finishes that make this pen a declaration of achievement.  Check It Out: Waterman Expert Fountain Pen Best graduation gift pen for a law student: Practical and impressive to look at, the Waterman Hemisphere ballpoint not only fits easily in a pocket or briefcase but also will always be ready to write and sign. Furthermore, it will look impressive in the conference room.  Surprise Your Loved One: Waterman Hemisphere ballpoint Best gift pen to give to a medical student: Classic Century Medalist Set is versatile and durable. Slim enough for a lab coat and available with a special medical emblem on the clip, this set offers a subtle space for engraving that will help them keep track of the pen while doing rounds. Get It Today: Classic Century Medalist Set People also ask... How much money should you give for graduation gifts? 25 high school 50-100 college 100-500 post doc Is a pen a good graduation gift? A pen is the perfect MBA graduation gift since it gives something practical they can use as they move forward with their degree. Pen selection and price can also be matched to the gravitas of the ceremony and the accomplishment. What are other traditional gifts for graduation? Traditional graduation gifts include: a briefcase, a class ring, framed diploma, a practical house warming present, or money. The goal of a graduation gift is to give something that either commemorates the achievement or helps set them up for the future (ideally both!).  What's a good last-minute graduation gift? In a time crunch, money is always considered a good last-minute MBA graduation gift since it helps fund their future endeavors. The Best Option for MBA graduation gift So that's it for our list of graduation pens and tips for finding the best personalized graduation presents.  Now what's your favorite thing to give for graduation?  Leave a comment below!  Additionally, here are some other helpful articles and videos we have on finding the best personalized gifts: 103 Personalized Gifts! Top 5 Graduation Gifts What to Get Engraved on Your Pen 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. Follow Sam on LinkedIn.

Our staff tested 20 top-rated rollerball pens. We threw some of our own pens into the mix and ranked them according to which rollerball pens we thought made the best gifts. Here at Dayspring Pens, our focus is on giving personalized pens as gifts. We’re intent on helping you give good gifts (especially personalized pens) in a way that helps you communicate how much you care about the people in your life. So we’ve ranked these pens to show which one we think will make the best gifts.   20 Best Rollerball Pens To Give as Gifts (Ranked): Rank #1 Parker JotterRank #2 Waterman HemisphereRank #3 LAMY SafariRank #4 Retro 51 TornadoRank #5 Parker IMRank #6 Cross BaileyRank #7 Ohto DudeRank #8 Waterman ExpertRank #9 Dayspring Pens AbingdonRank #10 Dayspring Pens AlexandriaRank #11 Tombow Zoom 505Rank #12 Kaweco SportRank #13 Faber-Castell HexoRank #14 PILOT G2Rank #15 Fiover Gel PensRank #16 Uniball Vision EliteRank #17 PILOT Precise V5Rank #18 Papermate INKJOY*Rank #19 Muji PremiumRank #20 Pentel Rolling Writer For a complete breakdown of our best rollerball pen rankings, you can download our chart in the form of a PNG or PDF. How We Ranked Our Top Rollerball Pens We had 9 staff members who know a thing or two about pens test and rate each pen on a scale of 1.0 - 5.0 according to 5 categories: Rating Categories Writing: how smooth the pen wrote without feathering or bleeding through the page Feel: how comfortable the pen felt in the writing hand Quality: the quality of the pen’s materials and construction Looks: how well the pen was aesthetically designed Giftability: how good of a gift the pen might be for the widest possible range of people The ratings for each category were averaged out and ranked according to their overall point rating. With the overview of rollerball pens out of the way, let’s get to our ranked list! Best Rollerball (or Gel Pen) for a Gift: Parker Jotter The Parker Jotter (61 reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐) is one of our favorites here at Dayspring Pens, and we’re glad it’s up at the top of the list. The objection can be raised, however, depending on which side of the argument you tend to take, that the Jotter is technically a gel pen. Granted, we still think it’s the best all-around pen on the list. Our staff noted how affordable it is along with its classy design, satisfying click, and smooth writing. Best Rollerball for the Lowest Price: Uni-Ball Vision Elite We were really impressed with a lot of the cheap, plastic pens in the list, but the best one was the Uni-Ball Vision Elite. It’s rated really highly from other review lists as well, and now we know why. The Vision Elite is well worth getting for those who prefer disposable pens. Our staff preferred how smooth it writes over and against a lot of the nicer pens, and those of us who preferred a darker, bolder line found ourselves sneaking away from the test with a few in our pockets. Best Luxury Rollerball: Waterman Hemisphere Long may it reign, the Waterman Hemisphere Rollerball offers everything you want from a luxury pen (premium finishes, intentional design, perfect balance) with everything you want from a rollerball refill (liquid smoothness, rich color, easy refill process).  It is an impeccable pen that none of us were surprised topped our charts when we tested it.  Whether as a gift or using it yourself, the Waterman Hemisphere would have ranked number one on our list if the price didn't make it a little less accessible.  Best Rollerball at Any Price: LAMY Safari The LAMY Safari is known for being a really incredible, affordable fountain pen, but we decided to get the rollerball version and see how that stacked up. Our team loved the grip, the non-nonsense resin construction, and how smoothly it wrote. It also only costs around $18. A Closer Look at the Best Rollerball Pens: Rank #1 Parker Jotter We really thought the Jotter would be dethroned in our staff-wide adoration with all the different, notable rollerballs we tried out, but honestly... All hail king Jotter. The Jotter (most popular with 61 USA customer reviews) is incredibly well designed with a beautiful, tapered barrel and iconic arrow clip. It’s also very sturdy and air-tight, so there’s very little rattle except from the very minimal interior components. It’s a very light pen, and the click is incredibly satisfying for fidgeters. It's the perfect every-day-carry pen with its durability, smooth fine point writing line, and portability. It also is both budget-friendly for a luxury pen brand without sacrificing the little things that make it feel intentional, rich, and well designed. The Jotter wins out. BUY OUR TOP PICK, THE JOTTER, HERE! Rank #2 Waterman Hemisphere The Waterman Hemisphere is a slim-barreled, capped pen with pristine high gloss finish and precious metal appointments. Waterman manufactures all their pens in France and has been revolutionary in fountain pen construction for over 100 years. This pen really exemplifies that level of craftsmanship and reputation. What we found to be really remarkable about this pen was how intentional each part of the pen felt. Staff feedback consistently commented on how great the construction of the pen was, from how it felt in the hand and its thoughtful balance and weight to a great smooth ink flow to how classy the pen looks. One person simply said “Stellar.” As a gift, this is a standout for a personalized luxury gift pen. GET FANCY WITH A WATERMAN HEMISPHERE HERE! Rank #3 LAMY Safari Number 3 is the LAMY Safari Rollerball and, as Jet Pens put it, the best rollerball for lefties. This pen had slight controversy around it due to our different grip styles. Those with tripod grips (the more common grip) loved and swore by the triangular grip section. The quadropod grip users found it difficult to hold over long periods of writing, so keep that in mind as you shop. The unique design is sleek, minimal, but still assertive. Despite being light-weight and made of resin (a type of plastic), the pen still feels chic and trendy. The pen to paper experience is smooth and fluid, leaving a thick, dark line that didn’t cut in and out or leave splotchy ink globs. Finding the right styling and coloring for this pen will be the defining factor of giving it as a gift. A basic finish will be pretty underwhelming, but one of the limited edition finishes could be quite the impressive gift. If you are a fan of the LAMY Safari’s famous fountain pen iteration, you will probably find the rollerball a great alternative for writing on the go. TRY THE LAMY SAFARI ROLLERBALL NOW! Rank #4 Tornado Retro 51 Landing at #8 on The Strategist’s master list, the Tornado from Retro 51 is a very special pen. The Retro 51 Tornado is a capless rollerball with a classy aesthetic and numerous color options. It has a tapered form with an etched twist-action mechanism at the top. We ordered this pen to test, and, sadly, the first pen we got worked for the first day, but then it completely dried up. We were really disappointed because it wrote really well (in the ranking category alone, it's in the top 5) on the first day. So, we got in contact with Retro 51, and in a flash they sent us a new pen and bunch of refills just in case. Their customer service is simply fantastic. The pen has a unique profile and a sense of fun while remaining professional. One of the only points of criticism we have is about balance: because of the taper, the pen weighs heavier towards the back. But that's really the only consistently noted issue with this pen. We love the Retro, and we hope you'll give it a shot. GET YOUR RETRO 51 HERE! Rank #5 Parker IM Complete with all the right finishes, the name, and decent writing experience, the Parker IM delivers. Most of the staff said a solid pen with nice ink flow and good build, but others found the general aesthetic somewhat lacking. They were disappointed by small details like the snap of the cap and a weak clip. We see why it ranked #39 on the Strategist list. Because it really does have a nice ink flow for the price, it’s hard to find a more affordable luxury brand pen. The Parker IM also ranked high on our list because it is just so giftable. If you get it from us, the IM comes with free engraving, and it has a notable brand name that means this pen can easily be the star present in a bundle. GET A PARKER IM HERE! Rank #6 Cross Bailey Rollerball Coming in at #6 is the Cross Bailey Rollerball. The ballpoint version is #43 on Strategist list and this pen has long been considered a staple of the modern professional. Honestly, we were all a bit surprised by how much we liked this pen. It had quality ink flow and construction, and its classy look made it a consistent pick across the board. The Cross Bailey has a medium barrel and a lustrous finish. The clip was sturdy, and the double banding at the cap gives it a distinct silhouette. All in all, it makes sense why Cross has dominated as the “American Pen Company” when you see this pen. What we are wary of with this pen is how slippery the grip is, so don’t let your hands get too sweaty. Also, we noticed some bleeding and feathering with the ink. Is this pen giftable? Infinitely. Especially if you are looking for a gift for a professional, graduate, or a career milestone like a promotion. We’d also recommend opting for personalized engraving for this pen because an engraved name fits perfectly between the two banding lines on the cap. ADD YOUR ENGRAVING TO A CROSS BAILEY HERE! Rank #7 Ohto Dude The Ohto Dude is the most unconventional design to rank high in our list, and it's a real testament to Japanese craftsmanship and deliberation. The pen has a unique look with a hexagonal shape and medium barrel that seems to hit all the missing points of the also hexagonal Faber-Castell Hexo. The futuristic design was compared to a rocket ship and a trash can…but in a good way. It has just the right weight and an ergonomic grip, and the pen’s fine point tip leaves a great writing line. There is a slight scratchiness to the pen on the paper, but even that feels more haptic and responsive than grating and obnoxious. For all the great features of this pen the cap feels a little weak and, although it posts well, it scrapes along the barrel when posted in a way that’s a bit like nails on a chalkboard. With its innovative design and fantastic construction, we thought this would make a great gift for someone who is tactile-focused. There this something akin to a fountain pen in how the pen writes and how the shape of the grip leads into the writing tip. If you are looking for a gift for someone who likes the fountain pen experience but less care-intensive, this would be a fantastic alternative. SEE WHY WE RANKED THE OHTO DUDE #6 HERE!   Rank #8 Waterman Expert The Waterman Expert rollerball is the kind of pen you can drop some good money on. Waterman is one of those luxury pen brands that gets thrown around with Monteblanc, so there was no question from our staff that this pen would make a stellar gift, especially for something big like a huge promotion or retirement. It has a classic look with precious metal finishes, and it has a really great weight and balance that make this pen particularly easy to write with. The cap does feel a little “eh” when snapping onto the pen, and its medium to large barrel size might not be the most pleasant user experience if large pens aren’t your thing. The general sentiment of the staff was that we liked this pen much more than we thought we would with its smooth, inky writing line. This is certainly not a budget-friendly gift pen, but it's luxurious and comes personalized for free. All that makes it a thoughtful gift. CHECK OUT A PERSONALIZED EXPERT HERE! Rank #9 Dayspring Pens Abingdon The Dayspring Pens Abingdon is professional pen with a surprising heft. The pros for us: the look of the pen, the nice weight, and the barrel size. Filled with German-made rollerball ink, its smooth like a Schmidt. This pen ranks especially high for gifting since it was designed to showcase personalization on the cap. The Abingdon is simple while still seeming refined, so it ranked high in the gift category. It's the kind of pen you can give as a congratulations, especially to an acquaintance or work colleague. GIFT AN ABINGDON ROLLERBALL TODAY! Rank #10 Dayspring Pens Alexandria The Dayspring Pens Alexandria is a classic, big, fancy-looking pen. Some of us felt like it was maybe too thick, but if you like a wide barrel it will fit the bill. It has a nice weight, a solid feel, and a great snap to the cap. It looks like the pen you would give out as a gift, especially as an award or for a bulk gift order since, as luxury pens go, the Alexandria is pretty budget friendly. The pen has an uneven balance when the cap is posted on the back and the ink is occasionally splotchy. All in all, the Alexandria is a noble, middle-of-the-road gift pen. PERSONALIZE AN ALEXANDRIA HERE! Rank #11 Tombow Zoom 505 The Tombow Zoom 505 is a wide-barreled rollerball pen with a rubber grip section. Jet Pens named it their “Top Ergonomic Pen” and Unsharpened put it at #1. Tombow is primarily known for their brush pens and the quality of the ink-to-page experience definitely shows that they know how to manufacture a rollerball pen with a great ink flow. The pen itself is well built and has a unique look that plays between really soft rounded edges and sharp straight lines. The biggest issue we had with this pen was the cap. It is very lightweight and feels like its scraping when snapped into place. It makes the spine tingle a bit. Some liked the unique design features; others felt it was a bit garish. As a gift, the Tomboy Zoom will deliver a fantastic signature and looks presentable enough to stand alone. We would recommend this as a specific gift to a person whose tastes and preferences you are familiar with. As a general gift, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. TRY A TOMBOW ZOOM 505 TODAY! Rank #12 Kaweco Sport When we started doing our research for this article, we were surprised and excited to see a rollerball version of the Kaweco Sport since some of our staff are big fans of the fountain pen iteration of this pen. A near perfect pen for travel, this unique pen doubles in size when the cap is posted and offers a light-weight, portable pen that’s still luxurious. The Kaweco Sport clip is removable, but still sturdy and dependable and adds to just how fantastic the details are in the design of this pen. The general consensus was that the pen was a novelty, but in a good way. What kept this pen from ranking higher on our list was how light it was, concerns about the plastic barrel, and how small the pen feels without the cap posted. The all plastic construction is a double-edged sword. In the fountain pen version, the light weight body still has a good balance due to the weight of the internal mechanism. Unfortunately, with the rollerball, the single cartridge just doesn’t give the pen enough heft for sustained long-term writing. This problem could easily be fixed by getting the metal barrel version of the Kaweco like the Brass Edition. It would also make the pen much more durable. Ultimately, we thought the Kaweco Sport would easily make a fun, thoughtful gift pen for anyone who does a lot of travelling or note-taking on the go. GET A KAWECO SPORT HERE! Rank #13 Faber-Castell Hexo Bringing us into our “middle of the road” pens is the Faber-Castell Hexo, a light-weight plastic barrel pen with a unique hexagonal design. Faber-Castell is probably one of the biggest pen manufacturers you might not have heard of since they specialize in art supplies. This means when it comes down to how the ink hits the paper, this pen is a winner.  One of the great things about this pen is that the thicker barrel with the hexagonal design means this pen isn’t going to go rolling off the table to get lost under a chair. As I mentioned before, we loved how the ink rolled out of the pen onto paper, but the difficulties with this pen are in the design and construction. The hexagonal shape is really neat, but it's a little clunky and difficult to grip. It also makes it difficult to post the cap on the back of the pen without it grating in a spine-tingly way. It’s very light-weight, which makes it feel a little cheaper than you’d want for the price. We think the Faber-Castell Hexo would make a great gift pen as a part of an art supply bundle with some drawing paper and pastels. DRAW WITH A FABER-CASTELL HEXO HERE! Rank #14 PILOT G2 Retractable 0.7 mm. Fine The PILOT G2 is one of the most popular pens out there. Whether you know it or not, there’s little doubt you’ve written with one of these before. They’re just… everywhere. A click-action, rubber-gripped “gel roller” pen, G2 takes the cake as far as quick, affordable, everyday-carry, throw-it-in-your-purse/backpack style pens. It also writes like a dream. Don’t be too quick to think that it’s just a throw-away pen for uninspired cheapos either: Grey’s Anatomy creator, Shonda Rhimes, swears by the G2. Part of the problem, however, is that, because they’re so ubiquitous, their gifting appeal is very low. So, again, we’re seeing a trend in the disposable pens on our list: they’re throwaway pens, so if you get them, make sure your recipient really wants/needs them, or else tack them on as an addition to a bundle of gifts. GIVE A PILOT G2 TODAY! Rank #15 Fiover Gel Pens Wow. The Fiover Gel Pens were a wild card draw to update our list and what a game changer it is.  The silicon coating on the outside is soft and incredibly comfortable to hold. It has a lovely click mechanism. There are very cute colors and varieties available. But what really stands out in the Fiover is how it writes. Fine tip, no skipping in sight, it is a delight to use.  One of our workers liked it so much, she bought her own set. EXPERIENCE YOUR OWN FIOVER GEL Rank #16 Uni-Ball Vision Elite The Uni-Ball Vision Elite is a surprisingly smooth writing pen that outshines most of the pens in its category (and a few others outside of it) It was ranked as the top rollerball by Jetpens.com whose testing of the pens’ writing capabilities is incredibly thorough. Likewise, Unsharpen crowned it with the title “Best Mainstream Rollerball.” The difference between the Vision Elite and other pens in the same price range is almost shocking. For all that, it’s still a cheap pen without a wider gift appeal. It might be a great gift, as the Precise V5 is, for students or people who take a lot of notes, but it’s probably not the best stand-alone gift. Precious few people want cheap pens for their birthday, and it doesn’t matter how smoothly they write. Still, you might find someone in a given situation where these pens come in handy as a quick gift. On the other hand, if you’re looking for cheap pens for yourself, we highly recommend these. GET THE UNI-BALL VISION ELITE NOW! Rank #17 PILOT Precise V5 The PILOT Precise V5 is an extremely popular, super affordable, plastic rollerball pen with a top-quality writing feel. If you’re a student or chronic note-taker, chances are you’ve used a Precise V5 and enjoyed it. It writes well, and it makes a finer, bleed-resistant line. It feels really good on the page, too: a tiny bit of scratchiness, but it’s kind of tactile and haptic rather than crunchy and grating. This pen also doesn’t rank highly as far as gifting goes: however, it might make a good addition to a bundle of gifts for high school or college students. It might also make an even better gift for someone who is constantly in need of good, cheap pens. GET YOUR PRECISE V5 TODAY! Rank #18 Paper Mate INKJOY* The Paper Mate INKJOY is a really decent, cheap, note-taking click-action, gel pen with a comfortable rubber grip. It’s not designed to be groundbreaking or stand-out, but it’s one that gets the job (any job) done easily. We thought this pen made a great note-taker, but it just doesn’t really speak the language of gifts, so it’s low on the list. TRY THE INKJOY TODAY! Rank #19 Muji Premium A household brand in Japan, Muji has long been a store of everyday household items made with excellence.  It is no surprise the Muji Gel Rollerball pen is just as excellent to use.  A simple silhouette of opaque plastic, a seamless barrel, and a delightful array of colors, these pens are meant to be ready for any drawing, editing, or journal writing that might be needed.  When it comes to how these pens write, there were no complaints.  Smooth and vibrant with no fading, skipping, or pooling, the Muji Premium is a disposable rollerball that writes like silk. ENJOY THE MUJI GEL PEN TODAY! Rank #20 Pentel Rolling Writer The most affordable pen on the list, the Pentel Rolling Writer aims to do a lot with very little. There’s no single aspect of this little disposable pen that stands out with utter excellence. However, if you pick it up and write with it, there’s a good chance you’ll find the pen rather… endearing. It doesn’t pretend to be the best; I mean, it even has an entirely plastic writing tip. The design is uninspiring and made of the cheapest plastic in the multiverse, but it’s honestly really comfortable, and it feels pretty smooth on the page. It does, however, draw a pretty thick line that is a little more in danger of bleeding through paper than other rollerball pens. It ranked low on our list because it’s so cheap and economically constructed that it just doesn’t have the right stuff to make a meaningful gift. In short: a quintessential bank teller pen. TRY THE PENTEL ROLLING WRITER! A Brief Overview of Rollerball Pens What is a rollerball pen? A rollerball pen is a pen that uses a small ball in the writing tip to cycle water-based ink from the cartridge to the page. Now, you might be thinking, “well, then there’s no difference between a rollerball and a ballpoint pen.” What’s the difference between rollerball pens and ballpoint pens? The difference is in the ink: Ballpoints have oil-based ink that dries really quickly and doesn’t smudge; rollerballs have water-based ink that dries a little slower, but it leaves a darker, bolder line. What’s the difference between rollerball pens and gel pens? The difference is in the water-pigment ratio of the ink: Gel pens have a significantly higher pigment level than rollerball pens do. Other than that, however, rollerball pens aren’t all that different from gel pens. DISCLAIMER: Because the difference is so small, there’s currently a heated debate in our office as to whether rollerballs and gel pens are really all that different. Our ranking of these rollerball pens, takes our little office debate into account and includes a few pens that are technically considered gel pens. Why do rollerball pens make good gifts? Simply put, we think rollerball pens make good gifts because they’re great pens for everyday writing. They offer a more tactile writing experience than a ballpoint, but don't have the hassle of a fountain pen. One of the things we learned while testing these pens is that rollerball pens of a higher-than-office-pen quality make better gifts. While I’m sure some people love getting cheap, disposable pens, you’ll likely want to get a pen constructed out of quality material, especially with the option to personalize your pen with engraving. How should I store rollerball pens? You should always make sure that the cap is securely fastened on your rollerball pens when you’re not using them; if left exposed, the ink can dry out a bit faster than ballpoints. Where can I get rollerball ink refills? We have a selection of rollerball inks. What’s the best pen for a quadrupod grip style? If you have a quadrupod grip instead of the more common tripod grip, it’s possible that a pen that everyone else likes isn’t going to be your favorite. People with a standard tripod grip feel really comfortable with triangular shaped grip sections, but people with a quadrupod grip might find it unbearable. A safe bet for quadrupod grips in a wider, circular grip section so that there’s more space for all four fingers to make contact with the pen without straining your hand. We hope you've enjoyed our list of the 20 best rollerball pens to give as gifts. Be sure to take a look at our complete collection of gift pens to find the right one for your loved ones. And be sure to leave a comment with any questions, praises, or objections about the pens in this list. For more pen reviews and gifting advice, subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Finally, if you're looking for other options, check out our full collection great rollerball pens to give as gifts. 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. Follow Sam on LinkedIn.  

Doctors Day is fast approaching, and many of us would like to show our attentive medical experts some extra appreciation this year. But how can we best show them our support for their hard work? It’s simple: personalized gifts for Doctors Day! Personalized gifts are great options because they display an extra level of gratitude through a unique element of what would otherwise be a neutral gift. Even something as simple as an engraving with your doctor’s title and name can make a big impression and communicate your value in them. So, here’s our list of the top 15 personalized gifts for Doctors Day. 15 Personalized Gifts to Impress Your Doctor Personalized Stethoscope Security Badge Holder Custom Embroidered Scrubs Custom Chargers Personalized Coffee Mug Custom Ember Mug Curated Coffee Subscription Engraved Rocks Glasses Coasters Personalized Pen Customized Notebook Journal Personalized Case of Book Darts Personalized Desk Wedge Personalized Face Mask Custom Brass Plated Picture Frames Unique Gift Ideas for the Doctor 1.) Personalized Stethoscope That's right! You can get top brands like 3M Littmann, MDF, and Welch Allyn customized for the perfect gift for your MD, RN, or Vet. Allheart can engraved both the head of the stethoscope and the rubber tubing so you can select the best spot for your message. ENGRAVE A STETHOSCOPE FOR YOUR DOCTOR HERE 2.) Security Badge Holder These custom security badge reels can be individualized and don't have to be bought in bulk. Just find a picture you want added, upload it, and they will be proud to display it on their chest. GET THEM A CUSTOM SECURITY BADGE REEL 3.) Custom Embroidered Scrubs Get them scrubs they will recognize and remember! You can also go professional and get their name and title engraved, or you can play with it and have a favorite phrase or nickname added on and see if the patients notice. PERSONALIZED THEIR SCRUBS HERE 4.) Custom Power Banks Constantly in and out of offices and doing rounds, finding the time to keep their devices charged can be a challenge. Try giving these custom power banks so they can charge what they need on the job. CHARGE YOUR DOCTOR'S DEVICES WITH THESE Great Gifts for Doctors Day 5.) Personalized Coffee Mug It is my honor to present this amazing coffee mug to give as a gift to your doctor. It's light hearted, but will express your appreciation for the health they help maintain. SHOW THEM YOUR APPRECIATION WITH THIS MUG 6.) Custom Ember Mug Take your doctor's coffee mug to the next level with a custom Ember Mug that will keep their most important daily medicine (coffee) hot and ready for them as they move in and out of the office. Avoiding a cold cup of coffee is healing. MAKE THEIR CUP LAST LONGER WITH THIS MUG 7.) Curated Coffee Subscription A gift to go with the doctor's new favorite mug! A subscription box that will keep the business going and allow them to experience new coffees at work and at home. And hey! If coffee isn't their thing, here is a tea subscription. START A SUBSCRIPTION FOR YOUR DOCTOR 8.) Personalized Rocks Glasses  After a rewarding day, help the nurse drink to health! With one of these neat rocks glasses, everything will be al-rhye-t. ENJOY A CUSTOM GLASS HERE 9.) Coasters Here's an easy choice for office or home personalization: coasters. Get a coaster set with characters from their favorite movies, family members, or pictures of calming landscapes from a far-off land all printed on them. PROTECT THEIR DESK WITH THESE Personalized Gifts for the Doctor's Office 10.) A Personalized Pen  An engraved pen from us is a nice, affordable option for Doctors Day! Consider a Medical Emblem Cross Classic Century Ballpoint Pen with his or her name engraved on the cap. It's an easy-to-choose, meaningful choice for the best personalized gift that they can always use for the prescriptions and doctors notes they have signed.  GIVE THE GIFT OF A PERSONALIZED PEN TODAY! 11.) Customized Notebook Journal Doctor appreciation just got a whole lot cooled with these gorgeous color block personalized notebook items. With this, your doctor has a place to jot down information, results, and little reflections on their research throughout the day. HELP THEM JOT THEIR NOTES 12.) Personalized Case of Book Darts These special tins hold page darts that will help order all the doctor's paperwork and help them keep account of where they need to sign. Book Darts are precision-cut, paper-thin metal line markers that attach easily to any page marking your exact place. Elegant enough for great museum shops, book-friendly enough for public libraries, often judged indispensable by students, educators, and other readers of what has lasting value. Answers the question: "How can you mark your favorite passages, find them again quickly, and never harm the book? SHARE A CUSTOM CASE OF BOOK DARTS 13.) Personalized Desk Wedge A personalized desk wedge is the best way to either provide you with an opportunity to make your coworkers laugh or show your real appreciation in a new way. It may earn you some well-deserved respect around the office. Engrave it with "World's Best Nurse," or perhaps "Grand Master of the Water Cooler." Whatever works! MAKE THEIR DESK SPECIAL 14.) Custom Printed Face Masks No where are face masks more important than in the medical professions. Add a little fun to the thing they have been wearing all year to keep up safe as they work. COVER UP WITH THESE SPECIAL MASKS 15.) Custom Brass Plate Picture Frames Commemorate their time from med-school to doctor with this unique wall art! It is an easy way to show appreciation for their hard work and the time they have put into the title they deserve. With Framebridge, you can customize the mat with a personalized message or get a specially engraved brass name plate on the frame with the date of their graduation. SHOW OFF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT WITH CUSTOM FRAME Great Gifts Anyway I can't help myself. I just want to throw in these great gifts I have personally given. Even though they can' t be personalized... Pedia Pals Stethoscope Covers Pedia Pals Reflex Hammers Conclusion The search for great gifts for the doctor, nurse, or medical professional in your life is over. Honor them with any of these unique items that show your thanks. What's your favorite thing to give to express your doctors day appreciation? Let us know in the comments below! 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. Follow Sam on LinkedIn.

Being a teacher is a demanding job. Every day, you are asked to have the social and organizational skills of twenty people. You're asked not only to teach a given subject, but to counsel, to relate, to remember, to discipline, to encourage, and to support your students in countless ways. That's a really hard job, even if massively fulfilling. Here at Dayspring Pens, we want to help with at least one small task that teachers do every day, and that's grading papers. Teach For America ranked pens and pencils as the #6 thing that every teacher needs the most. So, below is our list of 5 of the best pens for grading papers that you can find on our webstore.  And if we know teachers, we know that someone is always swiping your best pens. That's why we recommend getting your pens engraved with your name on them. Every order from Dayspring Pens includes free engraving. If you're not a teacher yourself, but you're looking for personalized teacher gifts this year, these meaningful, useful gift pens will improve their paper-grading workflow. Personalized engravings will make your gift that much more meaningful. We hope these affordable personalized pens will make a small contribution of joy to your classroom! The 5 Best Personalized Pens for Teachers Here's our shortlist of the best pens for teachers: Cross Tech3+ Parker Jotter Dayspring Pens Richmond Pen and Pencil Set Waterman Hemisphere Ballpoint Dayspring Pens Abingdon Rollerball 1.) The Cross Tech3+ The Cross Tech3+ is one of our staff favorites here at Dayspring pens because it's the apex of functional pens.  This multi-functional twist-action pen features a black ballpoint, a red ballpoint, a mechanical pencil, and a stylus writing tip for touch screens all in one pen.  The ability to switch between the black and the red pen instantly makes it perfect for grading papers! With every twist of the pen, the writing tip cycles between the ballpoints and the mechanical pencil. The stylus can be attached to the cap end of the pen. All this makes the Tech3+ an all-in-one pen, saving you both money and time (especially grading time).  We recommend the Tech3+ as the #1 pen for teachers!  Do More: GRADE PAPERS TWICE AS FAST WITH THE TECH3+!   2.) The Parker Jotter #2 in our list of the best pens for teachers is the Parker Jotter. The Jotter is a massively affordable (the most affordable pen in this list), durable, and smooth-writing pen... and the click is so satisfying. The early salesmen for the Jotter used to stand on the Jotter to show just how durable the pen was, and it's still just as tough. Yet it's a classy pen with simple lines complimented by the unique arrow-shaped clip signature of Parker pens. These engraved pens are some of the most affordable on the market and make a great personalized gift for teachers!  Get Yours Today: INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY FOR LESS WITH THE PARKER JOTTER!   3.) The Dayspring Pens Richmond Pen and Pencil Set The Richmond pen and pencil set is the perfect two-in-one deal for teachers.  I love the Richmond because it fits in my hand so well, and it feels sleek and looks classy. The mechanical pencil allows you the freedom to make edits and redaction at will. Ballpoint pens have oil-based ink that sticks to pretty much any surface, so if you find yourself writing on smooth surfaces that your other pens just can't find traction with, the hemisphere is the way to go. Pairing the ballpoint with the mechanical pencil means you get a diverse set of writing tools for different daily writing tasks. The pencil gives you diversity and safety, while the ballpoint gives you versatility. The set is super affordable for a luxury pen set. I think the set gives teachers everything they need for their classroom workflow.  Experience More Functionality: DOUBLE IT UP WITH THE RICHMOND!   4.) The Waterman Hemisphere Ballpoint  While it's not necessarily a cheap pen, the Hemisphere is one of the smoothest writing pens in our collection. And because it's a ballpoint, it's super versatile and unlikely to run out of ink anytime soon.  It's a super professional-looking pen for teachers, too! So, it adds a bit of added purpose to your daily writing tasks.  We recommend the Waterman Hemisphere Ballpoint as one of the every day carry (EDC) pens for every dignified teacher!  Try It: MAXIMIZE YOUR CLASSY TEACHER VIBES WITH THE HEMISPHERE!   5.) The Dayspring Pens Abingdon Rollerball The Abingdon gives you a bolder, thicker pen with rollerball ink.  Rollerball ink is water-based (just like a fountain pen) that writes smoother and bolder than ballpoints.  The Abingdon stands out and looks super professional. Because it has a thicker barrel than the other pens in this list, custom engravings really stand out clearly. Plus, this pen is more than reasonably priced.  Stand Out: GO BOLD WITH THE ABINGDON ROLLERBALL! That's our list of top 5 pens for teachers. Before we go, here's a few questions people tend to ask about teacher gifts. Frequently Asked Questions Is It Acceptable to Give Gifts to My Teacher? It is totally acceptable to give teachers gifts, especially on Teacher Day or at the end of the school year. Feel free to show them some appreciation, just don't breach any social or professional boundaries. What Do Teachers Want As Gifts? There's a lot of things that teachers need and things that teachers want. We think nice pens fit both categories. What Should I Not Give My Teacher? Don't give your teachers anything too personal or anything that would be perceived as inappropriate in the classroom. The same basic rules for gift-giving in the workplace pretty much apply here. Conclusion That's all for our top 5 pens for teachers! We hope this list was informative both for teachers themselves and for those who are looking for teacher gifts.  If you found this list helpful, be sure to leave us a comment below! If none of these pens are quite what you're looking for, be sure to check out our full collection of personalized pens. 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. Follow Sam on LinkedIn.