The Jotted Line

Engraving is the process of cutting or carving a design into a hard material.

With the sheer variety of beautiful pen designs, you may be wondering: “How could I ever choose the perfect pen?” But not to worry! To find the perfect pen for you and your handwriting, we are going to look at how you write and exactly which writing style will be perfect for you.  Just because no two people on the planet that have identical handwriting, doesn't mean we can't find the similarities that will get you everything you need from a pen. What Is Your Handwriting Style? Let's consider a few examples of the techniques used to differentiate handwriting styles. Forensics investigators sometimes use handwriting analysis to identify a person from written documents or signatures. There are 12 characteristics used in forensic handwriting analysis that are quite interesting examples to observe in your own handwriting style: What is the thickness, strength, and flow of your letters? What is the amount of space you put between letters? Do you tend to connect or space them? Are the letters in proportion? Do you lift the nib or even your hand before writing a new letter, or do you connect them? Do you separate the capital letter from the lowercase letter, and are your words connected? Do your words begin or end with a curl, and on an upstroke or a downstroke? Do you add any extra loops or curls to your capital letter or lowercase letters? Do you apply pressure with your hand on the upstroke or the downstroke? Do your letters slant to the left, right, or is there no slant? Do you write on, below, or above the line? Are there swirls and loops in your handwriting?  How do you cross your t’s and dot your j’s and i’s? With so many characteristics to consider, it’s no wonder there’s a study called “graphology” dedicated to handwriting and analyzing its connection to psychology. (Want to learn more about what your handwriting says about you? Check out this simple Handwriting Personality Test.) Now that we have had a good look at what your own style is, let's talk about inks, penmanship styles, and the good ol' pen. What's the Deal With Ink? First up is ink. Not all ink is made the same, and they all have different strengths and weakness. There are three basic ink styles: Ballpoint — Uses oil-based ink that writes on anything and will never dry out Fountain — Harnesses liquid ink for a smooth, uninterrupted writing line Gel — Uses fast-drying gel ink as the perfect melding of the fountain pen and ballpoint ink styles. Hand dominance, how closely you group your letters together, and how much pressure you apply when writing are all impacted by the type of ink used.  For instance, lefties will have better luck with oil-based ink that dries on contact to prevent smearing. And if you write with your letters close together, a gel ink will add definition to each line. Learn More: The Ultimate Guide to Pen Refills: How to Find the Right Ink for Your Pen   What are the Different Styles of Handwriting? There are three main types of handwriting styles: Cursive Print D’Nealian Now, let’s see what makes different handwriting styles unique and how to choose a perfect pen accordingly. Cursive Handwriting Style Cursive handwriting, also known as the running hand, longhand, or script, is one of the more beautiful penmanship forms characterized by joined letters written in a fluid hand motion. Writing in cursive is visually impressive and functional. It makes writing faster and more efficient by minimizing the lifts and separations of each letter and word. It requires some practice to learn as it’s more of an artistic handwriting style. We differentiate Casual and Formal Cursive; the main difference being that the former encompasses a combination of joins and lifts while the latter is all conjoined. If we dig through the history of this beautiful penmanship style a bit, we’ll find three more subclasses of cursive writing: Looped Cursive Handwriting — Best recognized by loops that some ascenders and descenders have. The loops provide a way to join letters together with more ease. This style is the one we most commonly associate with Cursive in general. Italic Cursive — Uses non-looped joins and discourages joins from letters such as g, j, q, or y. This style is not to be confused with the “italic typed” where letters slant forward, as Italic Cursive letters slant backward. Connected Cursive / Ligature — A predecessor of both types mentioned above. It was developed for practical advantages of speed to prevent fragile quills from breaking due to frequent lifting. Fountain Pens: True Companions to Elegance   Cross Bailey Fountain Pen - Medalist   As you might have guessed, cursive handwriting and a fountain pen make the perfect match. This iconic writing instrument (a modern-day quill) is a must-have for any writing enthusiast and penmanship aficionado — especially if you wish to write or improve your cursive. Cursive may well be a “dying art”, but using a fountain pen could be the exact thing you need to be that “analog guy (or a gal) in the digital world,” as Hank Moody of Californication says. Writing in cursive while using a proper tool is much more enjoyable than the usual simple act — it’s a perfect way to slow down and reconnect with yourself and your thoughts, and sign documents with class. Get your Fountain Pen today.  Related Topic: Handwriting Practice for Meditation   Print Handwriting Style On the opposite side of cursive, there is a simpler and more usual everyday handwriting style. Known as block letters, ball & stick, print script, or manuscript — children learn print handwriting at the earliest age in most English speaking countries. Sometimes the terms print or block letters are used to describe block capitals — both small and large capital letters that imitate the typeset of capital letters. Print letters are disconnected and much easier to read, which is why this type of penmanship is perfect for, and is often a requirement of filling out official forms. Ballpoint Pens: Trusty Everyday Heroes   Cross Classic Century Medalist Ballpoint Pen   Ballpoint pens are the epitome of reliability and function to be used for a lifetime. There is a reason for them being so popular, as we use them for everyday writing purposes. Being reliable and consistent, they are probably the safest bet as a beautiful and thoughtful gift — especially if you’re not sure which pen style the person you wish to gift it to uses. Get one at Dayspring Pens. D’Nealian Handwriting Style Image from: wikimedia The final style of handwriting is a “best of both worlds” sort of a thing — D’Nealian penmanship. This handwriting style incorporates both print and cursive handwriting, and has emerged out of practical need. The early 20th century — with its technical revolutions — affected the growth of bureaucratic paperwork. And cursive fell short, trying to keep up. To add to that, cursive handwriting is more difficult for children to learn due to the finger movements necessary that often left their hands cramped. In answer, a change happened to the cursive style — it was originally Austin Palmer, a handwriting analyst, that thought of eliminating all the loops and unnecessary flourishes. There have been many instances of this “new and simpler cursive” style, but D’Nealian became the most popular thanks to Donald Thurber who came up with it to help children learn more easily when going from print to cursive. Rollerball Pens: Skillful and Versatile Flair Cross Century II Medalist Selectip Rollerball Pen What better way to compliment a combination of cursive and print than with a writing instrument that itself is a medium between ballpoints and fountain pens? Rollerball pens use water-based ink, but have mechanics that are similar to a ballpoint pen. This means they are great at creating clear lines for the constant pick up and put down of print or creating a smooth line for the connections of cursive.  Further Reading: What Is a Rollerball Pen?   Gel Pens: Sign Anything with Panache   Parker Jotter Gel Pen   And if you like bold coloring in your handwriting, then you can’t go wrong with a fine Gel pen. The ink takes a little longer to dry, but it won’t bleed through the page when you sign important documents. It enables you to keep that smooth writing feel while not worrying about refilling the ink. Shop Today, So You Can Sign in Style Tomorrow If you’ve read this far, then you are probably a true writing enthusiast and know what a difference a good writing tool makes. We hope this article has helped you determine the perfect pen that will make your handwriting pop. If you're looking for the best engraved pen gift, head over here to learn more.  With daily practice, you can learn any style of handwriting and make it your own. 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.

Waterman has been defining the fountain pen’s elegance and Parisian style since 1883.  That year, Lewis Waterman invented a capillary feed to improve the existing fountain pen.  Prior to that, he was selling insurance. The apocryphal story is that one day when signing the contract on his last job, the fountain pen leaked. Ink spilled all over the paper, ruining what was an important contract for an equally important customer.  Lewis Waterman apologized and went in search of another contract. Meanwhile, however, the customer found another agent and signed the deal. Lewis Waterman had lost his sale and all to a faulty pen.  Nevertheless, he didn’t give in to despair. Waterman went to his brother’s workshop intent on doing something about it. At that very moment, the history of the modern fountain pen began. Classic Pen, Timeless Story There is an ongoing debate on who was the first inventor of a fountain pen. Experts on Leonardo DaVinci’s work imply that he may have been the first creator of a fountain pen. If this is true, that would date the fountain pen’s origin to the Renaissance period, long before Waterman came along.  The evidence is in the journal that contains drawings of a cross-section of a pen. That pen had a reservoir but he didn’t patent it. Officially, Petrache Poenaru (1799-1875) invented the first fountain pen. His pen had a barrel made of swan’s quill that served as an ink reservoir. This became the first patented fountain pen. And it was “a never-ending portable pen” that “recharges itself with ink.”  Learn More: When was the Fountain Pen Invented: A Brief History   It was in 1883 when Waterman noticed that there was no control of ink flow in the fountain pens he used. Consequently, Waterman and his brother started experimenting. Eventually, they found the solution.  Allowing some air into the ink reservoir through capillary pipes stopped the leaking. The ink would then slowly flow out thanks to gravity. Image from: historyofinformation.com Waterman patented his fountain pen on 12th February 1884 with a 14k nib and was made of hard rubber.  A year later, along with the firm Asa Shipman, Lewis Waterman founded The Ideal Company. It didn’t last for long and he founded the Waterman Company in 1887, now based in France. Two years later, Waterman made a modified nib that has come to define Waterman fountain pen.  The problem was that bubbles would form whenever the ink was finished. Lewis Waterman made the overflow pockets and put them on both sides of the channels in the feed. The Parts of a Fountain Pen That Make a Perfect Whole Many, if not all, avid writers would say that a fountain pen is irreplaceable. But what makes Watermans so elegant and outstanding? The principle is simple. Gravity draws ink from the reservoir through the capillary in the feed to the nib. Manufacturers of fountain pens use Waterman’s principle even today. This allows for equally distributed ink flow, creating neat, sharp lines. The three main parts of a fountain pen all play an important role in the overall design. Here’s how; The Nib Fountain pen nibs make this writing instrument uniquely different from other pens. The pen nib is a crucial part of bringing the elegance of lettering onto paper. It is the metal part that transfers ink to the paper.  It consists of two tines - the two sharp prongs - that divide the nib. On the opposite side, there’s a small circular hole at the end of the slit that facilitates ink flow.  There are many different types of nibs, but generally modern nibs consist of either stainless steel or gold and stainless steel tipped with gold.  The Feed The feed is the part next to the nib that connects the nib and the reservoir of a fountain pen. Its function is to supply ink from the reservoir to the nib.  The shape of feed determines the wetness of ink and the flow of a pen. A feed’s material and surface roughness can significantly influence writing. As such, two fountain pens with the same nib size can write differently because of their feeds. Related Reading: How To Write With a Fountain Pen: The 3 Simple Steps   The Ink Ink can be in the form of the ink cartridge or a fountain pen ink bottle that is then used to fill a fountain pens internal mechanism. The ink cartridge is more convenient but more expensive in the long run. Famous People Known to Use Waterman Fountain Pens Waterman’s business went so well that they sold 7 out of 10 writing instruments on the market by the end of the 19th century. So, it is not surprising that 1900 was a special year for Lewis Waterman. The Waterman company was awarded the gold medal for excellence at the “Exposition Universelle” in Paris, France. Beyond award committees, the Waterman company found favor elsewhere. Over time, notable personalities have used the Waterman fountain range. Renowned author H.P Lovecraft, embraced fountain pens, with his favorite being a black Waterman fountain pen. Given the period he purchased his pen - 1926 - it is possible it was the iconic Waterman Perspective. After making a purchase, he wrote a letter to his aunt stating, “I did not escape from the emporium till a $6.25 Waterman reposed in my pocket — a modern self-filler corresponding to the ancient $6.00 type which I bought in 1906.” According to one of Lovecraft’s biographers; “He used one pen, chosen with the most painstaking care, until it wore out…It had to have just the right kind of ink flow, molding itself to his hand in such a way…It also had to be a black Waterman; a pen of another color or make would have been unthinkable.”  There is also evidence that Einstein used a Waterman Taper-cap Fountain Pen when formulating the Theory of Relativity.  For that reason, this famous Waterman fountain pen can be found on display at the Boerhaave Museum in Leiden. Image from: Wikimedia Steven King wrote “ Dreamcatcher” with the Waterman Hemisphere which boasts a highly luxurious design. The Waterman Hemisphere line exudes the style, elegance, and polish that denotes expert craftsmanship. When it comes to the elegance of writing Steven King said: “This book was written with the world’s finest word processor, a Waterman cartridge fountain pen.” Experience the Elegance of Waterman With Dayspring Pens  At Dayspring Pens, we understand the importance and significance of using a pen that works as well as you do.  That's why we offer you a wide range of elegant, professional pens to suit any need or style.  Waterman fountain pens are perfect whether for personal use or as a gift. Their design makes them practical, efficient, and capable of rising to any occasion.  Browse our collection of Waterman pens, select the best option you find, and make your order. Then wait to be impressed. If you need assistance in placing your personalized order, contact us today. We are eager to answer any questions you might have. 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.

They’re highly prominent household names with equally famous signatures. You love their speeches, you fill up theaters to watch their films and stadiums to watch them perform. You read about them but can you write like them? Check out these wild strokes and curvy cursive that make these signatures almost illegible. Discover some of the messiest celebrity autographs and see how your's compares. If you can figure out who these signatures belong to you have a seriously strong imagination, or maybe you’re squinting just the right amount. Can You Match These Wacky Signatures to Their Famous Owners? Before reading this page why not try your best to match these scribbled famous signatures to their owners? Some of them are sure to leave you utterly perplexed. Download this FREE quiz 1. Barack Obama Barack’s signature is loose and cursive. Its thread shape shows that he is a relaxed easy going person. The big letters at the start of each name reveal a bold decisive nature to his personality. He passionately pursues the causes he believes in, often taking the leadership role. 2. Anne Hathaway The large loose strokes in Anne’s handwriting exude confidence and drive. Anne is driven by strong ideas that she’s willing to speak up and fight for. She challenges the status quo and plays by her own rules. 3. Neil Armstrong Some famous signatures look more like sketches, and this is a fine example. Neil’s light pinstripe signature reveals a more reserved, sensitive and intuitive personality. He’s more comfortable in his own company. He prefers individual projects where he can channel his creativity and lose himself. 4. Dalai Lama The Dalai Lama’s wide spacing and bold print reveal a peaceful, loving and kind personality. He’s balanced and welcoming of change. He thrives in calm spaces but loves to engage in deep conversations with people on matters of life. He’s better within a team than leading it. 5. Walt Disney Walt’s cursive strokes exhibit child-like wonder and an indomitable spirit that never gives up. Always dreaming and coming up with ideas that others would question. He’s sensitive and has an active imagination. He’s shy around people thus prefers to work alone. 6. Paul McCartney If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it also applies in the world of famous signatures. That’s Paul’s style. His autograph reveals he’s a by-the-book fellow. He goes for tried and tested methods as long as he gets the desired results. He prefers to work in a team rather than take the lead. Need something done? He’s your guy. His reliable nature wouldn’t allow for anything less. 7. Hunter S Thompson Hunter looks for plenty of exciting adventures. The grandiose nature of his signature shows he’s not afraid to take risks. He lunges forward in the face of what most people would consider dangerous. This makes him a great leader who’s quick at decision making. 8. Kanye West Of all the famous signatures in our list, this one takes the cake for being incredibly quirky. Kanye could care less for rules and regulations. He plays by his own set and encourages others to do the same. His signature doesn’t stick to the line and looks more like a GIF. This points to a brave, carefree personality who’s definitely a trendsetter. 9. John F Kennedy John’s angled signature reveals an aggressive and decisive person. He pursues the causes he believes in with an unflinching resolve that startles those around him. He makes for an excellent leader if you can keep up with him! 10. Heath Ledger Carefree, introspective, uncertain and a little shy perfectly describes Heath. His loose thread-like strokes point to a very melancholic individual who’s always lost in his own imagination. Unable to explain his ideas to others, he creatively articulates himself through poems and probably keeps a journal. 11. Johnny Depp We’ve got ourselves an artsy type. Johnny’s large signature shows that he loves to be out in the crowd where’s he’s the center of attention. He’s open and welcoming of people and always has something to say. He’s fun and loves to entertain. 12. Albert Einstein Albert’s small and heavy signature reveals a focused dominating personality. He can easily handle painstaking activities and revels in his ability to solve difficult challenges. He loves solitude where he can think and create uninterrupted. 13. Arnold Schwarzenegger The fine large lines in Arnold’s signature reveal a sensitive, larger than life personality. At the same time, the spacing points to a cautious side that critically thinks before making decisions. He’s very self-aware and diligently applies himself to a good challenge. 14. Jane Goodall Some famous signatures employ the “barely there” approach which appears neglectful and points towards an introverted, shy, sensitive personality. Jane favors personal pursuits that allow her to move at her own pace and use her creativity. She takes her time when making decisions and is quite confident in them. 15. Coco (Gabrielle) Chanel The wide spacing in Coco’s signature reveals a friendly, open and welcoming personality. She’s always quick to host or attend every party because she likes to meet new people. She’ll never miss a kind word for anyone which makes her a very approachable supportive leader. 16. Amelia Earheart Amelia’s light strokes reveal a quiet, shy and uncertain personality. Social gatherings probably make her neurotic but she’ll quickly play her part when needed. She’s reliable once she figures out where she fits in with the larger group. You’ll probably find her reading in a corner. 17. Serena Williams Ornamentation best describes Serena’s signature style. It reveals a dauntless personality. She walks into a room and commands the space. Her bravery makes it easy for her to speak up for the things she believes with urgency and vehemence only visible in a few. She is a force to reckon with. 18. Mark Zuckerberg I bet you’re wondering where the rest of the signature is. Mark’s letter form quality depicts a kind of neglect. He could care less for formal setups and rarely sticks to the status quo. He’s probably preoccupied with a book or a new invention. He’s an innovator who quickly identifies opportunities for expansion. 19. JK Rowling This loose cursive style probably took JK Rowling 3 seconds! It's one of the famous signatures that fascinates me the most. Her writing pace reveals a quick thinker. The fine lines reveal a more sensitive, spiritual, curious, and creative personality. She easily adapts to change and quickly looks for the next best solution. She practically lives on the bright side of things. 20. Leonardo da Vinci The spacing in Leonardo’s signature reveals an introverted and introspective personality. Writing this must’ve taken careful concern which paints the picture of a logical thinker. “Just how much can I learn?” That’s probably his biggest daily concern. He’s more of a polymath so you’ll find him dabbling in many different things as long as they interest him. From Signing Famous Signatures to Everyday Note-taking, Luxury Fountain Pens Do it All Daydreaming of scrawling your signature for throngs of fans? Nonetheless, whether you’re writing a letter to a loved one, a thoughtful thank-you card, or simply imagining yourself autographing crazed fan’s t-shirts, you need a great pen that is up to the task. You can even have your signature engraved on your pen! Dayspring Pens has a wide collection of journals, stationery, and luxury pens to take your autograph to the next level. You might even join the league of famous signatures one day. 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.

"What's the difference between ballpoints, rollerballs, and fountain pens?" We hear this question all the time from our clients. This guide will show you the differences and help you understand what you're getting when you order your new engraved pens.

In this article, we’ll explore the traditional choices of the presidential pen used by U.S. Presidents. The reason we’re going to do this is because, lately, there’s been a surprising amount of drama around a recent President's choice of pen.  In the end, we’ll list out the top pens used by presidents in the last 80 years. The Story of President Trump’s Pen Choice Courtesy of Unsplash Initially, most of us were probably not aware of just how dramatic the President’s choice of pen could be. However, when Donald Trump broke with tradition, setting aside the Cross Century II for a Sharpie permanent marker, well… every single luxury pen enthusiast in America experienced a small emotional explosion. The President’s choice of pen is, at least in part, a big symbolic gesture. It suggests something about the way in which the President is going to govern, the kinds of bills he’s going to sign off on.  Trump’s use of the Sharpie came to public attention when he was suspected of changing the projected trajectory of Hurricane Dorian on a NOAA briefing map, resulting in the Twitter trend #sharpiegate.  And with the start of Trump's second term in office, he's fondness for the Sharpie is still holding strong. It is once again the official pen of the Trump Administration. What were Trump’s reasons for switching from Cross to Sharpie? The New York Times reported the President’s response, “‘I was signing documents with a very expensive pen and it didn’t write well... It was a horrible pen, and it was extremely expensive. A government-ordered pen.’ He said that he had pulled out a standard Sharpie pen and concluded that it not only ‘writes much better,’ but also ‘costs almost nothing.’” Strangely enough, even pen enthusiasts who were at odds with the previous President’s policies found themselves agreeing on this point: The A.T. Cross company isn’t always considered the gold standard, despite offering high-quality, affordable luxury pens. On an international front, presidents of other countries have turned to even higher quality pens. For instance, Malcolm Turnbull of Australia, writes with the Montblanc Friedrich Schiller.  Where these pen enthusiasts were scandalized, however, was with the turn to Sharpie.  President Trump even went so far as to contact Sharpie, owned by Newell Rubbermaid, to manufacture a marker specifically for him, asking them to “make it look rich.” It was pretty dramatic for pen lovers, but was it really so out-of-step with past Presidents? Is Cross Really the Presidential Pen? The institution of Cross pens as the “presidential pen” is actually pretty recent.  Before Clinton, the pen-of-choice for Presidents seems to have been pretty diverse.  President Roosevelt's Pen: Waterman Franklin D. Roosevelt seems to have preferred a Waterman fountain pen. His successors, Truman and Eisenhower, preferred Parker fountain pens (so does the Queen of England, by the way). Truman, one of the few left-handed Presidents of the United States, is rumored to have asked Parker develop a pen specifically for him so that his signature wouldn't smudge. Discover More: The Story of How Waterman Came to Define Fountain Pen Elegance John F. Kennedy's Pen and Presidents Thereafter: The Parker 45 Courtesy of Unsplash John F. Kennedy seems to have used a number of different pens: the Parker “45,” an Esterbrook fountain pen, and a Montblanc Meisterstück No. 149.  It is rumored that Lyndon B. Johnson preferred the Parker Eversharp pens, but he used an Esterbrook fountain pen to sign the Civil Rights Act.  Nixon, Ford, and Carter all also seem to have used the Parker Eversharp with their signatures engraved on the barrel to sign bills.  Further Reading: The 6 Best Parker Pens: #1 Is Super Affordable! Ronald Reagan's Pen: Cross Classic Century Ronald Reagan was the first President to use a Cross pen, the Classic Century ballpoint in black and gold, which was continued by George H.W. Bush. CNN reports that “Presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush were also known to use Cross pens, however, the official Cross-White House program began under Clinton.” The change-up happened after a bit of a debacle when Clinton used a knock-off Montblanc pen to sign a bill and gave them out as souvenirs. Montblanc seem to have been in the running for the next presidential pens, but Cross seems to have won out with Clinton. Read More: Fountain Pen Review: The Cross Century II Clinton, Bush, and Obama Tap The Townsend for the President's Pen Thus, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama all used the Cross Townsend Felt-Tip Rollerball pen. Obama, however, later opted for the Cross Century II.  Joe Biden's Pen After Trump’s turn to the Sharpie, President Joe Biden has returned to Obama's preferred Cross Century II Rollerball. All-in-all, there’s a lot of other “presidential pens,” specifically from Parker. But Cross has generally been the preferred presidential pen since at least Reagan.  What’s the Top Presidential Pen? Here’s the top pen that Presidents seem to have preferred since Roosevelt: Parker Eversharp pen (discontinued in 1968, similar in design to the Parker IM) Cross Townsend rollerball pen Parker 45 fountain pen (discontinued in 2007, similar to the Parker 51).  Cross Century II rollerball pen Esterbrook fountain pen The Cross Classic Century ballpoint pen A nondescript Waterman fountain pen That’s our working list of presidential pens. What do you think? Conclusion This has been our examination of presidential pens; we hope it’s contributed to understanding a bit more about the symbolism and the stories behind these luxury writing instruments. For more on the best luxury pens, be sure to check out our list of best-sellers. Or find out which are the best cheap engraved pens for gifts and more. But now we want to hear from you! What do you think would make a good pen for a President? Let us know in the comments. Featured image Courtesy of Unsplash 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.

Whether you are new to fountain pens or have used them for years, an important question to ask is how should a fountain pen be stored correctly. It is a small question, yes. But a vital one to making sure you have a ready to use fountain pen in good condition. In this article, I'll discuss the simple task of storing fountain pens, explain the correct way to do it, highlight the importance of doing it right, and provide guidelines for proper storage. Without further ado... How To Store Fountain Pens Properly There are three situations for storing a fountain pen. Storing while using intermittently Storing for a few days Storing for long periods While Using Intermittently By this I mean the moments between writing. Say you are taking notes at your desk or jotting thoughts down through the workday. If you are actively using your pen throughout the day, you should store the fountain with the cap on, horizontally on a flat surface. Recap your fountain pen when you are not actively using it. Generally, Fountain pen ink is water-based and dries out in the nib quickly. If you aren't writing with it, put the cap back on the pen. This ensures the pen remains wet, with fresh ink when you need to write again.    When the cap is left off and the nib is unused, the ink can partially dry in minutes. This means you will have to take a few seconds each use to get the ink flowing again. If you leave the nib off for an hour or more, dried ink might not only cover the nib, but also the fins and sections. If this occurs, you'll need to cover the entire nib housing before using the pen again. Related Reading: Best fountain pen ink Always store your fountain pen in the horizontal position on a desk or table. Keeping the fountain pen on a flat surface ensures that ink stays wet and fluid in the nib, the section, and the fins of the pen. This means you can pick the pen up and write at any moment.     If the pen is stored nib point up while you are using it on and off, the liquid ink has to travel back down the fins. In other words, you will have to wait a few seconds to restart the flow of ink. And as a rule: Never store a fountain pen nib pointing down. It is an office habit to store our pens in a pen cup with the point down. This comes from storing ballpoints, and honestly, that is exactly how you should store your ballpoint pen. (Point down for a ballpoint ensures the slow moving oil-based ink is drawn down by gravity so the pen is ready to write immediately.) Unfortunately, storing a fountain pen vertically with the nib pointing down is a sure fire way to end up with a cap full of ink and a gunky nib of half-dried ink. Fountain pens work partially because gravity draws the liquid-ink out of the reservoir to the paper. If a fountain pen is stored point down, the ink will slowly drain out of the reservoir. It's a bummer. I have made this mistake. Further Reading: How Do Fountain Pens Work Store it Overnight or For a Few Days If you only use your fountain pen on occasion or once every few days, it is very simple and easy to store. Just place the pen in your pen cup vertically with the nib pointing upwards.     Since you are not immediately using the pen, allowing the ink to drain into the ink reservoir keeps the ink wet and ready to flow back down the pen when it is time to write. It may take a few seconds to start writing. However, you will prevent any leaking ink or ink pooling in the fins and on the nib. Storing the fountain pen horizontally for days in a row will not drain the pen like storing it point down, but it can cause ink to stay in the fins and nib and dry there. Best case: it will get kind of gunky and will need to be wiped down with a paper towel. Worst case: it dries hard and you have to clean the whole pen. Store a Fountain Pen For Long Periods If you know you will not be using your fountain pen for a few weeks or more, the best thing to do is empty out your fountain pen and give it a cleaning before putting it away. All you will need to do is drain out the ink reservoir and purge the fountain pen with clean water. Let it dry completely. When you are ready to start using the fountain pen again, grab your ink bottle and refill the ink reservoir. The table below sums up how to store your fountain pens for different durations: Storage Duration Recommended Actions Potential Problems Short-Term (1-2 weeks) Cap securely, store horizontally Minimal risk of drying or clogging Medium-Term (1-3 months) Use airtight storage, check ink levels Risk of nib drying and ink evaporation Long-Term (3+ months) Clean thoroughly, store with desiccant Potential for ink clogging and corrosion   How to Store a Fountain Pen with a Cartridge Up to this point, I have only talked about fountain pens that contain a refillable converter, but storing a cartridge pen follows pretty much the same rules. If you are storing between intermittent use or for a few days, you will follow the same rules as a converter fountain pen - flat on the desk capped between writing and point up in a cup at the end of the day. The only real difference is if you are putting your fountain pen away for a little while. In this case, you will need to remove the ink cartridge which can be messy if the cartridge still has ink in it. I recommend doing this over a sink with a paper towel handy. Just pull the cartridge off from the pen and discard. Mind any dripping ink or spurts. Then rinse the entire nib housing with cool running water. Do this until the water running through the housing turns clear. Soak the nib housing in water for 30 minutes if the ink has dried on it. Rinse and repeat as necessary. When you are ready to use it again, just insert a new fountain pen cartridge and write.  Shop Now: Pen Ink Refills From Dayspring Pens   Extra Tips Direct sunlight is not your friend. No matter how you are using your pen, store it out of direct sunlight. (The why: sunlight the pen heats and damages the plastic of the barrel and the pigment in the pen. It also heats up the ink and can cause it to dry faster in the pen.) Store in a cool, dry place. Empty your pen before traveling. When flying, either empty the pen of ink completely or make sure it is completely full. A half full ink reservoir or ink cartridges leaks due to pressure changes. It's a science thing... Storing Fountain Pen Ink There is nothing too complicated about storing fountain pen ink. Seal it in its original bottle, tightly. Then store it in a cool, dark place like a drawer or cabinet. Storing in a Fountain Pen Case For many fountain pen owners or those with a fountain pen collection, a fountain pen case is a must. Some opt for display cases with a glass panel to show off the fountain pen collection. Unless you are an avid collector or own a particularly remarkable antique pen, a display case is not necessary. A storage box for a desk can be a great option. There are some beautifully crafted wooden storage boxes that serve both as a pen and ink holder, but also as a statement piece for a writing desk. These storage boxes often include an insert for an inkwell, slots for one or more pens, and compartments for fountain pen parts like extra nibs or ink cartridges. The most popular pen storage is a leather fountain pen case since it can be used for at home storage and as travel bag pen storage. Most pen cases on the market are leather pen cases. You can find anything from single pen slips, which are basically a pocket or bag protector, or leather fountain pen cases that hold 40 pens and supplies for maintaining the pen. For moderate fountain pen owners, a leather fountain pen case is a great in between storage method that contains everything in one place, ready to go. Conclusion So the big take-away for storing fountain pens is to either keep your fountain pen horizontal on a flat surface if you are using the pen on and off through the day or to store the fountain pen vertically with the nib pointed up if you will not be using the pen for a few days. Storing your fountain pen correctly can be the difference between keeping a fountain pen working perfectly for years or having a nuisance of a pen that constantly has to be cleaned and corrodes quickly. What is your favorite method for storing fountain pens? Leave a comment below! And for more tips on using and maintain fountain pens, check out some of my other articles. The History of the Fountain Pen The Ultimate Guide to Different Pen Styles What Are the Best Brands of Ballpoint 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.

Remote worker happiness and connection are vital in today's work environment. To understand this better, we surveyed remote workers and interviewed four business owners. Today, I'm going to talk about: What the data on remote worker happiness says How these businesses handle the remote working environment The tools that can help build your remote company culture. Here's what we figured out. Remote worker's self-reported happiness level How connected the employee feels to the business How businesses stay connected to their remote workers The key takeaways for creating remote employee happiness Click here to read the full survey results. Are Remote Workers Happy? We surveyed 288 remote workers to determine if they feel their lifestyle and productivity has improved since moving to remote work. As per the results, 74.3% agreed that their productivity improved while 74.7% said their lifestyle had improved. These findings coincide with the larger scale survey done by Tracking Happiness. This survey focused on the strong correlation between life happiness and work happiness as well as the 20% increase in life happiness that occurs in workers who are fully remote. Remote work does increase employee happiness and lifestyle improvement. Remote Worker Connection to Company Culture Next, our survey sought to explore the employee's sense of company connection and loyalty. We posited the statement "I feel connected to the company that I work for." 38.9% of remote workers strongly agree that they feel connected to their business despite being physically distant, and 33.7% somewhat agree. Most surprisingly, 59% of remote workers stated they either strongly agreed or somewhat agreed that they felt a greater sense of loyalty to their company through remote work than they experienced when working for a company on site. This evidence shows that employee happiness and company connection can be fostered and increased through remote work positively. So in what ways can you help to foster your remote worker happiness? We interviewed four remote businesses about their company culture and this is what we learned. How Businesses Create Remote Worker Happiness and Connection We interviewed Carson McComas of Fuel Made, Alex Oxford of TaxValet, Brian Toomey of JB Analytics, and Jeff Oxford of 180 Marketing and asked them the following questions about their remote work companies: How would you explain the general attitude of your staff in a fully remote workplace? How have you tried to help your employees to feel connected to your company and how has this affected team loyalty or morale? What tools or initiatives do you use to build team loyalty and corporate culture? (Eg. corporate gifts, incentive structures, managerial strategies, etc.) Working with the general attitude of your staff The first key to having a happy remote work environment is setting a positive outlook. Additionally hire employees who already have an interest in remote work. The starting point for a great team and happiness in the workplace is hiring the right people for the job. Jeff Oxford of 180 Marketing stressed that culture is the most important tool for company culture: There are plenty of A-players with extensive experience and capabilities that we've turned down because they just didn't mesh well with our team's culture. We want people who are smart and passionate, but are also someone we could sit down and have a beer with. It is also incredibly important to have people in remote working positions who actually want to work remotely. Both Alex Oxford of TaxValet and Carson McComas of Fuel Made stated that remote jobs are a huge incentive for all their employees. McComas said, It's often listed as the perk they appreciate the most about working here. They share that they love the flexibility, improved ability to maintain work/life harmony, lack of commute and associated stress, and better ability to focus while working. Occasionally they'll have to address some loneliness or friction in team communication, but they share that those issues are a small price to pay for the benefits. McComas points out that the desire for flexibility is: Pivotal to the employee A useful way to avoid micromanagement Avoid Micromanaging Micromanaging will be the death of the remote work environment since it is impossible to be physically present. Instead, the focus of the business must be completing a task or a goal by a certain time. How the employee gets to that goal is entirely up to them. Part of the draw of a remote work environment is that the employees do not want or need constant oversight. Brian Toomey of JB Analytics sticks firmly to the principles of ROWE and a results-oriented business for this exact reason. Jeff Oxford put is this way, Other than a few minimal requirements, our team members have the autonomy to approach problems and complete tasks however they'd like. By giving them more freedom and the ability to work autonomously, they...feel respected which has helped to create more loyalty. Focus on hiring the right people for your company. Additionally, give them the freedom both of location and of workflow to accomplish their goals. Facilitate communication and connection Open communication must be a big part of the work dynamic. Each business said they never hesitate to reach out with questions. Additionally, they utilize video and phone calls so that each employee has every resource they need to complete their goal. Use of Phone and Video Calls Jeff Oxford stated, Having video calls as needed has been very helpful. We're very quick to hop on Google Hangouts to discuss the best way to solve a problem, answer questions, work together, etc. Even if we're not in-person, just seeing each other on video frequently goes a long way. Using phone calls and video chats can build a greater sense of personal connection between coworkers that goes beyond the work itself. Additionally, seeing each other face to face or voice to voice can prevent misunderstandings in the remote office space. Much can be lost in someone's tone of voice or body language by not being present. Support Virtual 1-1 Each business stressed the importance of creating a space for their employees to have a personal connection with one another. Indeed, a universal trait between each business that we interviewed was a regular check in of a nonwork related nature. Brian Toomey intentionally keeps his business small so that he can easily create remote worker happiness and connection. He will even pay travel expenses so people can come together in-person. He warned that it is not a scalable method, but he prefers a very personal business model that caps their company as a boutique consultancy. Carson McComas works to build his company culture on a weekly and yearly scale. He has a Slack channel for his employees with a question prompt where they can share photos and stories about their weekend. Moreover, the company then does a Friday check-in to see how everyone's week went. He said, "We only hold a staff meeting about once per month, and it's typically just for fun - everyone answering a 'get to know you'." Alex Oxford noted, We host weekly 'social events' with different topics each week. Most importantly, we try to create a culture of openness where everyone feels safe to talk about what's going on in their lives so that we can support them the best we can. We do this by starting each weekly team meeting with 'How are you feeling on a scale of 1-10, and why?'. A little bit of empathy goes a long way! Finally, Jeff Oxford explained that they are planning an annual meet up so everyone can be in person together. Each of these examples shows a different way that each company works to help their remote workers feel connected to each other, which in turn helps them feel more connected to the company that brings them all together. In a remote work environment, these methods are critical to developing a thriving company culture with a good morale. Tools help everyone Lastly, we asked our interviewees what tools they used to build team loyalty and company culture. Meet Ups and Special Events The first big common tool was annual meet ups and special events. Though many annual meetups were affected by the Pandemic, each company stressed that they were bringing back the annual meetup either through a corporate gathering or by attending a work conference together. Sometimes just a special event or a gift can do wonders. Jeff Oxford from 180 Marketing said, We started doing beer tasting where we sent all remote employees a variety pack of beers from a bunch of different breweries. Then each Friday we would taste a new beer together while also just chatting about anything non-work related. This also matches up with the survey talked about at the beginning of the article. The Importance of Gifts We posited the statement "I feel more valued because my company sends me regular gifts or care packages as an outreach effort," and 83.5% of people agreed with 60.7% of those answers being Strongly Agreed. Often, the thoughtfulness of a gift can speak volumes to a person working remotely since it is a physical thing that connects them to the workplace and the people there. Indeed, people like receiving gifts and tangible awards even in the remote environment. Alex Oxford of TaxValet uses gift cards as awards every quarter for employees who have been "key players" and exemplified the core values of the business. The gift physically connects people. Surveys and Honest Feedback Alex also talked about the important tool of getting honest feedback from his employees. I...personally have a meeting with one random employee each week to collect feedback on what we should start doing, stop doing, and continue doing. This is a great opportunity to hear 'from the field' what changes need to be implemented in the business. It also serves as an opportunity to provide historical context and coaching to some newer employees. This hands on approach helps him know how everyone in the company is feeling and work to make a better business for all his employees. Carson McComas utilizes a survey for the same purpose. I...ask them to fill out a very brief survey each Friday asking them to rate how they felt at work that week on a scale from 1 to 5 with an optional field to explain why. This has helped me be better in touch with any concerns I may not otherwise be aware of. Tools such as these surveys and work check-ins are crucial to a company culture of honesty and transparency. Transparency of the Entire Business That transparency can also be an impactful tool on a grander scale. McComas and A. Oxford both stressed how being a transparent company with their employees (with regular updates on the state of the business and company access to profit and loss statements, balance sheets, etc.) communicates the culture the company wants to create through its open honesty. They take the time to make sure each employee understands their benefits and the resources they have for their professional and personal needs. Doing the Research to Be a Good Boss Lastly, Brian Toomey pointed out the time he takes in learning how to be a good boss and work with people. Instead of just focusing on the business, he thinks about the cognitive psychology and the personalities of his remote workers. This helps him avoid micromanaging and set each team member up with the skills they need to tackle the work together. The Takeaway Seeing each remote worker as a person and a pivotal member of your team can be one of the most important ways to build the culture of your company and create a loyal, trust-filled work environment. Each tool and method used by these businesses highlights the capacity remote office based work has to increase employee happiness and benefit the people that make a business. And...sometimes a gift never hurts anyone. Create Remote Worker Happiness and Connection Today Remote work is a viable, sustainable medium for a successful business with a thriving company culture. It has the ability to improve the lifestyle of the worker. They can still experience happiness and connection to the company they work for without a shared physical space. Companies that work hard to create a feeling of connectedness and community utilize a variety of different tools and methods to sustain their remote workers. 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.

Take just one look at a fountain pen and you will wonder about how this oddly shaped writing instrument works. Compared to the common ballpoint pen, the fountain pen looks like something out of an antique store and even those who have been using them for years might not really know how these pens actually get the ink onto the paper. However, in this article, we are going to tackle it all. How fountain pens work, what makes up a fountain pen, and just what you need to know to get the most out of writing with a fountain pen. Let's start with the big question. How does a fountain pen work? Fountain pens work by using gravity and capillary action to draw liquid ink from a reservoir inside the pen down through a feeder to the metal writing point of the pen called a nib. It sounds relatively simple that gravity essentially pulls ink out of the pen, but the history of the working of the fountain pen has been a long one of trial and error. For a thousand years people attempted and failed to make a functional fountain pen. It wasn't until the end of the 19th century that the modern fountain pen came to be a usable pen for constant, daily writing. Each part of the fountain pen took years of development and ingenuity to make a complex, well designed writing tool. So what exactly is a fountain pen? What is a fountain pen? A fountain pen is any pen that holds ink in a reservoir and writes with a metal nib. It is the combination of the two elements that makes a fountain pen. A ballpoint, for instance, holds ink inside a reservoir (the ink refill), but it lacks the metal nib. On the other hand, most calligraphy pens have a metal nib but are technically dip pens, like old fashion quill pens, since they require the user to constantly dip the pen in an ink bottle to write. The Anatomy of a Fountain Pen The nib, the feeder, the section, the ink reservoir, the body, and the cap make up the anatomy of a fountain pen. However, all these parts of the fountain pen must work together to ensure smooth writing. The Nib The fountain pen's nib is the metal point where the ink meets the paper. The nib is a single piece of metal that tapers down to a point. At the center of the point is a slit to the middle of the body to create two flexible tines with a small hole (called a breather hole) where the slit ends.     TRY A PILOT NIB TODAY   The slit acts as a channel for ink to run down to a reinforced tip and also give the fountain pen an adaptive element. Fountain pens release more ink on downstrokes when you apply more pressure, causing a tell-tale change in the thickness of the writing line. This is because the slits move and flex with the pressure or position of writing. The Feeder The feeder or feed of the fountain pen is a plastic (or ebonite/celluloid in vintage pens) component that attaches the nib to the ink supply.     The fountain pen feed serves a twofold purpose. Firstly, it controls the flow of the ink by giving the ink a place to move along. Second, it allows air to simultaneously flow back up into the ink reservoir for a continuous flow of ink. We will go more in depth into why this matters when we talk about how ink flows through fountain pens. The Section The section of the fountain pen holds the nib to the feeder and then attaches those to pieces to the ink reservoir. It can also be called the grip since the outer shell of the section is where the fingers will hold the pen. Sections contain the threads that twist the barrel and the entire nib housing together. The Ink Reservoir The ink reservoir holds the fountain pen ink. You can use a single-use ink cartridge as the reservoir and change it when the ink runs out. On the other hand, you can use an ink convertor which lets you refill ink reservoirs with bottled ink. There are many different types of ink converters, and you will find a list of the different kinds further on in the article. The Body The body of the pen, also called the pen barrel, houses the ink reservoir. The Cap The cap covers the writing point of the fountain pen and often has a clip. How does the ink flow through a fountain pen? Ink flows through a fountain pen through a combination of gravity and capillary action. Gravity draws the ink out of the reservoir to the writing nib and capillary action controls the flow so ink does not flood out of the pen. What does that actually mean? Let's take a closer look at those two processes and how they affect fountain pens. Gravity Every pen from the ballpoint pen to the fountain pen works because of gravity. However, there are exceptions for specialized ballpoints made to write upside down.) Whatever direction the pen is held, the ink will flow. So easily enough by putting the nib of the pen point down ink will begin to flow out of the pen.     And the predecessor to the fountain pen, the reservoir pen, was based entirely on gravity. But there was a major drawback with a gravity fed liquid ink pen: the inconsistency. Gravity pulled the ink out of the pen until there was no ink. Pens would constantly leak or ink would flood out because there was no way to keep the excess ink inside the pen. There was no way to control the flow of ink out of the pen. Pen technology suffered for hundreds of years until the discovery of capillary action. Capillary Action The process of capillary action draws liquid into a narrow space through cohesion to the liquid and adhesion to a solid, with little to no impact from the force of gravity. Think about sticking a straw in a drink. Within the straw a certain amount of liquid moves above the water line in your glass. This is capillary action. Liquid molecules like to stay together and this is called cohesion. But liquid molecules also stick to solids through a process called adhesion. In a narrow space, liquid will adhere to the walls of the solid, drawing more liquid molecules with it through cohesion. So what does this mean for the working of the fountain pen? A piece of plastic with a slit down the center, a flat surface on one side, and thin fins on the other makes up the fountain ped feed. These fins act as channels by which the liquid can adhere and hold excess liquid.     How capillary action and gravity work together On one hand gravity causes the ink to fill the feed, while on the other, capillary action draws the ink into these channels, adhering the ink to the fins and cohering the liquid to itself. Then once the tip of the pen touches a writing surface, capillary action begins again, drawing the liquid out of the channels through cohesion as the liquid adheres to the paper. So, gravity causes the pen to "leak" and capillary action controls the leak in order to write. Airflow and the modern fountain pen There is one last element to modern fountain pens that is pivotal to a good working pen, and it has to do with airflow. As much as gravity and capillary action make fountain pens work, air flow is also critical to releasing the liquid ink from the reservoir steadily, When a chamber such as an ink cartridge is filled with liquid and a small hole is punctured into the cartridge...nothing will happen. This is because air will act like a seal against the hole. Air needs a place to go. However, in order for liquid to properly flow and the fountain pen to work, the air around the liquid must be able to flow. As a result, you see small air holes in your reusable water bottles. Without a way to let air in to fill the space created by liquid leaving a chamber, the space in the chamber will become pressurized.     What is remarkable about the modern fountain pen feeder is that the fins that create capillary action, also allow air to flow back up into the reservoir creating a steady, constant liquid flow. The internal filling mechanism of a fountain pen Now let's talk a little bit about the reservoirs that hold the ink. As I mentioned in the Ink Reservoir section of the Anatomy of the Fountain Pen, there are two major types of ink reservoir by which the modern fountain pen operates: the disposable cartridge and the refillable converter. Disposable cartridges are single use plastic tubes of the proprietary sizing for a fountain pen brand. When the cartridge runs out of ink, the entire tube is replaced. Refillable converters will also be proprietary to the brand of fountain pen, but offer far more versatility both in the type of ink used and in the type of self-filling mechanism. For converters, the entire nib is submerged into an ink bottle, the mechanism is engaged, and the reservoir is filled with ink.  Shop Now: Fountain Pen Ink Refills Piston Converter A piston converter is the most common of the ink converters. It works by drawing the ink into the reservoir as the knob is twisted to move the piston up or down and bring ink into the housing. EXPERIENCE A PISTON CONVERTER Squeeze Converter A squeeze converter (much like a bladder/ink sac converter) is the simplest of the converters. Squeeze the sac to expel air and release to draw the ink into the reservoir. USE A SQUEEZE CONVERTER Push Button Converter The push button converter is the least common of the three converters. After inserting the nib into the bottled ink, push the button until the ink is drawn in.  Related Reading: Types of Fountain Pens   So what is so special about fountain pen ink? What is fountain pen ink made of? Fountain pen ink is composed of dyes, water, and additives that tailor the ink for desired traits. Fountain pen ink is incredibly customizable in the fact that you can find many different kinds of fountain pen ink from along the color spectrum, any variety of thickness, sheens, sparkles, archive quality, water-proof, etc. It is the water-based (or liquid-based) ink that sets the fountain pens apart from ballpoint pens or gel pens which use oil or gel bases. The upside of fountain pen ink is that it is incredibly smooth offering wet lines and a fluid writing experience. The downside is that it is susceptible to drying out if the pen is left uncapped. What is so special about fountain pens? Fountain pens are special because they have a unique writing experience and a smooth writing line that cannot be found in any other writing device. Not only is there an exceptional amount of freedom in choosing the type of ink, fountain pens offer the ability to alter a writing line with different nibs or even just by changing the pressure or position of a pen.  "I love fountain pens. I have a collection and I use every single one." -Jacqueline Winspear Types of fountain pen nibs Partly due to the flexibility of the metal and partly due to how much ink a writer would like put down onto the page, there are quite a few different kinds of nibs to choose from. Pointed Nib Pointed nibs come to a sharp point and are incredibly flexible. They are the most adaptive to handwriting and the most affected by writing pressure. More pressure on the writing point causes the pen's tines to separate more and release more ink for a thicker line. Pointed nibs are often used for technical drawing or sketching when precision is vital. Broad/Italic Nib Broad nibs are characterized by a more rigid metal and a flat writing edge. Instead of applying various pressures while writing, the broad nib is dependent on the angle of writing. A stroke will be thinner or thicker by the angle of the pen to the page. Broad nibs are most commonly used in calligraphy or italicized writing. Stub/Conventional Nib Conventional nibs are the most common nibs and what you will probably see on most modern fountain pens. I put conventional and stub together because both have rounded edges. A blend between the pointed nib and the broad nib, the stub nib narrows to a point, but is tipped with a rounded point. The size of the rounded point will determine the fineness of the writing and distinguishes between a conventional and a stub with point size varying from extra fine 0.5mm (conventional) to 1.9mm (stub) on average. These nibs tend to have a medium flexibility and are most common for everyday writing. In the table below, I've highlighted the differences between various styles of fountain pen nibs: Nib Style Characteristics  Common Sizes Round Nib Standard, versatile Fine, medium, broad Italic Nib Cursive writing, calligraphy 1.1mm, 1.5mm, 2.0mm Flex Nib Line variation with pressure Extra-fine to broad What is the difference between a fountain pen and a ballpoint pen? There are two major differences between a fountain and a ballpoint pen: The writing mechanism The type of ink used in the pen. Fountain pens have a metal nib writing point where gravity feeds ink from the reservoir through the feeder down to the nib tip of the pen. Ballpoint pens use a ball and socket mechanism that coats the ball at the tip of the pen in ink as it spins to create a writing line. Ballpoint ink also differs significantly as it has an oil-based composition with high viscosity, and it dries almost instantly when you write(the ink binds to the paper's surface). Fountain pen ink is water-based allowing for a smoother, flowing writing line that has low viscosity. The ink requires a few seconds of drying time as it needs to soak into the fibers of the paper. Ballpoint pens and fountain pens both serve very different writing purposes. Ballpoints are best on low quality paper and writing in a variety of circumstances. Fountain pens are ideal for dedicated writing, drawing, or signing documents. How do you use a fountain pen for beginners? As a beginner start with an affordable, easy-to-use fountain pen, always writing with the pen at a 45ish degree angle. Fountain Pens for Beginners The ideal beginner fountain pen is comfortable, simple to use, and is cheap. My personal favorite for getting a feel for using a fountain pen is the Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen. For under $20, you get a pen that is highly used and coveted by new users and collectors alike. EXPERIENCE A METROPOLITAN Honorable mention to the TWSBI Eco, my daily user. Easily, the next step up if you enjoy the Metropolitan and want to try a different brand of fountain pen. It's also great if you have a second pen to fill with a different kind of ink. How to Write with a Fountain Pen To write with a fountain pen, remember to keep it at a 45ish degree angle. Nibs are not built to withstand the direct downward pressure used on a ballpoint or rollerball pen. Best case scenario you will bend your nib; worst case it will snap. The angle allows the tines to flex properly and gives your fountain pen the tell-tale variations in line width. Additionally, it allows for a proper flow of ink. Tips for using fountain pens Do not apply a lot of pressure. Fountain pens don't require pressure to write and too much will bend your nib Paper matters. The higher the quality of paper, the more function you will get out of your fountain pens Find the sweet spot. Make sure you are not writing on a single one of the two tines. You want your fountain pen to be at an angle with both tines touching the paper   Connect your writing: cursive writing exists to diminish the amount of pick up and put down a pen requires. With liquid ink, connected writing will result in less pooling (a lot of ink in one spot). Clean your fountain pen between ink refills: fountain pen ink will dry out over time. It is always good to rinse the feed/nib housing between refills. Store up: How you store your pen matters. If you aren't going to use it for a while, store it with the point up. If you are using it steadily through the day, store it flat. Never store it point down; gravity will eventually drain the ink into your cap. Always cap your pen: fountain pens have liquid ink and will dry out. When not in use, put the cap on so your pen is ready to write when you need it next. Conclusion Fountain pens aren't the simplest of pens, but they can be the most satisfying and creative to use. Harnessing gravity, air flow, and capillary action, the liquid ink fountain pen offers a completely unique writing experience, customizable to you. What is your favorite thing about how fountain pens work? 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.

We've all stained something with ballpoint pen ink. Therefore, in this article, I'll discuss different types of stains, and how you can get ink out of your clothes. Different ballpoint ink stains that will be discussed include:  Upholstery Carpet Wall Clothing Leather Wood Old Stains Things to Remember Why is Ballpoint Ink Difficult to Remove from Clothes? Ballpoint ink is difficult to remove because of the mixture of pigments and dyes along with the chemical components that suspend the dyes. The entire process of how a ballpoint pen works is staining a writing surface with ink. The pro of the compound of solvents, water, and dyes that make up ink is that it stains paper so well. However, the con is that it stains other surfaces just as well. Removing Ballpoint Pen Ink from Upholstery I am a firm believer in the incredible power of dish soap and vinegar to remove ink from clothes and other surfaces. Therefore, I always recommend starting there and escalating to a heavier duty stain remover as needed. It is always important to remove pen ink from the affected area as quickly as possible. Stains that have set in are not impossible to get out, but they are much more difficult. Using a spoon, scrape off any excess ink, working from the outside in to remove clumps of wet or dry excess ink. Combine 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, one tablespoon of liquid dish detergent (like Dawn), and two cups of warm water. Dab gently the stain with a clean cloth and the solution, alternating with a clean dry cloth until the stain is gone. (Special note: Do not rub the stain. This will spread the stain or work it deeper into the upholstery.) Dab area with clean water and a dry cloth to remove excess liquid. Avoid sitting on the surface until it can dry completely. If the stain persists, try repeating the steps with Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) or nail polish remover, but always test the solution on a hidden part of the upholstery to make sure it does not damage your fabric. If none of these methods work or the stained area is large, you may need to contact professional cleaners. How to Remove Ink Stains from Carpet Carpet can be tricky and there are a myriad of different methods out there to remove ink stains from carpet. I am, however, going to just list a few options to try.  Pro tip: If the stain is still wet, sprinkle cornstarch on it. Cornstarch will absorb the staining ink that is still wet. Then just vacuum it up when it dries and proceed with your stain removing method.   Hair spray Method Make sure to get a cheap hair spray with alcohol as an ingredient (a lacquer hairspray) and have a clean cloth on hand. Spray stained area liberally with hair spray. Blot spot with clean cloth, rotating the cloth with every blot or so to prevent the stain from spreading. Repeat steps 1-2 until stain is gone. Next, you can do one of two things. Wait for the hair spray to dry and vacuum the spot or apply clean water to the spot to rinse it. Carpet Stain Remover Method This method involve using a household carpet stain remover. Apply Carpet Stain Remover (like Resolve) and blot with a clean cloth, rotating the cloth to prevent spreading. Continue until cloth comes up clean (without removing any ink). Now, apply rubbing alcohol to the stain (you should always test rubbing alcohol on a hidden section of the carpet to ensure the carpet is colorfast and the isopropyl alcohol will not remove the carpet dye.) Blot with clean cloth, repeating process if the stain remains. Rinse with clean water and pat dry. Shaving Cream Method Spray shaving cream onto the stain, blotting with a clean, wet sponge and wiping away any excess foam with clean cloth. Repeat until the ballpoint stain is removed. Blot area with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of liquid dish detergent and 1 cup of water. Rinse area with clean water and blot dry. Other Methods You can always try WD40, nail polish remover, hand sanitizer, or rubbing alcohol on your stain following the same steps as the hairspray method.  Related Topic: How Do Ballpoint Pens Work How Can You Remove Ink from a Wall My go-to for any wall stains is to always start with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Dampen the Magic Eraser and scrub the spot on the wall following the label directions. Other options are trying a little soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or toothpaste. Toothpaste Method Apply a small amount of white, non-gel toothpaste to the ink mark. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Gently wipe excess toothpaste with a damp cloth and dab the stain until clean. Repeat the method if stain persists. How To Get Ink Out Of Clothes The most tried and true method I have found is the rubbing alcohol method. Place a paper towel underneath the pen ink stain and flush the stain with rubbing alcohol. Depending on the size of the stain either dab it with a rubbing alcohol soaked cotton swab, a cotton ball, or soak the whole stain in rubbing alcohol for 15 minutes. Sponge or blot the stain until no more ink lifts up from the clothes. Rinse with cool water and apply your prewash stain treater of choice. Launder your clothing item in the hottest water the garment will allow and air dry or check before you putting in the dryer to make sure the stain is gone. As a last resort, it never hurts to take your clothes to a dry cleaner and see if they have any recommendations or if they can do stain removal. Sometimes...its best to leave it to the fabric professionals.     How To Remove Ink From Leather Soak a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and gently rub the stain until it is gone. You can also try some classic soap and water. It really is that easy sometimes. How to Remove Ballpoint Ink from Wood For fresh ballpoint wood stains: Combine a half teaspoon of liquid dish soap with 5 tbsp of hot water. Scrub For dried on ballpoint wood stains: Combine one part (1 tbsp) of baking soda to one part (1 tbsp) of water. This will make a thick paste. Spread the paste over the spot, scrubbing in with a soft bristled brush (an old toothbrush works) and let it sit till the baking soda is dry. Wipe off baking soda with a wet cloth. If the ink stain still remains, blot rubbing alcohol and let that sit for 5 minutes. Finally, blot the stain with paper towels and clean water and repeat the process until the ink stain is completely removed.  Discover More: Who Invented the Ballpoint Pen?: A Brief History How to Remove an Old Ink Stain from Clothes For set-in or old ink stains, there is a chance the stain will not be able to be removed, but it is always worth a try! I would personally start with whatever method it listed for your stained surface. However, if that does not seem to be working, here are some alternatives to try. Commercial Stain Removers For this method, try any of these options and just follow the package directions. Orange Wonder GooGone OxiClean Simple Green a dry cleaning solvent Homemade Stain Removers Cornstarch and milk is an old method that still does wonders. Mix equal parts cornstarch and milk until you have a thick paste to smear over the stain. Let it dry and wipe or vacuum away. Does vinegar remove ink stains from clothes? This question is asked enough I wanted to go ahead and answer it. Vinegar will help the process of pen ink removal, but generally not on its own. A great pretreatment method is to rinse the area with white vinegar, and rub a paste of vinegar and cornstarch over the spot. Afterwards, let the mixture dry and wash as usual with your laundry detergent. Do not dry! If the stain remains go through the Stain Removal Processes listed above for whatever the stained surface is. In the table below I've summarized how to remove ballpoint ink from various surfaces. Ink Stain Location Cleaning Agents Cleaning Method  Upholstery White vinegar, liquid dish detergent, water Dabbing Carpet Hair spray, shaving cream, carpet stain remover, shaving cream Blotting Wall Magic Eraser scrubber sponge, toothpaste, soapy water Wiping Clothes Rubbing alcohol Dabbing/soaking Leather Rubbing alcohol, soapy water Rubbing Wood Liquid dish detergent, baking soda Scrubbing   Important things to Remember When Treating an Ink Stain Here are a couple tips I have come across that are good to know. Not all hairsprays are made alike. It is the alcohol in the hairspray that is key. New or more expensive brands tend to have little to no alcohol (which is why the are probably better for your hair...). Go for the cheapest brand you can find and check the ingredients list for high alcohol content...or else the hairspray method may be a bust. Do not dry your piece of clothing in a dryer until you know the stain is gone. A heated drying cycle will set the stain...I learned this the hard way with forgetfulness and baby clothes. Ballpoint ink is oil-based, so it is important to use a method that works to either dissolve the oil in the ink or lift it up out of the surface. Never. Scrub. Always dab or blot. Once the ink starts lifting from the surface, scrubbing will only spread the newly removed ink into unstained areas. Isopropyl alcohol also known as rubbing alcohol reigns supreme for ballpoint ink stains. People swear by hair spray, nail polish remover, hand sanitizer and alcohol is the big common denominator between all these. Rubbing alcohol dissolves the oil of pen ink in stained fabric or an ink stained area. Now You Know How to Remove Ink from Your Clothes That's it for my list of different things that get ballpoint pen ink stains and how to remove ink stains from clothes and other surfaces. What is your go-to ink stain removal method? Leave a comment below! And check out our other helpful pen articles: Learn How to Clean a Fountain Pen How to Get a Ballpoint Pen to Start Writing Again How to Choose the Right Fountain Pen Ink 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.

Looking for pens for Valentine's Day gifts that strike the balance between person and practical? Dayspring Pens has you covered. Indeed, we offer a unique blend of personal, professional, and practical with out Valentine's Day gift option: a personalized, jewelry-quality pen. Whether you are giving to a coworker, for Valentine's Day, or to a spouse of 40 years, each of these pens are ready like a candy heart to last that next 40 years. My list for best pens for valentines day gifts will span a variety of price points, writing styles, and color finishes to brain storm your gift ideas. Not sure what kind of engravable pens to get your Valentine? I'll also have my suggestions for just what type of engraving hits like Cupid's arrow on each of these pens. Let's start with the shortlist of pens that are sure to show your love this Valentine's Day: Cross Bailey The Richmond The Monroe Set The Waterman Hemisphere The Alexandria Cross Century II The Parker Jotter Each pen on this list comes with a free line of standard engraving by Dayspring Pens in name brand gift cases with free shipping in the US. Cross Bailey Ballpoint Highlights: Valentine's Day pick: Bailey Red Ballpoint Engraving Style of Choice: Script Font with a Symbol Price Point: around $45 Available Finishes: Black, Blue, Lustrous Chrome, Medalist Writing Styles: Ballpoint, Rollerball, Fountain Pen The hallmark of the American professional pen, Cross products are a go-to for the sort of Valentine's gifts you can give to an acquaintance or life long friend alike. With Cross you know you are giving a pen that is going to be a steady writer with luxury finishes. Since the Cross Bailey has a longer, medium cap it is a great medium for a longer text engraving or to showcase symbols like the classic heart emoji. Dayspring Pens can also engrave different language characters so if you wanted an engraving in Mandarin, Hebrew, or Russian you can send your favorite phrase about love in any language. Richmond Rollerball Highlights: Valentine's Day Pick: Matte Black Rollerball Engraving Style of Choice: Times Font Price Point: around $35-40 Available Finishes: Matte Black, Lustrous Chrome Writing Styles: Ballpoint, Rollerball, Mechanical Pencil The Richmond Pen is a little bit of minimalist design with a lotta bit of fine point easy writing. The rollerball fine point writing line on this pen is just particularly nice for a Valentines's gift if you like that sharp, rich black line. This pen is sleek and portable, but still feels lux. It engraves silver and given the straight lines of the cap, I find Times font fits beautifully with the pen's look. Monroe Ballpoint and Mechanical Pencil Set Highlights: Valentine's Day Pick: Red Lacquer Finish with Gold Trim Engraving Style of Choice: Signature Engraving Price Point: around $30 Available Finishes: Black, Blue, and 18k Gold Writing Styles: Ballpoint, Mechanical Pencil As a matching set that delivers the permanence, comfort, and forgiveness, the Monroe ballpoint and mechanical pencil set can be a subtle, practical way to say Happy Valentine's Day to a constant, steady relationship. With a ballpoint pen that can write on any surface, a luxury mechanical pencil (a rarity) and an ergonomic grip that's nice on the fingers, the newly redesigned Monroe set by Dayspring Pens is indeed some of the best luxury writing you can get at the price point. The Monroe set has a variety of color finishes so you don't have to go with the traditional Valentine's red if you don't feel like it communicates Be Mine the way you want it to. I chose signature engraving (also called handwriting engraving) for this one since the barrel is the whole engravable space. You can write a handwritten message and have it engraved right onto the pen.  Shop Now: Monroe Pen and Pencil set from Dayspring Pens Waterman Hemisphere Ballpoint Highlights: Valentine's Day Pick: Stainless Steel with Silver Trim Engraving Style of Choice: Script Font Price Point: around $75 Available Finishes: Black Lacquer, Gold and Chrome Trims Writing Styles: Ballpoint, Rollerball, Fountain Pen This is just an exceptional ballpoint pen for a Valentine's Day gift. The weight, the quality of the finishes, as well as the experience of writing...the Waterman Hemisphere is a delight to use and to give. Honestly, any writing style or finish is the right decision to buy with a Hemisphere. It's classy, elegant, and still made and manufactured in Paris, France (the capital of romance). Script continues that luxurious feel as an engraving on this brand name luxury pen. The curves and finish of the type face look like a chef's kiss. I got to say it again. Classy.  Discover: The Story of How Waterman Came to Define Fountain Pen Elegance Alexandria Fountain Pen Highlights: Valentine's Day Pick: Red Lacquer Finish with Gold Trim Engraving Style of Choice: Block Font Engraving Price Point: around $30 Available Finishes: Black, Blue, Red Lacquers Writing Styles: Ballpoint, Rollerball, Fountain Pen The largest barrel size and the only fountain pen to grace this pens for Valentines Day gift collection, the Alexandria fountain pen features a medium nib with a large ink reservoir. It takes both universal cartridge refills and comes with a converter for loading. This is the perfect pen for someone who likes to take time with the things they do. It's not only simple but also a well designed fountain pen great for beginners and old hats. I chose Block font for this pen engraving since the large barrel offers an expansive space for the straight lines and directness of this type face. Cross Century II Rollerball Highlights: Valentine's Day Pick: White Lacquer Finish with 23k Gold Trim Engraving Style of Choice: Times Font or Signature Engraving Price Point: around $120 Also Available: Black or Blue Lacquer, Chrome and 10k Gold Finishes Writing Styles Available: Ballpoint, Rollerball, Fountain Pen The details of the Century II such as the snap of the cap and the double banding make it a stand out option for a jewelry-quality, well-crafted pen. It's basically like giving a piece of jewelry they can write with. This pen is a hallmark of AT Cross melding the storied Classic Century and the presidential Townsend. It not only looks amazing but also writes like a dream. Times highlights the width of the medium barrel and a signature engraving makes this pen truly one of a kind. Related: Cross Pen Refill Guide (Step-by-Step Instructions) Parker Jotter Gel Pen Highlights: Valentine's Day Pick: Kensington Red Engraving Style of Choice: Block Text Engraving Price Point: around $20 Also Available: Black or Blue Lacquer, Stainless Steel with Chrome or Gold Trim Writing Styles Available: Gel Ink Why is this one of the greatest selling pens of all time? Buy one and you will find out. The satisfying click. The durability of the all-metal construction. The consistent, smooth writing experience. The shorter, portable barrel. These features make it exceptional and its perfect for movie and history buffs alike. The Parker Jotter Pen is the kind of Valentines gift that may not make a big statement when its opened, but they are sure to love as they use it the other 364 days of the year. Block font on this one reads loud and clear against the subtly of the tone-on-tone engraving.  Learn More: The Parker Jotter: The Pen You See in Every Movie Choose Your Favorite Pens for Valentines Day Gifts These seven pens show the spread of style, price, and finesse you can choose from for a Valentine's gift that can be used and appreciated. However, the personalization of custom engraving makes each one of these pens completely unique. For more recommendations or if you have any favorite things to get engraved on Valentine's Day, 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.