39 Pen Types: Features, Uses, And Durability
Finding the best pen depends on ink type and style. This blog explores 39 pen types, their features, usage, and durability. Read on to discover your ideal writing instrument.
Key Takeaways
- Pens have specific uses, like art or writing on various surfaces.
- Refillable pens save money and cut down on waste.
- They come with different ink types: water-based, oil-based, and gel-based.
- Space pens can work in extreme conditions; digital pens convert handwriting to text.
- Features now cater to left-handed people and digital workers.
Gel Pens
Gel pens have gel-based ink that mixes water and pigment for bright colors. These pens flow smoother than ballpoint pens, which use oil-based ink. They need less pressure to write and draw, making them ideal for art projects and notes.
Gel pens come in various colors, including metallic and glitter, suitable for dark or glossy paper. Their quick-drying ink reduces smudging.
Fountain Pens
Fountain pens are refillable and use cartridges or converters for ink. These writing instruments provide smooth lines and allow users to change ink colors easily. The nib sizes vary, affecting the thickness of the writing or drawing line.
They perform well on most types of paper, especially high-quality ones. To maintain a fountain pen, clean the nib often. Rollerball pens also offer smooth writing experiences but use different kinds of ink from fountain pens.
Rollerball Pens
Rollerball pens use water-based ink, which is different from the oil-based ink in ballpoint pens. This difference makes rollerball pens smoother to write with and helps the ink dry faster on paper.
People often choose these pens for long writing tasks because they require less pressure.
These writing instruments are available in a variety of nib sizes, making them suitable for both note-taking and intricate drawing. The quick-drying ink means they perform well on many paper types, including glossy ones.
Rollerball pens are favored for their easy handling like ballpoints but with a fluidity similar to fountain pens.
Ballpoint Pens
Ballpoint pens have oil-based ink, which dries quickly and rarely smudges. These writing instruments are favored for their smooth performance and dependability, appealing to both students and professionals due to their cost-effectiveness.
Available in various colors, some ballpoint pens are refillable. This feature helps save money and cuts down on waste. They function well on a range of paper types, from sticky notes to glossy paper.
Leading brands like Parker Pen and Interwell Stationery offer a wide selection of these pens.
Decoder Pens
Decoder pens write invisible messages only seen with a UV light. Both kids and adults enjoy using them for games or to protect private information. The ink in these pens is unique.
It stays hidden under regular light but appears under UV light. This feature makes decoder pens great for sending secret notes or safeguarding sensitive data. The ink doesn’t fade, keeping the messages secure until purposely revealed by specific lighting.
Calligraphy Pens
Calligraphy pens create elegant writing. They have various nib tips, including flat and pointed options, for making thin and thick lines. Practice improves skill, enhancing letter design.
These writing instruments use india ink or water-based ink for smooth application on paper. Ideal for invitations, art, and personal notes, calligraphy pens make each word stand out.
Dip pens follow…
Dip Pens
Dip pens are basic tools for writing and drawing. You dip them in ink each time before use. Unlike modern pens, dip pens have no internal ink supply. They work with various inks like India inks and water-based paints.
Artists and writers choose dip pens to swap nibs for different effects. Popular nib choices are steel, glass, and quill. These pens need special paper to avoid ink bleeding or smudging.
Using a dip pen takes skill but allows precise control over the artwork or text.
Brush Pens
Brush pens work like paintbrushes but for writing. They use water-based ink, making colors bright and mixable, similar to watercolor paints. These pens come with various tip sizes—fine tips for detail and broad tips for filling large spaces.
Artists and calligraphers prefer them for their smooth ink flow.
These pens are available in many colors, allowing users to blend shades on paper, creating depth in art or writing projects. To use brush pens, press lightly for thin lines or harder for thick lines.
They work best on glossy or watercolor paper that prevents ink bleeding.
Highlighter Pens
Highlighter pens mark text without hiding words, using water-based ink that’s safe for most papers. They come in bright colors such as yellow, pink, and green, ideal for underlining or color-coding notes.
Their chisel tip allows both broad and fine lines, perfect for schools and offices. Some highlighters feature fade-resistant ink to make marks last longer on documents.
Felt Tip Pens
Felt tip pens have a soft point made from felt. They draw thick or thin lines well. Both artists and writers use these pens for quick-drying sketches and smudge-free writing.
These writing tools come with either water-based or oil-based ink. Water-based ink works best on paper and dries quickly. On the other hand, oil-based ink can write on surfaces like metal, glass, and plastic.
It’s slower to dry but offers waterproof and fade-resistant marks. People pick different kinds of felt tip pens for art, sign-making, and daily writing jobs.
Fineliner Pens
Fineliner pens have water-based ink. This makes them ideal for precision work. Artists and writers prefer them for their ability to create fine lines. Each pen has a metal-clad tip, ensuring durability even with frequent use.
They also perform well on glossy paper.
These pens dry fast, preventing smears and blots. People rely on fineliners to write in tight spaces, draw sharp lines, and produce technical drawings. Schools and offices commonly use these writing instruments.
Glue Pens
Moving from fineliner pens to glue pens, these unique writing tools use a water-soluble adhesive. They work well for applying glue precisely on paper, photos, and art materials. Glue pens are popular in scrapbooking, journaling, and crafting.
They help avoid the mess that comes with bottles or sticks of glue. The tips of these pens vary from fine to wide. This variety allows users to control the amount of glue applied. Artists and crafters like them because they can stick decorations or pieces of paper without showing wrinkles or blobs of glue.
Disposable Stick Pens
Disposable stick pens, often found in schools and offices, use either oil-based or water-based ink. They are designed for single use, to be thrown away once the ink is depleted. Their low cost and smooth writing on various paper types make them popular choices.
With the ability to write for over a mile, these pens ensure long-lasting use from just one piece. They come in multiple colors, suitable for note-taking and highlighting essential details.
Despite their disposable nature, they provide a satisfactory writing experience without breaking the bank.
Nib Pens
Nib pens offer unique ink flow control with their tips or nibs. They work well for calligraphy and drawing because the steel nib provides firm, precise lines. Artists and writers prefer these pens for sharp lettering and detail.
These pens require frequent ink dipping, which allows use of various inks like waterproof or pigmented types. The method promotes a strong connection between pen, ink, and paper unlike modern writing tools.
Nib pens vary; some have flexible nibs for different line widths while others keep lines uniform with stiff nibs.
Stylus Pens
Stylus pens are tools for writing on tablets and smartphones. They have a soft tip for touching screens. People use them to draw, take notes, or move around on their devices without fingers.
These pens work without ink. They use pressure sensitivity to make marks on digital surfaces. Stylus pens can change line thickness based on how hard you press. This is useful for artists working digitally.
Many companies offer stylus pens with various features to fit different needs and budgets.
Technical Pens
Technical pens are precise tools used by artists, architects, and engineers. They have a system that allows for even ink flow. This creates consistent, thin lines ideal for detailed drawings.
These pens often use waterproof and fade-resistant inks, making them durable over time.
They are available in various sizes to produce different line thicknesses. For instance, a 0.1 mm tip is perfect for drawing detailed maps or technical designs. Technical pens are also effective on glossy paper and other types of paper used in art and design projects.
Felt Pens (Marker Pens)
Felt pens, or marker pens, use ink with rich pigments. These inks can be water-based or oil-based. People use them on various surfaces, such as paper and whiteboards. Artists pick felt pens for their bold lines.
Kids like them for coloring large areas quickly.
Marker pens have felt tips that vary in size from fine to thick. This makes them useful for many tasks. You find them in classrooms and offices for making signs and writing labels.
Felt pens make colors pop out vividly.
Lefty Pens
Lefty pens are designed for left-handed writers. These pens use quick-drying ink to prevent smudging. They often have grips that make them more comfortable to hold, easing wrist and finger stress.
This makes writing smoother and less tiring. Lefty pens come with options like gel-based ink and water-soluble ink to meet various writing needs.
Now, about Mechanical Pencils.
Mechanical Pencils
Mechanical pencils are great for detailed writing and drawing. They have a push button that advances the lead. This design means you don’t need to sharpen them, so they last longer than regular pencils.
These pencils come with thin leads in various hardness levels. That’s useful for artists and engineers who require precise lines in their work. If the lead breaks, it’s easy and inexpensive to replace.
Pen Sets
Pen sets come with different types of pens, including gel, ballpoint, and fountain pens. They suit people who like to write or draw. These sets are good gifts because they meet various needs.
Many pen sets feature refillable pens. This design lets users replace the ink, saving money and reducing waste. Often, these sets also include extra ink or nibs for fountain pens. Artists and those doing technical drawings find these sets useful for their work because they offer a range of options for creativity.
Click Pens
Click pens, or retractable pens, offer easy writing. With a simple press, the tip extends for use and retracts to prevent ink drying and leaks in bags. They come with either oil-based or water-based ink, suitable for quick notes or long meetings.
Available in various styles and colors, click pens meet different needs like schoolwork, office tasks, and creative projects. Many are refillable, saving money for frequent users. These pens range from fine to broad tips, catering to different preferences.
They ensure smooth writing on all paper types, including glossy and textured surfaces.
Novelty Pens
Novelty pens are unique writing utensils. They have shapes like animals, foods, or famous landmarks. Both kids and adults use them for school or gifts. These pens can light up, make sounds, or move as you write.
They come with different inks such as water-based or gel-based ink. Some allow changing colors mid-writing. Collectors enjoy them for their cool designs and memories of special places or events.
You can buy these pens at gift and school supply stores.
Multi-Ink Pens
Multi-ink pens hold 3 to 4 colors in a single pen. This feature is ideal for color-coded notes or highlighting key points with different colors. They work with a click mechanism that allows easy switching between ink colors.
Teachers often choose multi-ink pens for grading by marking corrections in various colors. Students find them useful for organizing notes and tasks by color. Multi-ink pens merge the ease of having multiple ink choices with the benefit of saving space, enhancing both enjoyment and efficiency in writing activities.
Refillable Ink Pens
Refillable ink pens, like fountain pens, are economical and eco-friendly. They allow users to refill with water-based or oil-based inks. This feature suits those who write frequently or prefer various ink colors without the need for new pens.
These pens vary in style, including ballpoint, rollerball, and stylus options. They work well on paper and touchscreens alike. Users can opt for quick-drying ink to avoid smudges on notes or glossy paper art projects.
Refillable ink pens provide a consistent smooth writing experience with every refill, making them ideal for writers, artists, and daily use.
Fibre Tip Pens
Fibre tip pens have tips made from compressed fibers, ensuring smooth ink flow on paper. These pens are favorites among artists and writers for their ability to produce fine lines and vibrant drawings.
They use water-based ink that dries quickly but isn’t waterproof, making them less ideal for projects requiring water resistance.
These writing instruments stand out for sketching and note-taking tasks. Teachers often choose them for grading as the ink is vivid on student papers. Many brands offer color sets, allowing users to add colorful details without needing multiple pens.
Keeping the cap on extends their lifespan.
Parallel Pens
Parallel Pens are calligraphy pens that distinguish themselves by utilizing two plates instead of a traditional nib. This unique attribute enables both fine and thick line creation just by altering the pen’s angle.
Their easy ink flow endears them to artists and writers, providing seamless writing or drawing sessions. Moreover, users have the ability to blend inks to achieve a spectrum of colors on paper.
The pens are available in varying sizes, from 1.5 mm to 6 mm, accommodating different writing requirements and project genres. Whether for artistic masterpieces or crafting elegant invitations, Parallel Pens provide precise ink delivery and the chance to incorporate vibrant color into any masterpiece.
Multifunction Pens
Multifunction pens combine many writing tools in one. They can hold different ink types and colors, including pencil and highlighter options. This feature makes them ideal for people who want multiple writing instruments without the bulk.
These pens are space-saving and efficient.
You can switch functions in multifunction pens with a simple click or twist, moving from blue to red ink or to a pencil quickly. They’re useful for note-taking, solving puzzles, or marking calendars.
Both schools and offices find them valuable for their versatility.
Active Pens
Active pens need power from batteries or devices. They detect pressure for thicker lines with more force. These pens are useful for digital art, notes, and signing documents. Artists benefit from easy error correction and fast brush size changes.
Models by Wacom and Samsung have side buttons for extra functions without a keyboard or mouse. They work well on tablets and smartphones.
Counter Pens
Counter pens, often found in banks and stores, come with a small chain attached. This design prevents the pen from being lost. These pens typically contain oil-based ink, which dries quickly on paper but slowly in air.
Many stores prefer these pens so that customers can write easily. The length of the chain allows comfortable writing without removing the pen. They also feature refillable cartridges for extended use.
The high-quality tips and quick-drying ink ensure smooth writing without smudging or leaking.
Demonstrator Pens
Demonstrator pens are transparent, letting you see their inner workings. They use water-based, oil-based, or gel-based ink and often come refillable. This feature is eco-friendly as it reduces waste.
Fountain pen enthusiasts prefer demonstrator models for monitoring ink levels easily. Artists and writers find these pens accurate for use on various paper types, including glossy surfaces.
Digital Pens
Digital Pens change handwriting into digital text. You can use them on tablets, smartphones, and some special paper. They work with sensors or cameras to catch your writing moves.
These pens are good for artists, writers, and note-takers. Wacom and Livescribe are two big brands making these pens. You need certain apps for the best use of these pens. They make it easy to turn your notes into computer files you can change.
Flex Nibs
Flex nibs on fountain pens allow for variable line thickness. They bend under pressure, enabling both thin and thick lines, ideal for artists and writers who aim for dynamic writing or drawing.
These nibs are often made from gold due to its flexibility, yet steel is an affordable alternative.
Mastering a flex nib pen enhances the writing experience by producing more vivid and varied lines through increased ink flow when applying pressure. For optimal results, water-based ink is recommended with these pens because it ensures smoother writing.
Flex nibs enrich handwriting and artistic expressions uniquely compared to hard-tip pens, offering deeper visual impact.
Flux Pens
Flux pens clean and prep metal for soldering, helping create strong bonds in electronics. These pens prevent oxidation, keeping the metal clean when heated. They come with various tips to handle different project sizes, useful for electronics repair and circuit building.
This ensures secure, long-lasting connections.
Quill Pens
Quill pens were made from large bird feathers, such as those from geese or swans. People shaped the feather tip into a point for easier ink writing. These pens were key tools for hundreds of years.
Both writers and artists preferred quill pens because they created smooth lines. This feature was crucial in producing elegant letters and artwork on paper. The Declaration of Independence is one notable document written with a quill pen.
Rastrum Pens
Rastrum pens are designed for drawing music lines, creating five parallel lines at once. This feature helps in writing sheet music quickly. Artists and musicians prefer these pens to speed up their work.
They make noting down musical notes fast and simple. Next, we mention reed pens among the various pen types for their unique uses.
Reed Pens
Reed pens are made from reed plants. People cut the end into a point. They dip it in ink to write or draw. This creates bold lines and texts.
For thousands of years, artists and writers used reed pens. These pens work well on both papyrus and paper. Using them requires skill but results in beautiful art and writing.
Ruling Pens
Ruling pens, used by artists and architects, feature adjustable steel blades to set line width. These pens work best with waterproof or pigment-based ink for crisp lines on various papers, including glossy ones.
To use a ruling pen, dip it in ink and adjust the blade for your desired thickness before drawing. This tool is ideal for precise technical drawings and detailed art projects due to its versatility in line control.
Skin Pens
Skin pens are used in medicine and body art. They must be safe for the skin, using ink that won’t cause harm or reactions. Doctors use these pens to mark areas on the body before surgery.
Artists use them for sketching temporary tattoo designs. The ink is water-resistant but washes off with soap and water. Skin pens are important for both medical professionals and artists.
Space Pens
Space pens can write in zero gravity, underwater, on greasy surfaces, and in extreme temperatures. Astronauts use them because standard pens don’t work in space. These pens have pressurized ink to write without gravity’s help and can write at any angle, even upside down.
Astronauts first used them in 1968 during the Apollo 7 mission. This allowed writing where regular pens would not work. The ink of space pens dries fast and doesn’t leak or evaporate in the harsh conditions of space.
People who need a reliable pen for tough situations often pick these durable tools for their high quality and versatility.
Conclusion
This blog uncovers 39 types of pens, encompassing gel pens, fountain pens, stylus pens, and space pens. Every genre has a unique utility for art, writing, or technical assignments.
Pens with both water-based and oil-based ink to are available to correspond with every task. While choosing a pen next time, recall the extensive array of options at your disposal.
This guide streamlines selecting the optimal one for your requirements.
FAQs
1. What are some of the different types of pens?
There are many pen types, including ballpoint pens, gel pens, rollerball pens, fountain pens, and stylus pens. Each has unique features that make them ideal for specific uses.
2. How do ink types affect a pen’s writing experience?
The type of ink used in a pen can greatly impact the writing experience. For instance, oil-based ink provides smoothness while water-based or gel-based ink offers vibrant colors. Quick-drying inks prevent smudging and pigment-based inks ensure longevity.
3. Can you refill all kinds of pens?
While not all pen types are refillable, some like fountain pens and certain models of ballpoint or rollerball pens allow for refills which makes them cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
4. Are there any special-purpose artistic or technical drawing pen types?
Yes! Pens such as technical ones with waterproof or lightfast ink are great for detailed drawings while brush pens work well for calligraphy; felt-tip markers could be used by artists and cartographers alike due to their versatility on various paper surfaces including glossy paper.
5. What kind of permanent markers should I use on whiteboards?
For whiteboards, dry erase markers would be best as they can easily be wiped off without leaving marks unlike permanent markers which have water-resistant characteristics making removal challenging.
6.Can personalized stationery include different kinds of writing instruments?
Absolutely! Personalized stationery sets often feature a variety from interwell stationery’s range – from everyday affordable options like ballpoints to more luxurious offerings like fountain ones filled with china-ink.