The ink pen has been a standard way of writing on paper for many years. In times gone past dip pens and fountain pens were the most common and the modern incarnation of these are ballpoint pens and roller ball pens. However another type which is less widely known is the gel pen and using these can provide a few advantages over the other types of pen on the market.
Gel pens were originally developed by the Sakura Color Products Company in the 1980’s and since this time they have become widely available for purchase with many companies now producing them. While the basic gel pen design used is similar to a roller ball, the type of ink is not. A gel pen uses a pigment suspended in a water based gel and this gives it a few advantages.
Gel pens tend to produce a bolder line and smudge less than other types of pen. The ink can also be produced in a much wider range of colors and this can include fluorescent, metallic and glittery effects which can work well on darker paper. The size of the nib on a gel pen can vary from around 0.18mm to 1.5mm and the advantages that they provide make them popular with a range of professions. This can include teachers, with the bold lines and vibrant color showing up well when marking papers and also graphic artists with the range of colors suiting them well. However they can be used by anyone and as well as being simply for writing they are also popular for art, with the colors and effects in which they can be produced making them ideal for this.
However one of the things to note about gel pens is that they typically use more ink that other types of pen which can lead to more frequent replacement or refilling if you use them.
If you are interested in purchasing gel pens they are widely available. Some of the best places to look include office equipment stores with both Staples and Office Depot having a wide selection available. Specialist stationary shops will also typically have a selection of gel ink pens on offer and they can also be found for sale at many web retailers.
Some of the well known manufacturers of gel ink pens include the original developer Sakura which produces the Gelly Roll range of pens. Other makers include Pilot, Zebra and Sanford all of which make pens in a variety of colors and nib sizes. The cost of a gel ink pen is generally affordable. Individual pens typically cost just over a dollar with the Sakura Gelly Roll Fine Point being an example of this and costing around $1.40. The pens are also available in packs, with a pack of 12 Zebra gel ink retractable pens costing around $11.30. This can be a more affordable way to buy them.
If you are looking for a writing implement that will provide you with bold, easy to read writing then gel pens are an option to consider. With the range of vibrant colors in which they are produced they can be an excellent choice not only for basic writing but also for artwork and design.