Types of pens

Types of pens

The pen is undoubtedly the most revolutionary invention in the world of writing instruments. The journey from the basic dip pens, like reed pens and quill which were dipped in an external ink source and then used for writing, to the modern tip pens like the roller ball pens and sketch pens, has been a phenomenal one.  Let’s take a brief look at this journey and the different types of pens used today.

Fountain Pens

Invented in Paris by a student called Romanian Petrache Poenaru and later patented in May 1827 by the French Government , Fountain pens brought a transformation in the way the world wrote. It was the first tip-pen that consisted of a metal nib and an internal ink reservoir. This pen drew ink from the reservoir through a feed to the nib and then deposited it on paper through a combination of gravity and capillary action. The ink reservoir could be refilled using the internal mechanism of the pen which used the principal of suction to draw ink into the reservoir. This re- filling could also be done manually by using an eyedropper or syringe. Be it one with a simple metal body or another with precious metal exteriors, fountain pens are a treasured possession for most pen enthusiasts, pen collectors and antique seekers. This traditional writing instrument which has long been a symbol of timeless elegance is back in style again.

BallPens

 A cleaner and more convenient alternative of traditional writing instruments like the fountain pen is ball pen. A ball pen uses an advanced writing mechanism where a metal ball, generally made of brass, steel or tungsten carbide, is placed at its point.  The ink inside the pen is dispensed over this metal ball to create neat, free flowing and smooth writing.  The technology of a basic ball pen was first patented on 30^th October 1888 by John. J. Loud.  Over the years this technology was improvised and improved and finally it was a Hungarian Editor, László Bíró, who created the modern ball pen and acquired patent rights on it in the year 1943.

Roller Ball Pens

The Japanese company Ohto first introduced Roller ball pens in the year 1963.  A cross breed between fountain pen and ball pen, roller ball pen displays the best traits of them both. Like a ball pen, these pens also use the metal ball point writing mechanism that makes it convenient and easy to use. However, roller ball pens do not carry the oil based viscous ink like the basic ball pen. It rather uses liquid water-based ink similar to a fountain pen which makes the writing more free flowing, less messy and extremely attractive.

Gel Pen

The first gel pen was manufactured in Osaka, Japan by Sakura Color Products Corporation in 1984. Gel pen uses a writing mechanism similar to the regular roller ball pen. It looks like the latter and also consists of a metal ball point and an internal ink source like a roller ball pen. The size of the nib of gel pens ranges from 0.18 mm to 1.5 mm. However, unlike the roller ball pens, gel pens contain a thick and opaque ink in which pigment is suspended in a water-based gel. This makes the writing from these pens darker, bolder and clearer compared to the other pens.

Fibre tip pen or Felt pen

Fibre tipped or felt tipped pens consist of a porous tip made of pressed fibre and an internal ink source. The first felt tipped marking pen was patented by Lee Newman in the year 1920. However, it was only in 1962 that the modern fibre tipped pen was developed by Yukio Horie of Tokyo Stationary Company. Be it a marker, sketch pen or drawing pens, fibre tipped pens are the most widely used medium of art in the world.

Elkos Pens is  one of the leading global manufacturers of  pens. If you would like further information on gel pens manufactured by Elkos Pens, visit our website at: www.elkospens.com

How to write fast

Using the ideal writing instruments and optimizing the writing techniques are the best ways to ensure speedy writing. Ones who want to write faster must keep in mind the following:

Using the right pen

Using a good quality writing instrument is a vital pre requisite for increasing the writing speed. Cheap pens drag on paper creating more friction and resulting in decreased writing speed and increased wrist strain. The viscose ink used in these pens need more downward pressure to write properly making writing with them more stressful for the writer. Roller- ball pens and fountain pens are better for faster writing as compared to gel and ball pens since the outflow of ink from them is quicker and uninterrupted and also their chance of malfunctioning is lower than the latter too. Pens with a thinner tip are easier and faster to write with and are thus ideal for speeding up the writing process.

Thicker and firmer grip

When writing with a thin pen, our fingers are made to squeeze around its slim barrel creating unwanted strain on the fingers and wrist. This problem can be effectively solved by using a pen with a thick barrel or a padded grip. A thicker barrel provides the fingers with a firmer grip over the pen thereby reducing the amount of pressure that needs to be applied on it to write with the same. This also decreases the muscle strain on the fingers and wrists and makes the writing experience more comfortable and enjoyable for the writer.

 Smaller, skinnier and taller writing

Smaller the letters, faster is the writing.  The pen needs to travel a smaller distance to finish writing smaller letters as compared to the time taking larger ones. Hence, decreasing the width of the letters to a small yet legible size is an effective way to increase the speed of writing. Further, our hands are designed in such a way that are fingers can only bend up and down. This makes it easier for us to make an up down motion with our fingers than sideways. Because of this, taller and skinnier letters are easier and faster to write.

Sitting in the right posture

 It is important to sit in the right posture to make the writing faster. When one hunches on the desk while writing, additional weight gets added on the arms. This results in fatigue and makes the writing arm tire easily and faster. It is best to sit in the way that takes off the unreasonable pressure from the writing hand to ensure that one can write more tirelessly, quickly and comfortably.

Engaging the other arm

We generally tend to use the hand with which we are writing to complete secondary tasks like erasing a text we just wrote or flipping the page, etc. This not only disturbs our flow of writing but also makes it slow and more time consuming. However, this problem can be effectively dealt with if we learn to use our other hand for secondary tasks like erasing, using a highlighter and flipping the page, etc. Developing the skill of ambidexterity is the key to quick writing

Elkos pens offers high quality and durable pens. So if you are looking for the perfect writing instrument visit www.elkos.com today

Direct fill Pens – How to keep your handwriting consistent

A beautiful handwriting starts with a great pen. Many people have a favorite pen, but if you’re still searching, try direct fill pens by Elkos. These innovative looking pens feature fine tip points measuring 0.6mm for smooth writing, plus they’re incredibly long lasting.

Whenever you write in your planner or journal, it should always be with your favorite pen. Your pen is like a want for better handwriting, but having the right equipment is just one of the things you need to develop good handwriting. Here are some other things to consider:

1.Adopting a good writing position

About one in 10 individuals are left handers, and while most of them can write as comfortably as right handlers, there are still some who struggle with basic left hander problems like scratchy letters, smudging (especially when using fountain pens), and covered up writing. Those who have overcome these challenges may experience writing strain. Fortunately, such challenges can be used by using the right pen and adopting the right writing position.

So, if you’re using an Elkos direct fill pen – irrespective of whether you’re a right or left hander – then the next thing you need to do is adjust your writing position. Lefties suffer because they tend to push rather than pull (like righties) when writing, causing their words to be covered as they write (along with smudging).

If you rotate the paper by around 45 degrees clockwise, your elbow will come in while the hand will drop under the writing line, giving you better comfort and visual space for you to write. If you hunch over your pen sometimes, with your fingers presses tightly towards the end of the nib, this could also contribute to smudging. So, it is recommended that you hold your pen at an appropriate distance from the tip – preferably 1-1.5 inches.

2.Sitting properly and engaging your arm

Hunching over your pen not only increases the risk for smudging, but it also causes you to exert additional pressure onto your arms, causing them to tire more quickly than they would otherwise. Another bad practice is using your wrist to move side-to-side (instead of using your arm). So, sitting in a position that lets you take your weight off your writing hand, and allowing your forearm to guide your hand (as you write) across the paper can help you right comfortably and consistently.

3.Writing smaller

The idea is to make your pen travel smaller distances (by writing smaller letters) so you can write longer without getting tired, write faster, and finish your writing quicker. Alternatively, you can write tall and skinny letters, so you move in a manner that is comfortable to your hands. Hands are constructed so the fingers can only bend upwards and downwards, making vertical motions easier than horizontal ones. So, writing taller, thinner letters reduces horizontal movements and reduces the risk of messiness linked to side-to-side arm motion.

These tips should make writing with your favorite Elkos pen more enjoyable. Elkos Pens are one of the leading manufacturers of direct fill pens in the globe. With three refill colors and seven body colors to choose from, you’re certain to find a pen that suits your tastes. For more information on their varieties, visit our website at www.elkospens.com

Pen refills – The eco-friendly and cost-effective writing option

If you are passionate about pens, then you should know that pens are more than just writing tools that you use and discard when they are no longer functional; they can be great instruments that help you work and get your creative juices flowing. That said, many people don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on pens if they don’t have to. That is where pen refills come in.

Disposables versus pen refills

Some people argue that it is nearly impossible to find refills for pens these days, implying that pen manufacturers only make disposables, which is not the case. Any pen collector knows that refills are readily available for these supposed “disposable’ pens. Some pen makers are even easy to find with attractive bulk packages, like Elkos Pens.

Obviously, disposable pens are the easiest type of pen to use and maintain, and also the cheapest, because you simply replace them when you’re done. They can be very good quality and ideal for those who value ease and convenience, but tend to lose pens a lot. However, they can be costly in the long run, especially if you use them heavily, since replacing a full pen is generally more costly than replacing a refill.

Refillable pens, on the other hand, are not only more environmentally sound, but also more attractive, because the barrels are made to last through multiple refills. Refillable pens are also cheaper to run compared to disposables, plus the maintenance process is fairly simple.

How to refill a gel pen

There are different ways to refill different pens. Some require you to replace the nib and refill unit in one (the entire center of the pen is the refill), while others allow you to replace the nib units separately (messy) – so you don’t have to replace a perfectly good nib, plus you don’t throw away usable ink if the nib wears out first.

For the latter process, you have to be careful to prevent air bubbles and any disturbances to the gel. Different inks also need to be matched to a pen, but if working with the same brand, this should not be a problem.

Why you should consider pen refills

Disposable pens have an obvious appeal: you don’t have to worry about losing them because of their low replacement cost. Indeed, these pens are freely given way as advertising for hotels, businesses, meetings, and conferences. But like many other disposable items, there are implications that may not necessarily be reflected in the cost of acquisition. In the US, more than 1.6 billion pens are discarded, and only a small fraction get recycled or donated. So, most of them contribute to the growing landfills.

So, using a refillable pen that you can keep with you for years seems like a great alternative. Pen makers now have refillable ballpoint, gel, fountain, and roller ball pens are prices that are competitive with disposable versions, so you can certainly get something that appeals to you.

Elkos Pens are one of the leading manufacturers of refillable pens in the world. To check out our collections of pen refills, visit our website at: www.elkospens.com

Gel Pens – The Right Pen to Develop your Cursive Penmanship

Gel pens offer a myriad of benefits compared to other pens and paint markers, plus they offer an economical alternative to the conventional dip pen and ink envelopes while delivering a beautiful, distinct look. This makes it one of the best pens for people looking to bring back cursive penmanship.

A brief history of cursive penmanship

Ever since the invention of written text, there has been a group of individuals who took more interest in the art of handwriting – like penmen and scribes. Additionally, every age has introduced its own distinct handwriting style. The Monks, for instance, created the Carolingian script in the 8^th century, with its bold, easy-to-read words.

The legibility of the Carolingian script let to the invention of the more indecipherable “black letter” script during medieval times. Afterwards, the Italic script was born – a variation of the Carolingian script where the renaissance scribes and writers in Italy slanted and connected some of the letters with lines to make it more ornate.

Other styles of handwriting emerged, including:

·Copperplate – an ornate style that incorporates different kinds of loops and capital letters with distinct flourishes developed in the 16^th century

·Spencerian Script – developed in the 19^th century to provide a more systematic way of teaching handwriting as literacy levels in America rose.

·The Palmer modification of the Spencerian Script to make the writing less tiring, and more efficient and practical for the increasing amount of bureaucratic paperwork faced by accountants, businessmen, and bookkeepers in early and mid-twentieth century.

·D’Nealian script – developed by Donald Thurber in the 1970s to help children transit from manuscript writing (block letter) to cursive.

Teachers in schools across America dedicated a great amount of time to penmanship, up until the 1990s when computers started to become popular. Today, many schools don’t even teach cursive handwriting, as children have to spend more time preparing for standardized tests.

So, why should cursive handwriting be re-introduced?

While people are increasingly relying on their digital devices – computers, laptops, and tablets – for all their communication needs, there are still a few reasons why people should not completely abandon old-fashioned cursive handwriting, and possibly try to improve their penmanship. Here are a few good reasons:

1.                   Writing by hand makes you smarter – Studies show that writing things by hand, or manually manipulating and drawing out 2D shapes (or letter) aids in learning comprehension. Writing facilitates letter recognition during early childhood, and activates brain regions associated with language, thinking, and working memory.

2.                   Helps with knowledge integration – Cursive writing helps to train young brains to integrate visual and tactile information, as well as fine motor dexterity.

3.                   You learn better when writing down – since writing is slow, you cannot note down everything you hear. So, you have to be attentive, summarize, paraphrase, use keywords, and even ask questions for clarification, which stimulates your Reticular Activating System (RAS).

4.                   May be beneficial for individuals with special needs – studies show that cursive is a good exercise for using kinesthetic skills

5.                   Keeps your brain active in old age – handwriting provides great cognitive exercise, reducing the rate of cognitive decline.

Cursive writing is also easy on your hand, convenient, and simple, as it does not require an extra source of power. If you’re going to improve your cursive penmanship, you need some guidance, a notebook, and a pen – preferably a gel pen.

Gel pens have fine tips that create fine, controlled lines, work well on smooth materials, and are less likely to bleed through to the other side of your papers. When using Elkos gel pens, you have a selection of pen colors to choose from, plus they’ve long lasting refill and feather-flow system with Japanese ink.

Elkos Pens are one of the leading global manufacturers of gel pens. If you would like further information on gel pens manufactured by Elkos Pens, visit our website at: www.elkospens.com

How to write faster with your ball pen

Many people who still enjoy cursive penmanship tend to have two sets of pens: a signature pen and a working pen. Your signature and the few personal notes you write to your friends and family are the most important words you write, so you need a good pen with a medium or broad point, preferably in blue color so your writing stands out from copies.

There’s more flexibility in picking a working pen, but considering that you use it heavily on a daily basis (even if you still use a computer), it should offer certain qualities. It is recommended that you choose of the right type and point size that feels most comfortable for you. Many people find that ballpoint pens are the best for taking notes, since you can write smaller and achieve more from a single page.

If you have a small handwriting, you should get a fine point. But the bigger and faster you prefer to write, the more you should shift to medium or broad points that enable faster flow of ink.

Here are a few things that affect how fast you write:

Tip friction and pressure: There are some pens that drag on paper more than others, increasing friction, reducing your writing speed, and increasing wrist strain. Cheap pens that use viscous ink and require you to exert more downward pressure are the worst, because the more force you need to apply to write, the sooner you will exhaust your muscles. If you’re exhausted, you cannot write as fast as you want to.

Line thickness: Pens with thick tips (0.7 – 0.9mm) are generally easier to write with, though they facilitate heavy handed / large-stroke writing patterns. Conversely, pens with thinner tips require less downward pressure, making it easier for you to write. You’re also able to write smaller, with more detailed letters.

Grip: The more comfortable you are when holding your pen, the faster you can write. A comfortable grip gives you good form, better technique, and faster writing speeds. Pens with wider barrels and padded grips are not only easier to grip, but they also don’t force your fingers to squeeze around a tiny barrel.

Maintenance: Any type of cheap, non-branded pen is more likely to malfunction. You have probably had one of these, trying to scribble like crazy to get the pen working. Using a better pen will save you time and money. Also, never use your pen on wet white-out because it will clog the tip of your pen.

Ballpoint pens are the most affordable and easiest pens to use (smudge-free), but they are not as fast as fountain pens, unless you’re using Elkos pens. They are not only uniquely designed for ultra-smooth writing, but they also feature a rubberized grip, so you can write as fast as you need to.

Elkos Pens are one of the world's leading manufacturers of ball pens. You have three choices for fill and body colors, plus you can make huge savings by purchasing in bulk. If you would like further information on ball pens manufactured by Elkos Pens, visit our website at: www.elkospens.com

Common Challenges of Gel Pens and How to Overcome Them

Compared to ball pens, gel pens are still relatively new to the market, but they have been well received by artists for sketching purposes. They can be lots of fun, and come in a wide selection of colors, including metallic, acid-free archival pens. They are sold in a wide variety, like soufflé, pastel-colored pens that puff up a little on the page when dry; moonlights that are neon colored and more opaque; Gelly Roll Stardust; Gelly Roll Metallic; Glaze; and even some smear-resistant options. Generally, gel pens leave great color on pages, and are a favorite for filling doodles.

Modern black gel inks contain a blend of dye-based and pigment coloring, and consumers can easily identify the color of a pen by checking through the semi-transparent barrel. Not all varieties are suitable for arts and graphics, though their color diversity makes them very popular among artists and children. Like roller ball and ball-point pens, the ink in gel pens is delivered using a housed metal ball. Consumers can easily differentiate its ink line from that of other writing instruments by tracking the effect along the outer edges of the ink stroke. This effect is not always visible for the entire writing process though it is a common occurrence which indicates that the ink is being pushed by the ball to the outer edges of the stroke.

Gel pens are great for artwork, but like many other things, there are a few complaints. Some people claim that their pens skip a lot and don’t make nice lines, or they are not visible enough, and attribute the inconsistency to a poor brand. What they don’t realize is that good results can only be achieved under certain circumstances:

Faded lines are influenced by the surface. The darker the surface you are working on, the better and shinier the drawing will be. Generally, drawing over too transparent watercolor layers will make the lines less visible, and cause you to riffle the paper.

Skipping is a common occurrence among most types of pens, including gel pens. It will definitely happen. So, when it does, carefully overdraw the riffle to make your line continuous. Before starting the painting, it is recommended that you scribble on a piece of paper to get the ink flowing.

When you experience too little or too much ink, it is probably because you changing the drawing direction too frequently. Gel pens don’t like this. The best way to draw a continuous line is to move the pen in one direction, and then clean the nib before starting another line. Changing the direction causes skips, while drawing too many lines in the same direction without cleaning the nib causes ink blobs.

A new pen usually works well with few or no skips. But the more it is used, the tougher it gets to work with it. It can be very frustrating to have a pen with just a little ink left, and the nib is barely able to let any ink out. To avoid such challenges, you should consider having a few nibs at hand when working on an important painting to ensure that you see it through with minimal challenges.

Now that you know how to use your gel pens, all that is left is to get a reliable vendor to buy from. Elkos Pens are one of the leading global manufacturers of gel pens, and provide a wide variety of colors and sizes to suit your art needs. For more information on their varieties, visit their website at www.elkospens.com