A Comprehensive Guide To Choosing A Ballpoint Pen

The ballpoint pen can be considered to be the most popular writing stationery throughout the world. Out of all kinds of pen versions, from ink pens to fountain pens, ballpoint pens can be considered the most versatile as they are used in all kinds of environments. Be it a bank, office, or school, the ballpen is extensively used to take notes, write exams or sign cheques. 

The adoption ad popularity of the ballpoint pen is a relatively recent phenomenon. The ballpoint pen was invented in 1938 and became popular in America in the 1940s-50s. The design of the ballpen has not altered much since World War 2 era. In the initial phase of use, the ballpoint pens were treated as a writing accessory. But soon, the pen companies saw the opportunity to market the ballpen as not just a writing accessory but also a fashion accessory ad. This led to the introduction of a whole lineup of luxury ballpoint pen brands catering to high-paying customers. 

If we talk about the demand for ballpoint pens globally, then let us tell you that ballpoint pens have the highest share in the writing accessories market currently. With an increasing population and rising literacy, global ballpen demand is expected to increase in the future. A Ballpoint pen supplier should cash in on this golden opportunity to earn massive profits in the coming years.

If you are wondering what made the ballpoint pen so widely adopted, you have come to the right place. In this blog, we will take an in-depth look at the features of ballpoint pens and what makes them so highly demanded. 

Advantages of Ballpens

Leakproof Ink

The dry nature of ballpen ink means that the ink does not leak from the nib, unlike fountain pen ink. The consistency of the ink is thicker and similar to printing ink. Since it is much thicker, it is also less prone to smudging. Moreover, ballpen ink dries quickly, so you can write fast without worrying about smearing and spoiling the page's look.

Pen-nib is not Malleable

A significant downside of using a fountain pen is that the nib permanently bends in the direction of the pressure that is applied by a holder's hands. The owner of the pe becomes accustomed to the bent nib, but a new person with a different holding style will find the same pen quite rough to write with. This is not the case with a ballpen. The nib of the ballpoint consists of a roller ball and does not bend or alter, unlike the metal nib. 

Long-Lasting

Compared to fountain pens, ballpoints have the advantage of lasting for a significantly longer time. The oil-based ink of the ballpen is less viscous and so flows less freely, which means that less ink is consumed to write words with a ballpen as opposed to an ink pen.

Inexpensive to Produce and Affordable

The design of a ballpen is simple and consists of just two components, a pen holder and a refill. The pen holder or body is made of cheap material like plastic. In the case of a fountain pen, the body is usually made of metal, and so is the nib. Moreover, there is a specific ik filling mechanism that is absent in the design of the ballpen. 

Disadvantages of Ballpoint Pens

Uneven Ink Flow

A common problem that annoys many people is that a ballpoint pen is unable to match the ink flow of a fountain pen. The ball pen ink frequently dries up and needs to be loosened by wetting the tip with saliva. While a fountain pen simply guides through the paper without a y stoppage of ink flow during writing. Moreover, the letters in a fountain pen are of the same thickness, unlike ballpen, where the thickness can vary. 

Gravity-dependent Ink Flow

Ballpens do not have the capability to write on a surface that is vertical. So, if you expect to write on a noticeboard with a ballpen, then that is quite impossible. This is not the case with other types of pens that have their ink consistency. 

What You Should Look For While Choosing A Ballpoint Pen

Nib size 

A vital feature that can make your writing aesthetically pleasing or ugly is the nib size. Smaller nibs of 0.4mm in size are usually great for creating thin lines that will give your writing a neat look. They are also more suited for drawing tasks that require attention to detail ad minuteness. Larger-sized nibs are usually offered in sizes of 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0mm. These larger nibs lead to thicker lines that make your writing bold. Although the pen nib sizes may be variable, that does not mean that one is better than the other. For some people, their writing style suits a broader nib, while for others, it is the opposite. Hence, always write a line or two to check while selecting a ballpoint pen.

Color Variety 

Nowadays, ballpoint pens are available in a variety of colors. Some colors are reserved for specific tasks, like the red color, which is used by teachers for checking. Or the green color that is used by people holding senior administrative positions. S before buying a ballpen, you must have a clear idea about the intent for which you will be writing. There are multiple shades of black and blue inks, so for the safe side, write a line or two to see whether the ok color is to your liking or not. 

Refillable Ballpoint Pens

If you are a busy person who writes extensively and does not want to go through the hassle of visiting the shop again and again once your pen runs out, then it is better to opt for a refillable version of a ballpoint pen. Refillable pens come with a set of refills along with the pen. Once the refill is used, just replace the refill with a new one and continue writing.