Though ink cartridges are a convenient and easy way to refill your fountain pen, using a converter opens the door to a whole new world of color. There are hundreds of bottled ink colors that are not available in cartridges. This tutorial shows you how to refill your fountain pen using a fountain pen converter.

What you need: fountain pen, converter, bottle of ink.

A fountain pen converter is essentially a suction tool that allows you to fill your fountain pen with ink. It has the same size opening as an ink cartridge and plugs into your fountain pen nib. There are different size fountain pen converters available. Be sure to pick one that fits your pen. This piston converter has a knob on the top. Just turn the knob counterclockwise to force air out of the converter, and turn it clockwise to suck in ink.

1. Push out all the air of the piston converter by turning it counterclockwise.

2. Remove the cap of your fountain pen and unscrew the nib from the barrel. If the fountain pen came with a free ink cartridge, put it aside and save it for future use. If the fountain pen was in use and have an already punctured ink cartridge, refer to article about Removing and Storing Ink Cartridges.

3. Insert the converter into the fountain pen nib until it is snugly secured.

4. Submerge the nib of the fountain pen into the bottle of ink and turn the converter clockwise to suction up ink.

5. Now turn the converter counterclockwise to force air out of the converter. By doing so you will force air bubbles out of the converter and maximize the amount of ink drawn into the fountain pen.

6. Repeat step four to suction in ink again.

7. Reassemble your fountain pen wit the converter inside and you are ready to go! You can write until the ink is depleted and then refill your fountain pen again.