Ballpoint and Gel Pens: Best Practices

Ballpoint and gel pens are the reliable workhorses of classrooms, homes, and offices. Here at JetPens, we receive a lot of questions on how to troubleshoot pen problems and choose the right pen. Read on for ballpoint and gel pen tips and tricks based on common customer questions.

Which is Better: a Ballpoint or a Gel Pen?

Below is a quick summary of the advantages and disadvantages of ballpoint and gel pens to help you decide which is the right pen for you.

Summary	Ballpoint Pens	Gel Pens
Advantages	Feature quick-drying and water-resistant ink. Write on many different kinds of papers. Ink lasts longer than gel pen ink. Ink is less likely to bleed through paper.	Come in a wide range of tip sizes and colors, including metallic, pastel, and white inks. Ink flows smoother than those of ballpoint pens for more comfortable writing sessions.
Disadvantages	Come in fewer ink colors and tip sizes. Require more pressure to write, which can lead to hand or wrist fatigue.	Ink takes longer to dry which can lead to smudging. Can't write on some papers. Run out of ink faster than ballpoint pens.

Ballpoint pens are great for everyday carry and gel pens are best for adding color to any writing.

Ballpoint pens are great for everyday carry and gel pens are best for adding color to notes, plans, and more.

Since ballpoint and gel pens look the same at first glance, you may be wondering, “How do I know which pen is best for me?” It depends on what you’re going to be using your pen for!

We recommend ballpoint pens for everyday carry. They can write on almost everything, from receipts to copy paper, and are generally water resistant and fast drying.

Gel pens, on the other hand, are great for color-coding notes, expressing your personality in journal entries, or adding colorful embellishments to planner spreads and artwork.

Table of Contents

Ballpoint Vs Gel Ink: What’s the Difference?

Ballpoint ink consists of dye dissolved in a mixture of alcohols and fatty acids.

Ballpoint ink consists of dye dissolved in a mixture of alcohols and fatty acids. The alcohols allow for smooth ink flow, while the fatty acids lubricate the tip for skip-free writing.

A ballpoint pen uses oil-based ink that’s typically smudge resistant, quick drying, and waterproof. Because the ink is thick like a paste, less ink comes out as you write. As such, ballpoint pens generally last longer and are less likely to bleed through the page. However, they require more pressure to write with, which can lead to hand or wrist fatigue.

Low-viscosity ink is a type of ballpoint ink with added lubricants that help the tip’s ball rotate smoothly.

Hybrid ink—also known as low-viscosity or emulsion ink—is a type of ballpoint ink with added lubricants that help the tip’s ball rotate smoothly. It combines the smooth flow and vibrancy of a gel ink with the quick-drying quality and waterproofness of ballpoint ink.

Gel ink is made by suspending pigments in a water-based gel.

Gel ink is made by suspending pigments in a water-based gel. These components make gel pens precise, smooth, and vibrant. They may skip occasionally because thin gel inks don’t always evenly coat the tips.

Gel pens typically smudge more and run out faster than ballpoint pens because they’re so fluid.

Are All Pen Refills the Same?

To find out which refills fit into a pen, click the “Recommended Refills/Parts” button to see all compatible refills.

Although many pens are relatively the same shape and size, not all refills are interchangeable.

To find out which refills fit into a pen, find the pen’s product page on JetPens. Click the “Recommended Refills/Parts” button to see all compatible refills. For example, the 0.38 mm Uni-ball Signo UM-151 Gel Pen can only be refilled with Uni-ball Signo Refills.

If you like a specific refill but want to use a different pen body, click on the “Compatible Products” button to see all the pens the refill will fit in.

Alternatively, if you like a specific refill but want to use a different pen body, you can go into a pen refill’s product page and click on the “Compatible Products” button to see all the pens the refill will fit in. The 0.38 mm Uni-ball One UMR-38S Gel Pen Refill can fit in ballpoint and gel pen bodies.

Some refills can be used in other pens with modification.

Some refills can be used in other pens with modification. This usually involves trimming a refill to the right size, or wrapping washi tape around the refill to make it thicker. Our “Recommended Refills/Parts” page will never recommend products that need to be modified to fit a pen.

Be sure to measure twice and cut once when modifying a refill: if it’s too short, it might not work in the pen of your choice! Please note that the JetPens team won’t be able to help if you decide to modify refills, and modifications aren’t covered under our Returns and Refunds policy.

Can I Use a Gel Refill in a Ballpoint Pen and Vice Versa?

You can put a gel refill in a ballpoint pen or a ballpoint refill in a gel pen. The ink formula doesn’t matter as long as the refill fits in the pen body.

If you already have a pen body in hand, check the product page on JetPens.com and click on the “Recommended Refills/Parts” button. From there, you can use filters to sort the refills by type, such as ballpoint or gel ink.

For those who have a refill and want to find a new pen body to put it in, click on the “Compatible Products” button on the refill’s product page. You can use the filters on the “Products” tab to narrow down your options.

How Do I Refill Pens?

Refilling pens is easy as long as you know how to disassemble your pen. Some pens are disassembled by unscrewing the grip section or nose cone. A few pens (like the Pentel EnerGel-X Gel Pen) open by unscrewing the clicker and clip section.

Follow the steps below to learn how to refill standard pens and multi pens.

How Do I Refill a Pen?

1. Disassemble the pen. Most pens can be disassembled by unscrewing the grip section or nose cone.

2. Remove the original refill. Keep an eye out for small parts like springs that might fall out of the pen. The JetPens team recommends having a small dish or tray to hold loose parts.

3. Insert the new refill into the grip section.

4. Reassemble the pen.

5. If you’re refilling a retractable pen, try extending and retracting the tip. Make sure the tip extends past the nose cone and that it retracts completely, too.

Check the tip of the refill to see if it has a tip protector attached to it. Remove it before you start writing.

6. Check the tip of the refill to see if it has a tip protector attached to it. A tip protector may look like a sphere or a thin layer around the tip. Remove it before you start writing.

7. Try scribbling with the pen to make sure the refill is the right length and doesn’t slide backwards into the barrel.

8. The pen is ready to use.

How Do I Refill a Multi Pen?

Multi pens combine two or more components in one pen body. Many multi pens like Uni Jetstream Multi Pens are pre-filled. Other multi pen systems are customizable and allow you to pick out body components and refills separately, like the Uni Style Fit.

Refilling a Retractable Multi Pen or a Twist Multi Pen

1. Disassemble the pen by unscrewing the grip section.

2. Locate the circular slots inside the barrel that hold the refills. If needed, remove the original refills, or the refills you want to replace.

3. Insert the tube side of the new refill into a slot. You can hold down the corresponding slide button for more stability. Repeat as necessary.

4. Screw the grip section back onto the body.

5. Check to make sure the pen is working properly by pressing down on the slide button. Remove the tip protectors, if needed.

6. The pen is ready to use.

Refilling a Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto Multi Pen

1. Flip open the top cap of the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Multi Pen body.

2. Put the refill into the pen with the slide tab pointing outwards. Repeat as needed.

3. Close the cap and check to make sure the pen is working properly by extending the slide buttons. Remove the tip protectors, if needed.

4. The pen is ready to use.

Read our guide on refilling the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto for more information, including how to refill the Hi-Tec-C eraser component.

Why Can’t I Find a Refill in the Same Color As My Pen?

If you own a pen with a limited edition refill, you can still refill it with a “standard” ink refill. Clicking on the “Recommended Refills/Parts” button on a pen’s product page will allow you to see all compatible refills and what colors they come in.

The most common refill colors for ballpoint and gel pens are black, blue, and red. Some brands have pens in certain colors that don’t have matching refills; if you want to get the same color, you’ll have to buy a completely new pen.

If you own a pen with a limited edition refill, you can still refill it with a “standard” ink refill. Clicking on the “Recommended Refills/Parts” button on a pen’s product page will allow you to see all compatible refills and what colors they come in. Please keep in mind that the refill you choose may not be the same ink formula as the original refill and may perform differently based on factors like the paper you use, your writing speed, and more.

How Long Do Pen Ink Refills Last?

How long a pen refill will last depends on how often it’s used. Avid writers and note-takers may find that a refill lasts them a few months, while remote workers who keep track of things digitally may have a pen last them all year.

In general, gel pens run out of ink faster than ballpoint pens because they have more fluidity, and larger tip sizes will use up more ink than smaller tip sizes.

How Far in Advance Should I Buy a Refill?

Meticulous writers will appreciate the Zebra Sarasa Study Gel Pen which has a refill with marks that show the percentage of ink used.

To ensure you never run out of ink at an inconvenient time, consider buying a refill when your current pen is about halfway depleted. It doesn’t need to be exact, but it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the ink level if you know you’ll be using the pen a lot. Meticulous writers will appreciate the Zebra Sarasa Study Gel Pen which has a refill with marks that show the percentage of ink used.

If you’re buying a new pen entirely, you can also pick up a refill at the same time. The one drawback of this is that you may forget you have this refill, so be sure to keep it in a special place!

It may seem like a good idea to buy pens in bulk, such as artists who know they’ll easily get through ten white gel pens for artwork and embellishments. But buying 100 pens is not advised. Inks may be shelf stable for a few years, but there’s no guarantee that you’ll have the same writing experience with an ink that’s been sitting that long.

Can You Revive a Dead Pen?

Encourage ink flow by putting the refill in hot water or exposing the pen tip to heat from a blow dryer.

Poor ink flow occurs due to a variety of reasons. The most common are temperature changes and lack of use. Try scribbling on scratch paper with the pen to regain ink flow. If the pen doesn’t start writing, remove the refill from the pen and try the following methods.

Heat water to just below boiling point and leave the refill in it with the tip facing down for ten to fifteen minutes to warm up the ink and encourage flow. Then dry the refill and try writing.
Use a blow dryer to heat the pen tip in ten second bursts, scribbling intermittently.

Is It Okay to Use a Pen On Skin?

If you need to get rid of ink stains on skin as soon as possible, pick up an ink remover.

It’s quite common for people to jot down notes or reminders directly on their skin using a pen, such as scribbling a phone number or an appointment time on the back of a hand. While there are nontoxic ink formulas available, these still aren’t designed for use on skin, so we don’t recommend using any pens for writing or drawing on skin.

If you get a stray pen mark on your hands when pulling a pen out of a pocket, first try washing your hands with soap and water. For the most part, this should do the trick. Stubborn ink stains may have to wait for a hot shower.

If you need to get rid of ink stains as soon as possible, pick up an ink remover. It contains silica microspheres that exfoliate the skin while remaining gentle on the hands. Start by applying the ink remover to dry skin and rub it into the stained areas to lift the ink. Wash your hands with soap and water, and repeat as needed.

How Do You Remove Pen Ink from Clothing?

Small gel and ballpoint pen marks usually come off when you gently rub them with soap and water.

Even JetPens team members forget to retract pen tips before putting them in pockets. Unsightly ink stains are annoying and they can be difficult to remove. Keep in mind that the specific ink formula and fabric will play a huge impact on if you’ll be able to get the ink out. Some fabrics are more prone to damage with treatment from substances like soap and alcohol.

Small gel and ballpoint pen marks usually come off when you gently rub them with soap and water. With big stains, rubbing the stain might spread it, so try the following methods. With any stain removal method, do a small test spot before tackling the entire stain. Whatever you do, avoid putting ink-stained clothes in the dryer before treatment since heat can set the stain.

How Do You Remove Ballpoint Ink from Clothing?

To remove ballpoint ink from clothing, use an alcohol-based hairspray or rubbing alcohol.

To remove ballpoint ink from clothing, use an alcohol-based hairspray or rubbing alcohol. Ballpoint ink is dissolved in an alcohol solvent, so additional alcohol dilutes the dye and eventually cleanses the stain. Place a towel beneath the stained fabric and saturate the stain with hairspray or rubbing alcohol. Dab and blot the stain with a rag. Repeat as needed.

How Do You Remove Gel Ink from Clothing?

To remove gel ink from clothing, try an all-purpose cleaner.

To remove gel ink from clothing, try an all-purpose cleaner. Saturate the affected article of clothing with the all-purpose cleaner and keep a towel underneath to prevent transfer. Blot the stain out with a rag, repeating as necessary.

How Do I Stop My Pen from Leaking?

If a pen leaks after some use, we recommend removing the leaking refill and cleaning up the pen body with a mild household cleaner. Then, insert a new refill.

Leaks occur due to a variety of reasons, including temperature changes, pressure changes, and manufacturing defects. You can contact our customer service team for any purchased pen that arrives leaking. This may be a manufacturing defect.

If a pen leaks after some use, we recommend removing the leaking refill and cleaning up the pen body with a mild household cleaner. Then, insert a new refill.

How Do I Prevent A Pen from Drying Out?

Always cap or retract a pen when not in use.

Always cap or retract a pen when not in use. Ink dries out because it contains solvents that evaporate if exposed to air. Capping or retracting the pen slows this down, although retraction mechanisms are not as protective as caps.

Additionally, keep refills in their packaging until they’re needed. Some refill packagings are sealed to prevent the refills from drying out.

What is the Best Way to Store Pens?

Keep pens inside a pencil case to prevent them from getting damaged or misplaced.

Keep pens inside a pencil case to prevent them from getting damaged or misplaced. Our guide goes over various pencil case types, materials, and recommendations that suit different needs.

Here are a few approaches to how to store pens:

Ballpoint pens rely on gravity for ink flow. Keep them vertical and tip down so the slow-moving ink is at the tip of the pen and ready for writing.
Store gel pens horizontally to keep gravity from forcing the fluid ink out of the tip.

How Do I Clean the Silicone Grip Section on My Pen?

Use tape to remove dirt and dust from the grip section of your pen.

We've found the following techniques can help with cleaning rubber or silicone grip sections:

If the grip section is dirty or dusty, we recommend applying tape to remove debris. Clear packing tape is great because of its stickiness, but any tape should work fine.
If the grip section feels sticky, try cleaning it with a little bit of rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol. Be mindful that rubbing alcohol can affect certain types of plastic, making pen bodies cloudy or taking off brand information.

What Are Some Unique Ballpoint and Gel Inks to Consider?

What Is Special about Pilot FriXion Pens?

Pilot FriXion Gel Pens use special thermosensitive inks that cleanly “erase.”

Pilot FriXion Gel Pens use special thermosensitive inks that cleanly “erase.” The inks are made with three chemical compounds: dyes that change color when they react with acids, acid compounds that produce color changes, and temperature-sensing compounds that control the color transitions.

When you rub the inks with the included hard rubber “erasers,” heat from the resulting friction causes the temperature-sensing compounds to activate the acid compounds, which makes the dyes turn clear.

Because the inks respond to heat, they may disappear if they’re left anywhere hot. The official temperature at which FriXion inks “erase” is 140°F (60°C), but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Don’t leave anything written with these pens in hot cars or by radiators. We also don’t recommend writing on the back of the page when using these pens, because the heat from "erasing" may transfer to the other side and cause writing to disappear accidentally.

Finally, don’t use FriXion Gel Pens for important documents that are signed in permanent ink. FriXion ink can be easily removed and leave you vulnerable to fraud.

Read more about the Pilot Frixion lineup in our comprehensive guide.

Are There Other Erasable Pens?

Uni-ball R:E Erasable Gel Pens also feature thermosensitive inks that turn invisible when exposed to heat. Their “erasers” are under clear caps so extending and retracting the pen tip is comfortable. And they feature a special mechanism that locks the top push button in place when the pen is turned upside down, so you won’t accidentally click the pen as you’re “erasing.”

Check out more erasable inks, including those found in highlighters and markers, by reading our guide.

What Is a Pressurized Ink Pen?

Pressurized ballpoint pens use compressed air inside the ink cartridge to force ink out.

Pressurized ballpoint pens use compressed air inside the ink cartridge to force ink out. The exact method differs: most use pre-compressed air in the ink cartridge to continually push ink towards the tip. The other method used by the Tombow AirPress injects air into the ink cartridge every time you extend the pen’s tip.

These advanced technologies allow pressurized ink pens to work well under intense conditions, such as zero gravity, wet or greasy surfaces, and extreme hot and cold temperatures. We tested our pressurized ink pens by simulating these conditions in our guide to The Best Pressurized Ink Pens.

What Is the Best Pen for Signing Legal Documents?

For signing legal documents and writing checks, we recommend using a gel pen like the Uni-ball Signo.

For signing legal documents and writing checks, we recommend using a gel pen like the Uni-ball Signo. Its fraud-resistant ink stands up to the three main solvents used in check washing: acetone, rubbing alcohol, and mineral spirits.

In our Fine-Tip Gel Pens guide, we tested gel inks under each type of solvent, using nail polish remover, rubbing alcohol, and paint thinner. Most of our fine-tip gel pens perform well, too—take a look at our guide for more details.

Ballpoint pens, on the other hand, are dye based and dissolve easily with check washing solvents, so many are not fraud resistant.

More Resources

Ballpoint and Gel Pen Best Practices Videos

Video: How To Revive A "Dry" Pen + Storing Pens + Other Pen Hacks

Video: How to Refill Pens

Conclusion

Gel and ballpoint pens are relatively low maintenance, but it helps to have tips and tricks up your sleeve when selecting or fixing one. Now that we’ve answered some of our most frequently asked questions, we want to hear from you. Do you have any tips for us? Let us know in the comments below!

Ballpoint and Gel Pens: Best Practices

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