Ballpoint, Gel and Rollerball.
What's the difference??
Good Question.
Each type uses a tiny ball to deliver the ink to the paper.The main difference is the ink.
Ballpoint pens use a thick, oil-based ink that has a paste like consistency. This tends to dry quickly when applied to paper, which in turn reduces the chances of smudging. The ink is very stable and not prone to drying out in the pen. The ink is laid down onto the paper as the point is drawn across the page. This requires a downward hand pressure when writing.
Rollerballs by contrast use a thin liquid, water-based ink. This tends to dry slower, and will saturate or "bleed" into the paper more so than ballpoint ink. The ink takes several seconds to dry, which increases the risk of smudging, but leaves a very dark, distinct line. Since the ink is liquid, rollerballs require very little downward force and have a smoother, more fluid feel when writing. The ink actually forms a small puddle when applied to the paper, which is then pushed or pulled across the page by the ball tip. Rollerball ink is prone to drying out, so it is typically found in pens with caps that prevent this.
Gel ink is a hybrid between a ballpoint and rollerball. They incorporate a thicker water based ink (gel) that produces the dark flowing look of a rollerball, but are not prone to drying out. They tend to dry more quickly than rollerballs, but not as fast as ballpoints. Gel ink leaves a dark line more similar to rollerballs. Gel ink is much less likely to dry out like rollerballs, so it can be incorporated into pens with or without caps.
All the pens below that use Parker™ refills can either be ballpoint or gel. Ballpoint is standard. If you would like to have it changed to a gel, please let me know when you check out.
Cross™ refills only come as ballpoint.
What's the difference??
Good Question.
Each type uses a tiny ball to deliver the ink to the paper.The main difference is the ink.
Ballpoint pens use a thick, oil-based ink that has a paste like consistency. This tends to dry quickly when applied to paper, which in turn reduces the chances of smudging. The ink is very stable and not prone to drying out in the pen. The ink is laid down onto the paper as the point is drawn across the page. This requires a downward hand pressure when writing.
Rollerballs by contrast use a thin liquid, water-based ink. This tends to dry slower, and will saturate or "bleed" into the paper more so than ballpoint ink. The ink takes several seconds to dry, which increases the risk of smudging, but leaves a very dark, distinct line. Since the ink is liquid, rollerballs require very little downward force and have a smoother, more fluid feel when writing. The ink actually forms a small puddle when applied to the paper, which is then pushed or pulled across the page by the ball tip. Rollerball ink is prone to drying out, so it is typically found in pens with caps that prevent this.
Gel ink is a hybrid between a ballpoint and rollerball. They incorporate a thicker water based ink (gel) that produces the dark flowing look of a rollerball, but are not prone to drying out. They tend to dry more quickly than rollerballs, but not as fast as ballpoints. Gel ink leaves a dark line more similar to rollerballs. Gel ink is much less likely to dry out like rollerballs, so it can be incorporated into pens with or without caps.
All the pens below that use Parker™ refills can either be ballpoint or gel. Ballpoint is standard. If you would like to have it changed to a gel, please let me know when you check out.
Cross™ refills only come as ballpoint.
So,
What would you like to see?
 Click Pens
|
 Rollerballs
|
Twist Pens
 Fountain Pens
|
 Desk Sets
|
