Learn More About Writing Instruments

What type of writing instrument do you need?

Ballpoint pen

Ideal for:  Most professional and personal writing needs. Fade and waterproof.

Features:

• Filled with oil–based ink, which is water–resistant, least likely to smudge, and long lasting.
• Writes using blue, black, or red ink. A small number of ballpoint pens also come with green ink.
• A ballpoint pen typically comes with a medium point writing tip.
• Choose from disposable or refillable ballpoint pens.
• Disposable pens typically have thin barrels. Refillable pen barrels are more likely to be wider, contoured, non–slip, and cushioned. Wide, cushioned barrels are more comfortable and easier for the writer to hold.
• A clear barrel allows you to monitor ink supply and better know when the pen will run out of ink.
• A barrel–clip allows the pen to be clipped onto notebooks or in shirt pockets, making the pen harder to lose.

Rollerball pen

Ideal for:  Most professional and personal writing needs. More ink colors choices available than in the ballpoint pen category.

Features:

• Filled with water–based ink, which is smoother than the oil–based ink of ballpoint pens, but is more likely to smudge.
• Writes using blue, black, red, green, or purple ink.
• Rollerball pens have the widest variety of point sizes. Choose from extra– or micro–fine, fine, medium, or bold writing tips. Larger point sizes usually offer a smoother writing experience, but may not last as long.
• Choose from disposable or refillable rollerball pens.
• Disposable pens typically have thin barrels. Refillable pen barrels are more likely to be wider, contoured, non–slip, or cushioned. Wide, cushioned barrels are more comfortable and easier for the writer to hold.
• A clear barrel allows you to monitor ink supply and better know when the pen will run out of ink.
• A barrel–clip allows the pen to be clipped onto notebooks or in shirt pockets, making the pen harder to lose.

Gel ink pen

Ideal for:  Most professional and personal writing needs. Offers the most ink color choices.

Features:

• Filled with gel ink, which offers the water–resistant qualities of ballpoint pens and the smooth–writing feel of rollerball pens. Fade–proof and acid–free.
• Gel pens come with a variety of ink colors, including traditional (blue, black, red), vibrant (purple, green, orange) pastel (pink, sky blue, violet, peach, yellow), and metallic (gold, silver, green, white, bronze).
• Gel pens have a variety of point sizes. Choose from fine, medium, or bold writing tips. Larger point sizes usually offer a smoother writing experience, but may not last as long.
• Choose from disposable or refillable gel pens.
• Disposable pens typically have thin barrels. Refillable pen barrels are more likely to be wider, contoured, or cushioned. Wide, cushioned barrels are more comfortable and easier for the writer to hold.
• A clear barrel allows you to monitor ink supply and better know when the pen will run out of ink.
• A barrel–clip allows the pen to be clipped onto notebooks or in shirt pockets, making the pen harder to lose.

Multifunction pens

Ideal for:  Professionals who frequently switch from using a pen to a pencil, PDA stylus, or highlighter.

Features:

• A two–feature multifunction pen allows the user to switch between a ballpoint pen and mechanical pencil or a pen and PDA stylus.
• A three–feature multifunction pen allows the user to switch among a ballpoint pen, mechanical pencil, and PDA stylus.
• A four–feature multifunction pen allows the user to switch among a red ballpoint pen, a black ballpoint pen, a mechanical pencil, and an orange highlighter.
• Twist or click the pen to change from one writing instrument to another.
• Most multifunction pens are refillable and come with a .5mm pencil, black ink, and have a medium point writing tip.
• Choose from thin and wide barrels. Wide, cushioned barrels are more comfortable and easier for the writer to hold.
• A barrel–clip allows the pen to be clipped onto notebooks or in shirt pockets, making the pen harder to lose.

Fine writing instrument

Ideal for:  Most professional and personal writing needs. Ideal gift for a client, colleague, boss, or employee.

Features:

• Finely crafted with stylish barrels made of precious metals, imported lacquers, or other exotic materials.
• Most fine pens are rollerball or ballpoint. A limited number of fountain pens are available.
• Uses black or blue ink. A small selection of A.T. Cross pens also come with red, green, or purple ink.
• Typically write with a fine or medium point tip. Twisting the pen will advance and retract writing tip.
• Fine writing instruments are generally refillable.
• Choose from thin and wide barrels. Wide, cushioned barrels are more comfortable and easier for the writer to hold.
• A barrel–clip allows the pen to be clipped onto notebooks or in shirt pockets, making the pen harder to lose.

Mechanical pencil

Ideal for: Students as well as accountants, engineers, architects, interior designers or any professional responsible for precise technical writing or scale drawings.

Features:

• Filled with .5mm, .7mm, or .9mm graphite lead.
• Lead advances and retracts by twisting the pencil’s barrel, clicking the pencil’s eraser, or clicking a button on the side of the barrel.
• Choose from disposable or refillable mechanical pencils.
• Disposable mechanical pencils typically have thin barrels. Refillable mechanical pencils are more likely to have wider, contoured, non–slip, or cushioned barrels. Wide, cushioned barrels tend to be more comfortable and easier for the writer to hold.
• Refillable mechanical pencils allow for the erasers to be replaced, as well as the lead.
• A barrel–clip allows the pencil to be clipped onto notebooks or in shirt pockets, making the pencil harder to lose.

Wood pencil

Ideal for:  Students as well as accountants, engineers, architects, interior designers or any professional responsible for precise technical writing or scale drawings.

Features:

• Typically filled with #2 graphite lead and has a top eraser.
• Has a round or hexagon barrel.
• Some lead pencils come pre–sharpened.

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