In addition to the warming of the ink, the phenomena of capillary action also comes into play! How many of you remember the experiment where-in the liquid ink from a pen used to spread once it came in contact with a piece of cloth or a scrap of paper?
Have you ever mistakenly left a ball pen inside your pocket, only to find out that the ink has leaked out, leaving an irksome blotch of blue on your favourite shirt?
Well, all of us have grieved through that, but do you know the reason that happens? You can also keep them in a case, this will help prevent you losing or damaging the pen. Luxury pens with a metal barrel are especially worth keeping in a pouch or case to avoid scratches. In regards to pen position, ballpoint pens that use gel ink should be stood upright.
This will prevent them leaking. Traditional ballpoint pens that use oil based ink should be stored vertically so the thinner ink moves to the bottom ready for writing. This should make ink flow smoother when it comes to writing. Ballpoint and rollerball pens are designed to keep air out from the ink cartridge. The ball in the nib is designed to act as a cap to stop air getting through.
However, air can still get inside the pen especially if the pen is left uncapped. More often however, people assume ballpoint pens have dried out because they stop writing. A better explanation would be that the thick ink inside the cartridge cannot flow as freely as needed. Additionally, ballpoint pens can stop working because the ink left in the ball when unused has been exposed to air and as a result clogged.
Both issues can be fixed rather easily however so you can get your pen to start working again. A lot of people ask us how to make ballpoint pens work and how to get them to write. Similarly, if your new pen is not working try shaking the pen. Air bubbles can get inside the cartridge but shaking them will push the ink towards the nib ready for writing. There are a few things you can try first to restart a dry pen. Firstly, try scribbling on a piece of paper. This can get the ink moving and sometimes a scribble is all the pen needs.
Likewise, try applying additional pressure when writing and see if this helps you restart your pen. It is also recommended you push the pen hard into the paper and draw a forceful vertical line. This can also help get the ink moving. Remember, ballpoint pens use a thicker ink so may need some perseverance when trying to get the ink flow.
If none of the above solutions work or you have used your pen a lot, it may be time to replace the cartridge. An empty pen cannot leak. If you do want to write during the journey, completely fill the ink chamber with ink. Most problems occur when the ink chamber is semi-full because the air inside the chamber can expand with additional cabin pressure — forcing ink through the nib. Make sure you keep the nib upright for take-off and landing.
The pressure variation in the cabin is the greatest during this time, and if the nib were pointing downwards, there would be a risk of air pushing additional ink out when you use it. It goes without saying, but keep it capped too. Once the aeroplane is cruising, you are safe to start writing. Uncap the pen nib end up, just to be on the safe side. If you are still concerned about your pens during flight, store them in a zip lock bag — whether in your carry-on luggage or your pocket. Then, if the worst happens and your pens leak, the ink will get no further than the plastic bag.
In conclusion, I would recommend storing ballpoint and rollerball pens vertically and in colder environments. When it comes to fountain pens, store them in a cool and dry place at the angle you prefer. As a long-term stationery lover, I adore working for The Pen Company. My childhood saw me carrying around a little red briefcase covered in stickers and full of pens, paper and other such goodies; my adulthood sees me doing pretty much exactly the same! How about fountain pens and their alleged misbehaviour in pockets, in bags, and on aeroplanes?
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