How To Activate a Gel Pen
What is Gel Pen?
A gel pen uses ink in which pigment is suspended in a water-based gel. Because the ink is thick and opaque, it shows up more clearly on slick surfaces than the typical inks used in ballpoint or felt tip pens. Gel pens can be used for many types of writing and illustration.
How To Activate a Gel Pen
The best way to restart a gel pen is by removing the refill from the pen and putting the lower half in hot water for at least 15 minutes. That’s it! No tools, nothing to buy, no tricks, you just need hot water, a cup, and time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you activate a pen?
Solvents will dissolve the ink and should get everything flowing. Nail polisher remover (with acetone) and rubbing alcohol both work wonders. Simply put a little onto some cotton wool and wrap around the tip for a few minutes.
How do you fix a gel pen that skips?
LPT: If your gel pen keeps skipping or won’t write but there’s clearly ink left, put the tip in rubbing alcohol to remove any dried ink that could be clogging it up.
Why do gel pens run out of ink so fast?
Gel pens also have longer drying times, so they may smudge when writing without periodic breaks. Given their highly viscous ink, there’s a chance that you may run out of ink much quicker than any other pen type.
How do you make gel pens last longer?
Gel pens can be stored at a slight angle with the tip pointing down, and they will do just fine. I recommend avoiding straight up and down storage for your pens to get the most out of the ink/gel. Storing horizontally or slightly angled will help you avoid air bubbles inside the ink and pooling at the ballpoint.
Why is my pen not working when it has ink?
If it’s a ballpoint, rollerball or fibertip, then the refill is either empty or damaged. Because the ink used in them is often viscous (especially ballpoints), the refill may look partly full even though it’s empty. A fountain pen that won’t write even though ink is in the reservoir has a damaged nib or a clog.
Is it better to store pens up or down?
Certain types of pens should be stored horizontally, while others should be stored vertically. Fountain pens (when inkless) and brush pens should be stored horizontally, while other types of pens should be stored vertically with the tip facing down.
Why is my pen blinking white and not working?
When your battery is blinking white, that generally indicates that your battery is not fully connected. A loose battery can disrupt the flow of electricity, preventing your vape from fully charging. Thankfully, the fix is usually as simple as unscrewing your battery and reconnecting it.
Do gel pens fade?
While gel pens are known for their vibrant and bold colors, it is true that some gel pens can fade over time. The extent, to which they fade, however, can vary depending on a variety of factors. In general, higher quality gel pens with more pigmented ink tend to be more resistant to fading over time.
Why is my pen blinking white and not working?
When your battery is blinking white, that generally indicates that your battery is not fully connected. A loose battery can disrupt the flow of electricity, preventing your vape from fully charging. Thankfully, the fix is usually as simple as unscrewing your battery and reconnecting it.