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All4myoffice.co.uk stock a range of different pens and pencils. Before deciding what you need, here is an explanation of the different types of pens available on the market. Don't miss our recommendations at the bottom!
Different Pen Types
Ball Point Pens
These use an alcohol based thick ink which doesn't sink in to the paper, so you'can use fairly thin paper. They have a small ball on the tip, so as this is rolled, the ink flows out. The ink becomes thicker the harder the tip is pressed down, but it dries fairly quickly, so smudging isn't a problem. They are cheap, easy to use and resilient, so a good choice of pen for your every day use. Oh and just in case you were planning on going in to space, Space Pens are available, which still work in zero gravity...
Rollerball Pens
These also have a small ball as the tip, but uses a water-based ink. This helps the ball roll more smoothly and the ink flows more freely. This does mean that this pen is prone to smudging but it is less likely to skip. The ink is also more likely to soak in to paper, so you'll need thicker paper. They need less pressure to use, so are easier to use than ballpoint pens.
Fountain Pens
Probably not the most cost effective pen to use, but if it's class you're looking for, then this is the pen for you! The pointed nip is fed from a tube containing a water-based dye ink. This is normally a plastic replaceable cartridge. Using fountain pens does have one advantage in that you don't need to apply any pressure, so can ease hand strain if you have lots of writing to do. You can also get different nip variations for a choice in stroke.
Gel Pens
These are fairly new to the market and are very popular! Many of these are disposable but more and more are now becoming refillable versions. The ink is pigment ink and it's a water-based gel carrier. It's quite slow to dry, so smudging is sometimes a problem. The ink can skip as it's not liquid ink, so you may get patches of nothing - this normal is ok if you release the pressure a little. Because it has a pigment ink and not a dye, you can use lighter colours on black paper too.
Marker Pens
Also referred to as felt-tips or fibre tips. They have porous nips that the ink soaks in to. They use toxic solvents. The ink dries very quickly and they are available in many colours. They're good for presentations and drawing.
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