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gel pens -what to do????

21 years ago

I went to use some gel pens and metallic pens (silver, gold etc) They are all full but nothing comes out of them. My fault I know for not using them during the year but what can I do to utilize them? Can I put them in a baggie and then in hot water or something like that???

Comments (3)

gramcraft
21 years ago
I had one white one that refused to work when I bought it. I left it laying around for quite a while, then one day tried wiping the tip with alcohol. That got it goin and usable.
ArtsyCraftsy
21 years ago
It can depend on the brand. Some can be revived with a dip of the tip in water & some with a gentle pass over a candle flame or lighter. If it is not too badly clogged, sometimes just gently stroking it on the side of your pointer finger gets it going (old art school tip..the skin oil helps bring out the ink flow).
The first gel pens were really prone to clogging. They have improved the formulas so now they are much easier to use. Pentel & Sakura are particularly nice brands. I stay away from the dollar store generic ones.
I hear the pens should be stored lying flat rather than standing in a container. When you color, press gently and the ink seems to flow freely from the tip. Pressing too hard can cause streaks and pick up too many paper fibers that can clog your tip.
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Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated. Yeah, maybe the manufacturer knows best, or maybe the case just displays them nicely to prompt me to buy them. Can't be sure. I have come to the conclusion that it might be best to keep them on their side, as a cork in a wine bottle. And I agree that it is best to get the pen "running" by gently dragging the tip until the ink flows freely. I used to do a lot of calligraphy with nibs I dipped into ink. It is necessary to check the flow on a scrap of paper before starting to write, and after each refill of the nib. So it kinda made sense to do that for the gel pens, too. I find that many people press way too hard, and when I have had parties and let others use my pens, they were completely destroyed by the amount of pressure that was applied by most partygoers. So a light touch is all that is needed, and more than that might actually jam the tiny ball bearing. Thanks again for your comments.
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minnie_tx
Original Author
21 years ago
Thanks for all the tips. Some of the pens are "good" ones and some are the other kind. I know I store my Stampin' up Decorative Markers on their side.

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