Should you choose a ballpoint, gel, or rollerball pen and/or refill? All three basic pen types function in the same way. Ink flows around a ball to be deposited on the writing surface. They differ based on the type of ink, the material of the ball, and the difference between the ball’s diameter and the inner diameter of the apparatus that holds it in place. Take a look below to understand how these pen types differ and why you might choose one over another.
Ballpoint
Your typical modern ballpoint consists of a metal ball and a brass tip to hold the ball in place. Currently, the most common metal for the ball is tungsten carbide. However, steel and other metals are also used. The tip is usually made out of brass, but stainless steel and other materials can be used. Ballpoint pens use oil and/or alcohol-based inks, which are more viscous (thicker) than gel and liquid rollerball inks. The specific composition and ratio of oil to alcohol can vary between brands. For example, Parker Quink has additional solvents and a higher percentage of alcohol than many other ballpoint inks on the market, allowing it to write a little smoother and dry a little faster.
Pros
- Dries faster (reduces smudging)
- More water resistant and permanent
- Doesn’t bleed through paper
- Slower flow allows refill to last longer (for any given volume of ink)
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Ink flow can be uneven, leading to blobs that can smudge.
- Long periods of disuse can make it difficult to get the ink flowing again.
- Requires more pressure to write, leading to hand fatigue and cramping.
Best uses
- Left-handed writers
- Everyday carry
- Signing documents
- Writing on slick surfaces (such as receipts)
- Writing on duplicate or triplicate forms (because of increased pressure needed to write)
Gel
Gel pens and refills suspend colored pigments in a water-based gel. The gel allows the pigments to remain evenly suspended over longer periods of time than most ballpoint or rollerball inks. Thus, a much broader range of colors can be offered. These pens and refills use essentially the same ball and tip materials as ballpoint pens, but the nature of the ink allows for much smaller line widths, as low as .28 mm. Numerous Japanese pen makers make specific gel roller pens, such as the Pilot G2 and Pentel EnerGel, but there are numerous gel versions of ballpoint refills on the market. For exampe, the standard Parker style G2 refill is available from many refill makers in both a standard ballpoint and a gel version.
Pros
- Small, vibrant lines
- Smooth ink flow allows easier writing with less pressure than ballpoints, resulting in less fatigue.
- Broad range of refill colors.
- Refills are available for many ballpoint and rollerball pens.
- Less expensive than most rollerballs
Cons
- Skip more often than both ballpoints and rollerballs.
- Longer drying times than ballpoints allowing more smudging.
Best uses
- Writing in colors other than black and blue
- Everyday note-taking
- Color-coded note-taking
Rollerball
Rollerball pens and refills are constructed a little differently than ballpoints and gels. Because the inks used in rollerballs are less viscous, the difference between the diameter of the ball and the inner diameter of the tip that holds it in place can be smaller. Moreover, the balls are often made of different materials than can be found on the other types. Specifically, ceramic is often used because of its hardness and precision. Liquid rollerball inks typically consist of dyes that are suspended in water. These inks flow very easily but don’t allow the dyes to stay suspended evenly when stored for long periods of time like gel inks.
Pros
- Ink flows more easily than ballpoint or gel inks, allowing minimal pressure, cramping, and fatigue.
- Vibrant, smooth lines with minimal skipping
- More feedback and tactile response from writing surface (some might see this as a drawback)
Cons
- Refills will run out faster for any given volume of ink.
- Ink dries slowly, so smudging is possible.
- Refills dry out quickly if pen cap is not replaced (capless rollerballs are the exception).
- Ink bleeds easily through poor quality papers.
- Ink will easily stain shirt pockets if pen is not capped.
- Relatively expensive
Best uses
- Writing large amounts of notes and letters on high quality paper
- Any writer whose hand cramps or gets easily fatigued
Pen and Refill Types at a Glance
Check out the chart below to see all of the above information in brief. Note that these comparisons are generalized. There are exceptions!
