Fountain Pen Guide for Beginners
New to fountain pens? Start here!
Fountain pens are easy to enjoy once you know the basics. Here’s a quick guide to help you find the right pen, nib, ink, and paper.
Choose Your Nib
Your nib determines how your writing looks and feels. Start with something comfortable for your handwriting.
Pick Your Ink
Start with a reliable fountain-pen-safe ink. Choose cartridges for convenience or bottled ink + a converter for more color options.
Find Good Paper
Look for fountain-pen-friendly paper to prevent feathering and bleed-through and to show off your ink.
How to Write
Use a light touch and let the nib glide across the paper. No need to press down like you would with a ballpoint!
Take Care of Your Pen
Clean your pen when changing inks or when storing it for a while. Flush the nib and feed with clean water and let it dry before refilling.
Most Important ✨
There’s no perfect first fountain pen. Start with what feels comfortable, experiment with different nibs and inks, and have fun!
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Shop by Pen Type
From expressive fountain pens to traditional dip pens and versatile brush pens, find the right tool for the way you write.
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Shop by Filling Mechanism
From simple cartridges to intricate piston and vacuum systems, discover the filling mechanism that suits the way you write.
Cartridge
Simple, convenient, and easy to swap on the go.
Converter
Use bottled ink while keeping the convenience of a cartridge system.
Eyedropper
Fill the entire barrel for a generous ink capacity.
Piston
A classic filling system with smooth, efficient ink filling.
Vacuum
High-capacity filling with a satisfying mechanism to operate.
Dip Pen
Dip directly into ink for expressive lines and endless color changes.
Yoseka Pro Gear Slim Fountain Pen - Stationery Fest 2024 - Confetti
A special edition fountain pen created for Stationery Fest 2024, featuring a colorful confetti-inspired design.
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From iconic Japanese makers to independent stationery brands, explore the people and companies behind some of our favorite things to write with.
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