How to store ballpoint pens? This question often bothers most pen enthusiasts and collectors. If you have tried storing your pens before, you probably ask the same question.
This problem emanates from the fact that pen inks do dry out. Even if you are not a pen collector, you might have come across this problem.
In most cases, ballpoint pen inks dry if you set it aside for a while. Then, when you need it, it does not write anymore as it used to. The reason is that the ink stuck and dried up.
If you are a person who regularly needs a pen on a daily basis, you don’t want to experience this. And if you’re a pen collector, you want to keep your pen functional within a considerable period of time.
When the ink solvent evaporates, the ink solidifies and thus blocks the tip and the entire cartridge. The dried ink won’t flow.
Fortunately, there are a few tricks you can do to safely store your ballpoint pens. In this post, we will share the steps that we applied to our own personal writing tools.
Here’s how to store ballpoint pens:
1. Position the nib downward
The reason why storing a ballpoint pen with the tip downward is to keep the ink intact. Remember that the other tip of the ink cartridge (the one opposite the nib) is an opening.
When you store the ink with the nib upward, the ink will eventually drain through the opening. You’ll be surprised to know that your ballpoint pen has been emptied. And the flooded ink creates a total mess.
In contrast, storing the ballpoint pen with the nib upward keeps the ink intact. And one more thing, do not forget to put the cap on. The cap seals the pen making it safe from solvent evaporation.
2. Dip the nib in the wax
If you are going on a long vacation or decided to lay low from work for a while, you want to make sure that your ballpoint pens are secured. Depending on the amount of time you are away from home, storing the pen in a traditional way may not be enough.
You need to make sure that your pen will still work when you come back. In this instance, you might want to supplement the storing technique you learned above.
One of the great ways of securing a ballpoint pen is by using wax. The wax will serve as a seal that closes every possible air entry point. In this manner, you will be assured that your pen is secured.
To do this, you need a candle. Dip the tip of the ballpoint pen in the candle until the wax sticks at the tip of the pen. If you don’t have wax, you can use a silicon rubber. Then put the cap on. These techniques will definitely double your ballpoint pens’ safety.
3. Secure the ballpoint pens in the airtight bag
Evaporation happens when there is air. If you eliminate the air from the equation, the evaporation process will less likely to occur.
Having said that, one of the best ways to keep your pen from losing its ability to write is to put it in an airtight bag. A Ziploc bag is commonly used to keep delicate cooking ingredients as well as food. But only a few knew that it can also be used to secure a ballpoint pen.
Lay your pen flat inside the bag and squeeze the bag. Make sure that all the air comes out. Then lock the back using its built-in zip.
If you don’t have a Ziploc, you can use another food container that inhibits air entry. This is also a great way to secure a ballpoint pen if you are about to travel by plane.
4. Store your ballpoint pen in the refrigerator
Who would have thought that a refrigerator is a good place to store a ballpoint pen? Yes, you read it right. The refrigerator is not only useful for storing foods but also for writing tools.
A cool temperature inside the refrigerator makes it a perfect place to store a pen. It slows down the evaporation process keeping the ink lasts longer.
If you are ready to use the ballpoint pen for writing, do not be surprised if it does not function immediately. Sometimes, depending on the length of time it has been in the fridge, it gets colder and colder which in turn hardens the ink inside.
But after a few minutes, your ballpoint pen should be working again. If not, try to heat it with fire or hot water. As soon as the ink liquefies, it will surely work again.
5. Store your ballpoint pen inside its box
If you are buying a ballpoint pen, find a brand that comes with a box. Not all ballpoint pens have boxes though.
There is a good reason why you should buy a pen with a box. Apart from the aesthetic character of a pen, the box will later serve as a safe.
That’s right. If you store a ballpoint pen, you can do it with its own box. It will be easier for you to store a pen without hassle or additional effort.
These tips are just a few of the useful ways you can apply to your writing tools. But this is not the complete list. You can find more like this online.
We hope that we somehow help you in storing your ballpoint pens.
If you have additional tips, feel free to share it here.
