Are Gel Pens Better Than Ballpoint?

If you’re a stationery geek, then you will know there are many types of pens that you can enjoy, from the colorful gel pen, to the standard ballpoint pen, all used for different styles of writing. After all, the United States produces 2 billion pens a year! But which is the better writing instrument, a gel pen or a ballpoint? We are going to outline the differences and the pros and cons so you can decide for yourself!

1. Custom Ballpoint Pens – A History

Ballpoint pens were invented by László Bíró in the late 1930s and over the years they have become one of the most used writing instruments. Ballpoint pens use an oil-based ink that is thick and almost paste-like in consistency. Ballpoint pen ink dries instantly when used because of the alcohol solvents used in the ink.

There are many positives to ballpoint pens with the main one being they are less likely to bleed through paper and are normally waterproof. They are available in a range of sizes for you to choose from, with the biggest pen in the world being a ballpoint pen at 5.5 meters high and 37 kilograms in weight - Although I don’t think you could buy this in the shops! However, there are some limitations when it comes to different tip sizes and ink colors.

2. Custom Gel Pens – A History

Gel pens were invented by the Sakura Color Products Corporation of Osaka, Japan in 1984. The ink used in gel pens is much thinner than the ink used in ballpoint pens, however, they are delivered using the same mechanism through the rollerball technology. The benefits of gel pens is the ink does not smudge, and it flows through the pen quickly, which helps writers use little to no pressure. The ink in gel pens is made up of two components; pigment which adds color and a water-based solution that makes the ink less viscous, this allows gel pens to be available in many fun colors.

Unlike ballpoint pens, unfortunately gel pens take longer to dry, which can mean they are more prone to smudging.

3. Comparisons

Below you can find a few comparisons on different aspects which might influence your decision on whether gel pens are better than ballpoint.

• Refills: Gel pens run out of ink a lot faster than custom ballpoint pens, which makes them costlier, but you are more likely to find a variation of colors with gel pens, where you are more limited with ballpoint pens.
• Sizes: ballpoint pens come in a range of sizes, and since the ink is long-lasting, refilling the pen is not an issue. Gel pens that need to accommodate a larger amount of ink need to be larger in size, and small sized gel pens will need refilling a lot more.
• Writing: You can use custom ballpoint pens to write on nearly any surface as the oil-based ink adheres to any surface with ease. Whereas gel pens are much smoother to use, being able to move a lot easier across regular paper, but may not be able to write on other surfaces.

Can I Buy Gel and Ballpoint Pens From Everything Branded?

Yes, we have a wide range of gel and ballpoint pens at Everything Branded. Custom pens are one of the most popular marketing tools available, as they are extremely useful, and you know whoever receives your custom design will use it time and time again, whilst constantly being reminded about your brand.

Our custom pens are provided with black ink as standard; however, our customer service team is happy to quote you a bespoke price if you would like specific colors. As well as being able to request different colors, you can also shop by material, including plastic and metal pens, or browse our novelty pens for a promotional item that will stand out. So, whether you are looking for a unicorn pink gel pen or a professional slick black ballpoint, we have a huge range for you to browse.

To conclude, if you are an everyday writer and need something affordable and long-lasting, then the ballpoint pen is the one for you. But if you prefer a smoother writing experience and want various colors to work with, then we would recommend the gel pen.

Sources

• National Inventors Hall of Fame. László Bíró.  [Retrieved 24 July 2024]
• World Guinness Book of Records. World’s Largest Ballpoint Pen. [Retrieved 24 July 2024]
• Sakura of America – The History of the Gel Pen. [Retrieved 24 July 2024]
• The Philadelphia Tribune - Did you know: Facts about pencils and pens. [Retrieved 24 July 2024]