| Rollerball pens are a popular writing instrument that | | | | because it tends to write more clearly and produce |
| combine the high quality results of a fountain pen | | | | finer lines. This trait can come in handy when trying |
| with the ease of a ballpoint pen. Ballpoint pens and | | | | to write more neatly, or when attempting to fit a |
| rollerball pens are in fact very similar, with one key | | | | large amount of text into a small space. It can also |
| difference: the type of ink each uses. | | | | help improve one's handwriting. |
| A ballpoint pen uses a more viscous oil based ink, | | | | A fine rollerball pen is not perfect, however. The |
| whereas a roller ball pen uses a less dense water | | | | lighter water based ink has a greater tendency to |
| based or gel ink. This lighter ink allows for a more | | | | smudge, transfer onto hands or other pages, or |
| distinctive writing result because it is saturated more | | | | bleed through the page underneath. The gel based |
| deeply into the paper. In this way, rollerball ink pens, | | | | ink does dry much faster but the risk of running is |
| or "inky pens" as they are sometimes called, mimic | | | | not completely eliminated. |
| the formality and traditional feel of fountain pens. | | | | Another disadvantage is that a roller ball pen uses |
| There are several advantages to using a rollerball pen | | | | much more ink than its ballpoint counterpart, and |
| over a ballpoint pen. Firstly, many people find it easier | | | | therefore dries out much more quickly. People who |
| and more comfortable to use. Because the ink flows | | | | prefer to use a rollerball pen on a daily basis will find |
| from the tip more freely and saturates the paper | | | | themselves spending more money on writing utensils. |
| more deeply, the user does not have to press the | | | | Rollerball pens that use gel based ink also carry the |
| pen down as firmly when writing. This also means | | | | risk of "skipping". Because this ink is more viscous |
| they do not have to grip it as tightly with their hand, | | | | than the water based variety, the ball is not always |
| which is a huge bonus to those who suffer from | | | | consistently covered in ink, which may cause the pen |
| arthritis. | | | | to cease writing intermittently. |
| Secondly, fine rollerball pen ink comes in a much | | | | Whether you choose ballpoint pens or rollerball pens |
| broader range of colors. This is because of the wide | | | | for your every day writing needs is completely up to |
| variety of pigments and dyestuffs that are available | | | | you. But a fine rollerball pen can make a great |
| in gel or liquid based inks, but not in oil based ones. | | | | impression for those writing tasks that require a little |
| For this reason, rollerball ink pens are quite popular | | | | extra attention, such as a formal letter or a job |
| among artists and calligraphers. | | | | application. |
| Lastly, many people prefer to use a rollerball pen | | | | |