The Difference Between Ballpoint and Gel Pens

Ballpoint and gel pens have become extremely popular writing tools as they are widely available and can be purchased at pretty inexpensive prices. Though some people don't care or aren't aware of it, the fact is the ballpoint pens and gel pens are not the same. For the common pen user there isn't a large difference between the two but just because they look similar doesn't mean that they write the same, last the same amount of time, and other important factors.

Despite the size of a normal pen the fact is that it has such a profound impact on our daily lives. There is rarely a day that we go through without having to make some use of it pen. Thanks to Laszlow Biro's design in the early 20th century we now today have ballpoint and gel pens that we can depend on for writing, signing, and many other uses!

Ballpoint Pens

Ballpoint pens use ink that is oil-based which may or may not include gel. This viscous ink is usually much thinner than other types of ink. With ballpoint pens there are some that can be refillable while others are made to be used until they're dry and then disposed of. You'll find that some ballpoint pens are retractable which is not only convenient as there is no need to keep track of a pen lid but also so that the pen's ink reservoir does not dry out.

Ballpoint pens are known for allowing a person to write and have ink that dries extremely quickly. This reduces the amount of bleeding and smudging that may occur. Using a ballpoint pen requires more force as the ink's viscosity is higher which means there is a need for more pressure to move the ball across paper.

Gel Pens (Rollerball pens)

The ink used in gel pens is generally wetter than most types of ink as it is usually water-based. When using gel pens you do not need to use as much force as the ink within the pen glides and flows very easily. This means that you may experience bleeding and smudging if you do not give the ink the time it needs to dry properly. If you do not cap a gel pen you can ensure that the ink will eventually run freely, unlike the ink found in ballpoint pens. You'll find that gel pens are available in a wider range of colors as well.