Foundtain Pen, Rollerball, Gel Pen, Ballpoint Pen

disposable foundtain pen

Gel Pen

gel pen uses a water-based gel ink.

Rollerball pen

Rollerball pen uses water-based liquid ink. (ballpoint pen uses oil-based viscous inks.)

2023-02-06, thanks to digitalmoonlight:

• There are other pen types that are closer to the convenience of ball point but with less pressure and friction needed from most pressure required to least pressure required is ballpoint ≻ gel pen ≻ rollerball ≻ fountain/dip pens
• Gel and rollerballs are evolutions of the ballpoint with tighter manufacturing tolerances and different ink formulations that allow for lower pressure and smoother writing
• Ball points use an oil based paste, gel uses a water based gel and rollerballs use traditional liquid ink like a fountain pen. Some rollerballs can even use fountain pen cartridges and ink and have swappable nib units to turn them into a real fountain pen

2023-02-08

What about the ink washes away?

Rollerball is most smooth. Gel pen second. Ballpoint pen worst.

However, rollerball uses water-based ink, so it often smudges, or if you write down something important and it got exposed to rain, it washes out. Or, if you spilled drinks on it.

turns out, Uniball Vision brand, uses more permanent ink.