How to Use a Dip Pen

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In this Article:Choosing Your Tools Dipping the Pen Writing or Drawing with the Dip Pen Cleaning Your Dip Pen Community Q&A 14 References

A dip pen, or a nib pen, consists of a handle with a metal nib that has to be refilled with ink as you write with it.

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While they’ve mostly been replaced by fountain pens in day-to-day use, dip pens can be great for more intricate calligraphy and sketching. Learn how to load a dip pen, write with it, and take care of it to know how to use a dip pen properly.

1 Find a dip pen nib that meets your projects needs. The nib is perhaps the most important part of the dip pen, as it is the part with which you’ll actually be writing or drawing. There are a few factors that can be used to differentiate between nibs, such as the size and overall shape, but any nib that fits your nib holder should work well. Ask at your local art store or look online to find a suitable dip pen nib.^[1]
- One factor that might make a significant difference in the type of nib you use is the “elastic”. This refers to how easily the tip of the nib will bend, and the amount of pressure needed to shift between thin and thicker lines. If you write quite lightly, you may need a nib with a high elastic. If you have a heavy hand while writing, you should use something with a low elastic.
- Standard nib sizes are normally either fine or ultrafine, which would both work well for writing, drawing, and calligraphy. If you are working on a larger project, such as a poster, there are broader nibs that will give you much larger strokes.
- Along with the size, the shape of your nib will also change the finished result. A finer, narrower nib will give smaller lines, where a nib with a wide tip will make much larger strokes.
2 Choose a nib holder that’s compatible with your nib. Nib holders make up the “body” of the pen or the part that you will grip while writing. The most important thing when choosing a nib holder is that the shank of the nib is compatible with the tip of the nib holder where it will be held. Look online, or ask for help at your local art store to make sure that your nib holder and nib are compatible.^[2]
- Nib holders can be made out of all sorts of materials and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Choose one that you can grip comfortably, and that has a nice weight to it when you hold it.
- Many nibs and nib holders are interchangeable but may come in a single set when you first buy them. Nibs and nib holders sold together should be compatible, but it may take a little trial and error if you want to use them with other nibs or nib holders.
3 Pick a suitable ink, such as India or acrylic ink. In order to use your dip pen, you will need to have some ink that you can dip it into. Almost any type of ink will work with a dip pen, so choose whichever type or color will work best for whatever you want to write or draw.^[3] Here are a few different types of ink to consider:
- India ink is the easiest ink to find, so it makes for a great black ink for beginners. India ink will be waterproof once it dries, and has a slightly glossy look to it. It should be easily available at your local craft store. However, India ink has a tendency to congeal over time in the bottle.
- Sumi ink is very similar to India ink but dries with a slightly more matte appearance. It won’t congeal over time like the India ink, although it may be more difficult to find.
- Calligraphy inks will come in lots of different colors, but will also be much thinner in consistency. They may take more practice to use perfectly, and normally require a thicker paper to stop them from running or blotting as much, but will look fantastic once you learn how to use them.
- Acrylic inks are multi-purpose, being able to be used for all sorts of other arts and crafts. Acrylic inks are normally water-resistant and should be quite easy to track down.
4 Use a high-quality, thick paper over 70GSM. When you’re first learning how to use a dip pen, a thinner paper may bleed too easily or tear as you try to apply the right pressure….