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I have been using various kinds of writing tools over the years. From gel pen to a brush pen, waterbrush pen and to a felt tip pen, there are also ways to take care of it whenever you are not using it.
How To Take Care of Your Pens
Have you ever wondered if you have been doing the right thing when it comes to your tools? Honestly, it took me a number of years before realizing that I may have been taking care of mine the wrong way! Well, not only the mistakes I committed taught but research as well. First thing’s first, get acquainted with your lovely swords.
I might refer to pens as swords in the next paragraphs so don’t get confused.
Various writing tools may be used differently, depending on how will you use it. You may use pencil cases, pen stands or even a box but the way you put it there determines if the pen will live longer than you think.
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Caring for ZIG
Honestly, ZIG writing tools like Fudebiyori are the ones easy to spot when you see their booth in bookstores, arts and crafts store and even in bazaars. I always see them piled up in acrylic pen stands. Oh and btw, I saw those [acrylic] stands in one of the branches of Japan Home Center.
Right now, I’m unsure if there are still stocks because some may have hoarded some.
From experience, I’ve had a pen that actually vomited because the way I stored it was wrong! So, I just wasted the life of a pen which still makes me sad when I think about it. So, here are some tips in storing ZIG writing tools.
- For ZIG Fudebiyori / Drawing Pen / Wink of Stella / Cocoiro Letter Pen, you could store them in an upright position. The side where the tip is located should be the one facing upward. You may put them in a pen capsule like what Filed is selling or the ones being sold at SM Stationery.
-  ZIG Brushables / Scroll and Brush / Embossing Pen, you may store it horizontally. Why? The pen has two tips and if you store them in an upright position, the ink may just flow to one side and the tip may get drowned and eventually, vomit. Plus, some may not notice but there’s something written on the body of this pen that actually tells you to store it horizontally.
- For ZIG H20 or the waterbrush pen: remove all the water inside the barrel after using. Disassemble it and let it dry. When it has dried completely, you may assemble it and store it in an upright position. Remember, don’t store it with water in it.
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Caring for Tombow ABT / Marvy Uchida Le Plume II
It took a while before Tombow was available here in the Philippines. There were online shops that would sell those; you’re lucky if you see one that sells for Php 150 (roughly $3) each. You may Tombow goodies from SM Stationery, Scribe Writing Essentials, and National Bookstore.
Just a note, if you are using Tombow with the wrong angle, it may cause deterioration for your pen. Sadly, your pen may just fray.
I also experienced mis-using a Tombow pen and ended up destroying it. So, experience has taught me things and here are some tips that could help you store your Tombow tools better.
- The Tombow ABT has a dual tip. One is the brush pen (or felt tip) and the other is the fine tip. The same goes with this just like storing ZIG Brushables. Store it horizontally.
- Storing these in an upright position could just let the other tip vomit ink. The aftermath would just cause blotting when you write.
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Caring for Artline Brush Markers / Faber-Castell Pitt Pen/s
These two are the friendliest when it comes to brush pens for me. Though improper care would lead to their destruction.
- To prevent them from fraying quickly, try holding it at a more slanted angle or position. Also, having your hand away from the tip helps. [I’ve read it from a calligraphy community online.]
- Storing Artline Brush Markers in an upright position can do good to the pen. For the Pitt Pens, either upright or slanted upright position will do.
- Faber Castell Pitt Pen/s have reversible tips so when the other side frays, just get a pliers or tweezers to help you pull it out and turn the other side on. Sadly, it’s not the same for the Artline Brush Markers.
Caring for your Nibs
This is really simple. Just remember to have a brush (preferably a small paint brush), pen cleaner and a storage box, and a tool that would help you pull and hold the nib to and fro the holder.
Before using it
- Remember not to touch the nibs with your fingers as it may bring some oil or other residues to the nib. This may prevent the ink to stay with the nib when you are going to use it.
- When you have a newly bought nib, you could soak it in water for 2 mins or put saliva on it to remove the protective layer.
When using it
- Use a brush to put ink on the nib. Avoid directly dipping the nib into the ink. It may cause blotting when you are going to write on the paper.
After using it
- Prepare the pen cleaner and brush as you will be needing it to clean.
- Carefully brush the nib (that was dipped in pen cleaner). Have a tissue that will catch the ink residue.
- Store them in a dry, clean area. Also, get to use them from time to time to avoid rusting.
Where to buy
- The hoarder pouch by The Fozzy Book may be bought in Common Room PH.
- Pen Capsules by FILED may be bought at Fully Booked branches and their website.
I guess that’s it for now. I may write another one about caring of other calligraphy stuff. Hope this enlightens you!
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Very practical and organized! I really have no idea in taking care of pens and other stuff for arts. All I know is that I can have it kept anywhere I want as long as it is stored away from the reach of kids and pets. I find this post really helpful and interesting particularly for those who don’t know how to keep their pens just like me.
I can’t have nice art things in my house. Kids destroy whatever they get their hands on. It doesn’t matter what it is, it gets destroyed. Markers are prohibited in my house not only because they get destroyed but also because they paint everything except paper with them. I miss having a nice art kit. You are right on every count of your post about how to take care of the tools. Good tips.
I have a lot of pens here because I love collecting them. I’ve also misused some of my Tombow pens and I get real sad when one gets destroyed because they’re very expensive. Haha! Still, I never realized that I had to take real good care of my pens, as I just store them anywhere. Thank you so much for this post, I’ll make sure to bookmark this for future reference! 🙂
LOL it just dawned on me how I’m storing all my pens the wrong way. All my ballpoint pens have leaked because I store them with the tip facing downwards, reason is doing the other way around dries it up quickly hehe. My brush pens are stored correctly though but since I haven’t used them in a long while I won’t be surprised if they’ve all gone dry. :)) Great tips! 😀
I used to have lots of pens. One by one, I disposed them because they only became ugly. I was not able to store them properly. I thought pens are just like sticks and other art crafts that can be left unattended and still function fully. These tips are real helpful. I will start again with my pen collection.
Great tips! I just bought a bunch of these from National Book Store. Bought them especially for my planner hehe. Excited to use them. They were also a bit pricey so I’ll def take good care of them ☺
Great tips and advice how to take care of your pens. You know I don’t do this often. I always use my computer or phone to write something. Calligraphy is something I am actually really interested it. I like the bags you keep them in too!
I haven’t tried calligraphy yet. But when I was younger, I liked having different colors of pens. I enjoyed making my notes colorful. I liked using them. These days, I usually stick to the black and blue inks. 🙂
Whoooaa those are lotsss of pens! I still get amazed even after seeing some of my online friends having this. Haha. I currently have a few sets of Zig and Tombow, and now I finally know how to properly care for them! Do you also use fountain pens? I’m really more into FP these days and I’m starting to collect the likes of Prera and TWSBI. Hehe. Hoarding problems!
I do use fountain pens also! Mainly, for school and exams. 😀
I think I’ll be needing more of a pen holder rather than just throwing them into my drawer and then I would be having trouble finding them. And if it could help save more ink by following the steps mentioned above, then I would be glad to be doing it. Thanks for sharing this tip. 🙂
Those pens must be precious. I didn’t even know how to keep my pens organized! They were scaterred everyday on my table and sometimes on the floor. You know when you have kids, there’s like no minute that the working is clean and well put. 🙂 This is very informative by the way. Maybe i should discuss this with my son who has quite a number if pens for drawing and sketching 🙂
I don’t do calligraphy but it’s pretty handy to know these stuff. I had a colorful pentel pen that I think could be used for creative lettering. It just became dry maybe because its position was upright. I’ll apply your advice. I’ll store it in a slanted position.
Wow you’re really into this, and it’s interesting to learn about people who are into Art and pens obvs on how they’re taking care of their material, and I can’t believe there is a procedure to take care of them! I don’t calligraphy, but I definitely want to apply your advice when I’ll try!
I hadn’t been connected to your blogs (or anyone else’s) in such a long time! I have missed going thru your lovely calligraphy posts… and may I say, I’m so happy to see your vlogs… you’re finally doing it:)
Loved this post, on taking care of your mighty swords!
Yes. Finally tried doing a vlog! I got scared a bit but still studying how it works and all. Any tips for me? Glad that you loved this post! 🙂
Ui! These are great tips! Reading your article made me remember the Le Plume I wrecked a few months ago, haha! I didn’t know how to write with them properly then and I ended up adding too much pressure and just breaking the whole brush! Damn. We’re both hoarders though so… there’s plenty more where that came from! Haha. I also like cute pen stands so I invest in really nice-looking ones when I see them.
Oh I see, some of them should be in a slanted position. I used to have a lot of colored markers, but most of them are all dried up now. I think I mishandled them. Thanks for some useful tips.
I don’t know what happened with two of my Tombow brush pens. I keep everything in a pouch, stored horizontally. I last used them weeks ago and when I took them out today and tried writing stuff, the pastel colored ones didn’t write well. The darker pens were fine though. I can’t use the pastel colored pens properly anymore.
That’s weird. Did you store them in a dry, cool place? Mine are stored horizontally inside my pouch and even if I haven’t used them for months, they’re still fine.