Communicating information through writing is one of the critical aspects of humankind as we know it today. And yet, we didn’t always have as many choices of writing tools as the modern world offers.

We can thank the Egyptians for the creation of the very first pens, which were reed pens, dating back to 3000BC. After discovering papyrus, humans needed something to actually convert thoughts into writing. To do that, they turned to nature once more, using tubular marsh grass such as bamboo as pens.

Now, we wouldn’t even think to use grass to write down our thoughts — not when we have ballpoint and rollerball pens at our disposal. The key difference between these two boils down to the ink they use — oil- vs water-based. But if we had to pick just one, which pen would win and why?

 

1. Pros of Using Rollerballs

  • Rollerballs (including gel pens) are known for their ease of use. These pens don’t require us to push the pen a bit into the paper while writing.
  • Because they use water-based ink, rollerballs allow for smooth writing without any leaks. This also makes them ideal for creating more refined, vivid lines.
  • They can be refilled. These printed pens are one of the most environmentally friendly choices we could make, with readily available refills.
  • Water-based ink is also easy to remove should we accidentally get some onto our fingers or clothing.

 

2. Cons of Using Rollerballs

  • Using water-based ink means we’ll have to wait until it’s dry to avoid smudging our writing.
  • Water-based ink can bleed onto the other side of the paper since it has a thin consistency. This, however, depends on the quality of the paper as well.
  • These pens tend to dry out, especially if we’re prone to leaving them without their caps on.

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3. Pros of Using Ballpoint Pens

  • Oil-based ink shouldn’t bleed through the paper as it is more viscous than water-based ink. It is also less likely to smudge since it dries almost instantly.
  • While writing with a ballpoint pen, we need to apply more pressure than with rollerballs. However, this should give us more control over our writing.
  • Unlike rollerballs, ballpoint pens don’t require caps to keep them in use. The ink also flows slowly, so the cartridge should last longer than its counterpart’s.
  • Once we do run out of ink, we can get refill cartridges, thus making sure we don’t put even more pressure on the environment.

 

4. Cons of Using Ballpoint Pens

  • Oil-based ink is not the best option for quick writing and clear lines. We may experience skipping and inconsistent ink flow, not to mention that ballpoint pens can leave messy blobs all over the paper.
  • Although we have more control over these pens, the pressure needed to write with them can take a toll over time. We may get hand fatigue as using them requires extra effort — they don’t glide over the paper as rollerballs do.

 

Pick the Pen That Suits Your Promotional Strategy the Most

Having been introduced to the most common pens used today and their pros and cons, you’re now ready to make your choice and pick the pen that would impress your target audience the most. Luckily, we specialise in personalising a vast range of different pens that would suit your business — and intentions — perfectly. Choose from metal pens, plastic pens or even novelty pens and highlighter pens to effectively meet your marketing goals.

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If you require further information or have any specific questions, don’t hesitate to give a member of the GoPromotional branded merchandise team a call on 0800 0148 970 or simply email us today.