When using a fountain pen you have two options for ink.
One is using bottled ink and an ink converter and the second option is pre-filled ink cartridges.
This guide will show you how to use ink cartridges. Ink cartridges are a convenient way to fill your fountain pen with ink as they come pre-filled and sealed so they can easily be carried with you.
Different brands of fountain pens may require different cartridges. For example:
Pilot fountain pens only accept Pilot brand cartridges.
Platinum fountain pens only accept Platinum brand cartridges.
Other brands such as Traveler’s, Hugo Boss and Super5 all use Standard International size cartridges so are interchangeable.
Please check the listings of the fountain pen you choose to see which cartridges it needs.
Regardless of which brand you choose, you can follow these same steps to use ink cartridges in your pen.
Start by unscrewing the barrel section of your pen. If you have previously used an ink cartridge in your pen you will see it attached as per the photo above. If your pen is new and you haven’t used it before, skip the next step.
Holding the pen with the nib (writing tip) pointing upwards, pull on the used cartridge to remove it and then discard.
Take a new ink cartridge and the nib section of your pen. You will see a small black prong inside the section of the pen, this is what the ink cartridge attaches onto. Push the end of the cartridge with the lip onto the pen, it will pierce a hole in the cartridge to allow ink to flow out and be held in place.
If this is the first time you have filled your fountain pen with ink you will need to leave it with the nib facing down for a few minutes to allow the ink to flow through before it will start writing. You can speed up the process by giving the cartridge a gentle squeeze before assembling your pen.
Enjoy writing with your new fountain pen!