This technique is the easiest way since you dont need to use other tools to fix gel pens that wont write. It is more than a wonder since there are so many parts in them and so, Read More Printer maintenance: 10 tips to extend your printers lifeContinue, Updated: 2021-08-17 One of the best things about digital photography is the fact that you can save your precious photos in a variety of different formats. 6 Ways to Make Gel Pens Work Again Method 1: Shake the pen Method 2: Use warm water Method 3: Wipe the pen nib with a damp cloth. Another thing you can use to dry the ink is a blow dryer. Pick them up carefully and only touch the edges of the page to avoid smearing any of the ink. Continue reading to learn more about solving this problem. 6 Tips. Using ink additives to accelerate drying. It is easier to avoid retouching the paper if you are just writing. Aside from that, it is important to keep their caps on at all times to prevent the ink from drying out quickly. Before storing the pen anywhere, make sure that it is safe by putting its cap. OBE WISEUS - We are a professional manufacturer of pens and have been selling in the Chinese market for more than 20 years. Tanish here, a student of Fine Arts. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Artists have a tremendous amount of compassion for themselves. When the nibs are left uncapped, the air causes the ink to evaporate. If this fails, you can also insert a safety pin inside the nib of the pen to unclog it. Click here to see the best blow dryer for your artwork on Amazon. As an artist, I always wanna share my experiences with you all. Do your kids love to use crayons? Just remember that before you try any of these, make sure to identify the issue first. You can also dip the pens tip in rubbing alcohol, which is an excellent solvent. Did you like this post? Place fans in the room to help circulate the warm air. One of the reasons why gel pens stop working is when their ink cartridge is filled with air bubbles. Dry thick caligraphy ink on a flat surface to air dry for about two minutes to let the ink congeal. Read more, Having an assortment of colored pencils for drawing is the dream. There are several factors that could trigger the smudging tendency of your gel pen. Thus, you will be able to control the amount of ink that flows onto the surface. Moving the page may cause the heavy ink in the stress points of your writing to run. One 12-count pack of BIC Gel-ocity Quick Dry Black Gel Pens Flexible 0.7mm medium point gel pens with smooth-flowing ink delivers a fluid, smear-free writing experience Retractable gel pens with a full-length grip for simple use and all-day comfort Quick-drying gel pens for writing lists, journaling and note-taking Doing so will help in dislodging the clogged ink. Step 2: Unscrew the pen tip and take the ink cartridge out. Larry Parr has been a full-time professional freelance writer for more than 30 years. If the pen/refill is really old and it was store upside down, its possible for a bubble to form inside the ink reservoir in the refill. If your important laminated paper has been scribbled on by kids with 2023 Intermediaarts All Rights Reserved. Like other pens, the ink of gel pens may take a couple of minutes to dry. Place each page under an infrared heat lamp for several seconds to shorten the drying time. Please note that solvents such as acetone should be used in well-ventilated spaces. Put a small amount of warm water in the cartridge hole. These are all ways to use hot air circulation to dry a photo. It can easily leak and lead to unnecessary loss of ink. Required fields are marked *. It happens when you dont seal the pen tight. It only takes straightforward tricks and hacks to solve minor issues with your gel pen. In the next three columns, we will cover the basic mechanisms of ink drying. Storing your gel pens with their tips pointing down might cause leaks since their ink is watery. Bexleypen.com is reader-supported. Hover the heat press right above the print to let the heat evaporate the water content. The added heat in the room will help to evaporate the moisture in any type of ink and is an option for drying multiple items, rather than using a heat gun on each individual item. You will find them hard to work with especially when youre using gel pens. Hey, we are glad that you reached this far. How long does it take for pen ink to dry? There are some points you should know about and consider when you are printing. These pens are very useful because they can be used in a lot of tasks, including writing, journaling, labeling, and drawing. Finally, share your thoughts if you think we missed a tip on how to restore the function of your gel pen in the comment section. WebFeaturing industry-leading fast-dry ink and smear-proof technology, SARASA retractable gel pens are ideal for avid writers, lefties, and those who just cant wait to make their point. Airdrying works, the only problem is that you usually cant adjust the power level of your hair dryer properly and you end up damaging the photo or at least degrading the quality and colours. Step 5: Try writing and scribbling on paper to check if it works. Nonetheless, it can work as efficiently to dissolve any crud buildup inside the ink cartridge and enhance seamless ink flow. If you print photos in your home or office, you know how frustrating it can be when the ink takes forever to dry. There are many tips, hints, and tricks online about restarting pens that arent working, but most of these guides arent concerned with gel pens, so be wary about following general advice because what works for fountain pen ink or an oil-based ballpoint pen, might not work for a gel pen like yours. My love for colors and arts draws me here to join the Intermediarts team with Leilani. To make the gel ink dry faster, the first thing you can do is to choose a perfect paper for sketching or writing. Using an electric fan, hairdryer or a heat gun to dry the ink faster Fan, blow dryer, heat gun. It will dissolve whatever ink hardened inside the pens nib. Step 1: Hold your gel pen right at the other end of the tip. Following, this ink being to dry out and start clogging the nib. But you will only need to heat the tip of the pen for just a few seconds using the craft heat gun or blow dryer. Do not use any sharp object or knife that may scratch or damage the nib or tip of the pen. Even I work as a writer, to share my knowledge about the ins and outs of drawing and the art industry itself. Dry it thoroughly to prevent corrosion of the metal parts. Step 2: Soak the pen tip in it for a few seconds. The vessel that holds the water should be small enough that the refill is not submerged as you dont want water to enter the back of the refill. Whether you are a professional printer or a home crafter with ink projects, drying your ink can make a big difference in the results and quality of your finished projects. As a result, the ink in your printers cartridges can become more susceptible to the negative effects of high levels of moisture. 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If you are looking to add a touch of elegance and finesse Prismacolor vs Copic markers is a popular debate among artists. You can try a simple hack like the below tips to revive gel pens, and you may not need to throw it away. How to make gel pens work again? How to use a gel press to create colorful die cuts and backgrounds! If youre ready, lets begin. It can also get clogged when theyre mishandled. WebInk manufacturers actually add an agent to keep the ink from drying up - glycerin is a favorite of home gamers. A blow dryer or craft heat gun will also have the same results. It works wonders to solve one reason gel pens suddenly stop working. I just am sharing what *I* like. There are some tweaks and easy tips on how to get a gel pen to work and get your gel pens back to their working condition. Iron your clothing, without steam, before using any fabric markers. The heat lamp works by warming up the photo with its light, e.g. Do not blame yourself for any mistakes that you may come across. Simple ways such as shaking your pen, using solvents, or replacing the nib are some ways to restore your dried-out gel pens or dry erase markers. The Best Brush Pens for Beginners in 2023, The Best Fountain Pens Under 50 Dollar for 2023, Boutique 1 12 Bexley Special Development Design New Style Prometheus, Boutique 13 27 Bexley Poseidon Magnum II Collection. Read our privacy policy. Yet, most of us take our digital photos to a printer at least once a year to make a few prints to display on our walls or frames. Whisk in very small amounts of corn starch. Oil Pastel Techniques, How to Keep Permanent Marker on Whiteboard? How to Restore Gel Pens and Make Them Work Again? Encourage ink flow by exposing the pen tip to heat from a blow dryer or by putting the refill in hot water. They are primarily made of four components. (Head here for more details: https://jmink.me/3og9zgJ) This video was not paid and I did it only because I liked the product. Another possible solution is to try blow the ink cartridge from the pens ventilation hole until you notice that the ink starts reaching the nib. How to Fix Dried Out Dry Erase Markers? This results in crud buildup that blocks the nib and prevents the pen from dispensing smooth ink flow. When this happens, a gel pen would start skipping or worse, would not write anymore. This will dissolve any solidified ink inside the nib and let the ink flow smoothly again. You can consider this Ways to make a photo print dry faster that you can (but do not have to) try. The Read more, The Azure markers are not as famous as other alcohol markers within its tier but Read more, Pyrography is the process of burning dried pieces of wood to create a masterpiece. WebHeat will help the ink flow. Try each of them until one works. Then, your last resort is to replace the nib with an old one. You Read more, When working with various DIY projects, you have probably wondered, Can you use acrylic paint Read more, The unsightly reddish, yellowish, and even green coating forming on our metal furniture or tools Read more, Experienced artists understand that it is essential to be extra careful with any kind of Read more, Have you ever felt that there are so many things to do but cant remember Read more, With art-related hobbies, you would surely agree that purchasing the best board for watercolor painting Read more, So, what are EXPO markers made of? jotting down important notes with a gel pen, Easy Ways on How to Get a Gel Pen to Work Again, A small amount of warm or hot water inside the ink cartridge might work, Take a little amount of acetone and soak the tip in it, How to Get Permanent Marker Off a Whiteboard? Your email address will not be published. Upon inspecting the gel pen, you concluded that the problem is with the nib. Talk with a computer or printing expert to see if inks available for your printer that are designed for glossy paper. If you own a print shop or you are making posters and banners with a commercial printer, your printer's manufacturer can suggest a model for you, or they may even carry one to fit your specific printer. The simple answer is that gel pens have water-based ink, which makes them prone to drying out. Unfortunately, most gel pens and fountain pens generate more ink than needed on the paper. These papers do not absorb ink quickly. Behind the site are the professionals and pen lovers who can relate to readers sentiments. Please try the following methods only if you really cant afford waiting. There are many things you can do to quickly make your pen back on track. Method 5: Insert a safety pin inside the tip of the pen. Gel pens have become a popular choice for everyday writing due to their smooth ink flow and vibrant array of colors. Step 2: Shake it nicely in an upward and downward motion, like you would when using a hand fan or paper fan. Gel pens respond well to different types of pressure, and they can resist drying out for some time. Personalizing gift items has become increasingly famous recently, and so has etching. In some cases, the ink dries out and solidifies when you leave your gel pen unused for a long time. A small amount of ink on a printer cartridge can take an hour or more to fully dry due to the fact that printer ink is water-based. There are several things you can do if you want to make your gel pens work again effectively. In this way, you are basically reactivating the ink and getting it back to business. Step 1: Prepare a small amount of hot or warm water. If you are going to frame an inkjet print under glass or plastic allow at least 24 hours of drying time. When shaking does not work, another way to deal with it is to keep on scribbling and doodling. The Best Airbrushes for Art Models And Various Projects, The Best Airbrush Spray Booths for Models and Miniatures, The Best Watercolor Travel Sets for Artists Who Love Traveling, The Best Erasers for Watercolor Paper for 2023, The Best Erasers for Colored Pencils for 2023, The Best Brushed Nickel Spray Paints for Metal, Can You Use Acrylic Paint on Shrinky Dinks? Please stay away from glossy papers as it'll take ages to dry the ink or will never dry. In this way, you will know for sure what you need to do. You can get a small dropper that you can use to put a small amount of water inside the cartridge. There are actually several types and models of printers and each of these may require a different method for cleaning. Dont use open flames to try and unblock the tip of the pen. Or, slow down your pacing and wait for the ink to completely dry before you continue finishing your art. the ink is generally non-toxic, meaning that nothing will happen to you. There are several things you can do if you want to make your gel pens work again effectively. You are jotting down important notes with a gel pen and suddenly, it stops working. Prevention is always better than cure, and that also applies to gel pens. Try the following: Sometimes, shaking it will solve the problem. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); To make the gel ink dry faster, the first thing you can do is to, As a general rule, you can handle and work with photo inkjet prints as soon as the come out of your printer. Do not use too much acetone. Fortunately, there are techniques you can do to keep your gel pens from smudging.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'theballpointpens_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_12',130,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-theballpointpens_com-medrectangle-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'theballpointpens_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_13',130,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-theballpointpens_com-medrectangle-3-0_1'); .medrectangle-3-multi-130{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Step 3: After a few shakes, try writing on scrap paper to check if some ink comes out. Similarly, keeping your gel pens with the tips facing up might cause air pockets in the refill which can cause hard starts or inconsistent flow. But the very nature of glossy paper requires that the paper fibers be more closed and therefore ink penetrates glossy paper much more slowly, if at all. You dont Read more, Erasers are specifically made to help us correct our mistakes when writing, drawing, or painting. One solution to this problem is what most people called Ink Blotter. See manufacturers website, etc.For affiliate and product disclosure, visit http://www.jennifermcguireink.com/about If you are using gel pens, you probably ask this question at some point in your life. The mildly toxic ingredients are present in very small amounts to cause any harm. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Your email address will not be published. How to Use a Colorless Blender Marker? Cross vs Parker Pens: Which is a Better Pen? The heat will help to evaporate moisture from the pigment and speed the drying process. Giving the pen a gentle shake will help remove the air bubbles inside the ink cartridge. How to make gel pens work again? Please stay away from glossy papers as it'll These are all ways to use hot air circulation to dry a photo. Speeding up ink drying using a microwave oven. For oil-based ink, sprinkle cornstarch over the stain. The humidity of the environment in which your printer is kept can affect the performance and life of its ink cartridges. :) Please follow safety when using any products. Glossy paper has a habit of sticking together so that two pages often end up going through your printer at the same time and the added thickness can damage some printers. Are you ready? But thats not all that humidity does to printers. Can You Use Markers on Canvas? Step 4: Scribble on paper to check if any ink comes out. Method 4: Dip the pen nib in rubbing alcohol. You also tried all the steps elaborated above, but you still feel more frustrated than ever. Put it in a container. Gel pens are very fluid, which makes them easy to write or draw with. WebAnother way to speed up the drying time of an oil painting is to use fast-drying acrylic paint to create the underpainting. To solve this, you can put a small amount of warm or hot water to liquefy the ink and save it from drying out completely. It also increases the likelihood of the ink feathering or bleeding through the paper. Prevention is always better than cure, and that also applies to gel pens. The ink will stain your hand or worse creates smudges and unnecessary marks on your masterpiece. Spit on a piece of cloth or fingertip and roll the tip of the gel pen on it. Rubbing alcohol is an excellent nonpolar solvent. You can also use a damp cloth or magnifying glass to inspect and clean out any dried ink on the tip. I am responsible for testing new products and techniques with her and providing honest reviews and tips based on our experience. Consequently, this happens because they are not properly stored. Hence, heat is the desired element to revive a dead pen. Can I make pen Part gel and part ballpoint ink, this pen offers the best of both worlds. Never stack pages of caligraphy on top of each other until the ink is fully dry. Before you try any of these steps, there are some things you should not do: What do you think of these tips? Shake the gel pen and try writing on a piece of paper. Our mission is to provide useful resources for our valued readers. In fact, some artists claim that theres nothing that could alter these pens in terms of coloring an artwork. As a result, air bubbles will form, and this can block ink flow, causing the pen to skip and eventually wear out. Do not soak it for too long to avoid any abrasive reactions to the tip. If you just leave them on your desk without their caps on or store them upside down for long periods, that could be a problem. Quick Dry Black Ink Gel Pens, Comfortable Smooth Write Pens, Cute Pens for School Office Supplies, Aesthetic pens. To make the gel ink dry faster, the first thing you can do is to choose a perfect paper for sketching or writing. Do not tap the pen or scribble too hard to get some ink out of it. 3 Effective Methods. Eventually the bubble should dissipate allowing the ink to flow to the writing tip. A heat lamp is basically a light (standard or infrared) bulb on a stand that is designed to be used to dry up wet photos. There are some things in life that we cannot undo, but sometimes we get lucky to restore things to the way they were, just like reviving a gel pen. Thats what you are going to learn from this post.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'theballpointpens_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_14',101,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-theballpointpens_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Here are the techniques you can do to keep your gel pen works for your advantage. However, these tools are far from being perfect. you can burn the pen and destroy it, or even worse, leave yourself with a ghastly burn. Of course! Copyright 2023 - Art Ltd Magazine. You can use a heat gun or a blow dryer. Again, you must keep them capped after every use to prevent drying out. That is why you need to test and use it constantly to keep the pens from skipping. This action is one of the most effective ways of helping the ink flow properly. 4.7 out of 5 stars 677. Gel ink dries faster on absorbent paper, like copy or filler paper. The paper you choose to write on can significantly affect dry time. Ink-resistant papers, like those for fountain pens, will also resist gel ink and cause it to dry slower. To ensure the fastest dry times, its best to use absorbent papers like copy or filler paper. Can I use printmaking paper for watercolor? With gel pens, you can easily have almost endless color options that you can use. The best way to speed up the drying of ink on glossy paper is to increase temperature and decrease humidity. Place your caligraphy work in a room with a fan, not stacked with other pages, until the ink is completely dry and does not appear to have a shine. Careful control of the amount used is necessary, as too much can result in ghosting (gas bubbles) or a poor trapping (low-quality drying).