Why do ballpoint pens skip?

The most likely cause of this issue, however, is the way you hold the pen. Ensure you’re holding your pen at fairly shallow angle, but not too shallow, as the edge of the refill will be touching the paper and cause the pen to skip. Holding it at too steep an angle will also cause skips for similar reasons.

How long do ink pens usually last?

Although the normal shelf life for a drawing pen is approximately 2 years, various factors can determine how long pen ink will last. Here are a few things to consider to assume how long the ink in pen lasts.

Why do pens stop working on certain paper?

It’s likely that the patch you are trying to write on is either greasy, oily or somehow dirty preventing the ball of the pen from rolling ink onto the paper. In addition, the fibers which comprise the paper which which create friction are probably now worn down from you continually trying to get you pen to write, so..

Does writing ink expire?

While ink can go bad, it rarely does. You can, in theory, add some distilled water back into your ink bottle, but rather than risk it, you may just want to throw it out. Some inks are prone to growing things like mold or slime. The fountain pen community even has an acronym for it: SitB.

Does printer ink go bad?

The shelf life for an original printer cartridge is 24 months and the shelf life for a compatible cartridge is 36 months. Over time, ink dries out and settles inside the cartridge, which can cause your printer to clog.

Why do pens sometimes not write?

Sometimes a ballpoint pen will stop writing because there’s a space or bubble between the ink in the cartridge and the nib. Hold the end of your pen opposite the nib and give the pen several firm shakes, as if you were shaking down an old-fashioned glass thermometer.

Why is my pen not writing smoothly?

Similarly, if your new pen is not working try shaking the pen. Air bubbles can get inside the cartridge but shaking them will push the ink towards the nib ready for writing. This can also help get the ink moving. Remember, ballpoint pens use a thicker ink so may need some perseverance when trying to get the ink flow.