In this article, I’m going to share my best advice on how to properly write with a fountain pen. If you’ve been using ballpoint pens most of your life, you know that ballpoint pens can write in most positions and angles. Fountain pens, on the other hand, require specific angles to write smoothly.
How To Hold A Fountain Pen
If you’re just learning how to write with a fountain pen it makes sense to start by trying to hold it in the correct position.
If this is your first fountain pen, there might be a little learning curve. But with a little practice, you’ll write with a fountain pen as easily as you’ve been writing with any other type of pen.
When you learn how to write in the correct position, you don’t need to apply any pressure on your fountain pen. The pen simply glides across the paper and writes. This is one of the main advantages of fountain pens. While you need sometimes to use pressure to write with your ballpoint pen, this isn’t the case of fountain pens. After all, as long as you’re writing at the sweet spot, you don’t need any pressure at all.
#1: Hold the Pen Between Your Thumb and Index Finger
To optimize your pen control, and to find your sweet spot, or correct angle you need to hold your pen the right way. You should place it between your index finger and your thumb. Let the barrel gently rest on your middle finger, and keep your pinky finger, your palm and your ring finger in the writing table to provide the stability you need.
#2: Fountain Pen Writing Angle
The right writing angle for most fountain pens varies. But is usually found between 40 to 55 degrees, calculating the angle between the pen and the desk.
If you compare the writing angle between fountain pens and ballpoint pens, pencils or basically any other writing instrument, you’ll probably notice that the fountain pen perfect angle is at a lower angle.
But without measuring angles, you just need to pay attention. You’ll notice that while the writing angle is not the same as the angle you’re used to on your ballpoint pens, it’s totally intuitive. So, when you grab a different pen, you automatically adjust your writing angle as soon as you get a “feel” into the pen.
There’s a degree variation for a good reason. The exact right angle is not the same for everyone. With practice, you will find the perfect angle that works for you.
#3: Write With Your Arm
When you write with your fountain pen, you should avoid using your hand muscles.
When writing, some people tend to keep their arm and hand pretty motionless. The truth is that they only move their fingers to control the pen. While you may be used to this writing position, you probably already noticed that it is exhausting. This is especially true when you need to write a long text.
Since you are looking to properly write with a fountain pen, you can take this opportunity and start holding a regular pen and pencil in a better way that doesn’t cause you any strains or injuries.
In order to properly write with a fountain pen, you should start by lowering your arm. This way, you will be using your arm’s muscles instead of your fingers’ muscles. By doing so, you won’t need to strain your wrist and hand so much.
#4: Reduce The Pressure
If you’re used to writing with ballpoint pens you might be used to push down too hard when you write. Ballpoint pens require you to constantly push down in order to write efficiently, but fountain pens don’t.
A fountain pen should require virtually zero pressure since its own weight is enough to keep it writing effortlessly. You simply need to glide the fountain pen across the paper and you should be able to get a constant ink flow.
If you push too hard, you can ruin the alignment of your nib, bend it or even break it.
#5: Learn To Balance The Pen
Try to write with the cap posted and unposted to see what works best for you. Depending on your own preferences and on the pen you’re using, you can use the cap to add extra weight or length if necessary.
#6: Do Not Rotate Your Fountain Pen When Writing
Some people develop a strange habit when they are writing. Without noticing, they rotate their pens. While on a ballpoint that habit alone won’t affect the pen, with a fountain pen, rotating the pen might affect the nib alignment, or even damage it. So, avoid rotating your fountain pens when you’re writing with them.
#7: Remember The Right Angle
To assure you keep writing at the sweet spot angle, you need to keep your nib leveled with the paper. You can’t let it change the angle when you write. If you accidentally change the angle, the ink flow might be affected and the pen might skip.
How to Pick up Your First Fountain Pen
You can find lists of the most recommended beginner friendly fountain pens everywhere. Every blogger, pen shop, and YouTuber have their own recommendations, and some fountain pens appear on most of these lists.
Nevertheless, you need to keep in mind that no fountain pen can be considered the best beginner fountain pen for everyone. Finding the right pen depends on many variables. These include your budget, your personal preferences, your hand size, and your personal writing style. That’s why you can read countless lists, see the exact same pens recommended, buy them and ultimately be disappointed with them.
We all started somewhere and with time, you’ll find your own preferences. Some people prefer large and heavy pens, others prefer tiny pocket pens. Some people look for affordable pens while others look for premium fountain pens. Some people love modern pens, while others swear by the vintage fountain pens.
So, which one is the best beginner pen? Simply put, the best beginner fountain pen is the one you prefer. I personally recommend you start by an affordable pen to see if you like it or not, and then you can easily move up and get something fancier.
But, no matter what your budget or experience is, you should buy a fountain pen that you like. There are beautiful and amazing pens for all budgets. So, if you buy something that you find special and attractive, you’ll be more interested in using it and in learning how to use it and maintain it.
Here are some of the aspects that you need to consider when you are looking for your first fountain pen:
#1: How Large Your Hands Are:
You should keep in mind not only what you like but what you should use as well. If you have large hands, for example, you will probably feel more comfortable using larger pens. If you use a small pen you might feel some fatigue or discomfort. Small and light pens are a perfect suit for those with smaller hands.
#2: How Big Or Small Your Handwriting Is:
This is one of those details that most beginners forget. On ballpoints and other writing instruments, there are not many different options about the tip size. There are different ballpoint and rollerball tips. But the tips (or nibs in this case) available in fountain pens offer much more personalization.
Extra fine nibs are perfect for those who have a small handwriting. Broad nibs, italics and stub nibs are a good fit for those with larger handwriting. If you’re not sure about the size of your handwriting and consider it average, you can easily start with a medium nib. You can then try something different in the future.
You can even use multiple different replacement nibs in the same pen and change the writing style instantly.
#3: How Fast You Write:
A pen to take notes and to put your thoughts on the paper won’t be the same pen that a student takes to a class to take fast notes. Those who need to write fast, usually prefer light pens with wet nibs to assure stable ink flow even during fast writing. On the other hand, those who are trying calligraphy tend to prefer specialty nibs such as stubs or flex nibs. And those who want to write slowly but with a regular nib, can simply use metal pens with fine nibs.
#4: A Word About Ink:
There are all types of inks in the market, and you can get fountain pen ink in any color you can imagine. But yet, some people try to use dip pen ink or China ink on their fountain pens. Keep in mind that this is a quick way to ruin your new fountain pen.
There are thousands of fountain pen ink shades in the market from dozens of brands. Choose whatever you want to, but stick with fountain pen ink.
Also, if you’re starting out and want to play it safe, you might want to go with new ink, not vintage ink. Old ink might have some mold which could ruin your pens. If you already know what you’re doing, go ahead and use vintage ink if you want to. But beginners should definitely stick with new ink in my opinion.
If you’re looking for the right ink to start, you might want to check our fountain pen ink samples. With our samples, you can easily test and collect any ink without buying an entire bottle.
#5: The Right Paper To Start With Fountain Pens:
If you’re looking to practice or improve your handwriting, you might want to get a lined paper pad or notebook. Lined paper will help you improve your handwriting. Since you’re starting with a new writing instrument, it makes sense to get back to the lined paper. Once you feel comfortable with your writing, you can get back to the blank paper.
Most people recommend some pretty expensive paper here, but to start with, use whatever you have and like. There are some amazing papers in the market, some of them are really fountain pen friendly while others just use that sentence for marketing. But you don’t really need premium paper to start. You can try it in the future and see if it’s a good fit for you or not. I personally believe that no matter what paper you go with, you should go with the lined paper. This allows you to improve your handwriting and learn how to properly write with a fountain pen at the same time.
#6: Desk and Chair:
If you’re just starting to learn how to properly write with a fountain pen, it pays to be careful about your practice space. Just like other writing instruments, writing requires a comfortable chair and a desk or table. You need your arm to move freely, and you need to feel comfortable. So, using a nice chair and your favorite table or desk are highly recommended.
Finally Start Using Your New Fountain Pen
As in most things in life, practice makes perfect. And the exact same thing happens when you’re trying to properly write with a fountain pen. The more you write, the more comfortable you’ll feel with it and the easier you’ll get your sweet spot angle.
The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll be in cleaning and maintaining your pen or in learning more about this fascinating hobby.
In case you just run out of ideas, here are a couple of them:
- Send a handwritten letter to your long-distance friends
- Create a handwritten greeting card and send it to someone you love
- Write a love letter to your other half
- Keep a journal or diary
- Use your fountain pen to sign important documents
- Try to boost your productivity with a bullet journal
- Write down your to-do list with your new pen
With a little bit of imagination, you’ll be able to find countless new ways to include handwriting into your life. If you enjoy your fountain pens as much as some of us, you’ll discover the pleasures of handwriting. Besides, you’ll find out how relaxing it can be the simple task of putting your thoughts and ideas into a piece of paper.
You’ll be able to discover how different fountain pen ink shades can help you memorize some things, and actually boost your productivity. And above all, you’ll have fun with this new hobby.
