Gel Pens

The history of the gel-based ink rollerball pen began over 30 years ago. In the late 1970’s most writing instrument companies started producing a new technology known as the rollerball pen. Rollerball pens used a water-based fluid ink in comparison to the then popular ballpoint pen which used a thick oil-based ink.

A gel pen uses ink in which pigment is suspended in a water-based gel. Because the ink is thick and opaque, it shows up more clearly on slick surfaces than the typical inks used in ballpoint or felt tip pens. Gel pens can be used for many types of writing and illustration.