The nib & ink guide
Nib, ink and paper, explained
Nib sizes with stroke samples, the ink swatch library, the three filling systems, pen care, paper pairing, engraving and a starter kit. Keep it open beside your notebook.
Nib size guide
From extra fine to a broad stub
Nib sizes describe the width of the line. Small handwriting likes a finer nib; bold signatures and headings like a broader one.
| Nib | Line width (sample) | Handwriting | Best for | Paper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF | ≈ 0.4 mm | Small, under 3 mm | Planners, margins, forms | Any, even thin paper |
| F | ≈ 0.5 mm | Small to average | Notes, journals, everyday writing | Most notebook paper |
| M | ≈ 0.6 mm | Average to large | Letters, cards, signatures | 80 gsm and up |
| B | ≈ 0.8 mm | Large | Headings, ink shading and sheen | 90 gsm and up, coated |
| 1.1 stub | ≈ 1.1 / 0.3 mm | Average to large | Titles, lettering practice | 90 gsm and up |
Ink swatch library
See the colour before you fill
Each blot is swabbed on cream paper. Shading means the colour gets lighter and darker in one stroke; sheen is a glint on top of wet ink.
Ink properties are samples. Colours look different on each paper, with each nib and on each screen.
Filling systems
Cartridge, converter or piston?
Every pen has to hold ink somehow. Here is how the three common systems work and who each one suits.
Cartridge
Easiest
A sealed tube of ink pushes onto the nib section. Swap it when it runs dry.
- Clean and quick, good for travel
- Fewer colours to choose from
- Holds about 0.7 ml (sample)
Converter
Flexible
A small refillable tube fits where the cartridge goes. Twist it to draw ink from a bottle.
- Any bottled ink
- Also takes cartridges
- Holds about 0.5 ml (sample)
Piston
Big capacity
The whole barrel is the ink tank. Turn the end knob to draw ink straight from the bottle.
- Holds the most ink
- Fewer refills on long days
- Holds about 1.5 ml (sample)
Capacities are sample figures. Our product pages say which systems each pen takes.
Pen care corner
Five minutes a month keeps the ink flowing
Ink dries in the feed if a pen sits unused. A quick flush with cool water keeps the line steady.
01
Empty the pen
Write the last ink out, or twist the converter or piston to push it back into the bottle.
02
Flush with water
Fill and empty the pen with cool, clean water until it runs clear.
03
Dry the nib
Wrap the nib in a soft cloth or paper towel and let it wick the water out.
04
Leave it overnight
Let the parts air-dry, nib down, before you fill with a new colour.
05
Cap it between uses
A capped pen does not dry out; store it flat or nib up.
06
Keep it from heat
Sun and hot cars can push ink out of the feed.
Care note (sample): use plain water first; follow each ink maker’s own advice for shimmer or permanent inks.
Paper pairing
Paper that keeps the line sharp
Fountain pen ink is wetter than ballpoint ink. Smooth, heavier paper stops it spreading into fuzzy lines (feathering) or showing on the back.
| Paper | Weight (sample) | Feathering | Show-through | Good nibs | Good inks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday copy paper | 75–80 gsm | Some | Yes | EF, F | Dry, fast-drying inks |
| Lined notebook (ours) | 90 gsm | Very little | Slight | EF to M | Most inks |
| Writing pad, coated | 100 gsm | None | Very little | All, incl. stubs | Shading and sheen inks |
| Thin travel paper | 50–60 gsm | Little | Yes, it is thin | EF, F | Quick-drying inks |
| Card and letter stock | 160 gsm + | Little | None | M, B, stubs | Bold colours |
Engraving option
Add a name or a short line
Make a pen a gift: we engrave up to two short lines on the barrel before it ships.
1. Choose a style
Script, Roman or Block letters.
2. Type your text
Up to 20 characters per line.
3. Check the proof
We email a preview before engraving.
Sample prices
One line
$9
Two lines
$14
Extra time
+ 2 working days
Script
Roman
Block
Sample text and example prices for the demo store. Engraved pens cannot be returned (sample policy).
Starter kit builder
Build a first fountain pen kit
Pick one option per step. The starter kit covers everything you need for the first month of writing.
1
Pen
Everyday
Piston
2
Nib
EF
F
M
B
3
Ink
Blue-black
Oxblood
Deep teal
Sepia
4
Paper and care
Lined notebook
Writing pad
Flush kit
Your kit (sample)
Starter writing kit
- Everyday fountain pen, F nib
- Bottled ink, Blue-black
- Converter fitted
- Lined notebook A5 and a flush kit
$64 · Example price
A live kit picker needs a product bundles plugin; the demo sells two ready kits.
Guide questions
Nib, ink and paper questions
Short answers to what people ask while choosing.
Do I need a broad nib to see shading?
Broader, wetter nibs show shading best, but many inks shade a little in a fine nib too.
Is a stub nib hard to use?
Hold it at a steady angle and it does the work: wide downstrokes, thin side strokes.
Can I mix two inks?
Only inks from the same range, and test a little first. When in doubt, flush between colours.
What is a demonstrator pen?
A pen with a clear body, so you can watch the ink level and the filling system.