Tips to Prevent Fountain Pens From Drying Out

Picture this: you’ve got a brilliant idea you’re eager to jot down, or maybe you just need to pour your thoughts into your journal. You settle in at your desk, open your notebook, unscrew your pen, and... nothing. The ink won’t flow. You try scribbling, maybe give the pen a gentle shake, but still—nothing.

A dried-out fountain pen is a common and frustrating issue many users face. Thankfully, it’s completely preventable. With a little care and some simple practices, you can keep your pen writing smoothly and avoid this annoyance altogether.

Read on for tips and tricks to keep your fountain pen in tip-top condition for years to come.

Why Do Fountain Pens Dry Out

While it’s a totally common occurrence to have ink dry out in a fountain pen, knowing the reason why it happens can help you identify ways to prevent it. The most common factors for why ink dries out include:

Air Exposure: Fountain pens have a nib and feed system that relies on capillary action, making them vulnerable to evaporation when exposed to air for extended periods.

Ink Properties: Some inks dry faster than others because of their formulation. This is especially true of inks with more water content in their formulation.

Inadequate Storage: Improper storage can hasten the drying process. If the cap isn’t screwed tightly or storing a pen nib-side up can all affect a fountain pen drying out.

Infrequent Use: Regular use keeps ink flowing and prevents clogs as the ink doesn’t have time to dry out.

How to Prevent Your Pen From Drying Out

Store Your Pen Correctly

Storage is one of the most overlooked aspects of fountain pen care. Because of this, we put together an entire guide on the best ways to store your pens. Our guide covers everything from humidity and temperature considerations to the perfect position to prevent hard stops. We recommend starting here as storage is a huge contributor to dry pens!

Use High Quality Ink

The type of ink you use can significantly impact how quickly it dries out. Fountain pen inks are specially formulated to flow smoothly and resist drying compared to other types of ink, such as calligraphy or India ink. Opting for inks with lubricating properties can further enhance flow and delay drying. Popular brands like Pilot Iroshizuku and Diamine are known for their balanced performance, offering vivid colors and slow drying times. Shimmer inks are notorious for causing clogs, so be mindful of your storing and cleaning habits if these are your preference.

Properly Cap Your Pen

Speaking of uncapping your pen, not properly capping is an open invitation for ink evaporation. Always ensure the pen is securely capped when not in use. Pens with airtight caps, like Esterbrook’s cushion cap closure, are especially effective in minimizing air exposure. If you tend to leave your pen uncapped while jotting notes, try to cap it during even brief pauses in writing. Over time, this habit will reduce unnecessary evaporation and keep the nib primed for use without having to flush your pen too often.

Clean Your Pen Regularly

Cleaning is vital to prevent ink residue from drying and clogging the pen. A cleaning routine ensures smooth performance and prolongs the life of the feed and nib. While there is no hardset rule of when you should clean your pens, it’s recommended every few weeks or when you switch inks – but of course, this depends on how much you’re using your pen!

A simple cleaning routine is to use lukewarm water to rinse the nib and feed thoroughly, using the fountain pen’s capillary mechanism to draw the water up and rinse with ease. For persistent clogs, a solution of water mixed with a few drops of pen-safe cleaning fluid can dissolve dried ink. After cleaning, allow the pen to air-dry completely before refilling it with ink.

Write Regularly

Fountain pens are designed to be used often. Writing regularly helps maintain ink flow and prevents the nib and feed from drying out. If you rotate between multiple pens, make it a point to even scribble a few lines on a sheet to keep the ink flowing and wet.

Common Fountain Pen Mistakes and Myths

When troubleshooting a dried-out fountain pen, it’s easy to fall for myths or adopt practices that may not be as effective—or necessary—as they seem. One common belief is that only distilled water should be used to clean your pen. While distilled water can be helpful in preventing mineral buildup, most pens tolerate regular tap water unless your local water supply is exceptionally hard.

Another funny practice is nib-licking. This old trick, thought to "reactivate" ink flow, might work momentarily due to the moisture from your saliva. However, it’s not hygienic and could introduce oils or debris to the nib. Instead, a quick rinse with water is a safer, cleaner alternative.

Lastly, the myth that horizontal storage causes pens to dry out persists. In reality, modern fountain pens are designed to function well whether stored horizontally or vertically (where the nib is facing up). The key to preventing dry-out is ensuring the cap is properly sealed, not the storage orientation.

Troubleshooting A Dried Out Fountain Pen

Even for longtime fountain pen users, dried nibs are just a part of life. For those stubborn nibs that are giving you a hard start, here’s how to get it flowing again!

  1. Inspect the Nib and Feed: Check for visible ink clogs or dryness, letting you know how severe the clog might be and if it’s caused by, say, inactivity or some shimmer that’s gunked up the works, so to speak

  2. Flush with Water: Start by rinsing the nib section under lukewarm running water. For more thorough cleaning, soak the nib and feed in water for a few hours to loosen dried ink.

  3. Use Cleaning Solutions: If plain water is insufficient, apply a few drops of pen-safe cleaning fluid into the water and repeat the soaking process. These solutions are specifically formulated to dissolve dried ink without damaging the pen.

  4. Test Ink Flow: After cleaning, refill the pen with fresh ink and test it on scrap paper. Write a few strokes to encourage the ink to flow through the nib and feed.

  5. Address Persisten Issues: If the ink flow remains inconsistent, disassemble the pen (if possible) and clean each part individually. For pens with permanent blockages, it might be best to consult your pen retailer or manufacturer as it may be a factory issue that can be addressed

About the Author

Brett F. Braley-Palko works in the pen industry by day and is a novelist, consultant, and freelance writer by night. You can find his work in a variety of publications, like British GQ and Robb Report. Follow him on Instagram at @brettfbraley or visit his website at brettfbraley.com

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