Gel Pens

posted Tuesday, November 14th by Sam Joseph Bruckner

Gel Pens. Simple, smooth, slick. Everyone loves writing with them but why?


What are Gel Pens? 


Gel pens, originally popularized in the 80s have officially come back. But, is this fad unwarranted or is there a scientific reason as to why these writing utensils have become so mainstream in recent years? That is exactly what I aimed to figure out today!  


Some Differentiations:

The biggest difference between that of Gel Pens and one’s typical pen is almost entirely based within the ink within the pens themselves. A ‘normal’ pens’ ink is composed of complex liquidated solvents, pigments, dyes, resins, solubilizers, surfactants, lubricants, particulate matter, and even fluorescents on occasion. (Eco Pen Club) 


Gel pens instead use a much more highly concentrated water base containing biopolymers, most commonly, xanthan gum. This contrasting design affects both the viscosity of the pen, reducing page bleeding, as well as overall control and ability to add detail via the more finite and well-engineered tip. They smoothed the edge design in order to increase the rate of flow from the ink chamber to the point. This grants the writing utensils their signature flare; a style that keeps customers coming back for more.

According to the National Library of Medicine biopolymers are, “the organic substances present in natural sources.” The inner workings that dispel the chemical formulation serve to reduce ink bleeding once the pens are put to paper. 

Fun Fact: 

The term biopolymer is derived via the Greek word ‘bio’, meaning life, as well as ‘polymer’, which signifies a present material.” 


All and all, are gel pens just a one and done fad? No. On top of being on the up and up once again since their initial craze first hitting the market, and with this research-backed information, one can safely conclude that gel pens have proven to be scientifically better than their non gel based counterparts. It’s safe to say that gel pens are here to stay! 


To infinity and far beyond!