Calling all Australian and New Zealand artists and crafters – our online store is OPEN
Every time one of my ballpoint pens goes dry I take a pair of scissors and snip the plastic reservoir into a bin or plastic bag (they tend to fly across the room otherwise!), then put the segments in a small container. When I have enough segments (two or three reservoirs), I pour a little bit of surgical spirit into the container, close it really tight and shake well. The result is a purply blue ink. If it’s too light in colour, wait a day for some of the spirit to evaporate. I suggest you use a cheap brush with this ink, as it can be harsh on the bristles.
One of the most annoying things is when your pens go dry and you have to throw them away. It really hurts me to get rid of any tool that can be used or should have been used for my art. So I don’t. I find ways to rescue almost everything by making my own handmade inks.
Playing with homemade inks and found or recycled materials is fun, creative, cheap, and makes you feel good.
Gel pens are particularly prone to get dry very quickly. Snip the dry reservoirs and put them in a container, as above, but this time dilute with water. I like the ink made with gel pens because it very often has a shiny, glittery texture. Here is a flamingo I painted using ink made out of a few pink and orange dry gel pens. Gel pen ink is also easier to use, as it can be further diluted with water.
How to make your own Gel pens easily at home| Homemade Gel pens|Diy Fun idea in lockdown
FAQ
How is gel pen ink made?
What do gel pens use as their ink?
Can I refill a gel pen with ink?
How do you make a gel pen ink?
Select the color of the pigment that you want to use for your gel pen ink and add a small amount to the hot water. Add in two or three drops of a high-quality glycerin to thicken up the consistency closer to what a store-bought gel-based ink will have. You can also add between half and a whole tablespoon of Fevicol to help with this too.
Do gel pens run out of ink?
Gel pens will run out of ink at some point — especially as they put the ink down on the page faster than other pen types. When this happens, you’ll need to buy a gel pen refill. Make sure you research and choose the right branded or universal refills, as the incorrect ones may not fit inside the casing or provide the required quality.
What is a gel pen?
A gel pen is a pen that uses gel ink. Gel ink is a viscous ink that’s made of pigments floating in a water-based gel. Gel pens, rollerball pens, and ballpoint pens are similar because they all have small, revolving metal balls in their tips. When you write, the ball is coated with ink and then applies the ink to the paper.
Can you use paint for gel pen ink?
Although some people do prefer to use paint for the coloration of their ink, we feel that actual pigments are a much better option and that a raw pigment will offer slightly better performance. Select the color of the pigment that you want to use for your gel pen ink and add a small amount to the hot water.