A practical guide for beginners (and frustrated users!) to get their pens flowing smoothly again.
There’s something magical about writing with a fountain pen: the satisfying glide, the elegant ink flow, the personal flair of your handwriting. But sometimes, even the most beautiful pens can be a little dramatic. If your fountain pen has started skipping, splattering, or smudging, don’t panic… we’ve got the fixes!
Let’s troubleshoot the most common issues so you can get back to smooth, stress-free writing.
Problem: Skipping or Inconsistent Ink Flow
The issue: Your pen isn’t writing consistently - it starts fine, then goes faint or stops altogether.
The likely culprits:
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Dried ink in the nib or feed
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A clogged converter or cartridge
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Cheap or incompatible paper
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Air bubbles in the ink cartridge
Try these fixes:
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Flush your pen with lukewarm water. A bulb syringe can help push old ink out fast.
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If the ink has dried, soak the nib overnight in water (distilled if possible).
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Switch paper. Low-quality or coated paper can resist ink, causing flow issues.
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Gently tap or flick the pen to dislodge air bubbles in the feed.
Tip: Regular use and occasional cleaning will keep your fountain pen in top shape!
Problem: Blobbing or Ink Splatters
The issue: You start writing and suddenly a giant ink blob appears, or droplets spatter across the page.
The likely culprits:
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Overfilled ink converter
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Loose nib or feed misalignment
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Heat/pressure changes (e.g., flying with your pen)
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Low-quality paper is causing feathering
Try this:
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Wipe the nib with a tissue before writing to absorb excess ink.
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Check nib alignment. If it looks uneven or gappy, gently adjust it with care.
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Never fly with a freshly filled pen, and store nib-up when travelling.
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Switch to fountain-pen-friendly paper to reduce ink spreading.
Problem: Smudging and Slow Dry Time
The issue: Ink smears across the page, especially if you're a lefty or fast writer.
The likely culprits:
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Slow-drying ink
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Slick or glossy paper
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Overly wet nib or broad nib size
Try this:
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Try a fast-drying ink (we love Diamine’s Forever Ink for water resistance, too).
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Blot your writing with blotting paper if you're working quickly.
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Use paper with some absorbency; if it's too smooth, the ink just sits on top.
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Switch to a finer nib if you’re getting heavy flow and long dry times.
Left-handed? A finer nib + fast-drying ink combo is your best friend.
General Fountain Pen Maintenance Tips
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Clean your pen every 4-6 weeks if you’re using it regularly.
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Store your pen horizontally or nib-up to avoid flooding.
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Always cap your pen when not in use to prevent the nib from drying out.
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Don’t mix inks unless you’re confident they’re chemically compatible.
Recommended Supplies to Help
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Blotting paper pads - especially useful for left-handers
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Fountain-pen-friendly notebooks - like our A5 dot grid or Midori pads
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High-quality inks - like Tom’s Studio or Diamine Forever Inks
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New nibs or converters - sometimes a simple part swap solves everything
Still stuck?
Pop into our Facebook subscriber group or send us a message. We love helping fountain pen users get the best out of their writing tools. Whether you’re a total beginner or a lifelong scribbler, your fountain pen should work for you, not against you.
