How to Put Ink Cartriges in Manuscript Calligraphy Pens

Beautiful elegant hand writing using an old-fashioned pen. Many people find learning calligraphy to be a fun hobby. Calligraphy can be done using an old fashioned quill and ink pot, but it is rather tricky to master. It's much easier to use a calligraphy pen that has an ink cartridge. These pens control the flow of ink, making writing calligraphy easier and helps prevent blotting. Changing the cartridges in a calligraphy pen also involves cleaning the tip so that old ink doesn't dry in it, which can ruin the tip.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper towels Calligraphy pen Ink cartridges

1. Clean the calligraphy pen tip when you replace the ink cartridge. Hold the calligraphy pen over the sink to prevent drips while changing out the ink cartridge. Wrap a paper towel around the base of the tip of the pen. Gently unscrew the tip. Remove and discard the old ink cartridge. Set the pen aside.

2. Hold the tip of the pen under the faucet and turn the faucet on to a light trickle. Rinse the pen's tip until the water runs clear. Wipe the tip dry with a paper towel; be careful not to bend the end of the tip. Set the tip aside.

3. 
   Calligraphy tip with a tapered end ink cartridge.

   Check the shape of the ink cartridge to determine whether it has a specific way to be inserted into the calligraphy pen. Some calligraphy pens are tapered like old-fashioned pens and the cartridges for these pens are larger on the bottom and tapered towards the top. Other calligraphy pens are all one size as are their ink cartridges. These ink cartridges are not interchangeable with the pens.

4. Hold the calligraphy pen in one hand and slip the bottom of the ink cartridge into the barrel of the pen. Wrap a dry paper towel around the tip of the pen and hold the base of the tip while inserting it into the barrel of the pen. Begin to screw the tip back onto the calligraphy pen. You will feel a little resistance as the bottom of the tip pierces the new ink cartridge. Continue gently screwing the tip until it is firmly in place.

5. Invert the calligraphy pen and gently tap it against the paper towel several times until the ink is flowing from the cartridge through the tip. Wipe the outside of the pen with a damp paper towel to remove any residual ink or water and dry it with a a fresh paper towel before using the pen.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear old clothes when using calligraphy pens and protect your work surface. Some ink for calligraphy pens is not water soluble and can stain cloth and other surfaces.