How to Care for Calligraphy Pens
Calligraphy pens can come in both dip pen and fountain pen styles. While the dip pen is considered the proper pen for use in calligraphy, a fountain pen can produce excellent results and is easier to use than a dip pen. In both a dip pen and a fountain pen, the key piece is the pen's nib, the metal point at the end of the pen. Pens come in different shapes and styles, which determines the size of your pen strokes. The nib is the part of the pen most in need of care and cleaning.
Things You'll Need
- Calligraphic pen with nib
- Soft rag or paper towel
- Toothbrush
- Knife or scalpel
- Cleaning solvent (optional)
Instructions
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Clean your nib before its first use to remove any grease or factory-applied lacquer and clean your nib on a regular basis to remove ink and dirt. Use water or a manufacturer recommended solvent to gently cleanse the nib with a soft rag or paper towel.
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Immerse a brand new nib into boiling water before attaching it to a pen to prepare it for its first use. Other methods for cleaning new nibs include sucking on the nib with your mouth or to hold the nib directly in the flame of a lit match for a few seconds. If using a heat source such as a match to clean your nib, be careful as prolonged exposure to heat can distort the shape of a nib.
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Wipe the nib with a soft rag or a paper towel when using it to remove any excess ink and keep your writing from becoming too blotchy. If using a paper towel, be careful that small pieces do not tear from the towel and become stuck to the nib.
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Clean your nib after use with water or solvent. A wet toothbrush works well at removing ink from a nib. If using a solvent, use only those recommended by your pen's manufacturer.
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Remove dried on ink or dirt from a nib by scraping with a knife or scalpel. A fiberglass brush can also be used to free dried-on ink.
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Tips & Warnings
Always remove the nib from your pen before cleaning.
When cleaning, start with water and a soft rag before trying stronger cleaning products.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
