How to Store Your Fountain Pen (2024)

As a child, I fondly remember opening the many novels on my grandmother’s bookcase to find flowers pressed inside. Pansies, zinnias, African violets, she had all kinds of petals magically frozen in time. Just like pressing flowers is a wonderful way to preserve the beauty of their blooms, storing fountain pens properly can help preserve their performance and longevity. For those who appreciate the art of fine writing, owning a fountain pen isn’t just a statement, it’s a commitment to the timelessness of elegant penmanship.

The key to preserving the beauty and functionality of your fountain pen lies in proper care and storage. In this article, we delve into the fundamentals of fountain pen storage, special considerations, fountain pen mistakes to avoid, and the best pen cases. Whether you’re a long-time collector or are brand new to the world of fountain pens, it’s worth taking the time to learn how to properly store your most prized writing companion.

The Basics of Fountain Pen Storage

Fountain pens aren’t like disposable pens that you can toss in a drawer and forget about. Before we dive into desk, travel, and long-term solutions, let’s touch on the basic tenets of fountain pen storage. Naturally, you should always cap the pen when not in use to prevent the ink from drying and to protect the nib. Temperature and the position of your pen also play a part in preserving its longevity, which we’ll discuss in detail below.

Avoiding Direct Sunlight and Heat

It’s easy to underestimate the power of the sun. When storing a fountain pen, sunlight can cause the ink to fade or change in color. Heat exposure can also cause the pen parts to crack, degrade, and weaken over time. Certain types of plastics or resins are particularly sensitive to the sun’s UV rays, causing their colors and designs to fade. The best way to store fountain pens is to keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Positioning Your Pen

At some point, all pen enthusiasts have asked “Do you store fountain pens up or down?” The answer depends on the pen’s design, filling mechanism, and your personal preference. When considering the best way to store pens, here are some things to keep in mind.

Nib Orientation (Up, Down, or Sideways)

Not surprisingly, nib orientation is important with fountain pen storage. Storing the pen up, nib to the sky, means your pen will dry out quicker but leaks are nearly nonexistent. Should you store pens upside down? We don’t recommend it, as the combined forces of gravity and capillary action will pull the ink into the nib, leaving you with clogs or leaks. If in doubt, it’s usually best to store the nib facing sideways: this keeps the nib wet enough to write when needed. Whether you store pens horizontally or vertically, prioritize keeping the nib wiped clean from any ink that could pool, dry, and clog the tip.

Fountain Pen Storage Methods

When considering how to store fountain pens, time, place, and level of usage are key factors. Do you intend to use your fountain pen all the time for everyday writing? Or do you only use it for special occasions, like letter-writing or a one-off business deal? Your answers will inform your ideal fountain pen storage method.

How to Store a Fountain Pen with a Cartridge

If you use and clean your fountain pen regularly, it’s not a problem to store it with the cartridge inside. As a rule of thumb, it’s fine to leave the cartridge intact if you use your pen every few days. However, if you only use it on occasion (less than once a month), we recommend removing the cartridge and cleaning your pen before storing it. Leaving ink in a fountain pen for an extended period can create problems down the road.

Short-Term Fountain Pen Storage Solutions

Storing your pen properly depends on how often you intend to use it. If you practice your penmanship regularly, short-term storage options like a fountain pen pouch or pen sleeve, are sufficient. Let’s look into the nuances of this form of fountain pen storage.

Daily Use and Accessibility

Short-term fountain pen storage is all about protecting your pen while keeping it within convenient reach. If you use your pen daily, it shouldn’t be packed away so carefully that it’s a headache to retrieve every time you want to write. Here are some fountain storage options for everyday use.

Using Pen Holders or Stands

Fountain pen holders are a simple and elegant storage solution. Holders consist of a base and several slots to keep pens organized and accessible. Decorative cups or jars work as well (as long as you don’t store nib-down), but if you’ve already invested a chunk of money into your collection, it’s worth acquiring a proper fountain pen holder stand. It’s also an outward indicator that you are now “one of us”, i.e. a true pen geek!

Protecting the Nib and Ink

The nib is the heart of your fountain pen. If it becomes bent, warped, or clogged with ink, you can’t expect it to perform at its best. That’s why it’s important to protect the nib when in use and when storing. It’s the tiny but mighty section that brings your thoughts from mind to pen, to paper.

Preventing Ink Drying and Leakage

When you’re ready to put your pen away for the day, be sure the nib is clean to prevent dried ink from compromising the flow. Be sure to cap your pen completely to prevent the fountain pen from drying out or leaking. There’s no greater buzzkill than sitting down to write, inspiration flowing, only to find that your pen ink has dried out from not being capped properly the last time you used it.

Long-Term Storage Strategies

If you only use your fountain pen for special occasions, a long-term storage solution is in order. Especially when it comes to vintage fountain pens or family heirlooms, store fountain pens properly to ensure they remain in good condition over time. As a general guideline, we wouldn’t recommend storing pens with ink in them for longer than a couple of weeks.

Drying and Disassembly Tips

Once all the components of your fountain pen are clean, dry them with a soft cloth. Any remaining moisture can cause metals to corrode. Keep track of small parts like screws, washers, and springs, and avoid using excessive force while disassembling. If you’re new to fountain pens, we recommend taking a photo of your disassembled pen so you have a visual reference of how to rebuild it. Lay out each piece on a paper towel to dry before putting them back together for storage.

Selecting the Right Storage Container

The storage container you choose for your fountain pen depends on your personal preference. Do you want your pens to be out of sight, out of mind, or proudly displayed? Budget is another aspect to consider, as display cases tend to be pricier (and prettier) than simple storage boxes. Let’s look into some different storage containers next.

Special Considerations for Fountain Pen Storage

What’s the fun of fountain pens if you only use them at home? By sticking to some basic guidelines, you’ll keep your writing instruments in working condition for a long time in the office or on the road. Regular cleaning, avoiding extreme temperatures, and using pen cases will protect against incidental damage. Always keep your pens upright and capped when not in use. Next, we’ll address some special considerations for travel and collectibles.

Flying with a Fountain Pen

This goes without saying, but save your writing for when the plane is waiting at the gate, at cruising altitude, or after you’ve landed. If there’s any kind of turbulence on the flight, that’s an indicator to store away your pen, otherwise someone could end up with a nib to the neck (not a great look). Burping issues aside, it’s hard to write legibly on a bumpy plane ride, so use your judgment on when to uncap versus when to catch up on Netflix.

How to Travel with Fountain Pens - Avoiding Leaks

There are additional steps you can take to avoid leaks when traveling with fountain pens. Store your pens upright to prevent ink from pooling in the cap and nib. Your best bet is to use a fountain pen travel case that is designed with extra padding and protection. To protect your other carry-on items or luggage, seal your inked pens in a resealable zip-lock bag.

Storing Collectible and Antique Pens

For collectors of rare, valuable, or antique pens, all the tips we’ve already shared pertain. All fountain pens should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, with the nib facing up or sideways. However, there are some extra things to keep in mind when you store a particularly special fountain pen.

Maintaining Pen Condition Over Time

If you use your pens for hours every day, expect some wear and tear over time. Minimize the number of scuffs, dings, dents, discolorations, and dirty nibs by following these pen maintenance tips:

• Store your pen in a pen sleeve or case when not in use for longer than an hour.

• Close/cap your pen when you pause in writing for more than 30 seconds.

• Keep your hands clean when handling your pen - no heavy lotions, hand sanitizer, peanut butter, or spicy habanero sauce should be on your fingers when handling your pen.

• Don’t loan your pen to someone who has never written with a fountain pen before.

• Store your pens in a place where a small child or pet can’t get to them.

• Do not store pens in direct sunlight or in an area that drastically changes temperature and humidity.

Common Storage Mistakes to Avoid

For the continued performance of your fountain pen, there are some beginner mistakes to avoid. Ensuring you store your pen in the proper environment and position is crucial long-term.

Avoiding Harmful Environmental Factors

The largest contributors to fountain pen degradation are natural elements. Direct sunlight, dust, moisture and humidity, and oils or dirt from your hands can weaken, discolor, and stain pen materials over time. Extreme hot and cold can cause the pen components to expand, contract, or deteriorate. Store your fountain pens in a temperature-controlled space away from acid-containing materials. Acid-free paper, foam, and velvet are good choices. And always handle your pen with clean hands!

Overlooking Regular Maintenance

Maintaining your fountain pen is akin to maintaining your car. You wouldn’t neglect oil changes and tire rotations and expect it to drive smoothly, right? The same goes for your fine writing instruments. Get into the habit of cleaning and monitoring your fountain pen routinely, and you’ll enjoy years of use.

Importance of Routine Cleaning

To prevent your fountain pen drying out, clean it after every few uses or every time you switch ink colors. If left unflushed, ink can accumulate in the feed, nib, and other areas of the pen, leading to inconsistent ink flow, clogging, and even damage. Routine cleaning also helps avoid “hard starts”, where ink residue dries and hardens in the nib.

Monitoring Ink Levels and Quality

If you’re running low on fountain pen ink, the flow may become inconsistent with skipping and scratching. Some fountain pens have transparent ink reservoirs that make it easy to see how much ink you have left. With converter pens, you’ll need to unscrew the barrel to visually inspect the levels. Always ensure you’re using quality ink that is compatible with your specific fountain pen. Consistently monitoring your ink levels will help prevent unexpected dryouts when writing.

DIY Storage Solutions

If you’re just starting your collection or are a fountain pen newbie (welcome), it makes sense to start with what you have. In time, you can graduate with a fancy fountain pen ink holder and case. There are plenty of ways to DIY fountain pen storage with items you have around the house.

Creating Custom Pen Storage at Home

The more valuable the pen, the more space you need between it and others to avoid scratches. How you customize your pen storage depends on how you prefer to group them together. Your “home base” for your pens might be in your bedroom, study, office, or even your kitchen drawer. Being organized means having all your pens, bottles of ink, refills, notebooks, and maintenance supplies in one spot.

Utilizing Household Items for Storage

This is where you can get creative! Mason jars or glass containers are a cheap, visible option. You can even add colored stones or beads at the bottom to help keep your pens upright. Repurpose old containers, like cookie or tea tins, for a vintage aesthetic. You can easily add felt-covered dividers to old wooden wine or cigar boxes. A standard pencil holder or even a decorative flower pot can also do the trick.

Fountain Pen Cases

There are just as many fountain pen cases to choose from as there are pens! Available in materials like leather, mesh, synthetic, nylon, and more, the best fountain pen cases are designed to protect and transport your pens while also showcasing your style. From high-end, luxury cases to budget-friendly options, we carry cases for every type of Pen Pal at Goldspot.

Leather Fountain Pen Cases

There’s nothing more classic than a leather fountain pen case. Collectors often appreciate these cases not just for their practicality but for the aesthetic value they add. Convenient, durable, and sophisticated, leather is a go-to material for pen cases. If you like the look of leather but not the animal material, there are plenty of vegan leather options to explore on the market.

Stored with Loving Longevity

Looking back, it’s no wonder my grandmother’s pressed flowers kept for so long. They were prepared and preserved for beauty and longevity. Likewise, when you store fountain pens properly, you’re ensuring years of joyful writing. We hope this article on how to store fountain pens was illuminating. Before you go, check out more fountain pen accessories to pair with your chosen storage method. As always, leave your questions below!