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Blog - Beginners' Guides

Beginner’s Guide to Nibs and Nib Holders

Beginner’s Guide to Nibs and Nib Holders

Apr 8, 2025
In this guide, we explain the basics of dip pen nibs and nib holders, and provide comprehensive tables showing which nibs are compatible with which holders.

The Best of Japan's Stationery Awards 2025

Mar 25, 2025

Paper Sizes Explained

Mar 11, 2025

The Beginner's Guide to Fountain Pens

Mar 4, 2025

The Ultimate Guide to Pen Refills

Sep 24, 2024

How to Troubleshoot a Fountain Pen

Jul 30, 2024

How Do Fountain Pens Work?

Jul 16, 2024

Calligraphy Beginners' Guides

View all in Calligraphy Beginners' Guides
Beginner’s Guide to Nibs and Nib Holders

Beginner’s Guide to Nibs and Nib Holders

Apr 8, 2025
In this guide, we explain the basics of dip pen nibs and nib holders, and provide comprehensive tables showing which nibs are compatible with which holders.
How to Use a Glass Dip Pen

How to Use a Glass Dip Pen

Oct 30, 2023
Glass pens are surprisingly easy to use and a fantastic complement to your favorite inks. Read on to understand the strengths and weaknesses of glass pens, our preferred inks and paper to pair them with, and glass pen calligraphy and drawing techniques.
How to Remove Ink Stains from Clothing and Other Surfaces

How to Remove Ink Stains from Clothing and Other Surfaces

Jul 18, 2022
If you're a fountain pen user or a dip pen calligrapher, dealing with spilled ink is inevitable. For tips on how to remove ink stains from clothing and other surfaces, read on.

Calligraphy Beginners' Guides

View all in Calligraphy Beginners' Guides
Beginner’s Guide to Nibs and Nib Holders

Beginner’s Guide to Nibs and Nib Holders

Apr 8, 2025
In this guide, we explain the basics of dip pen nibs and nib holders, and provide comprehensive tables showing which nibs are compatible with which holders.
How to Use a Glass Dip Pen

How to Use a Glass Dip Pen

Oct 30, 2023
Glass pens are surprisingly easy to use and a fantastic complement to your favorite inks. Read on to understand the strengths and weaknesses of glass pens, our preferred inks and paper to pair them with, and glass pen calligraphy and drawing techniques.
How to Remove Ink Stains from Clothing and Other Surfaces

How to Remove Ink Stains from Clothing and Other Surfaces

Jul 18, 2022
If you're a fountain pen user or a dip pen calligrapher, dealing with spilled ink is inevitable. For tips on how to remove ink stains from clothing and other surfaces, read on.

Fountain Pen Beginners' Guides

View all in Fountain Pen Beginners' Guides
The Beginner's Guide to Fountain Pens

The Beginner's Guide to Fountain Pens

Mar 4, 2025
Don’t be nervous when you get your first fountain pen: in this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to use it.
How to Troubleshoot a Fountain Pen

How to Troubleshoot a Fountain Pen

Jul 30, 2024
We explain how to fix common fountain pen problems, with step-by-step instructions, pictures, and video demonstrations. If your pen is scratchy, has poor ink flow, or is putting out too much ink, these tips may just do the trick!
How Do Fountain Pens Work?

How Do Fountain Pens Work?

Jul 16, 2024
Fountain pens can seem complicated at first, but don’t worry: we’re here to help! Read our guide to learn about the components of a fountain pen and how they work.

Fountain Pen Beginners' Guides

View all in Fountain Pen Beginners' Guides
The Beginner's Guide to Fountain Pens

The Beginner's Guide to Fountain Pens

Mar 4, 2025
Don’t be nervous when you get your first fountain pen: in this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to use it.
How to Troubleshoot a Fountain Pen

How to Troubleshoot a Fountain Pen

Jul 30, 2024
We explain how to fix common fountain pen problems, with step-by-step instructions, pictures, and video demonstrations. If your pen is scratchy, has poor ink flow, or is putting out too much ink, these tips may just do the trick!
How Do Fountain Pens Work?

How Do Fountain Pens Work?

Jul 16, 2024
Fountain pens can seem complicated at first, but don’t worry: we’re here to help! Read our guide to learn about the components of a fountain pen and how they work.

Pencil Beginners' Guides

View all in Pencil Beginners' Guides
The Best Lead Grade For Every Application

The Best Lead Grade For Every Application

Sep 11, 2023
We explain what pencil lead grades mean, with recommended uses and examples of each grade. If you're not sure how a #2 pencil relates to an HB pencil, or what the difference is between 6H and 6B, this is where you should start.
Mechanical Pencil Lead Size Comparison

Mechanical Pencil Lead Size Comparison

Jun 26, 2023
We lined up every mechanical pencil and lead holder size next to each other to show how they really compare. This is where you find the best pencil for super-tiny planner squares and finally learn what the difference is between 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm leads.
The Beginner’s Guide to Mechanical Pencils

The Beginner’s Guide to Mechanical Pencils

Feb 7, 2023
We explore the basics of what mechanical pencils are, why and how you should use them, and how to solve the most common mechanical pencil problems.

Pencil Beginners' Guides

View all in Pencil Beginners' Guides
The Best Lead Grade For Every Application

The Best Lead Grade For Every Application

Sep 11, 2023
We explain what pencil lead grades mean, with recommended uses and examples of each grade. If you're not sure how a #2 pencil relates to an HB pencil, or what the difference is between 6H and 6B, this is where you should start.
Mechanical Pencil Lead Size Comparison

Mechanical Pencil Lead Size Comparison

Jun 26, 2023
We lined up every mechanical pencil and lead holder size next to each other to show how they really compare. This is where you find the best pencil for super-tiny planner squares and finally learn what the difference is between 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm leads.
The Beginner’s Guide to Mechanical Pencils

The Beginner’s Guide to Mechanical Pencils

Feb 7, 2023
We explore the basics of what mechanical pencils are, why and how you should use them, and how to solve the most common mechanical pencil problems.

Stationery 101

View all in Stationery 101
The Best of Japan's Stationery Awards 2025

The Best of Japan's Stationery Awards 2025

Mar 25, 2025
Since 2013, stationery experts from popular Japanese retailers like LOFT, TSUTAYA, and HANDS have gathered together to judge newly released stationery and give awards to the best products every year. Keep reading to see the best of Japan's Stationery Awards for 2025.
Paper Sizes Explained

Paper Sizes Explained

Mar 11, 2025
If you're not sure what the difference is between A4 and Letter size paper, or how big an A5 or B5 notebook is, start here. We explain how international paper sizes work and compare common A and B Series paper sizes to Letter size.
JetPens Glossary

JetPens Glossary

Jun 18, 2024
Read this guide to see definitions of words you may see on your stationery, including some in Japanese, German, and French.

Stationery 101

View all in Stationery 101
The Best of Japan's Stationery Awards 2025

The Best of Japan's Stationery Awards 2025

Mar 25, 2025
Since 2013, stationery experts from popular Japanese retailers like LOFT, TSUTAYA, and HANDS have gathered together to judge newly released stationery and give awards to the best products every year. Keep reading to see the best of Japan's Stationery Awards for 2025.
Paper Sizes Explained

Paper Sizes Explained

Mar 11, 2025
If you're not sure what the difference is between A4 and Letter size paper, or how big an A5 or B5 notebook is, start here. We explain how international paper sizes work and compare common A and B Series paper sizes to Letter size.
JetPens Glossary

JetPens Glossary

Jun 18, 2024
Read this guide to see definitions of words you may see on your stationery, including some in Japanese, German, and French.

Watercolor Beginners' Guides

View all in Watercolor Beginners' Guides
How to Use Masking Fluid

How to Use Masking Fluid

Nov 27, 2023
Masking fluid lets you easily cover parts of your artwork that you don’t want to paint over, preserving lighter colors and the vibrant white of the paper for details and highlights. We walk you through how to use masking fluid with a video and detailed instructions.
How to Use Watercolor Pencils

How to Use Watercolor Pencils

Nov 13, 2023
Watercolor pencils are a near-magical combination of colored pencils and watercolor paints, allowing artists to achieve both precise marks and gentle washes. We explain how watercolor pencils work, specific techniques for how to use watercolor pencils, and recommend some of the best watercolor pencils for your art.
The Difference Between Watercolor, Gouache, and Poster Color Paints

The Difference Between Watercolor, Gouache, and Poster Color Paints

Oct 23, 2023
Watercolor, gouache, and poster color paints have a lot of similarities, but they’re not exactly the same. We explain how these water-soluble paints are made, what makes them different, and the best ways to use them.

Watercolor Beginners' Guides

View all in Watercolor Beginners' Guides
How to Use Masking Fluid

How to Use Masking Fluid

Nov 27, 2023
Masking fluid lets you easily cover parts of your artwork that you don’t want to paint over, preserving lighter colors and the vibrant white of the paper for details and highlights. We walk you through how to use masking fluid with a video and detailed instructions.
How to Use Watercolor Pencils

How to Use Watercolor Pencils

Nov 13, 2023
Watercolor pencils are a near-magical combination of colored pencils and watercolor paints, allowing artists to achieve both precise marks and gentle washes. We explain how watercolor pencils work, specific techniques for how to use watercolor pencils, and recommend some of the best watercolor pencils for your art.
The Difference Between Watercolor, Gouache, and Poster Color Paints

The Difference Between Watercolor, Gouache, and Poster Color Paints

Oct 23, 2023
Watercolor, gouache, and poster color paints have a lot of similarities, but they’re not exactly the same. We explain how these water-soluble paints are made, what makes them different, and the best ways to use them.
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