JetPens Glossary

The world of stationery is fascinating to explore. As you discover new pens and paper, you may encounter some unfamiliar words and phrases. Read on to see definitions of words you may see on your stationery, including some in Japanese, German, and French.

Table of Contents

Japanese Terms

In this section, we show English transliterations of Japanese terms written out in kanji (Chinese-derived characters) and furigana. Furigana breaks down the kanji into syllables and works as a reading aid, particularly for kanji that aren’t used in everyday conversation.

Term	Kanji	Furigana	Definition
Chūji	中字	ちゅうじ	Medium print. Typically used for medium nibs or brushes.
Diary		ダイアリー	An English loanword that is commonly used in Japan to refer to planners.
Etegami	絵手紙	えてがみ	Based on the words for “picture” and “message.” Etegami is a Japanese folk art involving simple drawings and a brief message. The philosophy of etegami is to be spontaneously thoughtful. It’s generally done on postcards, which are easily mailed off to friends.
Flake		フレーク	Die-cut stickers.
Free		フリー	You’ll often see Japanese planners labeled as “free” when they’re undated.
Fude	筆	ふで	Brush. Fude (pronounced foo-day) shows up in many brush pens’ names, like the Tombow Fudenosuke.
Fureru (verb)	振れる	ふれる	To shake. Pilot Fure Fure Pencils get their names because you shake the pencil back and forth to extend the lead.
Futoji	太字	ふとじ	Bold print. Typically used for broad nibs or brushes.
Gansai	顔彩	がんさい	Traditional Japanese watercolors. Gansai watercolors are pigmented and opaque.
Gokuboso	極細	ごくぼそ	Superfine or extra fine. You’ll often see brush and fountain pens labeled with this phrase.
Hosoji	細字	ほそじ	Small print. Typically used for small nibs or brushes.
Iro	色	いろ	Color. It appears in Pilot Iroshizuku, which translates literally to “drops of color.” Sai (彩) also means “color.”
Kira		キラ	Kirakira is a mimetic word for something twinkling or sparkling.
Knock (verb)		ノック	To press down on a button and extend the pen tip or pencil lead. The push button itself is often called a “knock button.” In English, it’s usually referred to as a “clicker.”
Kuru		くる	The Uni Kuru Toga Mechanical Pencil gets its name from the mimetic word くるくる (kuru kuru), which is the sound of something rotating or spinning, and 尖る (togaru), a verb that means “to taper.” When combined, you may imagine something rotating to a point, which is exactly what the Kuru Toga mechanism does.
Togaru (verb)	尖る	とがる
Maki-e	蒔絵	まきえ	Sprinkled picture. A traditional Japanese art form in which metal powders are sprinkled onto a lacquered surface. The metallic powder can also be applied using brushes or sponges. Maki-e artisans spend months honing their craft, and a single maki-e artwork can take months to complete. See urushi for more information.
Manga	漫画	まんが	Japanese comics. Manga covers many genres (including action, mystery, and romance) and are read by people of all ages.
Mangaka	漫画	まんがか	A manga artist.
Mensō	面相	めんそう	Face. A mensō brush has a fine tip that’s suitable for detailed work, like small facial features.
Raden	螺鈿	らでん	A technique in which small fragments of ivory or shell (including mother-of-pearl, abalone, and eggshell) are embedded in lacquer objects. It’s often combined with maki-e. See urushi for more information.
Sarasara		さらさら	A mimetic word describing the feeling of a silky smooth object. The Zebra Sarasa Gel Pen has smooth-flowing ink.
Sharbo		シャーボ	The customizable Zebra Sharbo Multi Pen combines the words “sharp” and “ballpoint.” It can hold both ink and pencil refill components.
Sharp		シャープ	Originally an English loanword, “sharp” became a Japanese term for a mechanical pencil because it always has a point, unlike a wooden pencil.
Shikkari	確り	しっかり	Tightly or securely. Kokuyo Campus Shikkari paper is textured so it grips the pen or pencil’s tip.
Shitajiki	下敷き	したじき	Underlay. A flat, lightweight board that’s placed beneath a sheet of paper. It provides a smooth writing surface and prevents dents or marks from forming on the pages underneath. It’s also known as a “pencil board” or “writing board.”
Sign Pen		サインペン	Originally an English loanword, “sign pen” usually refers to a felt-tipped writing marker. However, it can be used to refer to any pen that was made for signatures. The Pentel Sign Pen was the first of its kind in Japan.
Sumi	墨	すみ	Based on the words for “ink” and “water,” sumi was traditionally made by grinding ink sticks on palettes. The powder would be mixed with water until it reached the right consistency. Today, pre-mixed sumi ink is sold in bottles for convenience. Most sumi inks are water resistant when dry.
Techō	手帳	てちょう	Based on the Japanese words for “hand” and “book,” techō means “pocket notebook” or “planner.” The versatile Hobonichi Techo can be used as a planner, journal, and more.
Urushi	漆	うるし	Japanese lacquer made from lacquer tree resin. Urushi is applied in thin layers, with each layer needing time to dry completely. During the lacquer process, decorative techniques like maki-e and raden may be applied. Urushi application is a time-intensive process because artisans complete each step by hand, so urushi fountain pens have high prices.
Washi	和紙	わし	A type of Japanese paper that was historically handmade using mulberry, bamboo, or rice fibers. Washi tapes are made by adding adhesive backing to washi paper strips.

Note: A mimetic word (also known as an ideophone) imitates the sound of an action. For example, dokidoki (ドキドキ) is used for the sound of a heartbeat. Mimetics are very common in Japan, and are regularly used in everyday conversation.

General Pen Terms

Pen Parts

This image shows the parts of a gel pen.

Term	Definition
Barrel	The main body of the pen.
Cap	The removable piece that covers the pen tip.
Grip Section	The section of the pen that you hold while writing.
Nose Cone	The cone-shaped part that surrounds the tip.
Refill	A plastic tube filled with ink.
Tip	The part of the pen that dispenses ink. In some pens, the tip is called the nib.

Other Pen Terms

Image/Term	Definition
Post (verb)	To place the pen cap on the back end of the barrel, extending the pen’s length.
Bullet Tip	A rounded marker tip that produces consistent lines. Many paint markers have broad bullet tips.
Chisel Tip	A square marker tip that produces thick horizontal lines and thin vertical lines. Most highlighters have chisel tips to easily cover entire lines of text.
Conical Tip	Cone-shaped tips are more durable than needle-point tips and can withstand damage from accidental drops. The popular Uni-ball Signo is an example of a conical-tip pen.
Needle-Point Tip	Needle-point tips look like cylinders and are precise but delicate. They’re ideal for use with rulers since the slim tips don’t block the paper beneath. The Pilot Hi-Tec-C is one of our classic needle-point pens.
Synergy Tip	A special tip found on some Pilot pens, including the FriXion Synergy Knock and Juice Up. It combines the precision of a needle point with the durability of a conical point.
Tip Size vs Line Width	Tip size and line width aren’t always the same. Tip size is the measurement of the actual tip diameter. Line width is the measurement of the marks that tip makes, and can vary depending on writing pressure and paper absorbency. A pen labeled with a 0.4 mm tip might draw a line that is actually 0.3 mm wide.
Ballpoint Pen	Ballpoint pens contain viscous oil-based inks. Because ballpoint ink is thicker, it dries quickly and is compatible with most papers. Learn more about the difference between inks in our guide.
Brush Pen	Brush pens have tapered and springy tips that mimic real paintbrushes. Brush pens can have tips made with individual bristles or a single piece of felt, plastic, or rubber. You can learn more in our guide on the Best Brush Pens for Drawing.
Calligraphy Pen	Calligraphy pens have specialty tips, such as Italic nibs, which produce the line variation required for beautiful calligraphic works.
Dip Pen	Dip pens don’t have ink reservoirs. To use them, first dip the pen tip into bottled dip pen ink. As you write, the ink will run off the tip onto paper. Simply re-dip periodically to keep writing. A dip pen can refer to a combination of a nib and nib holder, or a standalone pen like a glass pen.
Fountain Pen	Fountain pens have internal reservoirs for water-based inks. The inks are dispensed through nibs. See our Fountain Pen Terms section for more information.
Gel Pen	Gel pens contain pigments in a water-based gel. It balances a reasonably quick dry time with smooth flow. Learn more about the difference between inks in our guide.
Rollerball Pen	Rollerball pens contain water-based ink. They’re very smooth but tend to take longer to dry. Learn more about the difference between inks in our guide.
Multi Pen	Also known as multicolor or multifunctional pens, multi pens contain two or more refills. Some may also include pencil components. Pre-installed and customizable options are available.
Hand Grip/Hand Grasp	How you hold the pen. A tripod grasp—holding the pen with your thumb, index finger, and middle finger—is the most common.

Fountain Pen Terms

Fountain Pen Parts

This image shows the parts of a fountain pen.

Term	Definition
Barrel	The main body of the fountain pen.
Cap	The removable piece covering the nib.
Cartridge	A small tube filled with ink.
Converter	A device that is used to fill a fountain pen from an ink bottle.
Feed	The piece behind the nib that allowed ink to flow to the nib.
Grip Section	The section of the pen that you hold while writing.
Nib	The metal piece at the end of the pen that touches the paper.

Other Fountain Pen Terms

Image/Term	Definition
Demonstrator	A fountain pen with a clear barrel, which allows you to view the pen’s inner mechanism and ink contents.
Standard International	A sizing convention for fountain pen ink cartridges. Pens that are compatible with International Short or International Long cartridges can use any Standard International cartridge, even one from a different brand.
Cartridge/Converter Fountain Pen	A fountain pen that can be filled with either a cartridge or a converter.
Eyedropper-Filling Fountain Pen	A fountain pen that holds ink directly in the barrel, instead of inside a cartridge or converter.
Piston-Filling Fountain Pen	A fountain pen that uses a built-in piston mechanism to draw in ink.
Vacuum-Filling Fountain Pen	A fountain pen with a built-in vacuum mechanism that uses a plunger to draw in ink.
Nib Creep	This occurs when ink is visible on the top of a pen nib. Usually harmless, it is the result of ink coming up through the nib slit or breather hole.
Railroading	A problem that occurs when ink does not flow evenly through the two tines of the nib, resulting in lines being darker at the edges than in the center. Try using a wetter ink or adjust the nib by referring to our Fountain Pen Nib Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks guide.
Skipping	A problem caused by dry ink or a misaligned nib. Ink flow starts and stops and won’t form a consistent line. To fix poor ink flow, refer to our Fountain Pen Nib Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks guide.
Japanese vs European Nib Sizing	Japanese nib sizes tend to be finer than European nib sizes. For example, a Japanese Medium Nib is more similar to a European Fine. For more information, read our Guide to Fountain Pen Nibs.
Flex Nib	A specialty nib with flexible tines that separate with pressure, allowing the writer to achieve thick downstrokes and thin upstrokes. The Pilot Elabo Fountain Pen is one example.
Fude Nib	A specialty nib that is bent slightly upwards, allowing the writer to achieve the tapering strokes of a brush pen. The Sailor Compass Fude De Mannen Fountain Pen has a fude nib.
Italic Nib	A specialty nib that has a wide, flat tip. It creates thin horizontal lines and thick vertical lines. This type of line variation is suited for Italic handwriting and various calligraphic styles.
Stub Nib	A specialty nib that is similar to an italic nib, but with rounded edges. It also produces line variation, but the rounded edges result in a smoother writing experience. Italic and stub nib variations are sometimes called “cursive italic” nibs. Some brands use the terms interchangeably.
Celluloid	A type of material made from nitrocellulose and camphor. It was regularly used for fountain pens before the industrial production of plastic. Celluloid is very flammable, which makes it difficult to work with. The Platinum 3776 Century Celluloid is one of the few fountain pens still made using real celluloid.
Ebonite	The brand name for a hard, vulcanized rubber. Ebonite was regularly used for fountain pens before the industrial production of plastic. Today, many urushi fountain pens are made using ebonite.
Iridium	A very hard and durable metal that prevents the tip of your pen nib from wearing down over time. Almost all modern fountain pens are tipped with iridium or an iridium alloy.
Gold Nib	Typically found on luxury fountain pens. Gold nibs aren’t made from pure gold; instead they’re made using gold alloys such as 14 karat or 21 karat gold. Gold nibs are tipped with iridium.
Füller	The German word for “fountain pen.”
Man’nenhitsu (万年筆)	The Japanese word for “fountain pen.”

Ink Terms

Image/Term	Definition
Refills	An ink-filled container inside the body of a pen. Most pens come with a refill. Replacement refills are available for some pen models, but are unavailable for disposable pens.
Wet Ink vs Dry Ink	How well an ink flows varies. Inks that flow well are called wet inks. Inks that have lighter flow are called dry inks. Wet inks can fix skipping in a poorly flowing pen, whereas left-handers often prefer dry inks because they’re less likely to smear.
Pressurized	Pressurized inks have compressed air in the refill. These inks will flow no matter which direction the pen is facing. Read our Pressurized Ink Pens guide to see how they work.
Proprietary	Only compatible with products of the same brand. Some fountain pens only use proprietary cartridges, and most gel pens are only compatible with proprietary refills.
Dual Shading	An effect in which an ink looks like two different colors once dry. Also called chroma shading, double shading, dual color, or dual tone. Learn more in our Intermediate Guide to Fountain Pen Inks.
Shading	An effect in which ink appears darker in some areas and lighter in others. Learn more in our Intermediate Guide to Fountain Pen Inks.
Sheen	An effect in which a metallic effect appears once an ink is dry. Learn more in our Intermediate Guide to Fountain Pen Inks.
Dye Based	Ink containing dyes dissolved in liquid. Because dyes are water soluble, these inks are not waterproof.
Pigment Based	Ink containing pigment particles suspended in liquid. These particles become embedded in the paper as the ink dries. Most pigment-based inks are highly waterproof and lightfast. Also called carbon inks or nano inks.
Calligraphy Ink	Slightly viscous inks meant to be used with dip pens and nibs. Dip pen inks are not suitable for use inside fountain pens.
India Ink	Ink made with ground soot or carbon and a binder. The resulting ink is almost always glossy, waterproof, and solvent-proof. India ink is not suitable for fountain pens.
Iron Gall Ink	An ink that was traditionally made with tannic acid from oak galls. Modern iron gall inks use different materials and are much less acidic than traditional versions. Learn more in our Intermediate Guide to Fountain Pen Inks.
Acid Free	Inks that aren’t acidic. Acidic inks can corrode fountain pen nibs and inner mechanisms over time. If using an acidic ink, such as an iron gall ink, we recommend cleaning your pen regularly.
Archival	Archival inks are designed to stand the test of time. Though there is no industry standard for an archival quality ink, most are able to withstand fading and discoloration.
Bulletproof	A specification used by Noodler's to indicate resistance to water, UV light, and fading. Inks can also be partially bulletproof.
Copic Proof	Able to withstand smearing when colored over with Copic Alcohol Markers. Copic-proof inks can also withstand some solvents, such as those used in identity theft.
Lightfast	Resistant to fading or discoloration when exposed to light over time.
Permanent	The definition of permanence varies widely by manufacturer. In some products it only denotes waterproofness, while in others it means archival quality.
Waterproof	Waterproof inks are unaffected by water. Fountain pen users can read our Waterproof Fountain Pen Inks guide for more information.
Water Resistant	Water-resistant inks may fade slightly with water, but your words will remain legible.
Encre	The French word for “ink.” The term appears on many Herbin Inks, which are produced in France.
Edelstein	The German word for “gemstone.” Luxurious Pelikan Edelstein Inks are inspired by precious stones like sapphire, jade, and ruby.
Königsblau	A royal blue color. In German, it literally translates to “King’s Blue.”
Tinte	The German word for “ink.”
Tintenpatronen	The German word for “ink cartridge.”

Pencil Terms

Image/Term	Definition
Chuck	A clamp mechanism that opens to extend lead and closes to keep the lead in place.
Clean-Out Rod	A thin piece of metal that’s used to clear lead jams. Some mechanical pencils include clean out rods, but you can also get eraser refills with attached clean out rods.
Clutch	A spring mechanism that holds pencil lead in place.
Drop Clutch Mechanism	A type of lead advancement mechanism. It releases the entire piece of lead when the push button is pressed, so you can adjust how much lead is available at a time. Typically found on lead holders.
Incremental Advance Mechanism	A type of lead advancement mechanism. It extends a specific amount of lead at a time. Almost all mechanical pencils use this mechanism.
Ferrule	A metal piece used to attach an eraser to the end of a wooden pencil.
Lead	The small sticks that are inserted into a mechanical pencil. Pencil lead is made with graphite and clay. The heavy metal lead is not used.
Lead Grade	Also known as lead hardness, lead grade is a measurement of the lead’s softness and darkness. Read our guide for more information.
Lead Grade Indicator	A dial found on some pencils. Rotating it lets you choose between different lead grades to help you remember what type is inside the pencil.
Lead Sleeve	The metal piece that protects the lead at the tip. Some lead sleeves retract, while others are fixed in place.
Lead Tube	The internal tube that holds lead pieces.
Push Button	The button that is pressed down to extend the lead.
Lead Holder	Similar to a regular mechanical pencil, but most have clutch mechanisms and hold wider leads from 2.0 mm to 6 mm. Learn more about lead holders in our guide.
Shaker Pencil	A mechanical pencil that allows the user to extend lead by simply shaking the barrel back and forth.
Knurling	Textured crosshatching on the grip section of a drafting or mechanical pencil. It prevents the pencil from slipping as you write or sketch. All Rotring Drafting Pencils have knurled grips.
Pointer	A special kind of sharpener usually for wider leads found in lead holders.

Paper Terms

Image/Term	Definition
Paper Sizes	Paper sizes are measured using an international standard outside of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Learn more about paper sizes in our guide.
Weight	The thickness of the paper. Paper weight is measured in grams per square meter (gsm) or pounds (lbs).
Grams per square meter (gsm)	Grams per square meter (gsm) is the metric measurement of paper weight. A lower number means a thinner and more delicate paper, while a higher number generally means a thicker and more durable paper. For example, a 75 gsm paper is thinner than a 120 gsm paper.
Pounds (lbs)	Pounds (lbs) is the measurement of paper weight in the United States. Pounds is more difficult to define, and it may be inconsistent across brands. Most copy paper is about 20-25 lbs.
Bleedthrough	When ink soaks through the paper, sometimes even onto the next page. Broad-tipped pens and alcohol-based pens are more prone to bleeding.
Feathering	When ink absorbs into the paper and spreads into the fibers. Lines appear fuzzy instead of crisp. Feathering is also called “spidering” because it looks like spiders’ legs.
Feedback	The tactile feel of the pen tip on paper. Textured papers have more feedback, while smooth papers have less feedback. Also called “tooth.”
Showthrough	When writing can be seen on the other side of the paper. Thinner papers tend to have higher showthrough. Showthrough is also known as “ghosting” or “shadowing.”
Acid Free	A neutral or basic pH. Acid-free paper will last a long time, possibly even centuries. On the other hand, paper that is not acid free will turn yellow and brittle, potentially damaging any art or writing on its surface.
Archival Quality	Archival-quality paper is made to last a long time. The exact features of the paper can vary.
Cold Press	A type of finish for art paper. Cold-pressed papers are pressed with cold rollers and have moderately rough surfaces. They’re fairly absorbent and ideal for watercolors.
Hot Press	A type of finish for art paper. Hot-pressed papers are pressed with hot rollers and have smooth surfaces. They’re less absorbent than cold-pressed papers, but colors tend to be brighter as the pigments remain on the surface of the paper.
Signature	Also known as a section or gathering, a signature is a folded stack of paper bound together at the fold using staples or thread. A staplebound notebooks is made with a single signature, while threadbound notebooks typically combine multiple signatures.
Sizing	A substance applied to the top of paper to make it more water resistant. This film acts as a protective layer to prevent blurring and feathering.
Foolscap Paper	Foolscap paper, also known as fools paper, was a British paper exported to Japan during the Meiji era. It was named after its watermark of a cap and bells, a hat worn by court jesters. Today, foolscap is used to refer to premium Japanese paper that resists feathering and bleedthrough. Some notebooks that use foolscap paper include Kunisawa Find Note Soft Notebooks and Tsubame Fools Notebooks.
Vellum	Translucent paper used for tracing and drafting. Though traditionally made from animal hide, modern-day vellum is often made with coated cotton.

Art Terms

Image/Term	Definition
Flat	A paintbrush shape. Flat brushes are square so they can cover large areas.
Round	A paintbrush shape. Round brushes are tapered to a point, which makes them one of the most versatile shapes.
Kolinsky Sable	A type of Siberian weasel with hairs prized for their shape and ability to hold water. Brushes made with Kolinsky hair are known for their superior resilience.
Transparent vs Opaque Watercolors	Transparent watercolors don’t use additives (such as chalk or white) and produce sheer colors that allow previous layers of paint to show through. Opaque colors use white to “brighten” the colors, which also makes the paints less translucent.
Separation	When a paint or dye separates into its component colors, usually by exposure to water.
Staining	When paint pigments are finely ground, they adhere to paper and cannot be removed with lifting or scrubbing. These are known as staining paints.
Non-Toxic	Materials that are certified non toxic by the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) have passed toxicological tests and are safe for adults and children. ACMI certified non-toxic materials have an “AP” seal.
Non-Repro Blue	A specific shade of light blue that isn’t visible in photocopies and can be easily removed when using editing software like Adobe Photoshop. Artists can freely sketch ideas in blue lead without having to erase those lines afterwards. Also known as non-photo blue.
Tusche	The German word for “ink,” which also includes paint.