How to Activate a Gel Pen

Gel pens were introduced by the Japanese company, Sakura in the mid 1980s in Japan. Since that time, gel pens have traveled all over the world and are available in a rainbow of colors. A fresh new pen is an exciting tool for crafters and artists. When you first get your gel pen, take a moment to make sure you have prepared your pen to get the ink flowing properly. If you cannot activate the ink to flow through the pen, you may need to warm up the ink to get it to produce a nice line on the page.

Things You'll Need

• Scrap paper
• Hair dryer
• Scrap fabric

Show More

Instructions

1. • 1

     Remove the pen from its packaging. Take off the cap of the pen. Occasionally pens nibs will have a small mound of plastic that prevents the ink from flowing. Pull the plastic off and discard.

   • 2

     Draw on a scrap piece of paper to get the ink to flow. Draw in loose, scribble-like motions to get the ink to flow from the tip.

   • 3

     Place the cap back on the pen when not in use. Lay pens flat to store.