Frequently Asked Questions

At nibs-usa.com, we prioritize orders based on when they were placed and classify them into three categories: In Stock, Available, and Backorder. This system helps us ensure that all orders are processed efficiently and effectively. The estimated timeframe for your order to be shipped depends on the item's category at the time of purchase.

In Stock: Orders for items in this category are fulfilled within 2 to 4 business days. This category ensures the fastest delivery for customers who require their pens urgently. It may also include products labeled as "New Arrivals."

Available: Orders for items in this category typically require 7 to 10 business days to fulfill. This category may include products arriving soon or available for pre-order, with estimated delivery dates varying depending on the manufacturer's schedule.

Backorder: Specialty products in this category, such as Nakaya fountain pens, may take 6 to 12 months or more to fulfill. This extended timeframe is due to the handcrafted nature of these items, which require meticulous craftsmanship and may involve waiting for specific materials or customization requests.

Rest assured, our team will promptly reach out to customers whose orders exceed the estimated processing time. For more information about the way we process orders, please refer to our Shipping Policy.

At nibs-usa.com, we strive to make your shopping experience as transparent as possible. Sales tax is only applied to orders shipped within Florida, ensuring fairness for our local customers. For international orders, please be aware that VAT and customs fees may apply based on your country's regulations. These fees are separate from the shipping cost of your order. While we can not control these policies, our team is here to assist you with any inquiries and ensure a smooth delivery process.

When shipping items overseas, we adhere strictly to U.S. Customs regulations. While we are unable to undervalue items or mark them as gifts for customs purposes, rest assured that any items returned to us for repair will be accurately labeled as such upon return shipment to you. Your satisfaction is our top priority at nibs-usa.com. If you have any questions or concerns regarding taxes, customs fees, or shipping, please do not hesitate to reach out to our dedicated customer service team. We are here to ensure your shopping experience with us is seamless and enjoyable.

After your order is shipped, you will receive an automatic notification via email with your shipping information. You can use this information to track your package until it safely arrives to your designated shipping address. If your tracking number indicates that your package has been delivered but you have not received it, we recommend checking around your delivery area, as delivery drivers often leave packages in discreet locations near your door.

Still Can Not Find Your Package?
If you have thoroughly searched and still can not locate your package, please reach out to us promptly. Rest assured, all packages are shipped fully insured for your peace of mind. We will initiate a claim process, which typically requires a 30-day waiting period and must be initiated within 60 days of the delivery date. Once approved, usually within six weeks, we can offer a replacement or refund for your items. Please note that after 60 days, we are unable to take further action. Your satisfaction is important to us, so please do not hesitate to contact us if you need assistance with your package.

We want you to love your purchase from us. If for any reason you are not satisfied with your pen or nib within 30 days of your original purchase date, we offer hassle-free returns. Simply fill out our Return Request Form, indicating "Refund" or "Exchange" in the appropriate field, and we will guide you through the return process. Please note that personalized items, such as engraved pens or specialty purchases like ink and accessories, are ineligible for refunds or exchanges. Refunds are issued in the form of store credit, which can be used for any item available on our website. Should you prefer a refund to your account over store credit, a 20% restocking fee will apply.

Damaged Items?
In the unlikely event that your order arrives damaged, please contact us within seven days of receipt. We will promptly arrange a refund or replacement to ensure your satisfaction. For detailed return instructions and conditions, please visit our Returns page. Your happiness is our priority, and we're here to make the return process as seamless as possible.

What Is A Fountain Pen & How Does It Differ From A Dip Pen Or A Ballpoint Pen?

A fountain pen is a writing instrument featuring a metal nib (often made of steel or solid gold) and an internal ink reservoir, such as a cartridge, converter or other filling mechanism, that provides a continuous and refillable ink supply. Introduced in the late 19th century, fountain pens largely replaced dip pens, which needed frequent dipping into an ink well to maintain an ink supply. Unlike ballpoint pens, which use a rolling ball mechanism to dispense ink, fountain pens offer a smoother and more customizable writing experience.

What Kind Of Ink Supply Systems Do Most Fountain Pens Use & What Is The Difference Between Them?

Many contemporary fountain pens typically use one of three types of filling systems: cartridge, converter, or piston. These systems enable the pen to function with either disposable ink cartridges, a removable ink reservoir, or a non-removable refillable reservoir.

Cartridges are convenient for travel and easy to replace. They are often proprietary to their brand, meaning you need to use cartridges specifically designed for your pen. However, cartridges offer fewer color choices compared to bottled ink. To use, simply insert the cartridge into the pen, and it's ready to write.

Converters, on the other hand, are reusable and provide the flexibility to refill your pen with bottled ink, giving you access to a wide variety of colors. Like cartridges, converters are proprietary, so you'll need the correct converter for your pen. To fill a converter, install it in the pen, then submerge the nib in the ink bottle and twist the converter to draw in the ink.

A piston-filler fountain pen features a built-in ink reservoir that is filled by dipping the nib and section directly into an ink bottle while twisting the piston knob at the end of the barrel. Piston-fillers often have a larger ink capacity than cartridge or converter pens, making them a popular choice among fountain pen enthusiasts. The piston mechanism simplifies the filling process, as it can be done without disassembling the pen.

Explore our wide selection of bottled ink, cartridges, and converters under the Accessories tab on our website.

What Kind Of Ink Should I Use In My Fountain Pen?

When selecting ink for your fountain pen, it's important to choose one that is specifically formulated for fountain pens. This applies whether you own a cartridge, converter or piston-filler pen. At our shop, we ensure that every ink we sell has been tested in a pen by our team, so you can be confident in its safety and performance.

Our range of cartridges and bottled inks are all safe to use with your fountain pen. However, regardless of the ink you choose, we strongly recommend regular cleaning of your pen. This is especially crucial if you use pigmented or carbon inks, which can clog feeds if not properly maintained. For more details on how to care for your pen, please visit our Pen Maintenance page.

What Is A Fountain Pen Nib?

A fountain pen nib is the metal writing point at the end of the pen, responsible for delivering ink to paper. Nibs can be made from a variety of materials, with gold and steel being the most common.

Gold nibs are prized for their flexibility, luxurious writing experience, and resistance to corrosion. The karat rating (14k, 18k, 21k) refers to the gold content, with higher numbers indicating a higher percentage of gold. Generally, 14k gold nibs are more rigid and durable, 18k gold nibs offer a good balance of flexibility and durability, and 21k gold nibs are the softest and most flexible, providing a luxurious writing experience.

Steel nibs, while less expensive, are also a viable option. They are known for their durability and firmness, making them suitable for those who prefer a more rigid writing experience. Modern steel nibs, when properly tuned, offer remarkable smoothness and reliability, making them an excellent choice, especially for beginners. They are also less prone to bending and can be a better choice for heavy-handed writers or those who need a more robust pen for everyday use.

Both gold and steel nibs boast their unique advantages and can be customized to your preferences by our skilled nibmeisters. Ultimately, the choice between a gold or steel nib depends on personal preference, writing style, and budget.

What Nib Sizes Are Usually Available?

Typically, fountain pens come in various nib sizes, including Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad, and Extra Broad, though finer and broader sizes are often offered too. In cases where a manufacturer does not provide the preferred nib size, we can typically accommodate regrinds or retipping to meet your specifications.

What Is The Difference Between Hard, Soft, and Flexible Nibs?

Contemporary fountain pen nibs typically fall into two main categories: hard and soft. Hard nibs are rigid, offering a consistent line width, while soft nibs, like those found on the Pilot Falcon series or Nakaya's Soft Fine and Soft Medium nibs, allow for line-width variation based on writing pressure. Additionally, our nibmeisters are experience in adding flex to most nibs, enhancing line-width versatility.

It is important to understand that soft and flexible nibs are actually more position-sensitive and provide a less smooth writing experience than standard rigid or hard nibs. The tines on a soft or flexible nib move independently and are more exposed, tending to catch on the paper. This scratchiness and feedback is actually a desired feature with a soft or flexible nib, but is in contrast to the smoothness normally valued when utilizing a fountain pen. The same principles apply to nibs customized for added flex. Adding flex to a hard or rigid nib will increase line variation but diminish smoothness, requiring greater skill from the pen user.

How To Properly Store Fountain Pens When Not In Use?

If you are planning to store your fountain pen for a while, it is best to clean it thoroughly to prevent dried ink from clogging the feed. Invest in pen pouches, cases, or display chests to safeguard your pens from any mishaps—they provide excellent protection and are often prized possessions themselves. Additionally, the original presentation box your pen came in can serve as suitable storage for longer periods.

Ensure your pens are stored in a cool, dry environment away from extreme temperatures or direct sunlight. With proper care, your fountain pen will remain safe and ready for use whenever you need it.

What Precautions Should Be Take When Traveling On An Airplane With A Fountain Pen?

Variations in cabin pressure have been known to cause leakage in fountain pens during air travel. However, testimony from most users of modern fountain pens seems to indicate that the great majority of contemporary fountain pens can be carried and used on board with little or no difficulty. Conventional wisdom is that it is best to travel with a fountain pen either completely empty of ink or completely full.

The empty option is easy to understand—you can not leak ink if there is no ink in your pen! The full option is equally understandable in its own way—if a cartridge or internal reservoir is absolutely full, there is no trapped air that will be affected by the changes of air pressure as the plane ascends and descends.

What To Know When Using Fountain Pens for Art?

Artists typically desire line-width variation when using a fountain pen. This can be achieved through two primary methods: by getting a regrind to oblique or italic, offering line-width variation based on the pen's angle, or by adding flex, which varies line width based on pressure applied while drawing or writing. The combination of flex with a regrind to italic or oblique yields the highest potential for expression, albeit resulting in a more challenging nib to use. This holds true for our popular Spencerian customization, which pairs added flex with a regrind to needlepoint, enabling Spencerian copperplate calligraphy.

Which Fountain Pens Are Recommended Fountain For Artists?

Most artists seek line-width variation in their writing tools, and any pen we offer can undergo nib customization to italic or oblique points to fulfill this need. Additionally, most pens featuring 14k nibs possess the added benefit of being customizable for increased flex. Certain pens like the Pilot Custom 912, Falcon Resin, and Metal Falcon series come equipped with soft nibs, already exhibiting some flexibility; with our customizations, these can be further enhanced.

Furthermore, any Nakaya pen can be fitted with a Soft Fine or Soft Medium nib, which can also be tailored for drawing purposes. The Sailor 1911 and Pro Gear series pens are often favored by artists for their durability and excellent value, while many prefer the Pelikan Souveran series pens due to their piston-filler ink systems' high capacity. In conclusion, nearly any high-quality fountain pen can be adapted to suit an artist's needs—do not hesitate to reach out if you have specific inquiries tailored to your preferences and budget.

What Is The Best Way To Deal with Dried or Hardened Ink?

Should any ink, regardless of its permanence, dry in a piston-filler or twist-converter pen, it will harden. This could result in the user inadvertently dragging the piston across the reservoir's inner surface, leading to damage to the piston itself or scratches on the barrel or converter. If faced with dried ink, we suggest using household ammonia, as it effectively breaks down most non-permanent inks for easy flushing.

Removing dried permanent ink presents significant challenges and often requires professional repair. It's advisable to avoid using alcohol, paint thinner, or lacquer thinner for cleaning ink from a pen. Please reach out to our customer service team if you encounter any problems with hardened or dried ink.