ASK TGS: Frequently asked questions and other topics of interest (Updated 6.28.25)

Over nearly a decade of writing about stationery, retailing stationery, and producing stationery-related content, I’ve received many questions from readers and viewers via e-mail, social media, and in-person at pen shows and other events. I’ve responded to some of the more common questions in blog post form, and pulled these links together onto a single resource page.

Note: If there is a question you would like to see answered, please use the contact form on the blog. I have a long list of potential topics that people have sent me over the years (some even via snail mail!) so I can’t promise I will get to it promptly, but do no that I read everything and greatly appreciate people taking the time to reach out.

General Questions and Recommendations

  1. I’m looking to purchase my first fountain pen, what should I buy? There are so many different places to start, and everyone’s specific needs will vary. If you’re looking to buy your first fountain pen (or first fountain pen at ___ price point), I typically recommend that you first consult our “Best Pens” resource, which has been updated annually since 2017. I’m happy to answer any follow-up questions via the usual channels.

  2. When is it time to “upgrade” from an inexpensive fountain pen to a “nicer” one? I personally believe that this entire hobby is entirely subjective and a matter of personal preference, so if your Pilot Kakuno or Kaweco Perkeo or Platinum Preppy meets all your needs and makes you happy, you absolutely don’t need to “upgrade.” That said, the most common practical reason that leads many users toexplore fountain pens beyond their first cartridge pens is needing a larger ink capacity (in which case a piston filler, vacuum-filler, or eyedropper may make sense).

  3. Is [INSERT BRAND HERE] paper fountain pen friendly? As with pen recommendations, I’ve devoted an entire post/page to fountain pen friendly paper recommendations. The short response is that this is a difficult question to answer, as “fountain pen friendly” means different things to different people.

  4. I want to buy a pen for someone as a gift. What should I purchase? Though I generally recommend against gifting fountain pens in favor of ballpoints, rollerballs, or even a nice gel pen, lately pen companies have been releasing a lot of pens at what I consider a “zero risk” price point (i.e., under $20). Every year I publish a gift guide around the holidays, but the recommendations hold true throughout the year and many of them have been consistent since I started the guide five or six years ago.

  5. Do you actually use your pens or just collect them? I get this question all the time, with the suggestion being that I only use pens when I’m writing pen reviews or selling them. Nothing could be further from the truth, as I’ve long valued the many benefits of writing by hand throughout my long and varied career(s), including 20+ years as a writer and attorney. I also have a fairly consistent journaling practice and will periodically write posts like this one discussing tips and techniques.

  6. Do you have an index of all the pens and inks T.G.S. has previously reviewed? Yes! We have an index of pen reviews here, by brand, and a separate list of inks.

Paper Questions

  1. How do different paper sizes compare to one another? Are you confused by A4 vs. A5 vs. A6 vs. B6, etc.? Legal vs. letter? Check out this resource here to see specific dimensions and how some of the more popular paper sizes compare to one another.

  2. What’s the best paper for written correspondence or letter-writing? While you shouldn’t let the need for the “right” paper prevent you from getting started with letter writing - any paper will do, even a postcard! - there are several classic paper brands that make paper intended for written correspondence.

  3. What’s the best paper for pencils? While “best paper” for anything is always a matter of personal preference, many pencil users enjoy paper that is uncoated and textured, making for a more tactile writing experience that’s more conducive to writing with graphite. We carry a wide range of papers that work very well with pencil, though please be aware that pencil-friendly paper may not be the best for writing with fountain pens, as certain more absorbent, uncoated papers may be prone to feathering.

  4. I’m confused about all the different “notebook systems” on the market. How do I get started? The number of different notebook systems on the market has exploded over the past five years. While it can be confusing, most companies use standard A5 sizing, allowing users to swap inserts and refills between different systems. I wrote a general overview post on how to get started, and there is also a multi-post series on different notebook systems that you can read through if you’d like to learn more about a specific model. These include Part I (Background Information); Part II (Plotter/Ring Binders); Part III (Traveler’s Company/Modular); and Part IV (Single Notebooks).

Pen and Ink Questions

  1. How do I clean my fountain pens? Though they do require periodic cleaning/maintenance, fountain pens are much less “fussy” than you’ve been led to believe. I don’t use any special solutions to flush and clean my pens (usually just water mixed with a small drop of dish soap), but there are a few tips and tricks to make the process even easier. Read more here.

  2. My fountain pen is skipping. How do I fix it? Several issues can cause a fountain pen to skip or hard-start (i.e., fail to write immediately when you first put the nib to paper). Sometimes you can fix the issue yourself with a thorough cleaning, if the pen is clogged due to dried out ink or manufacturing residue in a new pen. If this doesn’t work, or there is a visible nib issue, you should contact the retailer or manufacturer who sold you the pen for assistance. If it’s a secondhand or vintage pen, specialized nib technicians can often fix most issues. For more on this issue, see this post.

  3. Why does one pen of my fountain pens write a wider line than the other, even though they are both the same nib size? Many different factors can contribute to line width, including not only the size of the tipping on the nib, but the wetness of the ink, the absorbency of the paper, and more. To make it even more confusing, one brand’s “fine” nib might be wider than another brand’s fine nib, and one brand’s medium nib might be wider than another brand’s broad. Unfortunately there’s not really a substitute for experimentation, though you can sometimes get a general idea of how specific nibs write from online reviews and comparisons.

  4. Can I take my fountain pen on an airplane? Generally speaking, only travel with your fountain pens completely full or empty. Changes in temperature and air pressure while traveling have a tendency to cause ink to “burp” into the cap, which can cause a mess when you uncap your pen. Read more on how this works here.

  5. I need a permanent ink for my fountain pen. You’re in luck, as there are many different options, though permanent inks may require more frequent cleaning than standard inks as most are pigment-based. You can read more on this topic here.

  6. Are shimmer inks safe to use in fountain pens? Yes, for the most part, though as with permanent/pigment inks you will need to be more deliberate about cleaning your pen regularly. I wrote a post about best practices for shimmer inks that many people found helpful.

Shop Questions

  1. How do you choose the products you carry in the T.G.S. Shop? We’ve adopted a “curated retail” model, where we choose those products that either pique our own interest or that we feel are underserved by the wider network of online and brick-and-mortar stationery retailers. You can read more on our shop philosophy here.

  2. Do you have a physical shop location? Yes! We have a warehouse/showroom location in Nashville, Tennessee. The location is conveniently located in the Berry Hill/Sidco Drive area off I-65, with easy interstate access from most of the greater Nashville metropolitan area. There are many benefits to shopping in person, especially when considering a fountain pen, so please do give us a visit if you are in town.

  3. When will my order ship? All orders typically ship within two or three business days (usually two) unless otherwise stated on the shop page. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with tracking information when your order ships. If you have not received this e-mail, please check your SPAM folder, as these are automated e-mails that sometimes get filtered out by e-mail providers. View our full shipping policy here.

  4. Do you ship internationally? Yes, we ship to most locations served by USPS, UPS, Fedex, or DHL. If your location is not listed when you try to place an order, please contact us for a quote.

  5. Do you attend pen shows? Yes, we usually attend between 3 and 5 U.S. pen shows per year. This year, we are planning to attend the Arkansas, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco Pen Shows, though we may not be selling at certain shows but rather just visiting with customers and potentially teaching workshops and courses.

  6. What is your return policy? If something arrives broken or defective, you may return it at our cost for a replacement or refund. Similarly, if something breaks within the manufacturer’s warranty period, please contact us to arrange for service or replacement. All other returns are subject to a 30-day window in which you may return items in unused and resalable condition for a refund, minus shipping costs. Resalable condition means in the original undamaged packaging. You can view the full return policy here.