Learning how to store a fountain pen adequately should be the first thing you do after purchasing your brand-new fountain pen to ensure it stays in good condition. In this article, we'll discuss three storage methods that’ll ensure your pen’s durability and longevity for years to come. 

We’ll also discuss different storage cases, the position in which you need to store your pen, and much more. Regardless of whether you’re a first-time fountain pen owner or you’ve been using fountain pens for a long time, you’ll definitely find useful information in the paragraphs below.

Fountain Pen Storage Basics

Before we dive into the different storage methods, let’s first go over the basics of fountain pen storage. 

The Nib

Adequately storing your fountain pen should achieve the following things:

• Keep your ink from drying out
• Prevent the ink from leaking from the top of the nib

To do this, we generally use one of the two storing methods, horizontally or vertically, but never with the nib down to prevent the ink from spilling in the cap. When the pen is full of ink, we always store it vertically, with the nib pointing upward. If your pen has no ink inside, you can store it either horizontally or vertically.

The Environment

An important factor when storing a fountain pen is balancing the humidity in the room. In cases of increased humidity, the ink from your pen can start to leak, and in cases of extremely low humidity, the ink can dry out. It’s also important to keep your pen away from direct sunlight to prevent the ink from drying too fast. 

Temperature

Extreme temperatures can have terrible effects on your pen, so you should always keep them at a comfortable room temperature. Cold temperatures can cause your ink to freeze, expand, crack the cartridge converter, and then leak. Moreover, sudden temperature changes can also result in issues. 

Similar to how extremely cold temperatures aren’t the best for your fountain pen, hot temperatures aren’t good either. In such an environment, the ink inside your pen dries faster, and you end up using more ink than usual as a result of the dry nib. 

For optimal storage, it’s best to maintain a room temperature between 18° and 22°C (64-72°F).

The 411 on Fountain Pen Storage

The storage method you should opt for depends on how long you’re storing your fountain pen. These are the three most common situations:

• Storing your fountain pen while using it
• Storing your fountain pen overnight or for a few days
• Storing your fountain pen for a longer period

We’ll discuss each one in more depth below.

Storing Your Fountain Pen While Using It

If you think that you shouldn’t pay attention to how you’re storing your fountain pen as you’re using it throughout the day, this couldn’t be further from the truth. For those moments in between actively using the pen, follow these steps.

Capping Your Fountain Pen

Since the ink inside your pen is water-based, it tends to dry out quickly if it’s not in use. To prevent this from happening, you should always put the cap back on when not using your pen. This ensures that the next moment you need your pen, the nib will still be wet and you wouldn’t have to re-dip it again. 

Fountain Pen Storage Position

The next important tip for storing your pen while using it is to always keep it flat so the ink stays in the nib. This will allow you to start writing at any time with ease. If you store your pen with the nib point up, you’ll need to wait for the ink to get down to the nib before you can start writing again. 

The worst way to store your fountain pen as you’re writing is with the nib pointing down. We know that ballpoint pens need to be stored with the tip down, so they’re immediately ready for you to start writing, however, the same can’t be said for fountain pens. Storing the pen with the nib down will make all the ink drop down to the nib and you’ll end up with ink spilling into your cap or on the paper as you’re writing, making a huge mess and wasting your ink.

Storing Your Fountain Pen Overnight or For a Few Days

If you want to continue using your fountain pen the next day or in the following few days, don’t leave it lying horizontally on your desk. This can cause your ink to start drying in the nib, meaning you’ll need to clean your pen the next time you use it. Instead, you should store the pen vertically and with the nib pointing up to prevent the ink from leaking or drying out. It may need a small amount of time for the ink to descend to the nib the next day, but you’ll end up with a fountain pen that will last you for a long time.

Storing Your Fountain Pen For Long Periods

Last but not least, storing your fountain pen long-term requires you to empty and clean it completely, dry it, and then store it away. To do this, you need to drain the ink and clean the pen with clear, warm water, and then leave the pen to dry completely. Because the pen is without ink, you can store it either vertically or horizontally.

Fountain Pen Storage Cases

To store your fountain pen adequately, you’ll need a storage case. There are a few different types you can choose from, all of which can be found in the Truphae shop, such as:

• Display case
• Storage box
• Leather pen case
• Travel case

Display Case

If you have a large pen collection and want to showcase your pens, the display case is the best option. The best way to have your collection displayed is to store it behind a glass panel that’s away from direct sunlight and heat sources, and can easily open when you need to take out a particular pen.

Storage Box

Your next option is the standard storage box which is a horizontal, rectangular container that comes in different materials, from cotton to suede.

Leather Pen Case

The leather pen case is a go-to for fountain pen owners since it looks sophisticated and it’s lined with a soft cloth on the inside that prevents your fountain pen from being damaged while stored.

Travel Case

Travel pen cases are meant to protect your pen as you’re travelling. They can easily fit inside your travel bag and they all have a strap that will hold your pen in place.

Tips for Travelling with Your Fountain Pen

If you use your fountain pen constantly and you don’t want to go on a trip without it, make sure to follow these tips:

• Keep it away from other items.
• Keep it sealed away in a plastic bag and stored in a special case to prevent leaks.
• If the ink is full, store it in a vertical position with the nib up. 

Fountain Pens on Planes

Taking your fountain pen on a plane is a completely different story and you’ll need to take a few extra precautions. The change in altitude and pressure causes the air inside the pen to expand, which might cause a leak. For that reason, it’s best to empty the pen completely before going on the plane. And if you want to use the pen while flying, wait until the plane has stabilized and is flying at a constant altitude.

Conclusion

Taking care of your fountain pen and properly storing it is the best method to ensure its longevity. Remember to always put the cap back on your pen as soon as you stop writing, never store your pen with the nib down, clean your pen if you don’t plan to use it for a while, and empty it before you take it on a plane. And to ensure that your fountain pen stays in pristine condition, it’s best to keep it in a cool, dry place, that’s away from direct sunlight.

How did you like the tips that we mentioned in this article? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and don’t forget to share the article if you enjoyed it. If you need more info on storing your other pens, check out our other guide as well.

And if you’d like to purchase your first fountain pen or add one more to your collection, visit Truphae’s shop.