Are you stumped trying to figure out what kind of refill to use in your rollerball pen? Wondering if it matters if you use a ballpoint refill or a rollerball refill?
There are some distinct differences between ballpoint pens and rollerball pens. Most people tend to have a preference between the two because of writing style, ease of use, or even the way the ink looks when you write with it. Typically there is a specific type of refill cartridge that works with your pen, but there are ways to make incompatible cartridges work.
In this article, we are going to talk about how rollerballs and ballpoint pens are both similar and different and help you select the right refill for your pen so you can keep writing to your heart’s content.
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What is the difference between a ballpoint and a rollerball pen?
Most stores have a wide selection of both ballpoint and rollerball pens. You can easily find both with different shades of ink, different point thicknesses, and different pen styles as well. Both types of pens have unique characteristics that usually mean that most people have a strong preference for one style over the other.
Here is a little bit more information on both ballpoints and rollerballs so you can decide for yourself which one will suit you best.
Ballpoint pen
A ballpoint pen is what most people typically think of when they think of pens. A perfect example of this is your standard Bic pen or a pen you might be given at a trade show or doctor’s office.
Ballpoint pen ink is oil-based and tends to have a more subdued color whether the ink is black, blue, or another shade. Ballpoint pens glide easily across the page due to the oily ink but can tend to smudge your hands if you brush across it.
Rollerball pen
A rollerball pen is much more similar to a classical pen and ink look in terms of the way it looks when you write with it.
Rollerballs are popular with artists or anyone who is particular about a very fine line when writing, sketching or drawing with it.
Rollerballs have water-based ink, so the color tends to be bolder and the ink intensity depends on how much pressure you put down on the pen.
Can I use a ballpoint refill in a rollerball pen? And vice versa?
There are refills available for almost any pen on the market. It is usually recommended to seek out the particular refill style that goes with your pen whenever you can because they are built to be compatible with the exact dimensions of your pen.
With that said, there are certain ways that you can use a ballpoint refill in a rollerball pen or vice versa if you wish. You may need to take a close look at the measurements of your pen or consider purchasing a refill adapter to make it fit, but it is possible with a little bit of research.
If your ballpoint pen is a Parker-style pen, you can easily find Parker-style ballpoint refills that should fit your existing pen. This is because all Parker-style refills are the same size regardless of the ink type, so they can be used interchangeably.
What is a pen refill adapter?
Pen refill adapters can be a helpful tool to make a refill fit into your existing pen even if it wasn’t made to be compatible. Adapters work by helping to make your refill cartridge fit in the dimensions of your existing pen, so they help you get the right fit so you can use your pen with the new cartridge.
It can be tricky to find the right refill adapter that will work with your pen. You need to know the inner dimensions of the ink cartridge, the size of the pen tip, and what will fit inside the pen itself.
Custom pen makers, stationery stores, or office supply stores can usually help you with figuring out the type of adapter you need, but you can also easily figure it out yourself and purchase an adapter on Amazon or another online retailer.
Why would I want to use a ballpoint pen refill in a rollerball pen?
This is a common question. You might wonder why you don’t just buy a new pen with the kind of ink that you actually like to use in it.
There are a few reasons why you may need or want to use a ballpoint pen refill in a rollerball pen or even a rollerball refill in a ballpoint pen.
The most common reason that people do this is if they discover a pen that they like that has the weight, grip, and comfort that they enjoy using, but the only problem is that they don’t like writing with that type of ink. In this case, they may want to swap out the rollerball for a ballpoint refill but continue using the pen.
Another reason why you may want or need to use the wrong type of refill in your pen is that you are working with what you have available. If you previously purchased a package of ballpoint refills but you need to replace the ink in a rollerball pen, you might be tempted to use the refills you already have without having to buy new ones.
Final Thoughts
Ballpoint pens and rollerball pens are similar in many ways, but also have some differences. If you need to replace the ink in your ballpoint pen, the best bet is to always replace it with a refill that is made for the pen you have. This ensures an easy replacement that is guaranteed to work with the pen you have and give you the same great writing experience.
But what if you want to try something different? Can you put a ballpoint refill in a rollerball pen?
It is possible to put a ballpoint refill in a rollerball pen if you wish. You might need an adapter or to make sure that the pen style you are replacing matches the pen style of the refill you have, but it is possible to do if you wish.