Have you ever wondered how to properly use fountain pen blotting paper but didn’t know where to start? This absorbent paper is essential for fountain pen users, whether you write every day or just occasionally.
There are a couple of ways to use blotting paper, but you should be sure not to blot too much or too soon after the ink is laid. You can do so manually by directly pressing the blotting paper down on your wet ink, or you can use a rocker blotter.
Keep reading as we explore the most effective ways to use fountain pen blotting paper so that your writing doesn’t smear or bleed. We’ll impart our best tips and strategies for blotting by hand so that you can get it right the first time.
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How to Use Blotting Paper – Fountain Pen Uses
There are a few techniques for absorbing ink with blotting paper (a.k.a “bibulous paper” that we’ll explore below:
- Pressing the paper straight down on ink with your hands
- Using a rocker blotter device to absorb excess ink (what we recommend)
- Using an ink blotting roller device to absorb excess ink
There are advantages to each method, as well as downsides. However, they’re each more effective than the historical way of absorbing excess ink, which was to sprinkle salt over the page while it dried.
Manual Ink Blotting Techniques
First, we’ll discuss ways to use ink blotting paper by hand since it’s the most affordable method. It’s also the most standard method that doesn’t require you to carry around an extra tool with your blotting paper. This method is simple; you just need to take a sheet of blotting paper and press it directly down on your writing.
You need to be careful not to move the sheet once it comes into contact with wet ink, or you run the risk of smearing. In terms of technique, it’s helpful to be gentle when you’re laying the blotting paper down on your writing paper. However, don’t go so far as to drop the blotting paper on your writing.
Chances are that a draft or breeze or the simple nature of gravity will cause it to land somewhere you don’t want it to. Or worse – you might end up with smears because your blotting paper drifts across the page.
You can often find what is called “blotting paper” on the bottom of a bottle of Lamy ink. However, many fountain pen users believe that buying a package of paper that’s advertised specifically for blotting is more effective.
Rocker Blotter Techniques
The second option we’ll outline is the rocker blotter because it’s a tried and true method for fountain pen users. Decent rocker blotters usually cost somewhere in the range of $25-$40, so they are pretty affordable.
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The advantages of rocker blotters include their effectiveness in comparison to manual blotting and their precision. While your hand or fingers might apply uneven pressure to a sheet of blotting paper, the rocker is designed specifically to fix that problem.
For the rocker technique, attach a sheet of blotting paper to your rocker device. Once it is secure, hold the rocker blotter by its handle and press down on your fresh fountain pen writing. Rock it back and forth a few times to cover more area and soak up more ink. Just be careful not to shift the rocker when you first push it down, or you might get smears.
Or, if you just have a small bit of ink you need to blot, you can simply press down on that spot and not rock the tool. This is effective, too, and it may even prevent high-sheen inks from dulling out too much. For more detailed, visual instructions, check out this Goulet Pen Company tutorial on how to use a rocker blotter.
Ink Blotting Roller Techniques
Finally, our third suggested method is to use an ink blotting roller tool. Unlike the rocker blotter, the roller isn’t the most portable device to carry around. However, it is fairly effective and will do a better job than you will do with your hands alone.
Rolling devices aren’t as common as rocker blotters, and when you’re using them you do run the risk of inks overlapping from the roller paper to your writing.
The technique is just slightly different from the rocker blotter technique. Attach the blotting paper to the device and press it against your wet ink. Then, roll it across the areas you want to dry up. Be careful not to jolt or shift the device as you’re using it so that you don’t smear the ink.
Tips for Fountain Pen Blotting
The above techniques are pretty useful when you’re blotting fountain pen ink. But there are a few things to keep in mind.
First of all, you should stick with blotting paper that is specifically designed with that purpose in mind. Regular blotting paper is a highly absorbent product that’s designed to soak up ink. This will work the best.
Second, don’t be too hasty with your blotting paper. It’s okay to let the ink dry a little bit on its own before you get out your rocker blotter. Sometimes, blotting too early can soak up too much ink and leave you with slightly transparent writing.
And third, make sure that you change out your blotting paper regularly. If it has too much use on it, you might accidentally transfer ink from the blotting paper to the paper you’re trying to dry.
Benefits of Using Blotting Paper
Some of the benefits of using blotting paper with a good technique include:
- You can keep the oils on your fingers/hands from smearing certain inks that are “high-sheen” in quality
- Faster drying and convenience
- You preserve the quality of your fountain pen writing
Final Thoughts
In summary, if you’ve ever wondered how to use blotting paper fountain pen-style, these techniques and tips should help you. There are manual blotting paper options, as well as rocker blotters and rolling devices. Make sure to follow the proper techniques so that you don’t smear your writing.