How to Prime a New Fountain Pen

How to Prime a New Fountain Pen

Ross Adams |

You have just received a new fountain pen. You fill it with ink, put nib to paper, and... nothing. Or a faint, scratchy line that disappears after a few words. This is completely normal, and it is easy to fix.

Why New Pens Need Priming

New fountain pens are shipped dry. The nib, feed, and ink channel contain no ink, and sometimes a small amount of manufacturing residue or protective coating. Before the pen can write reliably, ink needs to be drawn through the entire feed system and into the channel beneath the nib.

How to Prime Your Pen

The process varies slightly depending on the filling system, but the principle is the same for all pens.

For Converter or Cartridge Pens

  1. Fill the converter or insert a cartridge as normal.
  2. Hold the pen nib-down and gently squeeze the converter (if it is a squeeze converter) or give it a half-turn back and forth (if it is a twist converter). This encourages ink to flow toward the nib.
  3. Touch the nib to a piece of paper towel or tissue. You should see a small amount of ink transfer. This confirms ink has reached the nib.
  4. Write a few circles or figure-eights on scrap paper to get the ink flowing through the feed.

For Piston Fillers

  1. Fill the pen by submerging the nib in ink and turning the piston knob to draw ink in.
  2. Once filled, hold the pen nib-down and give the piston a very slight turn to push a tiny drop of ink to the nib tip.
  3. Blot on a tissue and write a few test strokes on scrap paper.

For Eyedropper Pens

  1. Fill the barrel with ink using a blunt syringe.
  2. Reassemble the pen and hold nib-down for a moment to allow ink to reach the feed.
  3. Blot and test as above.

If the Pen Still Won't Write

If priming does not solve the problem, try these steps:

  • Dip the nib directly into the ink bottle and write immediately. This bypasses any air in the feed and confirms whether the nib itself is the issue.
  • Check that the cartridge or converter is fully seated. A loose connection is a common cause of flow problems in new pens.
  • Run the nib under lukewarm water for a few seconds to remove any residue, then dry and refill.

If the pen still does not write after these steps, the nib may need adjustment. Our team is happy to help — contact us and we can advise.

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