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JetPens Glossary

JetPens Glossary

April 9, 2019 - Posted by Elaine to Guides, Fun Facts, Beginners' Guides, Stationery 101

JetPens Glossary

The vast world of stationery is fascinating to explore. As you discover new pens and paper, you may encounter some unusual words and phrases. Is there Japanese jargon on your gel pen? Are you perplexed by product names? Our JetPens Glossary can help define those mystery terms!

Japanese Terms
TermKanjiFuriganaDefinition
Fudeふで"Fude" (pronounced foo-day) means "brush." This term shows up in the names of many brush pen products, like the Tombow Fudenosuke.
Washi和紙わしA type of Japanese paper that was historically handmade using plant fibers from mulberry, bamboo, or rice. Washi tapes are made by adding adhesive backing to strips of colorful washi paper.
Techō手帳てちょうBased on the words for "hand" and "book," "techō" means "pocket notebook" or "planner." The versatile Hobonichi Techo can be used as a planner, journal, and more.
Iroいろ"Iro" means color, so it shows up in product names like the luxurious Pilot Iroshizuku Inks. The word "sai" also means color.
Gansai顔彩がんさいTraditional Japanese watercolors. Gansai watercolors are boldly pigmented and very opaque on paper.
Etegami絵手紙えてがみBased on the words for "picture" and "message," etegami is a Japanese folk art involving simple drawings and a brief message. The philosophy of etegami is to be spontaneously thoughtful. It is generally done on postcards, which are easily mailed off to friends.
Maki-e蒔絵まきえMaki-e, which means "sprinkled picture," is a Japanese art form that involves carefully sprinkling a lacquered surface with powder made from gold, silver, copper, and other precious metals. The metallic powder is also applied using brushes or sponges to create beautiful motifs.
Raden螺鈿らでんRaden is a technique in which lacquered wares are inlaid with small fragments of ivory or shell, such as mother-of-pearl or abalone.
Shitajiki下敷きしたじきA flat, lightweight plastic board that is placed underneath a sheet of paper. It provides a smooth writing surface and prevents heavy-handed writers from denting or marking the pages underneath. It is also known as a "pencil board" or "writing board."
Shikkari確りしっかりA word that means "tightly" or "securely." The Kokuyo Campus Shikkari paper has more texture, which allows your pen or pencil to grip the paper securely.
SharpシャープAn English word that has taken on separate meaning in the Japanese stationery world. Instead of its literal meaning, "sharp" is another word for a mechanical pencil -- a pencil that is always sharp.
Sign PenサインペンAnother English-to-Japanese term, "sign pen" usually refers to felt-tipped writing markers. However, the term can be used for any pen that is intended for writing signatures.
KnockノックThe motion of pressing down on a button to extend the pen tip or pencil lead. The push button itself is often called a "knock button".
Kuru Toga

尖る
くるくる
とがる
The Uni Kuru Toga Auto Lead Rotation Mechanical Pencil's name comes from "kurukuru", a mimetic word for the sound of something rotating or spinning, and "togaru," a verb meaning "to taper."
Kiraキラ"Kirakira" is a mimetic word for something twinkling or sparkling. Some of our metallic and glitter pens have "kira" in their name, like the Sakura Ballsign Kirara.
Fureru振れるふれるThis means to shake. The Pilot Fure Fure Pencils are appropriately named because you extend lead by shaking the pencil back and forth.
Sarasaraさらさら"Sarasara" is a mimetic word that describes silky-smooth items, such as the smooth-writing Zebra Sarasa Gel Pens.
SharboシャーボThe customizable Zebra Sharbo Multi Pen gets its name from "Sharp" + ballpoint, due to its ability to hold both ink and pencil refill components.
Sumi InkすみBased on the words for "ink" and "water", sumi ink was traditionally made by grinding ink sticks on a palette and then gradually adding water. Today, pre-mixed sumi ink is sold in bottles for convenience. Most sumi inks are water resistant when dry.
Mensō面相めんそう"Mensō" means "face." A menso brush is a fine-point brush used for intricate detail work like small facial features.
Manga漫画まんがThe art of Japanese comics. Manga works cover many genres (including action, mystery, and romance) and are read by people of all age groups.
Mangaka漫画家まんがかA manga artist.
Diaryダイアリー"Diary" is commonly used instead of planner in Japanese. This is true in British English as well.
FreeフリーYou'll often see Japanese planners labelled as "free". This simply means that the planner is undated.
Flakeフレーク"Flake" stickers are die-cut stickers
Gokuboso極細ごくぼそYou'll often see these kanji characters on brush and fountain pens. "極細" means superfine or extra fine.
Hosoji細字ほそじ"細字" means small type or handwriting. You'll find it on fine brush pens or fountain pen nibs.
Chūji中字ちゅうじ"中字" refers to medium tips or nibs.
Futoji太字ふとじ"太字" means boldface or bold-type. This can be found on broad tips or nibs.
General Pen Terms
TermDefinition
BarrelThe main body of the pen.
TipThe part of the pen that dispenses ink. In some pens, the tip is also called the nib.
GripThe section of the pen that you hold while writing. Some pens have rubber or ergonomic grips for added comfort.
CapThe removable piece that covers the pen tip.
PostTo place the pen cap on the back end of the barrel.
Ballpoint PenBallpoint pens contain viscous oil-based inks. Because ballpoint ink is thicker, it dries quickly and is compatible with almost all types of paper.
Rollerball PenRollerball pens contain water-based ink. They offer a smoother writing experience, but liquid inks tend to have longer drying times.
Gel PenGel pens contain ink made up of pigments mixed in water-based gel. Since this mixture is thinner than ballpoint ink but thicker than rollerball ink, gel ink strikes a balance between being quick-drying and smooth-flowing.
Fountain PenFountain pens hold ink in a reservoir and dispense it continuously through a nib. See our Fountain Pen Terms section for more information.
Multi PenMulti Pens contain two or more ink colors. Some may also include a pencil component. Pre-installed and customizable options are available.
Brush PenBrush pens have tapered and springy tips that mimic real paintbrushes.
Calligraphy PenCalligraphy pens have specialty tips, such as Italic nibs, which produce the line variation required for beautiful calligraphic works.
Dip PenDip pens do not contain an ink reservoir. To use them, first dip the pen tip into bottled dip pen ink. As you write, the ink will run off the tip onto paper. Simply re-dip periodically to keep writing. "Dip Pen" can also refer to the combination of a nib and nib holder.
Conical TipConical tips are more durable than needle-point tips and can withstand damage from accidental drops. The popular Uni-ball Signo is an example of a conical-tip pen.
Needle-Point TipNeedle-point tips are more precise, but also more delicate. Their accuracy makes them ideal for use with rulers or in technical drawings, since the slim tip does not obscure the paper beneath. The Pilot Hi-Tec-C is one of our classic needle-point pens.
Chisel TipA marker tip that produces thick horizontal lines and thin vertical lines. Most highlighters have chisel tips to easily cover entire lines of text.
Bullet TipA marker tip that is rounded, which produces lines of uniform width. Many paint markers have broad bullet tips.
Tip Size vs Line WidthTip size and line width are not always equivalent. Tip size is the measurement of the physical tip diameter. Line width is the measurement of the mark drawn on paper and can vary depending on writing pressure and paper absorbency. A pen labeled with a 0.4 mm tip might draw a line that is actually 0.3 mm wide.
Pencil Terms
TermDefinition
Drafting/Mechanical Pencil AnatomyTo see a detailed diagram of the various parts of a drafting or mechanical pencil, go here.
Shaker PencilA mechanical pencil that allows the user to extend lead by simply shaking the barrel back and forth.
Lead HolderSimilar to a regular mechanical pencil, but most have a clutch mechanism and can hold wider leads from 2.0 mm to 6 mm.
ClutchA spring mechanism that holds pencil lead in place.
ChuckA clamp mechanism that opens to extend lead and closes to keep the lead in place.
FerruleA metal cylinder used to attach an eraser to the end of a wooden pencil.
Lead GradeAn indicator of how hard and dark the lead core is. Read our Pencil Hardness Grade article for more information.
KnurlingTextured crosshatching on the grip section of a drafting or mechanical pencil. It prevents the pencil from slipping as you write or sketch. Rotring Drafting Pencils all have knurled grips.
PointerAnother term for sharpener, usually for wider leads.
Fountain Pen Terms
TermDefinition
Fountain Pen AnatomyTo learn about the various parts of a fountain pen and how they work, go here.
CartridgeA small, tube-shaped container that is pre-filled with ink. Cartridges are convenient to use, but their color selection is limited.
ConverterA tool that acts as a refillable reservoir, giving access to the wide spectrum of bottled ink colors.
Piston Filling PenA fountain pen that uses a built-in piston mechanism to draw in ink.
Vacuum Filling PenA fountain pen with a built-in vacuum mechanism that uses a plunger and air pressure to draw in ink.
Cartridge/Converter PenA fountain pen that can be filled with either a cartridge or a converter.
EyedropperA fountain pen that has been modified to hold ink directly in the barrel, instead of inside a cartridge or converter. You can watch our Eyedropper Conversion Tutorial for more information.
DemonstratorA fountain pen with a clear barrel, which allows you to view the pen's inner mechanism and ink contents.
Japanese vs European Nib SizingJapanese nib sizes tend to run smaller than European nib sizes. For example, a Japanese Medium Nib is more similar to a European Fine. There is no European equivalent of a Japanese Extra Fine Nib. For more information, read our Guide to Fountain Pen Nibs.
Italic NibA specialty nib that has a wide, flat tip. This style of nib produces thin horizontal lines and thick vertical lines. This type of line variation is suited for Italic handwriting and various calligraphic styles.
Stub NibA specialty nib that is similar to an Italic nib, but with rounded edges. It also produces line variation, but the rounded edges result in a smoother writing experience. Italic and stub nib variations are sometimes called "cursive italic" nibs.
Flex NibA specialty nib whose flexible tines separate with pressure, allowing the writer to achieve thick swells and thin lines. The Pilot Falcon is one example of a popular flex nib pen.
Fude NibA specialty nib that is bent slightly upwards, allowing the writer to achieve the tapering strokes of a brush pen. The Sailor DE Fountain Pen has a fude nib.
IridiumA very hard and durable metal that prevents the tip of your pen nib from wearing down over time. Almost all modern fountain pens are tipped with iridium or an iridium alloy.
RailroadingA problem that occurs when ink does not flow evenly through the two tines of the nib, resulting in lines being darker at the edges than in the center.
SkippingA problem caused by dry ink or a misaligned nib. Ink flow starts and stops sporadically, resulting in a dashed appearance instead of a smooth, consistent line. To fix poor ink flow, refer to our Fountain Pen Nib Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks article.
Nib CreepThis occurs when ink is visible on the top of a pen nib. Usually harmless, it is the result of ink coming up through the nib slit or breather hole.
Ink Terms
TermDefinition
RefillsAny ink-filled container inside the body of a pen. Most pens come with an included refill. Replacement refills are available for some pen models, but are unavailable for disposable pens.
ShadingAn effect in which ink appears darker in some areas and lighter in others. As you write, ink tends to pool at the beginning and end of letters, as well as loops where two lines intersect. The effect is an unique variation of color intensity from letter to letter. Noodler's Apache Sunset Ink is known for its excellent shading.
SheenAn effect in which unusual highlight colors appear once an ink is dry. For example, Sailor Yama-dori is a dark teal ink, but it may exhibit a rusty red sheen. Sometimes, sheen is only visible when viewing the ink from an angle, or when writing with a particularly broad nib on less absorbent paper.
Wet Ink vs Dry InkDifferent inks have varying flow properties. Inks that flow particularly well and lay down smooth, juicy lines are called wet inks. Inks with a more conservative, light flow are called dry inks. Wet inks can fix skipping in a poorly flowing pen, whereas left-handers often prefer dry inks.
Standard InternationalA sizing convention for fountain pen ink cartridges. Pens that are compatible with International Short or International Long cartridges can be refilled with cartridges from other brands.
ProprietaryOnly compatible with products of the same brand. Some fountain pens only use proprietary cartridges, and most gel pens are only compatible with proprietary refills.
PressurizedWhile normal inks are dispensed by gravity, pressurized inks are dispensed by a mechanism that pushes compressed air into the refill. These inks will flow no matter which direction the pen is facing. Read our Pressurized Space Pens article to see how they work.
BulletproofA specification used by Noodler's brand inks to indicate resistance to water, UV light, and fading.
ArchivalArchival inks are designed to stand the test of time. Though there is no industry standard for an archival quality ink, most are able to withstand fading and discoloration.
PermanentThe definition of permanence varies widely by manufacturer. In some products it only denotes waterproofness, while in others it means archival quality. For those seeking a specific property, such as waterproofness, we recommend searching for inks explicitly labeled with that characteristic.
LightfastResistant to fading or discoloration when exposed to light over time.
Acid-Free InkAcidic inks can corrode fountain pen nibs and inner mechanisms over time. If using an acidic ink, such as an iron gall, we recommend flushing the pen out frequently.
Waterproof vs Water-ResistantWaterproof inks are unaffected by water. Water-resistant inks may be blurred slightly with water, but your words will remain legible. Read our Waterproof Fountain Pen Inks article for more information.
Copic-proofAble to withstand smearing when colored over with Copic Alcohol Markers. Copic-proof inks can also withstand some solvents, such as those used in identity theft.
Dye-Based InkInks containing chemical dyes dissolved in water. Because dyes are water soluble, these inks are not waterproof. Many fountain pen inks, such as the Pilot Iroshizuku line, are dye-based.
Pigment-Based InkInks containing insoluble particles, such as carbon or mica, suspended in liquid. These particles become embedded in the paper as the ink dries, and as a result, most pigment-based inks are highly waterproof and lightfast. They are also called carbon inks or nano inks.
Iron Gall InksInks that combine iron sulfate with tannic acid from natural sources like oak galls. These inks are waterproof, but their acidity can corrode pens and destroy paper over time.
India InkInk made with ground soot/carbon and a binder, such as shellac. The resulting ink is almost always glossy, waterproof, and solvent-proof. India ink is not suitable for fountain pens.
Dip Pen InkSlightly viscous inks to be used with dip pens and nibs. Due to their higher viscosity, dip pen inks are not suitable for use inside fountain pens.
EncreThe French word for ink. The term appears on many J. Herbin Inks, which are produced in France.
TinteThe German word for ink. The term "tintenpatronen" means "ink cartridge."
EdelsteinThe German word for gemstone. The luxurious Pelikan Edelstein Inks are inspired by precious stones like sapphire, jade, and ruby.
KonigsblauA royal blue color. In German, it literally translates to "King's Blue."
Paper Terms
TermDefinition
WeightPaper weight is expressed as grammage (Grams per square meter, or GSM) or pounds (in the US).
GSMGrams per square meter (GSM) is the metric measurement of paper weight. With metric paper weights, higher numbers generally indicate thicker and more durable papers.
PoundsMeasurement of paper weight in the US. Pounds is more difficult to define, and may be inconsistent across brands. Most copy paper is about 20-25 pounds.
Paper SizesFor a thorough explanation of paper sizes, check out our Paper Sizes Explained article.
VellumTranslucent paper used for tracing and drafting. Though traditionally made from animal hide, modern-day vellum is often made with coated cotton.
ShowthroughWhen writing can be seen on the reverse side of the paper. Thinner papers tend to have higher showthrough. Showthrough is also known as "ghosting" or "shadowing."
BleedthroughWhen ink soaks through the paper, sometimes even onto the next page. Broad-tipped pens and alcohol-based pens are more prone to bleeding.
FeatheringWhen ink spreads into the fibers of a more absorbent paper due to capillary action. Lines appear veiny and fuzzy instead of sharp and crisp. Feathering is also called "spidering."
FeedbackThe tactile feel of the pen tip on paper. Textured papers like sketchbook paper have more feedback, while smooth papers like Rhodia or Maruman have less feedback. Also referred to as "tooth."
SizingA substance applied to the top of paper to make it more water-resistant. This film acts as a protective layer to preventing blurring and feathering.
Acid-Free PaperPapers that have a neutral or basic pH. Acid-free papers are more resistant to deterioration over time. On the other hand, paper that is not acid-free will turn yellow and brittle, potentially damaging any art or writing on its surface.
Cold Press A finish of art paper. Cold pressed papers are made by pressing the paper with cold rollers, which creates a moderately rough surface. It is fairly absorbent and ideal for watercolors.
Hot PressHot pressed papers are pressed through a hot roller, creating a smooth surface. They are less absorbent than cold pressed papers, but colors used on them tend to be brighter as the pigments remain on the surface of the paper.
Foolscap PaperFoolscap paper, also known as fools paper, was a British paper exported to Japan during the Meiji era. It was named after its watermark of a cap and bells, a hat worn by court jesters. Today, foolscap is used to refer to premium Japanese paper that resists feathering and bleedthrough. Some notebooks that use foolscap paper include Kunisawa Find Note Soft Notebooks and Tsubame Fools Notebooks.
Art Terms
TermDefinition
Transparent vs OpaqueTransparent watercolors do not use additives (such as chalk or white) and produce sheer colors that allow previous layers of paint to show through. Opaque colors use white to "brighten" the colors, which also makes the paints less translucent.
StainingWhen paint pigments are finely ground, they adhere to paper and cannot be removed with lifting or scrubbing. These are known as staining paints.
Non-Repro BlueA specific shade of light blue that is not visible in photocopies and can be easily removed when using editing software like Photoshop. Artists can freely sketch ideas in blue lead without having to erase those lines afterwards.
RoundA common paintbrush shape. Round brushes are tapered to a point, which makes them one of the most versatile shapes.
Kolinsky SableA type of Siberian weasel whose hairs are prized for their shape and ability to hold water. Brushes made with kolinsky hair are known for their superior resilience.
SeparationWhen a paint or dye separates into its component colors, usually by exposure to water.
Non-toxicMaterials that are certified non-toxic by the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) have passed toxicological tests and are safe for adults and children. ACMI certified non-toxic materials have an "AP" seal.
TuscheThe German word for inks, such as india inks, or watercolor paints.
Conclusion

We hope this was helpful! If you would like us to add any other terms or phrases to this glossary, leave a comment below!