In short, the main difference lies in the ink, and the way that impacts the writing experience. Liquid ink and the tiny rollerball in the tip helps rollerball pens glide effortlessly over paper for free-flowing, fluid writing. Gel pens use a thicker, liquid gel ink to deliver vibrant colors and bold lines. Ballpoint pens are known for their durability and longevity, and their ink tends to be quick-drying and more naturally smudge-resistent. While many ballpoint pens traditionally use oil-based inks, uniball ballpoint pens use a unique hybrid formulation—part of the reason our top-rated JETSTREAM ballpoint pens are known for their incredibly fast and effortless writing.

Many uniball pens, including the uniball SIGNO 207, protect against water, fading, and fraud. They contain pigment-based ink that forms an indelible bond in paper and resists criminal check washing. Any uniball pen with Super Ink™ is archival quality and perfect for any writing that needs to stay put.

That is a protective wax that preserves the ink and protects the pen tip. It is an extra step that guarantees your pen writes as intended; simply remove it before writing.

Rollerball pens contain thinner, less viscous ink than gel pens or ballpoint pens, typically contained in a closed tube. Fluctuations in cabin pressure while flying cause air to expand inside the ink chamber, sometimes leading to unexpected inkblots in your briefcase. To reduce the risk of a leak, you can prepare your rollerball pen for flight by equalizing the pressure inside the pen—simply take its cap off while holding it tip up. Or, if you want total certainty, look for our airplane-safe rollerball pens, such as the Vision Elite™. Gel pens and ballpoint pens are not affected by changes in cabin pressure.

Act as swiftly as possible by testing the below stain removal techniques on a hidden part of the garment to ensure the garment does not become discolored. Stain removal techniques vary for the type of ink.

FOR WATER-BASED INK (found in the uniball VISION and ONYX pens)...

… IF GARMENT IS WASHABLE: Step 1) Soak in skim milk 1/2 hour to 1 hour. Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush or cuticle brush. Rinse with warm water. Step 2) Combine powdered color-safe bleach, such as Clorox, with warm water to make a paste the consistency of undissolved sugar. Put this mixture on the stain for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush or cuticle brush. Rinse with warm water. Step 3)- Repeat Step 1 and Step 2, if needed. Step 4) Launder with a protein-based detergent, such as ERA Plus. Make sure the stain is completely removed BEFORE putting the article of clothing in the dryer, as this may set the stain.

… IF GARMENT IS DRY CLEAN ONLY: Take the item to a commercial dry cleaner who employs a "spotter" and advise him/her that the water-based ink stain contains water-soluble dyes.

FOR OTHER INKS (found in all gel pens and ballpoint pens)...

… IF GARMENT IS WASHABLE: Step 1) Use household ammonia* and water (*1 teaspoonful of ammonia per gallon of water). Add a protein-type detergent, such as ERA Plus. Step 2) Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush or cuticle brush. Rinse with warm water.

… IF GARMENT IS DRY CLEAN ONLY: Take the item to a commercial dry cleaner who employs a "spotter" and advise him/her that the stain is a pigmented, water-based ink.

Check the uniball Refill Guide to see all refillable uniball pens and mechanical pencils. uniball refills can be purchased at most office supply stores, and are often available through this website, but if you have any questions, please reach out to us using the uni Brands contact form.