Review on Pilot Parallel Calligraphy Cartridges 77305 by Amy Mcleod

In terms of price, this Pilot Parallel Pen is simply unbeatable. For less than $5 you get 12 different colors to play with. And they're not just for calligraphy. I use mine for calligraphy, yes, but I also use them for my art. I love my pilot parallel in art. Art magazines, handmade postcards, pretty much anything I create. Yes, these inks are killers. Yes, you *could* refill your own pen - and I did for a number of reasons. For example I like India Ink and sometimes I want to use them. But they are MUCH easier, much easier to use than refilling your own. Let's face it, topping up your own takes patience. Time. Patience. And that can cause a real mess. ;) Simply unscrew the old one - insert the new one. Walla, done. Dead easy. (Be sure to clean the pen between colors.) What I like: I love how smooth these colors are. It's like ice cream. They're so creamy they just slide down the page. They kind of remind me of markers. Like markers, they are smooth and thick. Bold and beautiful. I love how quick and easy it is to change cartridges. I like bright colors. i like the price Bottled ink can be very expensive. So if you compare the difficulty of refilling cartridges and how to use these refills at this price point, I don't feel like I'm losing. I love that you get 12 different colors. You have 2 different pens, you can get color gradations. What I don't like: I don't like that you can't save open colors. At least not very easy. (Another reason I filled my own.) The best you can do is store them upright in an airtight container (and that still might not work). However, the pilot advises against this. (Of course not.) I don't like how sensitive the cartridge is. When inserting a new cartridge, if you apply slight pressure to force the ink into the pen, there is a risk of the cartridge leaking or ink splattering all over the pen. I will not do this. i like the price I know, I just said I know. But when you see how tiny the box is and you really think about what you're getting - ink is expensive! Some tips: Like markers, this ink will bleed when used on thinner paper. Therefore, be sure to put a sheet or something similar under the work or use thicker paper to prevent bleeding. This ink does NOT dry quickly. So be careful not to run your hand, pen or anything else over the work until it dries. I recommend this to anyone with a Pilot Parallel Pen. If you don't have a Pilot Parallel Pen, what are you waiting for? Take a. You can find my favorite 3.8mm (green) pen here: Pilot Parallel Pen Two-Tone Calligraphy Pen Set with Black and Red Ink Cartridges, 3.8mm Tip (90052). Clean the device, a color manual with basic calligraphy instructions, a pen cleaner, and the pen unit itself for less than $8. You will be so happy you did. The colors included in this box are: Pink (Magenta), Red, Orange, Yellow, Light Green, Green, Teal, Blue, Purple, Sepia, Blue, Black, Black, Happy Drawing!