How to Prep Your Calligraphy Nib
Picture this. You want to learn calligraphy, or try out a new nib. You get your nib. You try to write, and it just doesn’t seem to want to work. The ink doesn’t make nice lines, comes out all blobby, or doesn’t even want to start writing. Don’t despair, the problem might be the nib itself, not you! And the solution sometimes involves a potato.
Most new pointed pen nibs need to be prepped before they will work properly, and for some reason this sometimes isn’t widely known. When the nibs are manufactured they get a thin coating of oil on them to keep them from rusting in transit, but that little bit of oil makes most inks refuse to stick to the nib. And without a nice reservoir of ink to write from, all sorts of issues arise.
The first time a nib is dipped in ink, it will usually bead up and pool at the tip. This isn’t very conducive to smooth writing!
Luckily, removing the oil coating is quick and easy. Here’s several methods you can use to prep your nibs.
My favorite method - Ink Dipping
Dip your nib into your ink, and then use a paper towel, napkin, or blotting cloth to wipe the ink off. I find wiping the nib back over the inky spot on the paper towel a couple times helps too. Repeat this process a couple times until the oil is all removed and the ink smoothly coats the front and back of your nib. Note: you can bend the tines if you go too hard while wiping ink off, so be firm but gentle and keep the tines in mind.
The Potato Method
A favorite method among many calligraphers, just grab a potato and gently stick your nib into it as far as you would dip it in ink. Leave it there for a couple minutes, then wipe it off and you should be good to go. The enzymes in the potato clean the oil right off. This method can be good if you need to prep multiple nibs at once.
Toothpaste or Soap
Use an old toothbrush and a little bit of toothpaste or dish soap to gently scrub the front and back of the nib. Rinse the nib in water and dry it completely before storing or using it.
Spit
While I can’t fully recommend putting new nibs in your mouth (because I can’t promise the manufacturing oil we want to remove is safe to ingest) spitting on a paper towel and wiping the nib in that spit blob, while slightly gross, works very well. Guess our mouth enzymes break down oil pretty good too!
When the nib is properly prepped, the ink will smoothly coat the front and back of it. Much better!
Use one of these methods on your new nibs, and you might just find the ink is much more cooperative! Keep in mind that when you change nibs in your pen holder, oils from your fingers could get on your previously-cleaned nibs and cause the same problem. I find it just takes one wipe when you change nibs to get it working good as new again.
Happy calligraphy practicing!