A pen well taken care of can last a lifetime. Most modern pens do not need any special care. But vintage fountain pens need to be looked after and maintained to keep in good working condition. Here are a few tips on pen care that could come handy.

•	Always follow the instruction given by the manufacturer for the maintenance of your pen - that's the cardinal rule!
•	A pen loves to be used! Most pens write smoothly when they are used regularly.
•	Do not press down hard while writing, as too much pressure could damage the nib.
•	When a fountain pen doesn't write well, it could mean that the pen needs to be cleaned or refilled.
•	Cleaning a fountain pen is quite simple. Empty the ink from the pen and flush the pen with cool water, repeating the process till the water runs clear. Wipe the excess water from the nib using a soft cloth.
•	Always store your fountain pen in an upright position with the nib facing up - and make sure it is capped.
•	Colouring pens and markers should always be capped when not in use, to prevent the ink from drying.
•	If your colouring pen is dry, check if it contains a water-based ink and add a few drops of water inside.
•	It is always better to re-ink your colouring pen with the coordinating ink of the same colour, available in the market. You can re-ink your colouring pen by adding a few drops inside.
•	If you are unable to open your colouring pen, take a tall glass and pour a few drops of the coordinating ink inside. Remove the cap of your colouring pen and immerse the felt-tip in the ink. The felt-tip will absorb some of the ink back into the pen.
•	Colouring pens should be stored in a cup, with the tip pointing downwards, so that the ink will keep the tip saturated longer.
•	Dual tip colouring pens should be stored horizontally so that both ends have a fair chance of ink flow.