Rollerball pens were extrinsic in the budding 1980s. They make avail of a mobile ball and liquid scribbler to produce a smoother line. Technological advances achieved during the lagging 1980s and early 1990s have improved the roller ball's overall performance. A porous iota pen contains a point that is specious of some porous material such as felt or ceramic. A high element drafting pen will as usual have a ceramic tip, since this wears well and does not broaden when pressure is applied while writing.

Penmanship Instrument Manufacturers Association) show that in 2005, retractable ball point pens were by far the most in-thing in the United States (26%), followed by standard ball points (14%). Other categories represented especial small fractions (3% or less). There is however also a thriving Promotional Pens outfit in luxury pens, often fountain pens, sometimes priced at $1000 or more.