Glossary of Common Terms

Writing Instruments

  • Barrel

    The main body of the pen or pencil; where you grip it and where the ink / lead is housed.

  • Cap

    A cover that protects the nib or point. Some caps are “postable,” meaning you can place them on the end of the barrel while writing.

  • Click

    A specific type of retractable mechanism, operated by pressing the top button.

  • Clip

    The metal or plastic piece attached near the top, used to secure the pen or pencil to a notebook, pocket, or folder.

  • Eraser

    Found on the end of most pencils and some pens and mechanical pencils, used to remove graphite / ink marks.

  • Grip

    The section where fingers rest, sometimes cushioned or textured for comfort.

  • Lead

    The core of a pencil (actually graphite, not true lead). Mechanical pencils use refillable leads measured in millimeters (e.g., 0.5mm, 0.7mm).

  • Nib / Point

    The writing tip of a pen. For fountain pens, the nib is often metal and comes in sizes like fine, medium, or broad. For ballpoints and gels, the “point” size (e.g., 0.5mm) tells you how thick the line will be. Common sizes range from ultra fine (0.3mm) to normal (0.7mm) to bold (1.0mm). Brands may vary in their labeling of fine / normal / bold.

  • Refill / Cartridge

    The replaceable ink or lead insert inside pens and pencils, allowing you to reuse the outer body.

  • Retractable

    A mechanism that lets the point or nib extend and retract with a click or twist, protecting it when not in use.

Paper

  • Acid-Free / Archival

    Resists yellowing and lasts longer — important for keepsakes, journals, or letters.

  • Blank / Plain

    No lines at all, great for sketches or free-form writing.

  • Cotton Rag

    Paper made with cotton fibers; soft, durable, and often used in premium stationery.

  • Dot Grid

    Light dots spaced evenly (usually 5mm). Popular for bullet journaling, doodling, and flexible layouts.

  • Finish

    The surface look: smooth, glossy, matte, vellum (slightly textured), or laid (subtle lines).

  • Grain

    The direction paper fibers run. It affects how pages fold and how ink sits.

  • Graph / Grid

    Squares created by horizontal and vertical lines. Perfect for math, design, and technical drawing.

  • Guideline Rules

    Very faint or subtle lines that guide writing without being distracting.

  • Paper Weight (GSM / lb)

    How thick or heavy paper feels. Higher numbers = sturdier, lower numbers = lighter. U.S. often uses “lb” (pounds), which refers to the weight of 500 sheets of a given paper size. GSM = grams per square meter (international standard).

  • Ruled (or Lined)

    Standard horizontal lines. Variations include: Wide (large spacing, good for big handwriting), College (narrower spacing), Narrow (tighter line spacing than College, good for dense note-taking and small print).

  • Texture / Tooth

    The “feel” of the surface. Smooth paper is great for pens, toothier paper grips pencil lead.