The Pilot FriXion and its “erasable” ink is simply extraordinary. Even though our JetPens team knows the science behind this incredible technology, watching the ink disappear before our eyes is always magical.
FriXion technology is available in a wide range of products, from gel pens to stamps, so it’s only fitting to break down this lineup. Keep reading to learn more about Pilot FriXion.
Pilot FriXion Characteristics
Ink Technology
Watch the video above to learn more about FriXion ink and product lines.
Pilot’s proprietary FriXion ink uses several chemistry tricks to cleanly “erase.” It relies on three chemical compounds that react to acidity and temperature: a special type of dye that changes color when it reacts with an acid, an acid compound that produces the color change, and a temperature-sensing compound that controls when the color transition happens.
When you rub the ink with the hard rubber “eraser,” heat from the resulting friction causes the temperature-sensing compound to activate the acid compound, which makes the dyes turn clear. That’s how the ink virtually disappears!
Pilot FriXion ink can be “erased” and written over.
Even if you write with a heavy hand and create indents on the paper, FriXion ink will disappear as long as heat is able to reach it. The “erased” section can be written over and “erased” as many times as needed. Just be sure to let the paper cool down for a few seconds before writing over spots you “erased.”
FriXion ink comes with an important caveat. Because of its heat-reacting properties, the ink may disappear if it’s left anywhere hot. The official temperature at which it “erases” is 140°F/60°C, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Don’t use FriXion pens to sign important documents, and don’t leave FriXion-filled notebooks in hot cars or by radiators. We also don’t recommend writing on the back of the page when using these pens, because the heat may transfer to the other side and cause unwanted erasing.
The ink may reappear when temperatures reach below 14°F/-10°C. If you accidentally leave your notebook in a hot space, you can try sticking it in a freezer for an hour or two. However, this isn’t guaranteed to work.
Pilot FriXion Gel Pens
The FriXion Ball Knock has a sleek body and is available in several ink colors. As with other FriXion pens, the 0.7 mm tip size performs best in terms of pigmentation and smoothness. It has a white “eraser” on the back of the pen. To extend the tip, press down on the clip.
The Ball Clicker is the United States version of the Ball Knock. Its rubber “eraser” matches the barrel and ink colors. It also comes in a different selection of colors than the Ball Knock.
The FriXion Synergy Knock uses Pilot’s Synergy tip design—also found in Juice Up Gel Pens—which combines the precision of needle point tips with the durability of conical tips. Additionally, its gray body is accented by a clicker that match the color of the ink inside.
The FriXion Waai has a simple, off-white body design that matches nicely with other school supplies.
Made for high school and college students, the FriXion Waai has a simple, off-white body design that matches nicely with other school supplies. It comes in eight stylish ink colors, most of which are unique to this line. Because it uses FriXion ink, you can take notes in study rooms and coffee shops without worrying about leaving eraser residue behind.
The FriXion Ball Knock Zone was designed in response to customers’ requests for a true black FriXion ink and increased ink capacity. The Zone is filled with a re-engineered ink, which has a higher color density than conventional FriXion inks. The black ink no longer has a greenish tint, and the red and blue inks (available separately) appear more vibrant.
Additionally, the refill’s barrel is made of metal, so the walls can be thinner without sacrificing durability. This allows the refill to hold more ink.
It’s not just the refill that got an upgrade, though. The pen tip has been approved, with a special clutch in the nose cone that reduces rattling. Even the clicker has been redesigned so it’s quieter when you extend or retract the tip.
The Ball Zone is available in different body styles, including those with marbled resin or wooden grip sections in addition to standard rubber grips.
The FriXion Ball Slim matches a slender body with an extra fine tip. You can stuff your favorite colors into a pen case and still have plenty of room to spare! To extend the tip, press down on the clicker on the side of the pen.
As expected, the pen’s 0.38 mm tip size doesn’t write as smoothly as the other pens in 0.5 mm or 0.7 mm. However, they’re comparable to other 0.38 mm tips.
For those who enjoy the Ball Slim’s sleekness but need something more business appropriate, the FriXion Ball Slim Biz is the perfect choice. Whether you’re taking notes in the office or meeting with clients, the stylish metal body of the Slim Biz will fit right in. Its slim shape fits into any pocket or briefcase with ease, and you can choose from three lovely accent colors.
Pilot Frixion Multi Pens
The FriXion Ball 2 Biz features a streamlined body and hidden “eraser.” And though it comes with black and red inks installed, it’s surprisingly slim! To extend and retract the tip, twist the middle portion of the pen to the right or left.
The FriXion Ball 3 Slim is the multi pen version of the Ball Slim Gel Pen. The compact body comes with three standard color refills: black, red, and blue. When they’re empty, you can swap them out with refills in twenty colors.
The FriXion Ball 4 shares all the features of the Ball 3, except it fits an additional green ink refill for four total colors! When you’ve used up the original refills, you can replace them with your favorite colors. Choose from all-plastic pens or pens with wooden grips.
Pilot FriXion Highlighters and Markers
FriXion Light Highlighters are drier than your typical highlighters, so they don’t bleed through paper as much as other highlighters would. The highlighter ink is a little more difficult to “erase” than those in the gel pens or markers, but will disappear completely with some extra effort.
The FriXion Colors Marker is wonderfully bold and pigmented, featuring an array of beautiful colors, many of which are the same as the Ball Slim Gel Pen. Even with the thicker line width, the ink “erases” cleanly and effectively.
For precise writing and drawing, the FriXion Fineliner is a must. The hard felt tip maintains its shape for detailed work, and is finer than the bullet tip found on the Colors Marker. It comes in twelve vibrant colors that are easily “erasable.”
Pilot FriXion Stamps
You can enjoy FriXion ink in stamp form, too! These cute stamps are perfect for calendars and planners. If your plans change, you can “erase” and stamp again. The stamps are available in a variety of colors and designs. You can keep your stamp collection organized with a FriXion Stamp Case.
Pilot FriXion Accessories
Sometimes, the small “eraser” at the end of a FriXion pen just won’t cut it. This hard rubber “eraser” gives you the flexibility to “erase” small and large areas alike. It works on any of the FriXion gel pens, highlighters, and markers. The corners will eventually wear down slightly, but only after extended use.
Pilot ILMILY Color
ILMILY Color inks, also known as “metamo” inks, react to heat. However, instead of turning clear like FriXion inks, they change colors! Be sure to wait for the ink to dry completely before rubbing at your writing with the included rubber “eraser.” The ink will not return to its original color or turn clear if exposed to heat again.
The ILMILY Color Gel Pen has a chic white barrel complemented by a colored grip section and cap. The barrel is labeled so you can see what color the ink changes into when exposed to heat. The pen uses Pilot’s Synergy Tip design, which is also found on the FriXion Synergy Knock.
The ILMILY Color Marker is the color-changing version of the FriXion Light Highlighter. Its stylish white body is accented with an inner cap matching the original ink visible beneath the translucent cap.
The JetPens team thinks the marker’s base color is a little too dark for highlighting, but the chisel tip is very versatile. Try using the edge for precise underlining, or the flat side for writing out bold headers.
How to Use FriXion Pens on Fabric
Did you know that FriXion pens can be useful tools for sewing? You can use a FriXion pen or marker to draw directly onto fabric. Because the thermosensitive ink will turn clear when exposed to any kind of heat, the lines won’t show up after the fabric is ironed or laundered at a high enough temperature (at or over 140°F/60°C).
However, keep in mind that FriXion ink only turns clear when exposed to heat—it doesn’t disappear completely. At temperatures below 14°F/-10°C, it’s possible for the ink to reappear.
If you’re thinking about using FriXion pens for your next sewing project, it’s a good idea to use it where marks can be hidden (such as on a shirt’s interior or in seams), or on patterns where marks will be less noticeable.
Pilot FriXion History
The first version of FriXion ink actually started as a color-changing ink. Inspired by the shifting hues of autumn leaves, Metamo ink (short for “metamorphosis ink”) was patented in 1975. It was used in different products like color-changing paper cups, or food-shaped toys that would change color when submerged in cold water.
By 2002, writing instruments using the color-changing features of Metamo ink were created. As the technology improved and researchers experimented with different ink formulas at varying temperatures, FriXion ink was born.
Conclusion
Whether you’re using FriXion ink at work, school, or just for fun, there’s no denying its usefulness. Our JetPens team loves that we don’t have to worry about making mistakes, even when using a gel pen!
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*View our compatibility table to see which “eraser” replacements are compatible with each pen.