Black pens or blue pens?

The two most popular ink colors for ballpoint pens are black and blue, with black having a slight edge. However, whether you are a student or a business professional, the question of whether to use black or blue pens has been raised. Some teachers and professors will only accept assignments done in one of these colors, and some employers are strict when it comes to pen ink colors. There are strongly held beliefs on both sides about the superiority of their pen color and both sides argue that form and function are on their side…and the debate rages on. The arguments for both are listed below. After looking at the arguments and weighing the pros and cons, I urge you to provide your preferences and options.

Those who advocate the use of black pens argue that black is a more formal and elegant color. Other ink colors, including blue, are considered too casual for the workplace or school. Although most people use black pens, it could be argued that they only use them because black was the only color available when the ink was first used. Any way you look at it, black pens are produced and used by more people than any other color. Some teachers prefer that students write in black ink so that the red or blue ink they use to grade students stands out. While there are many practical reasons why people prefer black ink pens, some simply prefer the aesthetic appeal of black as a formal color.

Blue ink pens have a smaller but dedicated following. Many teachers and professors claim that blue ink is more soothing to the eyes; and since teachers have to read a lot of handwritten material, many prefer and require that their students use blue pens. Blue pens are also particularly attractive to those who write on yellow colored paper. Black ink tends to blend in with a yellow background, but blue ink stands out. Blue pens are also used for note taking and editing when it comes to black ink.

So the questions remain, are blue ink pens or black ink pens better? On one side of the argument is the majority of the population using black pens, and on the other a smaller but ardent group of supporters trying to turn the tide on black ink. Are black ink pens used more often due to tradition and availability or do people really prefer black ink color to blue? Please provide your thoughts in the comments section below and tell us if you are a black pen person or a blue pen person.