How do you store your writing implements?

Question

I have got a lot of pens and stuff, which I also need, but not only due to my delibarate oversupply of pens, but also the lack of organisational system for them my question is now:

How can I more efficiently store and organize my writing implements?

For the most part I just got two round pen cones from Blomus and Sigel where I just drop them in, as well as one tray in my small BISLEY container where I drop some of them. Then I got my "to go" pencil case. But frankly, it's a total chaos as I got more pens (esp. text markers) than can be held by these items.

I throw away all empty or otherwise disappointing writing utensils, so I don't hold on to any junk. I refuse to throw away functioning, basically new and sometimes expensive items, just because I have no proper space to store and retrieve them from.

Answer 1

Keep what you actually need/use out and everything else away.

For example, at home, I have two pens on the fridge, one by the phone and one on my desk. I then have a couple dozen pens in a rubber band in the closet. Similarly for markers. Two whiteboard markers (different colors) by the whiteboard and the rest in a rubber band in the closet. Three highlighters (different colors) on my desk and the rest in a rubber band in the closet.

At work, I have out one pen, the stapler and the tape. Everything else in in the pencil drawer organized by type. Since I don't have to get up to get to the drawer for the things I use less (highligher, pins, rubber bands, etc), I don't need the clutter. In some ways that drawer is a cache between me and the supply cabinet! The cheap pencil drawer organizer I got at Staples really helped me organize the drawer.

Answer 2

The good old trick is to store them in a box or in a drawer and whenever something get's empty in your current set you would get it out of the drawer. This might not be entirely practical if you are a mobile user or want things to look more organized than a part of a drawer (or pen drawer) to be full of pens.

Unorganized, a lot of "stuff".

Organized, although "limited in space".

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In this case, you might want to look for a pen case that supports a big quantity instead.

A more mobile solution.

What pen will I write with next? :)

Answer 3

When storing the stationery in a drawer, use a drawer divider/plastic bin. This will help you put them in the right place by organizing the similar ones together by colour or type etc.

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When bringing them around, try using multiple pencil cases. Separate them and organize them according to type. With this amount of pencil cases I would also recommend you to carry a bag for the stationery.

Answer 4

I used to keep a box full of pens...the problem is, they had a tendency to go dead before I got around to using them. Which is a shame, since I had some pretty nice ones.

These days, I just use a nice combo pen I like (the PhD pen/pencil/red pen) and keep one in my jacket pocket, one on my desk at home, and one on my desk at work. Then I just use those, rather than collecting dozens of cheap ones. (Of course, it helps that I don't like regular pencils anyway)

When I have markers I generally keep them in the case they came in so they stay organized.

Answer 5

As new pens are acquired, they go into a drawer in the kitchen, or a drawer in my office - as I get given a lot more pens than I would ever need.

• I keep one in my suit jacket, and one in my organiser.
• When one runs out it goes in the bin and I grab another from the drawer.

Pretty simple, really - no need for anything more complicated, or any sorting system, and this system copes well with wives/kids randomly borrowing pens from the drawer.

Answer 6

To help prevent dryouts and to organize, I bought ziplock style bags - either the sandwich or the quart size (the freezer bags appear thicker if you need it.) Since they're see-through, there's no question on what is inside. I seperate the pens out and put them in and then roll the bag up and tuck them away inside one of the file drawers. So, several bags - black pens, red pens, dry-erase markers... all rolled up like socks or ties inside the drawer. They tuck away relatively small. I don't believe in rubber bands - too many break and then everything goes everywhere. Here in Hawaii they just don't last.

I keep only a single set of pens/highlighters... in a pencil case either on the desk or in the pencil drawer of the desk.

Answer 7

Interestingly, I only use one type of pen for black ink, and for that, I buy in bulk (10 in a box.). I usually only use one at a time so I keep it with me all the time.

For the other colours (Red and blue, as well as pencil, but I rarely use pencil nowadays.), I keep them in a minimalistic plastic case from Muji (set upright, to save space, minimalistic, to prevent and decrease distraction by looking at it.)

Answer 8

Keep one pen of each type you actually need for your work (i.e. black ink, felt-tip, etcetera). Maybe two for things like sharpened pencils. Put everything else away, because any more than that is superfluous and is just a distraction.