Gel Pens feature a gel-based ink, a combination of oil-based ballpoint ink and water-based ink in which pigment is suspended in a gel. Gel ink is thicker and offers higher visibility on dark or slick surfaces than traditional ballpoint or felt tip inks. With its fine tip, this pen produces neater lines and requires less ink per page, drying faster and remaining less prone to smudging. Such pens tend to have a longer lifespan than traditional writing instruments.