Dip pens are various types of drawing and writing implements some of which have ancient origins and were often made from easily found natural materials such as grass reeds, bones and feathers which were cut down in a specific point and angle to hold a small portion of ink, supplying it to a writing edge/tip.

A dip pen is used by dipping the cut or sharp end of the pen into ink, and re-dipping when the ink runs out on the pen. The charm of pen drawings done with all kinds of dip pens lies in their imperfect line that increases the artistic beauty of the work. Dip pens are also commonly used for calligraphy; considered 'the art of writing'.

The main types of dip pens are:

• Reed Pens - once widely used in Europe a reed pen was made from cut reeds and was a practical alternative to the Quill.
• Quill Pen - Made from feathers, often ostrich feathers, these are falmbount and today used for the signing of wedding certificates.
• Steel Nib Dip Pen - A more modern adaptation of the reed and quill pens which was invented in the early Industrial revolution.
• Fountain Pen - Using a steel nib the fountain pen uses a plastic ‘reservoir’ to readily supply ink to the nib without requiring a dipping.