How to Make a Folded Pen

After creating a whole alphabet series featuring Halloween-themed splatter letters, I received a number of questions regarding the pen I used and how I came about it. The pen is called a folded pen, and in this post I take you through the steps so that you can create your own folded pen. There is even a good chance that you may have all the materials you need at home, and can jump right in!

See the whole alphabet here

Folded Pen Splatter Alphabet

What is a Folded Pen?

A folded pen, often referred to as a cola pen or soda pen, is a unique and handcrafted calligraphy tool designed for precision and artistic expression.

Unlike traditional pens, the folded pen features a metal nib that is carefully folded and curved on one side. This fold acts as an ink reservoir, providing a steady and controlled flow of ink to the writing tip. The pen’s design enables calligraphers to create both delicate, fine lines and bold, expressive strokes with ease. Versatile in shape and size, folded pens are celebrated for their ability to deliver smooth, sharp lines and dynamic splatters.

The pen’s design enables calligraphers to create both delicate, fine lines and bold, expressive strokes

You can find manufactured folded pens, or you can create your own. Making a folded pen is a fun and relatively simple process resulting in a perfectly unique pen of your own which you can adjust to your hearts content!

How to Create Your Own Folded Pen

Building your own folded pen is a rewarding project that allows you to personalize your tools and enhance your artistic expression. Here’s how to make your own folded calligraphy pen.

You can watch this where I demonstrate the process of making a folded pen. Or you can find each step illustrated below!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials and tools:

• Empty Aluminum Can or similar aluminum material
• Masking Tape to attach the different parts
• Pen body material — e.g. an old pencil, brush or something you can attach your pen tip to
• Utility knife or something sharp enough for cutting aluminum
• Optional: Sandpaper to smoothen the edges

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Preparing the Can

Start by preparing your aluminium can or piece of metal, cleaning it and making sure it is dry.

2. Cut top and bottom

Cut the top and bottom of the can, and safely discard them.

3. Cut along the long side

Carefully cut down the long side.

4. Cut out a rectangular piece from your metal

Cut out a piece from the aluminum with roughly the following dimensions: 3–4 × 2–3 inches or 7–10 × 5–8 cm.

5. Fold and cut to shape

Fold the metal piece in two and cut a shape similar to the dotted lines below. You can try varying the shape to create different nibs.

6. Fold the metal around the pen body

Carefully fold your cut metal piece around the pen body, making sure it fits snug.

7. Attach the metal to the body

Use masking tape to attach the metal piece to the pencil. Be sure to apply a bit of masking tape to hold the fold together as well. In the event that you are using thicker and sturdier metal, you might be able to skip the masking tape around the fold.

And there you have it! Feel free to keep adjusting your pen to make it exactly the way that works for your project. I encourage you to explore various sizes and shapes and get the feel of it. For example, you can try making the nib more rounded, or more straight!

Tip: When using folded pens, choose high-quality paper that resists ink bleed-through to keep your writing clear and crisp.

Conclusion

I hope you found this guide helpful, and that you are enjoying the process and result. Load your new pen with plenty of ink or watercolors and have lots of fun! Feel free to tag me @Winterbird to show me your creations, I would be so excited to see and to hear what you think!