Unknowndivide may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this post.
If you have ever wondered whether fountain pens are for you, the Platinum Preppy is the easiest way to find out. It is a light, clear, cartridge filled pen from the Japanese pen maker Platinum, and it writes far better than its humble looks suggest. It is the pen people buy by the handful, leave in every bag and hand to friends who are curious about fountain pens. Here is what makes it work.
What it is
The Preppy is a fountain pen series from Platinum, first launched in 2007. Platinum says the series has grown in popularity among a wide range of age groups around the world. The pen has a transparent, colorful body, a snap on cap and a stainless steel nib, and it fills with ink cartridges.
Platinum's key details:
- Nib: polished stainless steel with an abrasion resistant special alloy point
- Nib sizes: Extra Fine 02 (0.2 mm), Fine 03 (0.3 mm) and Medium 05 (0.5 mm)
- Cap: the Slip & Seal mechanism, which Platinum says keeps ink from drying out for a year with the cap closed
- Bodies: colorful transparent bodies, plus a colorless Crystal version
- Filling: ink cartridges
The Slip & Seal cap
The biggest frustration with cheap fountain pens is coming back after a week to find the nib has dried out. The Preppy tackles that directly. Platinum says its Slip & Seal mechanism means the ink will not dry even if the pen goes unused for a year, as long as the cap is closed. In Platinum's words, you can always start writing smoothly.
That makes the Preppy ideal as an occasional pen. Keep one in a desk drawer, a bag or a kitchen drawer, and it is ready when you need it.
The nib
For a pen at this level, the nib is the surprise. Platinum describes it as polished stainless steel with an abrasion resistant special alloy point, and says it lets you easily enjoy a genuine fountain pen writing feel.
Platinum suggests the 02 Extra Fine for writing in planners and schedule books, where space is tight. The 03 Fine is a good all rounder, and the 05 Medium gives a bolder line for journaling and notes.
Play with color
Platinum frames the Preppy as a pen for casual play with color. Its transparent bodies come in a range of colors, and by changing the cartridge you can match the ink to your mood. Platinum says the pen makes not only writing but also drawing illustrations more fun. The colorless Crystal body is designed so you can easily see the color of the ink inside.
In Japan, Platinum sells the Preppy in several lines, including black, blue black and red in one series, and pink, violet and green among others in another, alongside the Crystal model.
Why it is cool
The Preppy is proof that a good writing experience does not have to come in a fancy package. It is light, it does not mind being tossed in a bag and the clear body shows exactly how much ink is left. Because it fills with cartridges, there is no bottle, no mess and no learning curve.
It is also a perfect gateway. Once you know you like writing with a fountain pen, you can move on to a piston filler like the TWSBI ECO and explore bottled ink. Our guide to fountain pen filling systems explains the difference between cartridges and the alternatives.
Who should buy it
The Preppy is for first time fountain pen users, students, artists who sketch with ink and anyone who wants a pen that is always ready. It is also a smart backup pen to keep in a bag. If you want a small cartridge pen with more polish, the Kaweco Classic Sport is a pocket favorite, and our roundup of the best fountain pens has more picks.
Where to buy
Platinum sells the Preppy through its dealers worldwide, and pen shops stock it in single pens and sets. Pick your nib size first, then your color. Because the bodies come in so many colors, it is easy to keep a few on hand and load each with a different ink, such as black for notes and red for edits.
For more desk tools we love, browse our desk and EDC picks.
