The best pen color depends on its intended use. There's no single "best" color for all situations.
For Legal and Professional Documents:
- Black ink remains the standard and preferred choice for most legal documents, official forms, and professional applications like job applications. This is because black ink offers the best readability and is less likely to be smudged or faded over time. [Reference: "Black ink is still the best pen for signature on most legal documents. Despite blue ink's popularity, most professional documents and forms require us to use black ink. If you're applying for a new job, for instance, you may have to use a black ink pen."]
For Exams and Standardized Tests:
- The best pen color for exams often depends on the specific instructions. However, black ink is generally preferred for objective tests as it's easily scanned by machines. Blue ink might be suitable for subjective answer sections. [Reference: "If you are writing subjective answer go for blue ball pen. And in terms of objective choose black ball pen because black colour easily identify by machine."]
For General Use and Personal Preference:
- Personal preference plays a significant role here. Many people prefer black for its clarity and professionalism. Others find blue more appealing for note-taking or less formal writing. [Reference: "I prefer black, since it's the standard pen colour for me. Blue pens are for writing details with, our when there needs to be a distinction..."] Some individuals even prefer colored inks for specific purposes, such as highlighting or adding visual interest. [Reference: Reddit discussion on preferred colored gel pens]
For Specific Paper Types:
- Ink color choice can also depend on the paper's color. For yellow paper, a blue-black or midnight blue, and a deep dark brown ink are recommended. [Reference: "i would recommend a blue-black/midnight blue and a deep dark brown."]
In Summary:
- Black ink: Best for official documents, legal signatures, and machine-readable forms.
- Blue ink: Often preferred for subjective exams and less formal writing.
- Colored inks: Useful for highlighting, personal preference, and adding visual appeal.
