Sorry you did not get your answer. Maybe a stationary store could help you, on you contact the makers of the pens on the internet. It could be that gel pens store better points up, and maybe shaking them a bit before you use them spreads the ink better instead of little blobs of ink coming out. Also on the side may spread the ink out, but wrong for gel pens. It might depend on the quality of the ink.

Perhaps it is giving them too much credit, but I feel like the manufacturer wouldn't put their pens in a case that was bad for them.

I'd make a point to always scribble a bit on scrap paper before I put any pen to a scrapbok page, but I think you are okay to use the case they came in if it keeps them organized.

(Or I have a set of gel pens that have been rolling around flat in my desk drawer for a couple of years - they still work fine)

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated. Yeah, maybe the manufacturer knows best, or maybe the case just displays them nicely to prompt me to buy them. Can't be sure.

I have come to the conclusion that it might be best to keep them on their side, as a cork in a wine bottle. And I agree that it is best to get the pen "running" by gently dragging the tip until the ink flows freely.

I used to do a lot of calligraphy with nibs I dipped into ink. It is necessary to check the flow on a scrap of paper before starting to write, and after each refill of the nib. So it kinda made sense to do that for the gel pens, too.

I find that many people press way too hard, and when I have had parties and let others use my pens, they were completely destroyed by the amount of pressure that was applied by most partygoers.

So a light touch is all that is needed, and more than that might actually jam the tiny ball bearing.

Thanks again for your comments.