With these pens I had to scribble a lot to get them to start flowing ink to the page for first use of the pen. Even after that for each use the first bit of writing the ink does not flow smoothly and does not look good. The other pens I bought (BIC Round Stic Grip Xtra Comfort Ballpoint Pens Medium Point Blue Ink 12/Pack (GSMG11BE)) write smoothly and immediately.