A dip pen usually consists of a metal, fountain pen-like, nib mounted on a holder (to which the term pen formally applies), often made of wood. Other materials can be used for the holder, including bone, metal and plastic, while some pens are made entirely of glass. The dip pen has no ink reservoir, however, and so must be repeatedly dipped into an inkwell while writing or drawing.

The dip pen has certain advantages over a fountain pen. It can use particle-and-binder-based inks, such as Indian ink, and acrylic inks, which would destroy a fountain pen, by clogging it up. There are also a wide range of readily exchangeable nibs available so different types of writing and lines can be created. Also, lacking a significant reservoir, ink color can be quickly changed.

Dip pens were generally used prior to the development of fountain pens, and are now mainly used in calligraphy, comics, and manga.

See also: quill.