Detectable Pens in the Food Industry - Everything you need to know

We’ve decided to start out with the ink life of a pen, as this area is often overlooked, even though it provides a prime opportunity for you to drive down costs and boost efficiency. Throughout the industry, ink life can vary from 1-2km to 10km of writing length. This is worth remembering when evaluating the cost of your pens, as a pen offering 1-2km may appear to be the more cost-effective choice, when in fact, a 10km pen with a slightly higher price point is the one that will save you money and time in the long run.  

It is also worth remembering that the majority of pens are thrown away before the ink runs out because the ball point has been damaged. Here at Klipspringer, we wanted to help factories avoid this unnecessary expense, so our pens feature a Tungsten carbide ball. This ball is much harder than a nickel or stainless steel alternative, so the chances of it being damaged are significantly reduced.  

It’s also important that you consider the type of ink used in your pens. Say your factory operates at chilled or sub-zero temperatures, a gel ink will ensure the pens work perfectly in these conditions. Alternatively, you may be interested in pressurised ink if your pens need to write on soiled or greasy surfaces. Colourful ink will support the colour coding of your documents, a fine tip permanent marker is ideal for writing on shiny surfaces, and then of course, there are regular ink pens suited to most standard factory applications.  

Opting for a shatter-proof design is a great way to prepare for everyday occurrences such as your workers dropping their pens on the floor or banging them against equipment. Instead of having to deal with plastic splinters that could fly across the factory, your shatter-proof pens will remain intact.

This is also a benefit when it comes to the detection process, as the smaller a foreign body is, the less likely it is to be detected. The ‘rule of thumb’ ratio is 1:10, so a piece of metal detectable plastic typically needs to be ten times the size of an equivalent piece of metal if it is going to register. 

Another decision to make is whether you want a retractable or non-retractable pen. If retractable pens aren’t permitted in your factory, you will need to select a pen with a fixed cartridge that will stay in place regardless of how much pressure is exerted on the writing point. If retractable pens are permitted, it is still worth ensuring the cartridges in your pens don’t jump out of place. A positive retracting mechanism will make this possible – holding the cartridge in position at all times. You can then enjoy the many benefits of a retractable design, with the nib protected from drying out and the ink lasting longer. Another benefit is that retractable pens don’t need caps, which are considered foreign body risks. 

Finally, one of the best ways to maintain an effective and loyal workforce is to make life easier for your operatives. Features such as pocket clips and lanyard loops might seem like small details at first, but they will make it so much easier for your team to safely store their pens. This will encourage your workers to feel a sense of ownership over their equipment. It will also reduce the risk of time being wasted as team members search for missing items.