What Is a Stylus Pen? Everything You Need to Know

Fingers are useless.

Why? The stylus is taking over the technical world and is even being considered a replacement for the human finger.

Okay, maybe we won't replace our fingers with styli, but still.

Styli are being regarded as one of the simplest yet revolutionary tools of the present day, but what is a stylus pen and what makes it so special?

What is a Stylus?

A stylus (plural: styli) is an instrument that people use to mimic finger-like movements on electronic devices with a touchscreen. This includes clicking, swiping, drawing, and signing.

There are two main types of stylus pens: active and passive.

Active styli include electronic components that can communicate with the device that they are paired with. An active stylus may have the ability to erase, sense pressure, and store memory. The devices that active styli are paired with can recognize the proximity of the stylus and does not respond to other touches like those with your finger (termed 'palm rejection').

Passive styli do not have electronic components and cannot communicate with devices. They simply conduct an electric charge just like your finger would.

Active styli are usually only able to be used with one device or a certain brand of devices, while passive styli can be used with any touchscreen as long as the touchscreen does not use palm rejection.

Both active and passive styli are used on tablets for a variety of reasons:

• They are cleaner than using your finger.
• They protect your screen from scratchy fingernails.
• They are more precise than a human finger.
• They take notes well. (Several notebooks are heavy than one tablet.)
• They are easy to use.
• They are useful for artists.

What is a Stylus Pen?

The terms 'stylus' and 'stylus pen' are often interchanged. However, the terms are slightly different.

Stylus pens are able to write on paper as well as on touchscreen surfaces. A stylus pen has both a stylus end and an ink pen end. The ink pen and stylus can be on the same side on the pen or on opposite sides of the pen.

Stylus pens can only have the passive type of styli.

History of the Stylus

The stylus may seem like a relatively new invention, but they have been traced all the way back to 3,000 BCE. Then, Sumerians used the stylus for writing on clay tablets.

As time has gone on, the stylus has been composed of multiple materials. This includes bone, ivory, feathers, wood, and metal. Choosing the material of your pen is more important that you think.

However, the uses of the stylus have remained relatively the same. They have always been used for expressing yourself whether by drawing or writing. Now, they are doing this on both paper and tablets.

As we approach the future of pens, the possibilities seem endless.

Your Perfect Stylus

So, what is a stylus pen? It's a new way of making your life a little easier.

There are so many options available to create your perfect stylus, from the array of colors to the kinds of materials.

We are confident that we have the perfect stylus for you.

What are you waiting for? Join the technology revolution.