Parker pens and pencils : maker of fine writing instruments

Secrets of Parker craftsmanship, pen specialist since 1888

Parker begins with only the very best materials for its writing instruments. British hallmarks are the respected gold standard used to ensure that these luxurious and iconic pens contain only the purest and most opulent gold.

CRAFTSMANSHIP

Every Parker pen is created without compromise - the result of commitment to innovate and refine. Our designers use this spirit in every pen they create, researching the finest materials and the ideal blend of established and ultra-modern techniques to push the state of the art just a little further with every model - while never forgetting that all-important Parker quality. Look inside to find some of the secrets of Parker craftsmanship. You might find some of them surprising, but every one is part of our determination to reinvent the writing instrument for the modern age.

THE FINEST MATERIALS

Whether you choose the extravagant Duofold or the ever-handy Jotter, you can be sure your Parker has been designed and built with a single aim in mind: the search for perfection, every single time. From the noblest metals to the most durable, from the finest traditional finishes to the most innovative, the modern... even the unexpected, Parker leaves no stone unturned in its quest to choose the very best materials for its writing instruments. To begin, just choose the material you’d like to investigate.

Gold

Parker has chosen the stringent standard for hallmarking gold in its finest writing instruments: the British Hallmarks which are internationally respected for their accuracy and authenticity. Parker uses only the finest, purest, most opulent gold for its pens and nibs and it is reflected in the smooth and seasoned lustre of this most magical of metals.

Silver

A metal of mystery and imagination, the sterling silver in Parker pens conforms to the stringent British Hallmarking standard - respected worldwide for its accuracy and authenticity. With its brilliant white colour, captivating shine and natural clarity, the uncoated sterling silver is exceptionally and unmistakably pure.

Vermeil

Vermeil involves plating solid sterling silver with at least 5 microns of 23ct gold.The beautifully refined gold colour of the vermeil is expertly chiselled, revealing the sterling silver base beneath.

Platinum

This noble white metal, even more precious than silver, is used to electroplate some of our most luxurious, indulgent and iconic pens. It has a truly magical shine that is a mark of distinction to the expert eye.

Rhodium

The most expensive of all the noble metals, this member of the same family as platinum lends its white purity to the shine of the nibs of some of our finest sterling silver pens. Electroplated.

Stainless Steel

Always practical and always popular, stainless steel is a key material in many of the pens in the Parker range. It offers the perfect blend of lightness, strength and durability – and it’s incredibly resistant to corrosion and marking.

Resin

Resin is hard, durable and scratch-resistant, and lends itself to strong, intense colours. That makes it perfect for creating some of our most striking finishes.

High-Tech Pigments

At Parker, we’re always looking for the next way to create truly extraordinary writing instruments. The pigments we have used on some of our newest ranges are a case in point – offering innovative, shimmering dichroic effects.

INNOVATION & EXPERTISE

Lacquering

By carefully and skilfully applying several coats of lacquer, gently baking and then diligently polishing each pen before finally applying a layer of extremely hard varnish, our craftspeople give every lacquered writing instrument a truly individual personality.

Chiselling

Chiselling is an extremely precise and delicate process that brings almost any pen, whether gold, sterling silver or stainless steel, to life – giving it a character all its own.

Metal finishes

Parker applies a wide range of processes to give our stainless steel pens finishes that vary dramatically. Sand-blasting creates a matt look, linishing is used for subtly textured finishing… or we can polish for a classic shiny appearance. One metal, so many possibilities.

Nib manufacturing

Every Parker nib is crafted using a series of very different and meticulous steps that combine to ensure the ultimate in writing pleasure. Believe it or not, it takes up to a week to create a single nib as it is stamped, shaped, ground, smoothed, slit, polished and, finally, fitted.

Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD)

This technologically advanced process uses a vacuum to deposit thin layers of metal particles directly onto a surface. The way Parker uses PVD produces a much more durable finish than conventional plating – and we use it to create truly stunning effects.

Plating

Many of our pen barrels and caps are made from brass, precisely and carefully coated with a thin layer of gold or silver. The result? The durability of brass, with the timeless luxury of gold and silver.

Diffusion bonding

Diffusion bonding allows blocks of resin to be joined without the use of solvents or adhesives. Originally developed for medical and aerospace applications, it allows Parker to create rich, luxurious and complicated patterns on some of our most iconic pens.

QUALITY WITHOUT COMPROMISE

Our watchword is perfection: a ceaseless quest for excellence. Parker has reinvented our manufacturing process, implementing the most advanced factory system with extremely demanding quality controls. We build quality into every pen, with rigorous testing from conception - every prototype mechanism is tested 200,000 times - to completion. But we’ll never forget that sometimes there’s nothing better than testing by hand. That is why all solid gold nibs are individually hand checked, so we know every pen is fit to wear the famous Parker arrow.