<p>Most ball-point pens of any kind need a little bit of tooth in order to release their ink onto a surface. I just tried a gel pen on several plastic films and it didn't work. It does work on vellum, though. If you want to use the acetate, I'd go with a fine-point Sharpie. It can be rubbed off many smooth surfaces, but it will apply ink. Acrylic pens would likely work, but they're a bit touchy and irritable to work with when you apply them over a smooth surface.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-07T20:58:01.400Z
2018-01-07T20:58:01.400Z
Cindy Skillman
<p>Sadly no, gel pens are water-based and don't adhere well to plastics. You'll want to use a ballpoint pen because the ink is <a href="https://unsharpen.com/what-is-a-ballpoint-pen/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">sticky and oil-based</a>.</p>
<p>This will be semi-permanent, though you could use an erasable ballpoint pen like the <a href="http://pilotpen.us/brands/frixion/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Pilot Frixion</a> which can be wiped up with no problem!</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-07-25T14:27:41.600Z
2021-07-25T14:27:41.600Z
MisterTamper
<p>I want to trace the outline of buildings on a printed map onto something transparent, to then put on black paper. Will the ink from white gel pens stick to sheets of acetate? Or will I have to use a different transparent material?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-09T18:59:51.773Z
Is there a reason you only want the gel pens? What about a paint marker or something else?
Catija
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-10T18:28:56.137Z
Well since I'll be drawing a location plan with lots of detail, a paint marker might be a bit too thick. And I don't know many other alternatives.
Rafael Ceriz
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-10T18:32:54.590Z
Are these too thick: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007TACTCQ/ref=asc_df_B007TACTCQ5297513/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B007TACTCQ&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167130062341&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2214162024190192990&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028316&hvtargid=pla-332229737994 that said, I don't know if they are safe for acetate, either.
Catija
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-04T15:32:08.763Z
If you are not wed to gel pens, a Sharpie or other solvent based pen or marker (they are the smelly ones) will draw on acetate.
rebusB
<ink><pens>
Can I use gel pens on acetate sheets?
Rafael Ceriz
# Can I use gel pens on acetate sheets?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-12-09)

I want to trace the outline of buildings on a printed map onto something transparent, to then put on black paper. Will the ink from white gel pens stick to sheets of acetate? Or will I have to use a different transparent material?

**Tags:** ink, pens

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Is there a reason you only want the gel pens? What about a paint marker or something else?  
> **username_0**: Well since I'll be drawing a location plan with lots of detail, a paint marker might be a bit too thick. And I don't know many other alternatives.  
> **username_1**: Are these too thick: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007TACTCQ/ref=asc_df_B007TACTCQ5297513/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B007TACTCQ&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167130062341&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2214162024190192990&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028316&hvtargid=pla-332229737994 that said, I don't know if they are safe for acetate, either.  
> **username_2**: If you are not wed to gel pens, a Sharpie or other solvent based pen or marker (they are the smelly ones) will draw on acetate.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2018-01-07. Score: 2

Most ball-point pens of any kind need a little bit of tooth in order to release their ink onto a surface. I just tried a gel pen on several plastic films and it didn't work. It does work on vellum, though. If you want to use the acetate, I'd go with a fine-point Sharpie. It can be rubbed off many smooth surfaces, but it will apply ink. Acrylic pens would likely work, but they're a bit touchy and irritable to work with when you apply them over a smooth surface.


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### Answer by username_4 on 2021-07-25. Score: 1

Sadly no, gel pens are water-based and don't adhere well to plastics. You'll want to use a ballpoint pen because the ink is [sticky and oil-based](https://unsharpen.com/what-is-a-ballpoint-pen/).

This will be semi-permanent, though you could use an erasable ballpoint pen like the [Pilot Frixion](http://pilotpen.us/brands/frixion/) which can be wiped up with no problem!


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