Before the ballpoint pen was invented people usually wrote with pens which were dipped into ink , or fountain pens which were filled with ink whenever the ink was all used up . Some people , also create art on themselves with the pens ; this is sometimes known as a ballpoint tattoo . Because of this and of the widespread use of ballpoints by schoolchildren , all ballpoint ink formulas are non-toxic , and the manufacturing and content of the ink is regulated in most countries .