Remove Cap. Holding pen upright, gently depress pen nib into body of pen one time. This will release any air pressure than may have developed during shipping. Replace cap, shake pen vigorously. On a protected surface, GENTLY depress nib into the valve using the side of the nib, not the very tip. Be patient and don’t push the pen nib up and down, just hold it steady with the nib slightly depressed until the pen nib is completely covered in color. Now you are ready to use it.