1. Removal Using Household Chemicals

While most inks are designed to be permanent, certain household chemicals can help you remove pen ink from paper without causing further damage. Here are some methods you can try:

Use brake fluid to remove pen ink. Dampen a pipette with brake fluid and apply it to the precise area of the ink. Use a clean cotton swab to gently rub the ink.

Acetone, found in most nail polish removers, can be used to erase ink from paper. Apply a small amount of acetone to a cotton swab and rub it into the ink.

Isopropyl rubbing alcohol can also help dissolve ink. Soak a cotton swab or dip it in rubbing alcohol, then apply it to the ink to erase it. For a larger area, soak the paper for 5 minutes in a small washing tray.

Lemon juice can dissolve ink, but it also dissolves paper, so be gentle. Apply a small amount of lemon juice to an ink stain and gently wipe it off. Ensure you cover any areas you don't want to erase.

Create a paste by mixing baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the ink with a clean cotton cloth. Use a toothbrush to spread the paste and gently rub it into the ink. Allow the paper to dry and the baking soda to fall off.

2. Using Friction to Erase Ink

Friction-based methods can be effective, especially for minor ink removal:

Holding a blade vertical to the paper, gently rub over the ink to remove it. Be careful not to press too hard and risk damaging the paper.

Specialized ink erasers can be used for erasable ink. If the ink is not erasable, test the eraser to see if it works. These erasers are often found in art supply stores.

Use a fine triple-ought (000) sandpaper to gently sand the ink off the paper. Cut a small piece of sandpaper and attach it to a pencil to create a more controlled eraser.

A mini grinder with a slightly rounded stone grinding head can remove ink more evenly. This method is particularly useful for inky edges on books.

3. Covering Ink Marks

If you can't remove the ink, covering it can be a viable option:

While it doesn't erase the ink, correction fluid (like Scotch or Whiteout) can cover it. Ensure the correction fluid is the proper consistency before applying.

Use correction tape to cover vertical or horizontal ink strips. The tape is adhesive on one side and matches your paper in appearance. This method can be easily detected during scanning.

Cut a piece of blank paper to cover the mistake, then glue it over the inked area. Ensure the edges of the paper are pressed securely to avoid observation.

Add background elements to your artwork to camouflage the ink, or if the ink spread beyond your design, add decoration to make it look intentional.

Start a new sheet of paper and trace your original artwork, then make the necessary corrections on the new page. This method is more intensive but ensures a clean result.

Conclusion

No method guarantees complete erasure, but these techniques can significantly reduce or cover pen ink on paper. Always test any method on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it won't damage the paper further.