How to Make a Pen Disappear

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: December 21, 2021 References Tested

Everybody has been stumped by a magic trick at some point! If you’re one of them and want to be “in” on a few simple moves, know that you don’t need a complicated magic kit to get started. Magic is all about sleight of hand and distraction, even when you’re doing something as simple as making a pen disappear. All it takes is some practice, patience, and a little prep-work to amaze your friends with a fun trick you can show off anytime, anywhere.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Flipping the Pen

1
Wear a dark, long-sleeved shirt. Sleeves are necessary to hide the pen (i.e., make it “disappear”). Make sure the sleeves are loose (not tapered at the wrist) and don’t have buttons or anything else that might catch the pen. The dark color will not let light up in your sleeve so if anyone asks to see up it, the pen will remain hidden in the shadows.^{[1]
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- Use a dark-colored pen (like black or dark blue) for the most camouflage.^{[2]
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- Pretend to pull up your sleeves to non-verbally communicate that they’re not necessary for this trick.^{[3]
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2
Grip the pen on either end with your thumbs, index, and middle fingers. Hold the pen with both left and right hand fingers on each end of the pen. Face your palms upward and slightly inward toward each other with your middle and index fingers at an inward slanting angle.^{[4]
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- Keep your elbows at a 90 degree angle so your audience is looking slightly downward at your hands. This will allow your fingers to hide the pen midway through the illusion.
3
Apply pressure to the pen with your right middle finger. Use your thumb on your left hand to counter the pressure you apply with your right middle finger to create a quick, flicking motion with the pen.^{[5]
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Research source} Practice holding the pen and applying this slight pressure to prepare for the quick flicking motion.
4
Flick the pen flat against your palm. Use your right middle finger to apply a quick jolt of pressure to the pen (the more counter-pressure from your thumb, the faster the the pen will “disappear”). Use your right hand fingers and palm to keep control of the pen as it lays flat against your palm and wrist. After the flick, keep your hands in loose fists with your palms facing down.^{[6]
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Research source} This will take some practice, so be patient!
- Use your right thumb and index finger to hide the pen from above.
5
Raise your hands slightly and push the pen into your sleeve. Use your index finger to give it a little push and raise your hands to make it easier for the pen to fall up your sleeve.^{[7]
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Research source} Just don’t raise them too high in the air or it will look suspicious! If the pen has a clip, make sure the cap-end starts in your left hand to keep the clip from catching on your sleeve.^{[8]
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6
Pull your hands away into loose fists facing inward. After you have the flicking motion down (and the pen is safely in your sleeve), pull your hands slightly apart into loose fists.^{[9]
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Research source} Put your pinkies out for a little dramatic flair.
7
Open your hands palm-side up. This will be the part when the audience is blinking and trying to figure out where it went, so practice until your hand movements are extremely fluid. For the sake of showmanship, try to look just as confused and surprised as they are.
- If you feel the pen a little too close to the edge of your sleeve (or if it’s not fully in), lift your hands upward then pull your sleeves up to your elbows one by one, grabbing the pen through the fabric and securing it in your right sleeve.^{[10]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Using an Elastic Band

1
Connect the safety pin and pen with an elastic band. Choose an elastic band made of strong material and cut it to a length that’s about half as long as your forearm. Use a pen that has a detachable cap and poke a hole in it so you can run one end of the elastic band through one hole and out the other.^{[11]
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2
Attach the safety pin inside your right sleeve above your elbow. Latch the safety pin high enough above your elbow to get a good tension spring from the elastic band. If you under-stretch it, the pen won’t snap up your sleeve as quickly. Over-stretch it and the band might break.
- Make sure your sleeve is loose enough to allow the pen to fly up it without catching on anything.
3
Grip the pen cap with your fingers on the same side as the pin. Use your thumb and index finger to grip the cap. If the rigged sleeve is on your left side, grip the cap with your left hand fingers (and vice versa for the right). Wrap your fingers into loose fists to hide the elastic band, which will run along your palm, up your arm, and to the safety pin.^{[12]
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Research source} Loosely grip the other side of the pen with your thumb and index fingers on your other hand.
- Be sure to prepare your rigged sweater and let the pen rest in your sleeve so you can pull it out with ease (before the trick) while no one is paying attention.
4
Remove the pen from the cap to show that it’s a “normal” pen. This is key to tricking deterring your audience from assuming you’ve doctored the pen. As you uncap the pen, hold the cap firmly between your thumb and index to ensure that the elastic is hidden. Ask someone to write with the pen as well to further convince the audience that it’s a perfectly normal pen.
5
Release the cap while clasping your hands together. Outstretch your arms a little to put tension on the band and increase the speed at which the pen will go up your sleeve. As you let go of the cap, quickly clasp your hands together as if that’s what’s making it “disappear.”
- Build up to the release by showing off the pen, lightly bouncing your hands or saying “one, two…” before quickly mashing your fingers together.^{[13]
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6
Separate your hands with your palms down and spread your fingers. This will add some finishing flair to your illusion. Roll up your sleeves immediately after (shoving the pen and elastic band further up your arm) to appease any onlookers that might be thinking it’s in your sleeve.