Abstract: The polyoxyethylene nonyl phenol ethers(OP), fluorocarbon surfactant(FSO) and ammonium solution of styrenemaleic anhydride resin(SMA) were selected in the preparation of gel ink. And the effect of the surfactants on the viscosity, surface tension, particle size and writing performance of the gel ink was investigated. The composite effect of OP and FSO was also studied. The results indicate that with the composite surfactant of OP and FSO, the surface tension of the gel ink can be adjusted to the appropriate value, and the viscosity stability is improved effectively. In addition, the particle size distribution of the carbon black pigment in the ink is more uniform. And the pens filled with such gel ink behave good writing performance.