A writing instrument having a writing tip that responds to pressure applied during writing through the use of a cushioning element integrally formed with another part of the writing instrument. In a preferred embodiment, a writing instrument comprises a barrel, a cartridge with a writing tip, and an end plug with a cushioning element formed integrally with the end plug. The cartridge may be held in the barrel via the cushioning element, which is attached to the proximal end of the barrel. The end plug may be formed by an injection molding process. A stop element may be provided to inhibit or to prevent compression of the cushioning element after a predetermined degree of compression of cushioning element. The cushioning element may have a variable spring rate.