Oh no, finding a pen mark on the sofa is such a frustrating moment! Don't panic, though. Based on the information, there's a very common and effective method to get that ink out, especially if you have a fabric couch.
For most fabric sofas, your best bet is rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol). Some people also find that an alcohol-based hairspray can work in a pinch. The most important first step, however, is to test your chosen cleaner on a small, hidden area of the sofa to make sure it doesn't cause any discoloration or damage to the fabric.
Once you've done a successful spot test, you can get to work on the stain. Start by gently blotting the ink mark with a clean, dry cloth to soak up any excess ink. The key here is to blot, not rub, as rubbing can spread the stain and push it deeper into the fibers. Next, dampen a different clean cloth with the rubbing alcohol. Carefully dab at the stain, working from the outside edges in toward the center. You should see the ink begin to transfer from the couch to your cloth. Keep using a fresh section of the cloth as you dab to avoid reapplying the ink.
After the stain is gone, blot the area with a cloth dampened with a little plain water to help rinse out any remaining alcohol. Then, just let it air dry completely.
It's very important to note that if your sofa is made of leather, you should avoid using alcohol-based products, as they can dry out and damage the material. For leather, it's much safer to use a commercial leather cleaner or a very mild soap and water solution, followed by a good leather conditioner.
