10 Best Inks for Fountain Pens 2021 Reviews and Buying Guide

Looking to make your writing style even better and elegant? The best ink for your fountain pen will help you achieve exactly that. Nothing feels better than the feel of a pen nib gliding across the paper, leaving elegant ink in its trail.

Using fountain pens is not only about writing, but it is also about turning writing into an art. Fountain pens are versatile. The perfect ink compliments the perfect fountain pen.

The Best Inks for Fountain Pens have various brands available, yet just a couple of them are providing customers with reliable and quality products. There are several products available in the market.  It is a tough task to look into every one of them to find out which the best is and which isn’t.

In order to make sure that you buy the Best Inks for Fountain Pens, we have reviewed the top 10 best Inks for Fountain Pens available in the market.

Finding the perfect Ink for Fountain Pens can be the tipping point in achieving that perfect writing you desire. But going out there to buy the Best Inks for Fountain Pens can become confusing since there are a plethora of inks for fountain pens available. To make it easier for you to make the perfect decision, we have reviewed the top 10 best Inks for Fountain Pens for you. These pens are of very high quality and can take your writing game to the next level.

1. Thornton’s Luxury Goods Fountain Pen Ink Bottle

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Thornton’s Luxury Goods fountain ink is a high-quality ink that is suitable for all brands of fountain pens. It is black in color and comes in a 30 ml ink bottle. With the word “luxury” in its name, it provides luxury at an affordable cost. This fountain ink doesn’t bleed-through and resists feathering.

Since there are loads of lubricants in the ink, the pen glides easily across the paper. It is a wet ink. The ink flows perfectly through the fountain pen, leaving with joyous writing experience.

2. Parker 1950375 Quink Ink Bottle

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If you are on a budget, then the Parker Quink Ink bottle is perfect for you. With the help of several lubricants in the ink, the flow of the ink becomes remarkable. The pigments of this ink are rich. Moreover, the ink dries pretty quickly.

You get to experience the elegance and decency of writing with a fountain pen with the help of the Parker Quink Fountain Ink. The highly-saturated colors combine with the smooth writing formula to give you a great experience.

The screw-on lid provides additional security and ensures that your ink doesn’t spill accidentally. The bottle has a sleek and elegant design as well. The authentic Parker ink provides you a refined, smooth writing experience.

3. PILOT Namiki Standard Fountain Pen Ink

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The Pilot Namiki Fountain pen ink is the perfect ink for you if you are taking notes, or writing down in your journal. Pilot is a trusted brand that has been making stationery supplies for over 100 years.

This ink is created using high-quality standards, and the color and viscosity of the ink are a testament to this fact. It comes in a sophisticated and modern oval-shaped bottle.

This ink works well with paper of all qualities. This means you don’t have to reserve this ink for specific kinds of paper only. Rather, it is versatile.

4.  Waterman Ink Bottle

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The waterman ink bottle for fountain pens adds to your writing experience. This bottled ink is perfect not only for Waterman pens but for all fountain pens. The color of this ink is very intense, and the ink is highly-saturated.

The ink dries quickly; thus, you have no fear of smearing. The ink doesn’t bleed through and you don’t have to fear feathering when using this fountain ink. If you are using a fountain pen for the first time, and are looking for something that is easy to use, then you should give this fountain ink a look.

5. Pelikan 4001 Bottled Ink

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When it comes to fountain pen ink, Pelikan is a renowned brand. With a history of over 100 years, Pelikan definitely knows how to deliver quality ink at an affordable cost.

The color of this fountain ink is great and the ink has a smooth, even flow. The ink doesn’t only work with Pelikan pens but can be used with any other brand as well. It is dye-based ink.

This fountain pen ink takes some time to dry since it is a wet ink. Another thing that you need to know about this ink is that it doesn’t work well with inferior quality paper. Therefore, you will have to make sure that the quality of the paper you are using this ink on is good.

6. KenTaur Calligraphy Bottle Ink 

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If you are looking for an ink that will help you with your calligraphy needs, then KenTaur Calligraphy Bottle Ink would be a good option for you. It has an intense and dark black color. The faint smell of cedarwood that comes from the ink is very pleasing.

It is a water-based ink, which is non-toxic and is safe for use. The ink dries very quickly and has a smooth flow. The quality of this ink is undeniable. The ink bottle has an elegant design.

7. Herbin 1798 Ink Bottle

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Although this fountain pen ink is pretty expensive for a small 50 mL bottle, it is definitely worth the cost. The J. Herbin 1798 anniversary ink is notable for its intense dye. Even when you use this ink on inferior paper, you will notice little to no feathering, and the ink doesn’t bleed-through at all.

It is compatible with all fountain pens. The solid dark purple color gives a luxurious and shimmering effect. The ink bottle has an elegant shape and adds a nice touch to your desk.

8. Diamine Fountain Pen Bottled Ink – Shimmering

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Diamine Shimmering Enchanted Ocean is a smooth-flowing, quick-drying ink. It can be used in all kinds of fountain pens. If you are looking to add shimmer and sparkle to your writing, then you should take a look at this ink. It is non-toxic and is made from natural ingredients.

This ink is not waterproof. Therefore, you have to keep the document carefully after you are done writing. The saturation, dry time, and flow of this fountain ink are pretty great. This ink will be a nice addition to your creative tools.

9. DIAMINE Bottle Fountain Pen Ink – Imperial Purple

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Diamine fountain pen ink is a water-based ink. The imperial purple looks very elegant, and the end result on paper is really majestic. This fountain ink is made from natural dyes. This is the perfect ink for those who are looking for a calligraphy starter ink.

This imperial purple fountain ink flows smoothly and comes with decent lubrication. It doesn’t feather or bleed-through. The ink can be used with any type of fountain pen. Moreover, it is compatible with inferior quality paper as well.

10.  J. Herbin Fountain Pen Ink

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The last ink which we will review today is the J. Herbin Fountain Pen Ink. It is a non-toxic ink, with a neutral pH. This fountain pen ink is water-based. Not only does it dry quickly, but it also flows very smoothly as well.

It has a nice and intense black color, and the end result looks very good on the paper. It comes in a small 30 mL bottle. With this ink, you don’t have to worry about feathering. However, if you are using an inferior quality paper, the ink will bleed-through.

Best Inks for Fountain Pens Buying Guide

Various features make one brand of ink for fountain pens better and stand out. Before you make the final decision about the one you are going to buy, you need to know which features are present in it. Are you new to inks for fountain pens and have no idea where to begin? You don’t have to worry. We have covered all the essential things you need to look for in inks for fountain pens before buying them.

Let’s take a look at them.

Types of Ink

There are various types of ink. Let’s take a brief look at them.

Water-Based Inks

Several of the inks available in the market are water-based. They can be erased with the help of various ink killers. The disadvantage of using water-based inks is that they fade out soon when they are exposed to sunlight. Moreover, they are not water-resistant and you should keep them away from fluids lest your document gets ruined.

Iron-Gall Inks

Another type of inks available is iron-gall ink. These inks consist of tannic acids and iron sulfate. When the ink is exposed to air, the iron in the ink oxidizes. This means that once the ink is dry, the color becomes darker.

The document becomes light and dampness resistant. However, you need to keep in mind that various papers get damaged due to the chemical reactions. Thus, you have to be very careful and selective when buying iron-gall inks. They are extremely waterproof. They are made from common natural ingredients.

Pigmented Inks

Another type of ink is pigmented inks. They are usually transparent. Water-based inks look black while pigmented inks have the same color in the bottle as they will have on the paper.

Pigmented inks are also waterproof. The pigments in these inks are not water-soluble. Therefore, it is essential that you clean your fountain pen frequently and don’t let the ink dry inside the pen.

Scented Inks

Scented Inks are also available in the market. Scented inks are a nice way to express your individuality and your appreciation and love for somebody. Make sure you get the scented ink which won’t cause you any allergies, though. However, the scent usually fades away in a few days.

Writing Style

The way you write affects the way you use the pen. There is an increase in the flow of ink if your writing is heavy-handed. It can also result in small tears and indentations on the surface of paper that cause the ink to spread.

Writing slowly will give the paper time to soak up more ink which isn’t good either. The ideal way to write is with a rapid and light hand. This way, you will get the best out of the ink.

Type of Paper

If you use thin paper, it will cause your ink to feather and bleed. Make sure you buy the type of ink which is compatible with the paper you will be using. Dry ink works best with thin papers.

The nib of a pen

The nib of a pen needs to be considered as well when you are choosing the best ink. A flexor stub nib lays down a lot of ink at once. This means that you will have to get ink, which has a heavy and wet flow.

If your ink flow doesn’t keep up with the nib of the pen, it will result in skipping. This ruins your writing.

Color

Inks come in different colors. The color of the ink you buy depends on your personal preference. It also depends on the situation and document on which you will be using the ink. You cannot buy a pink colored pen if you are going to sign legal documents, right?

Waterproofness

When it comes to fountain pen inks, they are never entirely waterproof. They usually smear when they come into contact with water. However, there are some inks that are impervious to water. Make sure that you buy an ink that is waterproof or at least is water-resistant so that your documents will not get entirely ruined if they come into contact with fluids.

Sheen

If the dye or the pigment crystals don’t get absorbed into the fiber of the paper, it results in a sheen. Pen and paper play an important role in determining whether you experience sheen or not. If you want sheen, then you should use less-absorbent papers as well as wetter pens.

Saturation

Saturation tells you how much colorant is present in the ink. Highly saturated inks are vibrant and dark. Less-saturated inks are transparent and pale.  Saturation effects the performance of the ink. Inks with high saturation take a long time to dry. Even after drying, they are prone to smearing. The dye residue of highly-saturated inks builds up in pen’s nib as well. You can solve this issue by washing the pen with water. Low-saturation inks are usually low-maintenance and dry quickly.

It’s all really a matter of personal preference when it comes to saturation of the ink.

The flow of the ink

The flow of the ink refers to how quickly the ink flows through the pen. The flow of the ink is directly proportional to its wetness. The wetter the ink is, the more quickly it will flow, and more ink will be put on paper as well. Wet inks are generally smoother than dry inks. However, dry inks don’t bleed through or feather even when used on low-quality paper.

Cost

One of the factors you need to consider is the cost of the ink. High-cost ink doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be better quality ink as well. Make sure that you find the perfect balance between quality and cost, keeping your budget and writing needs in mind.

Personal preferences also play an important role when it comes to choosing the perfect ink. It also depends on the type of pen you are using plus the paper you are going to write on.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Question 1：What fountain pen inks are waterproof?

Answer: Water-based inks are not waterproof. Carbon particle inks are waterproof and the ink doesn’t get smeared if it comes into contact with fluids. Iron-gall inks are also waterproof. There are Bulletproof inks available in the market as well which are waterproof. Make sure that you know that you read the specs and features of the ink before you buy it to ensure you are getting a waterproof one.

Question 2: Are all fountain inks compatible with all fountain pens?

Answer: usually, the fountain inks can be used with all fountain pens. However, some fountain pens work with specific inks only. Make sure that your fountain pen and fountain ink are compatible with each other before you buy the ink.

Question 3: How long does it take for the ink to dry?

Answer: Every ink has a different drying time. Wet inks and highly-saturated inks take a long time to dry while dry inks and less-saturated inks dry quickly.

Conclusion

With this, we end the review article for Best Inks for fountain pens. Once you know where to look and what to look for, you can pretty quickly buy the perfect ink for fountain pens. Feel free to pick the one you feel is the best one for you to use. An ideal ink will do wonders for your writing style. It is essential to buy one that will be best for you.

Get the right one, and you will never need to stress over good quality ink in your fountain pen again. Hopefully, our reviews and buying guide will help you with making a perfect choice!

We have provided you with reviews of the best inks for fountain pens accessible in the market, all the while keeping your needs & requirements in mind.  So just go out, purchase the best ink for fountain pens & have a great time!

We trust that the above-given reviews will be valuable in helping you to find the best inks for fountain pens.

Here’s to a pleasant writing experience for you!

Last update on 2021-03-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API