Image	Product	Features	Price
	Pilot Iroshizuku		Shop Now
	Diamine		Shop Now
	Monteverde		Shop Now
	Sailor Manyo		Shop Now
	Herbin		Shop Now
	ST Dupont		Shop Now
	Montblanc		Shop Now

Introduction

The fountain pen is the go-to writing tool for many writers, students, people who journal, and calligraphy aficionados. It provides an unparalleled writing experience and has an inherent charm, but it’s nothing without its trusted partner in crime, the fountain pen ink. 

That being said, choosing the right ink from all the options available on the market can be a challenge. For that reason, we’ve decided to cover the best options in various categories, so you can choose the best fountain pen ink for your pen. 

Our experience regarding premium writing tools also covers the features fountain pen users enjoy when it comes to the ink they use. So, in this article, we’ll cover the best fountain pen inks in various categories and what makes them indispensable.

Best Fountain Pen Inks

No two fountain pen inks are alike, so here are our top recommendations, all of which can be found in the Truphae store.

Best Fountain Pen Ink Overall - Pilot Iroshizuku

Specifications

Manufacturer	Pilot Iroshizuku
Best options	Tsutsuji, Horsetail, and Kon-Peki

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Beautiful bottles
• Easy to clean, unless it dries out in your pen
• Shades well
• High-quality ink

Cons

• A bit more expensive compared to other brands

Pilot Iroshizuku ink is among the best fountain pen inks for everyday use that can be found today. This ink is worth every penny when you take into consideration the quality and quantity of ink you get. 

It has great flow and can just as easily be used in flex nibs as it can in regular ones. It’s in the category of luxurious inks that pays tribute to the beautiful natural scenery of Japan with the variety of shades it offers. 

The ink comes in 2 and 5 ml samples as well as a 50 ml bottle, so you can take it for a test drive before committing to order the full bottle.

Best Fountain Pen Ink in Terms of Options - Diamine 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Diamine
Best options	Glitter inks

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Come in a variety of colors
• The glitter is visible in sunlight and bright indoor light
• The glitter comes out regardless of the nib size

Cons

• The glitter shows only in bright light
• You have to shake your pen well before writing, so the glitter distributes evenly
• Thе glitter may clog up the pen
• The inks aren’t water resistant

Diamine inks offer a wide range of ink colors and shades to suit the needs of even the pickiest fountain pen aficionados. They have a reasonably dry fast time, great ink flow, and a wide range of affordable inks. 

Apart from the shimmer inks that are some of our favorites, other quite popular inks include Dragon’s Blood, Ancient Copper, and Oxblood, Diamine Matador. Most of their inks come in 2 and 5-ml samples, so you can test them before you commit to purchasing a full 30 or 50-ml bottle.

Best Value Fountain Pen Ink - Monteverde

 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Monteverde
Best options	California Teal, Caribbean Blue, and Blue Velvet Cake

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Affordable fountain pen ink
• Great bottle shape that allows you to easily refill your fountain pen
• Shades beautifully
• Easy to clean 

Cons

• It’s not water resistant
• The package containing the bottle isn’t sturdy enough to fully protect the glass

Monteverde fountain pen inks are unique because the ink is created using ITF (ink treatment technology), which significantly improves your writing experience in a number of ways. Firstly, it improves the quality of your ink flow; next, it lubricates the system in your pen to prevent clogging; and finally, it extends the amount of time your pen can stay uncapped.

Moreover, Monteverde has developed quite a few colors of ink that are not only suitable for writing but also for creating art. And on top of all that, the inks can be used with a wide range of fountain pens.

Honorable Mention Fountain Pen Ink - Sailor Manyo

Specifications

Manufacturer	Sailor Manyo
Color	Kuzu, Yomogi, Sumire

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Great shading properties
• Flows well without leaking
• Dries fast

Cons

• They aren’t water resistant

The Sailor Manyo collection pays tribute to ancient Japanese history. It’s based on popular flowers mentioned in the anthology of compiled ancient Japanese poems — “Manyoshu - Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves”. The poems in the book cover more than 160 species of plants and 50 different flowers, which are the inspiration for the ink colors.

Each color in the collection is exceptionally beautiful, the quality of the ink is superior, same as other Sailot products, and the price is affordable, considering the ink’s quality.

Best Quality Fountain Pen Ink - Herbin

Specifications

Manufacturer	Herbin
Color	Poussiere de Lune, Lie de The, Orange Indien, Lierre Sauvage, Ambre de Birmanie

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Bright colors
• Water-resistant
• Fast-drying

Cons

• It can bleed through the page

The Herbin fountain pen inks work great as everyday inks, but are also more than suitable for calligraphy. They offer excellent flow without clogging your fountain pens. This ink performs really well and doesn’t smudge due to its fast-drying qualities.

Another benefit is the elegant shading that you get when using these inks, which can only improve your calligraphy. The inks are water-based, use all-natural dyes, and are pH neutral. 

Best Bottle Design Fountain Pen Ink - ST Dupont 

Specifications

Manufacturer	ST Dupont
Color	Vert Spring Green, Flamboyant Red, Turquoise, Noir Intense Black, Royal Blue

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Great bottle design
• No feathering or bleeding on the paper

Cons

• High price

The ST Dupont fountain pen inks are among the priciest and highest-quality inks on our list that are worth every penny.

Starting from the distinctive bottle that’s almost an accessory on your desk with its chrome lid and finished with the letter D, it looks like a collector's item. The ink provides a smooth writing experience and doesn’t bleed on your paper. 

We need to emphasize that the Noir Intense Black is truly one of the blackest black inks you can find on the market, while the Royal Blue will become your favorite ink for everyday use soon after purchasing. 

Best Luxury Fountain Pen Ink - Montblanc

Specifications

Manufacturer	Montblanc
Color	Glacier Blue, Ladies Edition Pearl, Starwalker Grey, Mystery Black

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good value
• Water resistant
• Unique Great Characters inks

Cons

• Longer dry time

Montblanc inks, just like the pens from the same brand, offer an unparalleled writing experience. Their inks flow smoothly, and even though they’re higher priced, you’re purchasing ink of amazing quality from a brand that’s known for their premium products that have become symbols of luxury. 

There’s a wide variety of colors and shades, so you’re bound to find one that you like. They also offer a few unique inks from their Great Characters collection of inks and pens, such as the Jimi Hendrix, Walt Disney, Enzo Ferrari, and Elvis Presley ink. 

The only downside to the Montblanc ink is that it takes a bit longer to dry, but once it does, it’s water-resistant and durable, so it’s worth the wait.

Criteria for Choosing the Best Ink for Your Needs

If you’ve enjoyed our ink recommendations, we invite you to check the Tuphae store and see all our ink collections. And if you’d like to learn more about how to choose the best fountain pen ink, read more about the key factors to consider so you can make an informed purchasing decision. 

Below, we discuss the essential criteria for choosing an everyday ink.

Cost

Before you start looking at different inks, establish a budget. This will narrow down your options and make your decision that much easier.

Versatility

If you’re looking to purchase everyday ink, check if it can be used on a wide range of paper types without bleeding through. We’d also advise you to opt for blueish colors, since those are the most professional for the office. And if you intend to use your ink for personal note-taking or journaling, feel free to choose any color you like.

Safety

The last thing you want to do is purchase ink that will clog or otherwise damage your fountain pen. To prevent that, your safest bet would be to either purchase inks that are manufactured by companies that sell pens, or go with renowned ink manufacturers, like one of the brands on our list.

Pen Type

The performance of your ink doesn’t only depend on the ink’s quality, but also on the type of pen you use, more specifically its ink flow and nib size. For example, a fine pen paired with lower-quality ink can make the writing experience more strenuous than it needs to be. Similarly, using a broad, wet pen can sometimes cause feathering on even the best type of paper. To prevent this from happening from the start, make sure that both your pen and your ink are of good quality.

Conclusion

Choosing the best ink for your fountain pen can be an arduous task that requires a lot of trial and error, but if you take your time and choose the right one, it will definitely elevate your writing experience. Ideally, good ink provides a smooth flow, doesn’t smudge easily, and has a rich color that won’t fade away over time.

After testing out different inks, we can confidently recommend the Pilot Iroshizuku as the best overall option. It provides a great writing experience as a result of the quality ingredients and the range of colors, making it a great ink both for beginners and experienced fountain pen users. And not only is it a very affordable option when we take the quality into consideration, but it also works really well with luxury fountain pens without damaging them.

Lastly, we’d like to read your comments and opinions about our top choices as well as your thoughts on any other inks that didn’t make our list that you enjoy using.