Storing ink bottles is a simple but important task. While on face value it may seem like a no-brainer, there are a few crucial things to consider to make sure your fountain pen inks, calligraphy inks, and generally all ink bottles you have can endure for a long while. After all, we want to use these lovely inks for as long as possible.
So EndlessPens sorted some factors you need to check to complete this task.
What You Need to Consider When Storing Ink Bottles
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Packaging
Ink bottles usually come with boxes. When it comes to storage, keeping these cardboard boxes helps in maximizing space. If you’re planning to keep your inks for a long period of time, keeping them boxed prevents wasted space. You can stack these boxes evenly, and more importantly, it helps prevent breakage.
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Cap and Position
Be sure to seal the cap tightly and keep your ink bottles upright. Following these steps may be simple, but it’s crucial to prevent evaporation, contamination, and avoid spills or leaks that may potentially damage the ink or your other inks and stationery supplies stored with it.
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Bottle
The shape of an ink bottle may come in different shapes aside from the standard square or rectangle ink glass bottles from brands like Wearingeul, Journalize, Sailor, and Pilot. It could be multi-sided bottles that may have more than four sides, giving unique aesthetics like the Waterman ink bottles, or it could be something cylindrical or curved like the Robert Oster, Colorverse, Pelikan and Lamy ink bottles. Avoid wasted space by keeping the square and rectangle ink bottles together, then stacking the multi-sided and cylindrical or curved bottles later.
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Size
Once you have accumulated a number of inks, storage may be a bit more tricky, but you don’t have to worry because there are still ways to keep them in order. You can maximize your desks or drawers by using organizers or even custom shelves. These home accessories or furnishings can provide ample storage for your collection of inks. You can even develop your own system to sort whether in terms of color, brand, or others. What’s important is that you arrange your ink bottles according to size and make sure the larger bottles are at the bottom while the smaller ink bottles are at the top. This way, you are sure to see all your inks, and nothing gets obscured or buried underneath.
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Light
Exposures to sunlight or UV light may desaturate or change the color of your ink, resulting in faded or less vibrant colors. It can be observed more obviously in high-pigment inks, as exposure to UV light over time can cause chemical reactions and break down its components, resulting in pigment degradation.
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Temperature
In general, there is no specific temperature where ink bottles must be stored as long as they are not exposed to the extremes. Extremely hot or cold temperatures can affect an ink’s properties, such as its viscosity, either making it too messy or hard, which leads to messy or unreliable writing and, in some cases, even leaks when high temperatures result in air bubbles making the ink expand and leak out from the ink bottle.
How Would You Know If Your Inks Have Gone Bad?
Each bottle of ink may last you a while, depending on how you use it. However, exposure to the elements, filling a dirty pen straight from the bottle, or accidentally touching your finger over the ink bottle's mouth may spoil a fresh bottle of ink.
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Bad Smell
Fountain pen inks or bottled inks may have a distinct smell. The smell may vary depending on its components, but typically it is either a subtle pleasant or chemical scent. But if the ink inside the bottle is already smelling musty or foul like rotten eggs, this is a significant sign that it is already spoiled.
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Slimy consistency
We expect ink to flow freely. A slimy consistency is a sign of contamination due to bacteria or mold. However, some ink formulations contain additives that can settle over time, potentially causing slime to form at the bottom of the bottle. These usually disappear after a few shakes, allowing you to use the ink again, but if the entire bottle becomes slimy and begins to gel or thicken, it must be discarded. This degraded ink may only cause clogs or damage to your fountain pen.
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Change of Color
Color change is not usually a negative sign, as some inks tend to naturally fade over time. But if there is a significant change in the hue, such as darkening or a normally clear ink becoming cloudy, the change is a sign that it has gone bad.
Contaminated inks can be easily avoided by keeping your ink bottles sealed and stored away from light and extreme temperatures. Using a clean syringe and disinfecting your needles will also help avoid contamination.
While sometimes it may be difficult to let go, it is important to know the signs if an ink has already gone bad so you know which inks to put away.
Organize Your Ink Bottles and Check Them Before Use!
With these tips, we hope you have a better idea of how to sort and organize your ink bottles. We can all agree that we want to enjoy every drop of ink as much as possible. So, let’s remember to store our inks properly when not in use.
Looking for inks? You can shop at EndlessPens online pen store to replace a bad ink bottle or add something new to your collection!
See EndlessPens Top 5 Best-selling Inks!
Sailor Ink Bottle (50ml) - Manyo
Available in Sumire, Ume, Nadeshiko, Konagi, Kakitsubata, Ukikusa, Shirakashi, Chigaya, Sumomo, and Budo
The inspiration for this Ink Collection draws from the flowers mentioned in Japan’s most revered poems anthology called the “Manyosyu” which translates to Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves.This compilation covers more than four centuries with 4,516 poems written by every class of person in Japan, from the Emperor to the farmers. The abbreviation of the “Manyosyu” which is “Manyo” indicates people of all ranks.
Each 50ml glass ink bottle offers vibrant colors that can be used for subtle shading effects, casual writing, journaling and other creative works. Each stroke gives an almost watercolor-like effect which is perfect for doing something fun and playful. These are high quality inks that you can find well worth it for its price and volume.
Sailor Ink Bottle (20ml) - Shikiori
Available in Nioi Sumire, Souten, Doyou, Yama Dori, Oku Yama, Irori, Yuki Akari, Sakura Morem, Kin Mokusei, Chu-Shu, Yodaki, Yanaga, Shimoyo, Zaza, and Potsu Potsu
It is another high-quality and vibrant collection of fountain pen inks from Sailor. The Shkikiori ink collection is inspired by the beauty of the four seasons in Japan. Each 20 ml elegant square glass ink bottle contains water-based dye ink that is safe to use for all fountain pens.
Try these smooth-flowing inks that give wonderful shades of beautiful colors. You’ll find each stroke mesmerizing, drying at a reasonable amount of time, tends not to bleed much on most papers.
Waterman Ink Bottle (50ml)
Available in Audacious Red
This stunning color is perfect for unique creations. Express your distinct voice and personal style that will make lasting impressions. This 50 ml vivid red fountain pen glass ink bottle offers a great writing experience with every stroke. See its red color that dries quickly on most paper without bleeding and feathering. Have a smooth, reliable, and comfortable writing and drawing session with this Waterman Ink.
LAMY Ink Bottle (50ml) - T52
Available in Blue and Red
This is perfect if you need a good bottle of ink that is both high quality and guaranteed mess free. This specially engineered inks suit LAMY fountain pens perfectly but feel free to use it for other fountain pens too!
You’ll enjoy using this ink bottle because it comes with an in-built roll of blotting paper around the base to make sure that you can effortlessly collect ink residue when you’re refilling your fountain pen. It dries relatively quickly and this 50ml of ink goes a long way which is perfect for both professional and creative use.
Robert Oster × @micahfinds Cozy Comforts Ink Bottle
Available in Campfire Crackle, Coffee Date, Old Book Smell, Soft Kitty Warm Kitty, Stargazer, and Tea Time
This collection of 6 Hatch Exclusive colors in collaboration with Robert Oster and @micahfinds. These inks are inspired by the different sensations that evoke comfort. Find the connection of each unique bottle with soothing sounds, smells, tastes, and sights. Enjoy a calm and cozy journaling session with friends or a grounding meditation while writing your thoughts with these.
Try one color or get all six! Each 50ml carbon-free plastic ink bottle offers hues with medium saturation that flows and dries well.
By Some Folks at EndlessPens
