How Inks Started
Can you guess what color the first ink was? If you’re thinking it’s black, then you guessed it right!
Black ink shaped, recorded, and witnessed history unfold as it was used to document events and give shape to ideas. Scholars, creatives, and anyone who dabbled in writing, drawing, and other fields got ink stains on their hands. Whether it was using dip pens or eventually even fountain pens, black ink became a vital medium for preserving knowledge and expression. But where did it all begin?
It all started 4000 years ago. It came with the emergence of writing systems where black ink was primarily used over the centuries. During those times, black ink was made from available materials at hand. It’s basically made of two ingredients—the pigment and the binder.
The pigment that gives the black color was found in either coal or graphite, while the binder is derived from some sort of plant glue, animal fat, or even egg whites. When blended together, it produces a solution—the workable black ink. Both ingredients are accessible, making black ink inexpensive.
It’s no wonder that the earliest written works, first seen in Egyptian and Chinese civilizations, are written in black. But it’s not only in writing. Even in art, black ink was one of the first colors used to draw, paint, and create. This practice is also apparent in composing music and other endeavors.
Today, black ink remains a constant companion in human communication and more. Whether it’s simply taking notes, writing a letter, journaling, or signing documents, despite the many ink colors now available, black ink still sits at the top—a part of culture, tradition, and customs.
How much is black ink a part of your life? Other ink colors are genuinely captivating, and we all have our personal favorites. But for most of us, if not all, having and using black ink is almost like a default setting.
What Makes Black Ink Special?
Every ink color is unique and, in its own way, special. However, black ink stands out and remains a popular choice for several reasons.
Cost-effective
Then and now, black ink is generally cheaper than other ink colors. While currently fountain pen ink ingredients have changed, black ink is still often made of inexpensive components, and black pigments are derived from charred organic materials. Since it’s more affordable to produce, it’s more accessible and a practical choice for regular use.
Legible
The color black shows a better contrast against white or light paper, resulting in clear and vivid text that’s easy to read even in low-light conditions. Black ink tends to minimize eye strain and boasts universal readability.
Versatile
Even with black ink, you could play with shading and strokes. It’s a color commonly chosen for formal and informal use. Its wide range of applications can be seen in literature, art, music, professional practices like architecture, and more. Both then and now, this color remains relevant, projecting a timeless appeal that never goes out of style.
Archival
Black ink is more stable, which helps in preserving the integrity of inked work over time. It is excellent for documents you want to keep long-term. Depending on its composition, it’s often resistant to discoloration and fading that may be caused by exposure to light, heat, and other extreme environmental conditions.
Familiar
This choice is often considered a default due to its historical significance in human communication. Normally, our eyes are already trained to recognize and process black ink efficiently. Reinforced by the printed content in books, newspapers, and official documents, black is generally a familiar and standard color. It’s a constant presence in our ink stash and something people don’t skip when getting into fountain pens and fountain pen inks.
Realizing the strengths of black ink, it makes sense why it’s ranked among the best-selling inks of all time.
The Best Black Ink for Fountain Pens at EndlessPens
Here at EndlessPens, we also have a list of crowd-favorite black inks that rank among our bestsellers.
LAMY T10 Black Ink Cartridge (5-Pack)
The Lamy T10 Black fountain pen refill cartridges are engineered with precision to suit most Lamy pens except the Lamy 2000. A pack contains five (5) cartridges filled with bold and smooth jet black fountain pen ink. This reliable and giant cartridge offers a generous ink supply so you can enjoy long writing sessions and draw more characters with your Lamy fountain pen. Each Lamy T10 black ink cartridge delivers a rich and deep black ink that can make your words and figures look sharp and stand out.
Waterman Intense Black Ink Bottle (50ml)
The intense black of this Waterman ink offers a rich and velvety color that not only writes well but also provides elegance and depth perfect for your signatures and letters. This fountain pen ink is perfect for Waterman fountain pens and many other fountain pens. Indulge in Waterman’s innovation and inspiration that matches your spirit and aspirations.
Parker Black Ink Bottle (57ml)
The Parker Quink black ink is engineered to write smoothly and dry quickly with no fuss and no smudges. Refill your Parker pen or other luxury fountain pen with this timeless black fountain pen ink. The wide and sleek glass bottle provides ample storage for a significant quantity of high-quality ink, allowing for numerous refills of your fountain pens. Write smooth, vivid black lines effortlessly with this Parker black fountain pen ink.
Sailor Basic Range Black Ink Bottle (50ml)
The Sailor Black fountain pen ink is a testament to Japanese craftsmanship. A popular choice for showcasing precision and personality with its rich saturation. Elevate your fountain pen experience with Sailor’s basic black ink, which offers expressive shading enjoyed by writers, artists, and calligraphers alike.
Wearingeul Lee Yuk Sa Literature Ink Black Dream Ink Bottle (30ml)
This ink is rooted in Korean poetry. Inspired by a line from Lee Yuk Sa’s poem, Midnight Song”:
"Black dream swallowing sorrow and swank."
See the harmony of bluish-black color that shows the dark night with dreamy red lights, which embodies the haunting beauty of resistance and intangible emotions of Korea’s literary heritage.
A Comparison of Our Best-Selling Black Fountain Pen Inks
See the highlights of EndlessPens top black fountain pen inks. Each attribute is conveniently noted on the table below for a quick view and comparison of each best-selling fountain pen ink.
Other Best-Selling Black Inks
Looking for more black inks to add to your haul? Need something that offers both quality and value for money? Curious what other black inks you could try? Here’s an additional list you may want to check out.
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Colorverse Ink Bottle (15ml) - USA Special Series - Final 10 - Dark Skies of Black MesaDiplomat Ink Cartridge (6-Pack) - Black
Aside from EndlessPens’ best-selling black inks, you can also know more about the best permanent fountain pen inks here.
Discover more than the best fountain pens and inks—know more about the world of writing tools, accessories, and inspiration when you browse our collection.
By Some Folks at EndlessPens
