Writing with a fountain pen today may feel like a crossroads between the past and present. The age-old design that forms the foundation of our favorite writing instruments today can make us think about what it means to use a piece of history in our everyday endeavors. It can also make us wonder about how our own writings, whether they be journal entries, letters, or simple notes will be deciphered in the future — if the ink we use stands the test of time!
Most fountain pen inks today are not permanent, but there are times when a writer will require or prefer something that will last through the years. If you’re looking for something a little more permanent, then here are some of the best inks for you to try.
Water-resistant ink
If you aren’t expecting your sheets and notebooks to go through much exposure to the elements between writing on them and storage, then water-resistant permanent ink may be enough for your daily needs.
Graf von Faber Castell Ink
Graf von Faber Castell offers a good selection of colors if you’re looking for permanent water-resistant ink. They have rich, saturated hues like India Red and Gulf Blue that will stand out. You can also opt for more muted and professional colors like Carbon Black and Cognac Brown with just as much opacity. These inks can run a bit wet in wider nibs, but they are quite well-behaved overall. You can also get Graf ink in international standard-sized cartridges as well. Since this ink is only water-resistant, it may only be permanent insofar as your writing isn’t exposed to moisture for extended periods.
Waterproof ink
Waterproof ink takes it a step further than water-resistant ink. Made from micro-fine carbon or other particles suspended in liquid, this type of ink truly does not budge after it has dried, even when exposed to water. However, it can also clog pens more easily, which is why best pen maintenance practices should be carefully observed.
Platinum Carbon Black Ink
Platinum Carbon Black is one of the best completely waterproof permanent inks that you can use for daily writing. Given how budge-proof it is, this ink will stand the test of time, even if your writing is exposed to elements like rain. It is best to use higher GSM paper since Platinum Carbon Black is prone to ghosting on thinner sheets.
Sailor Pigment Ink
Another permanent ink that has great performance is Sailor Pigment Ink. They use nano-pigments that are even finer than the ones Platinum uses for their variety of permanent inks. These inks are safe to use, even in fountain pens that write very fine lines. You can get Sailor Pigment Inks in black, blue-black, or deep blue colors, all of which are completely waterproof.
Iron gall inks
Iron gall inks, which are made from iron salts and tannic acids, have quite a reputation in the fountain pen community for causing damage in pens despite being excellent permanent and waterproof ink. However, most modern iron gall inks are no longer as corrosive as they used to be. These are excellent inks to use if you want your writing to be permanent as they will not smear, fade, or creep.
Diamine Registrar’s Ink
One of the best iron gall inks on the market today is Diamine Registrar’s Ink. It has special properties that allow it to change color, as most iron gall inks do since they oxidize. Diamine Registrar’s Ink lays down a light blue color at first, which then darkens to a deep blue-black after drying. If you are using lower-quality paper and need good control over your ink, then iron gall works well since it writes a bit drier. Just be sure to clean your pen out regularly and avoid leaving this ink in your pen for more than weeks at a time so it does not cause any corrosion.
The Bottom Line
Having a permanent ink in your collection can be very useful, especially if you wish to preserve your writing decades into the future. Whether they face rain or shine, these permanent water-resistant and waterproof fountain pen inks can be depended on.
Written by EndlessPens Blogger Ramona Kabigting
