Fountain pen ink can come in many colors and textures. Some inks are wetter and others write a bit on the dry side. There are also inks that are thicker than others, and it is here where learning how to dilute fountain pen inks is valuable. While fountain pen inks typically come out of the box ready to use, there may be some situations where you may want to dilute them. Here’s everything you need to know.
Why dilute your ink?
So, why should you dilute your ink?
Before we answer this question, it’s important to understand the characteristics of fountain pen ink that make it special. Unlike many oil-based writing inks, fountain pen ink is water soluble. This gives it a lovely, wet texture that many writers look for when using their fountain pens.
However, there are still some fountain pen inks that can run a little too viscous. Thick ink clings to the nib, which can result in a pen that has difficulty getting its ink to descend. This usually happens to inks that have been sitting out for long periods, with most of the water evaporating. Even then, brand new inks can arrive thick as well; it all depends on the ink manufacturer.
There are many other reasons to dilute your fountain pen ink. One can dilute their ink to:
- Decrease ink drying time
- Improve ink flow
- Lighten ink color
- Prevent ink from clogging the pen
- Use ink that has dried or thickened due to water evaporation
- Lengthen an ink bottle’s life span
- Decrease ghosting on paper
How to dilute fountain pen ink
There are many ways to dilute fountain pen ink, and each writer who does this may follow their own “recipe.”
You can experiment with your inks based on the pens that you write with, the climate where you live, and the inks that you use. For instance, iron gall inks need more water to thin out compared to other types of fountain pen ink.
It is best never to dilute an entire bottle of ink unless you are absolutely sure of the ink-to-water ratio that is best for that particular type of ink. The best way to start diluting your ink is to decant a small amount of ink using a syringe into another container, where you can start mixing it with water. Mix the water thoroughly; it should not separate from the ink. If it does, then start over with a new batch of ink and water.
Using a dip pen, try out the consistency and opacity of your diluted ink on paper. For thinner ink, add just a bit more water. For a thicker consistency and more saturation, then add a little more ink. Try the following combinations to see what works best for you. For thicker inks, use 45ml of ink mixed with 10ml of water. Thinner inks can be diluted with 2.5ml of ink mixed with 0.5ml of water. Many writers have also used a simpler 2-to-1 ratio of ink to water for most fountain pen inks.
Don’t forget to take into account the type of pen you are using. Pens that have flex nibs such as the Falcon fountain pen from Pilot can benefit from a more diluted ink that flows better. Drier fountain pens can use less diluted inks.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, the level of ink dilution will be determined by your preferences. The best way to find out how you like your inks diluted is to experiment and see what works well for pens and your fountain pen-friendly paper.
Happy inking and happy writing!
Written by EndlessPens Blogger Ramona Kabigting
