In our previous blog TMKR Inks: Getting to Know the Brand, we introduced Troublemaker Inks and a little bit of their history, philosophy, and creative process. Here we’ll talk more about their influences, inspirations, and what new and existing customers can look forward to in the future.
TMKR Influences and Inspiration
We wanted to know what inspires founders Gab and Kai when creating their inks. Here’s what they had to say about their influences and what tickles their imagination:
Who are your biggest influences or mentors in the fountain pen/ink industry? Have they had a significant impact on your career?
There have been so many! We are mostly self-taught so we don’t have a mentor per se but definitely one of the biggest inspirations would be Brian of Goulet Pens, Azizah of Gourmet Pens, Sbrebown, Figboot on Pens, and many others. We used to watch tons of reviews and taking notes on what makes a good ink and applying them to our inks.
What inspires your color palette and aesthetic? Do you draw inspiration from specific artists, cultures, or natural elements?
Our main inspiration for our color palette is Cebuano culture. We grew up being surrounded by vibrant colors, vivid sights and sounds, and a truly unique set of customs and traditions that we’re very proud of. Hence our regular line of inks being named and inspired after Cebu icons— from the dusty Yellow Tartanillas of Pasil, to the unending rows of flowers at Freedom Park, Colon St.
Troublemaker Inks × @pensandturquoisebrown Dream and Nightmare Ink Set
Our Sheening inks are inspired by Filipino Literature. Jose Rizal’s Simoun and Doña Victorina, Nick Joaquin’s Nenita Coogan, and the Biag ni Lam-Ang from the Ilocos region.
Troublemaker Sheening Ink Bottle (60 ml)
Is there anything specific you're passionate about outside of fountain pens and inks? How does this influence your work?
We dabble from time to time with visual arts. Gab used to work as a Graphic Designer and I am passionate with film photography. It’s the process of creation, of self expression, that really makes the end result worthwhile. Same goes with what we do in TMKR Inks. We pour our heart into what we put out and we hope our passion and love gets reflected in every stroke and line our inks make.
The Future of Troublemaker Inks
We also wanted to find out what fountain pen ink lovers can look forward to in terms of the brand’s plans.
What are your long-term goals for TMKR Inks? Do you have any plans for further expansion or diversification?
Troublemaker Shimmer Ink Bottle (60 ml) - Copper Patina
As we are a small team that hand-makes everything, expansion has been a talk for a while. The demand for our inks has surpassed what we initially thought way back 2018 when we started making inks in our studio apartment. For now, we want to keep everything agile to adapt to whatever challenges we might face as best as we can.
Are there any new products or services you're considering introducing in the future?
For now, we can’t give any specifics but we’ll be announcing exciting news soon!
How do you envision the future of the fountain pen/ink industry? What trends or challenges do you see on the horizon?
Troublemaker Inks × @scientificallyengineered Hatching Halloween Ink Bottle
As we are a hobbyist community, most of the challenges we see are going to be the fluctuations in demand. When people aren’t doing very well the first thing we usually skip is the “fun stuff” and we do see it when it happens. However, we know that people’s passion for fountain pens will always be a part of them and that’s what really matters.
Troublemaker Inks × @scientificallyengineered Hatching Halloween Ink Bottle in Poison Dart Frog
What advice would you give to aspiring artists or entrepreneurs looking to go into the fountain pen ink business?
Make something that you would be proud of. Something that reflects who you are— your passions, your hobbies, your interests, and your culture. It’s going to be a hard journey but lucky for you, there’s a lot of people cheering you on! The Fountain Pen Community is one of the best sets of people you’ll ever meet so don’t be afraid to reach out!
The Bottom Line
Troublemaker Inks is definitely a brand to watch out for, especially for those who love unique, vibrant colors. They offer several colors in their regular, sheening, and shimmering lines. Here at EndlessPens, we have also collaborated with TMKR to produce some of our favorite inks to date. Don’t miss out on this small but proud and amazing ink brand!
Written by EndlessPens Blogger Ramona Kabigting
