Walk into any stationery shop and you'll find shelves of fountain pen inks in every colour imaginable. But beyond colour, there's a more fundamental question: what kind of ink is it? The answer affects how it writes, how it dries, how permanent it is, and whether it's even safe to use in your pen.
Here's a plain-English breakdown of the three main ink types you'll encounter at CzipLee.
1. Dye-Based Inks — The Everyday Standard
Most fountain pen inks are dye-based. The colour comes from dye molecules dissolved in water, which flow freely through the pen's feed and nib.
- Smooth flow — dye inks are thin and well-behaved in fountain pens
- Wide colour range — dyes can produce vivid, saturated colours that pigments often can't match
- Shading and sheen — many dye inks show beautiful colour variation as they dry, especially on quality paper
- Water-soluble — they will smear or run if wet; not ideal for documents that need to last
- Safe for all fountain pens — easy to clean, won't clog
Best for: Everyday journaling, letter writing, creative writing, anyone who wants to explore colour.
We carry dye inks from Pilot Iroshizuku (the gold standard for shading and sheen), J. Herbin Authentic Ink (classic French inks in a beautiful range of colours), and Noodler's (American indie inks with exceptional value and a wide colour range including Burgundy, Turquoise, Navajo Turquoise, and more).
2. Pigment Inks — Archival and Permanent
Pigment inks use tiny solid particles suspended in liquid, rather than dissolved dye. Once dry, these particles bond to the paper surface and become water-resistant — sometimes fully waterproof.
- Water-resistant to waterproof — once dry, they won't run or smear
- Archival quality — resistant to fading; ideal for documents you want to last
- Opaque — metallic pigment inks (gold, silver, white) can write on dark paper
- Require more care — pigment particles can settle or clog if left in a pen too long; flush regularly
- Not suitable for all pens — check your pen manufacturer's guidance before using
Best for: Important documents, art journaling, mixed media, writing on dark or coloured paper.
We carry pigment inks from J. Herbin (Gold, Silver, White — stunning on dark paper) and Aurora (premium Italian pigment-based black ink).
Browse our pigment ink range →
3. India Inks — Maximum Opacity and Permanence
India ink is the oldest ink type — traditionally made from carbon black suspended in water with a binder. Fully waterproof once dry, deeply opaque, and completely permanent.
- Fully waterproof — once dry, nothing will move it
- Maximum opacity — the deepest, most solid blacks and colours available
- Not for fountain pens — carbon particles and binders will clog fountain pen feeds; use only in dip pens or technical pens
- Ideal for illustration — the go-to for artists, illustrators, and technical drawing
Best for: Illustration, technical drawing, calligraphy with dip nibs.
We carry J. Herbin India Ink in Blue and Brown. Important: Never use India ink in a fountain pen — it will permanently damage the feed.
Quick Comparison
| Property | Dye Ink | Pigment Ink | India Ink |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water resistance | Low | High | Permanent |
| Colour range | Very wide | Limited | Limited |
| Shading / sheen | Yes | Rarely | No |
| Safe for fountain pens | Yes | With care | No |
| Best use | Everyday writing | Archival / art | Illustration / dip pen |
A Note on Paper
Whatever ink you choose, paper quality matters. Thin paper will bleed and feather with any wet ink. For the best results, use fountain-pen-friendly paper — we cover this in detail in our Notebook Paper Guide.
Shop Fountain Pen Inks at CzipLee
Browse our full ink range online or visit us in-store at Bangsar Village II. Also worth reading: our J. Herbin Ink Guide and our Noodler's Colour Guide.