Fountain Pen Ink Colors Guide

Choosing a fountain pen ink colour is not always easy. There are so many shades that it can be hard to know what will actually look good on paper.

Black and blue are simple choices for everyday writing, but you can also try green, brown, red, purple, teal, and many other shades. Some inks also have effects like shading, sheen, or shimmer.

The colour can look different depending on the pen and paper you use. A quick writing sample is often the easiest way to see what an ink really looks like.

Fountain pen ink color swatches in black, blue, green, red, purple and teal

Understanding Fountain Pen Ink Colors

Fountain pen ink colours are not always as straightforward as they look on a colour chart. Two inks may both be called blue, for example, but one can look deep and dark while another may be bright, soft, or slightly greenish. The amount of ink on the page can change the result too. A wetter nib may make a colour look darker, while a finer nib can leave a lighter-looking line.

Some inks also show changes within the same colour as you write. You may notice darker areas where more ink collects and lighter areas where the line is thinner. This is called shading, and it can make ordinary handwriting look more varied without changing the ink colour itself.

When choosing an ink, it helps to judge the colour from an actual writing sample rather than the name on the bottle. The same shade can look quite different depending on the nib, paper, and amount of ink reaching the page.

Popular Fountain Pen Ink Color Categories

Popular Fountain Pen Ink Color Categories

Ink Color

Common Use

General Look

Black

Documents and formal writing

Dark and clear

Blue

Schoolwork, notes, and everyday writing

Classic and easy to read

Blue-Black

Professional writing and correspondence

Dark with a blue tone

Green

Personal notes and annotations

Soft or rich

Red

Corrections and marking

Bright and noticeable

Brown

Letters and personal writing

Warm and earthy

Purple

Creative writing and journaling

Rich and colourful

Teal

Creative and personal writing

Blue with a green tone
Popular fountain pen ink colors including blue, black, green, red, brown, purple and teal

Blue Ink Shades

Blue inks range from pale and bright shades to deep navy and blue-black. Lighter blues can look relaxed, while darker blues are easier to use for everyday and formal writing.

Black Ink Shades

Black ink can be deep and bold or softer with a grey tone. The darker shades give writing a strong, clear look, while softer blacks can feel less harsh on the page.

Red and Purple Ink Shades

Red inks can range from bright red to darker burgundy shades. Purple inks also vary from light lavender to deep purple. Both give handwriting more colour than the usual black or blue.

Choosing Ink Colors for Different Uses

  • Everyday writing: Blue and black are easy choices for notes, lists, and regular writing. They are clear and easy to read.
  • School and study notes: Blue works well for general notes, while other colours can help separate headings, corrections, or key points.
  • Professional writing: Black and blue-black usually give a more formal look. They can work well for letters, documents, and work notes.
  • Corrections and marking: Red stands out clearly from black or blue writing, which makes it useful for marking changes or corrections.
  • Journaling: Brown, green, purple, and teal can make personal writing feel more distinctive. The choice mostly comes down to the look you prefer.
  • Creative writing: Brighter colours and unusual shades can add more character to handwritten pages. Purple, teal, and some lighter shades are common choices for this type of writing.
Fountain pen ink showing shading, sheen and shimmer effects

Special Ink Effects and Finishes

Ink EffectWhat It Looks LikeCommonly Found In
ShadingLighter and darker areas in the same lineMany fountain pen inks
SheeningA second colour appears in heavier areas of the inkSome highly saturated inks
ShimmerTiny particles add sparkle to the writingShimmer inks

Shading Effects

Shading gives one line lighter and darker areas as you write. It is often easier to notice with wetter or broader writing, where more ink reaches the paper.

Sheening Effects

Sheen appears when a second colour shows on areas where the ink has pooled or dried more heavily. It is most noticeable in some highly saturated inks and can give the writing a different colour along parts of the stroke.

Shimmer Effects

Shimmer inks contain tiny particles that add sparkle to the writing. The particles can settle inside the pen, so these inks may need a little more care and thorough cleaning.

Matching Ink Colors With Paper and Pens

The paper and pen you use can change how an ink colour looks. On smooth paper, the ink may stay closer to its original colour, while absorbent paper can make it look lighter or less defined.

Nib size and ink flow matter too. A Fine nib puts down less ink, while a broader or wetter nib can make the same colour look darker and show more shading.

If you are trying a new ink, test it with your usual pen and paper first. A small writing sample can tell you much more than the colour shown on a screen or bottle.

Fountain pen ink samples showing different nib sizes and paper types

FAQ

Blue and black are among the most commonly used fountain pen ink colours. Both are easy to read and work well for everyday writing.

Black is usually the easiest to read because it gives strong contrast on white or light paper. Dark blue is another clear choice for everyday writing.

Shading depends on the ink, nib, and paper, so there is no single colour that always shades the most. Many inks in lighter or medium shades can show noticeable changes from light to dark as you write.

Bright colours can be safe to use when the ink is made for fountain pens. The colour itself is not what determines whether an ink is suitable for your pen. Always check that the ink is intended for fountain pen use.

Yes. The same ink can look different depending on the paper, nib, and ink flow. A writing sample is a better way to judge the colour than looking at it in a bottle or on a screen.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a fountain pen ink colour comes down to how you want your writing to look and where you plan to use it. Black and blue work well for everyday writing, while colours like green, brown, purple, and teal give you more options for personal or creative writing.

You can also try inks with shading, sheen, or shimmer if you want something different. Just remember that the same ink can look different with another pen or on another type of paper.

There is no need to choose a colour just because it looks good in a bottle or on a screen. Try a writing sample first, especially when you are choosing between similar shades.

Which fountain pen ink colour do you enjoy using most?