Pilot Iroshizuku is one of the best fountain pen ink brands produced by Pilot Corporation, a well-known Japanese pen manufacturer. The name "Iroshizuku" translates to "droplets of color" in English, reflecting the brand's focus on creating vibrant and expressive inks.

The Iroshizuku ink series is known for its high-quality formulations and wide range of colors inspired by nature and Japanese culture. Each ink color is carefully crafted to reflect the beauty of natural landscapes, flowers, and seasons, making them a favorite among fountain pen enthusiasts and calligraphy artists.

The inks are known for their smooth flow, rich saturation, and excellent shading properties. They are generally well-behaved and work well with a variety of fountain pens and paper types. The bottles are elegantly designed, featuring a glass container with a wide opening that facilitates easy filling of pens.

Some popular colors in the Iroshizuku line include Kon-Peki (a vibrant blue inspired by the color of the sky), Shin-Ryoku (a rich green reminiscent of new leaves), Tsuki-Yo (a deep teal evoking the moonlit night), and Yama-Budo (a beautiful burgundy shade resembling grapes).

Overall, Pilot Iroshizuku inks are highly regarded for their quality, wide range of colors, and delightful writing experience. They offer a fantastic way to add a touch of artistry and personality to your writing or artistic endeavors.

Amazon rating: 4.7/5.0

Founded: 1918

Headquarters: Japan

Website: https://www.pilotpen.eu/en/fine-writing/iroshizuku-ink.html

Noodler's Ink is an American company that specializes in manufacturing fountain pen inks. Founded by Nathan Tardif in 2003, Noodler's Ink is known for its extensive range of ink colors and its commitment to creating unique and distinctive formulations.

One of the notable aspects of Noodler's Ink is its emphasis on producing inks with specific properties and characteristics. Noodler's offers a variety of ink formulas that cater to different needs, including waterproof, bulletproof, archival, and fast-drying inks. These specialized inks are designed to resist water damage, fading, and tampering, making them popular among artists, documentarians, and individuals who require ink permanence and durability.

Noodler's Ink is also known for its large range of colors. The brand offers a vast selection of ink shades, from classic blues, blacks, and browns to vibrant and unconventional colors. Noodler's often introduces limited edition inks with unique and intriguing hues, which adds to the appeal for collectors and ink enthusiasts.

In addition to their diverse color options, Noodler's Ink is known for its generous bottle sizes. Many of their ink bottles hold 3 ounces (89 ml) of ink, offering excellent value for users who write or create extensively.

Noodler's is also recognized for its focus on addressing social and political issues through its ink names and packaging. Many of their inks have names that reference historical events, political movements, or social causes. This aspect has made Noodler's a brand with a distinct personality and a loyal following.

Amazon rating: 4.7/5.0

Founded: 2003
Headquarters: 18 Gaffney Rd, Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Website: https://noodlersink.com/

Pelikan is a renowned German company that specializes in manufacturing high-quality writing instruments, inks, and stationery products. With a history dating back to 1838, Pelikan has established itself as a leading brand in the world of fountain pens.

Pelikan is best known for its iconic fountain pens, particularly the Pelikan Souverän (Sovereign) series. The Souverän pens are recognized for their classic design, exceptional craftsmanship, and smooth writing experience. They are often characterized by their distinctive striped barrel, which is crafted using a unique technique known as cellulose acetate overlay.

Pelikan offers a range of nib options, including extra fine, fine, medium, broad, and specialty nibs, allowing writers to find the perfect nib size and style to suit their preferences. The brand is highly regarded for the quality and reliability of its nibs, which are known for their smoothness, consistent ink flow, and excellent performance.

In addition to fountain pens, Pelikan produces a variety of other writing instruments, such as rollerball pens and ballpoint pens. These pens share the same commitment to quality and craftsmanship as their fountain pen counterparts.

Pelikan also offers a selection of high-quality inks that are compatible with their fountain pens. Pelikan inks are known for their vibrant colors, good flow, and saturation. They come in a range of traditional and contemporary shades, allowing writers to find the perfect color for their writing needs.

Amazon rating: 4.7/5.0

Founded: 1838

Headquarters: Paris

Website: https://www.pelikan.com/int

J. Herbin is a well-established French company that has been producing high-quality inks and writing instruments since 1670, making it one of the oldest manufacturers of inks in the world. The brand is known for its rich history, traditional craftsmanship, and dedication to creating exquisite writing products.

J. Herbin offers a wide range of fountain pen inks that are highly regarded by fountain pen enthusiasts and calligraphers. The inks are known for their smooth flow, vibrant colors, and excellent saturation. J. Herbin inks are often praised for their well-behaved properties, making them suitable for a variety of fountain pens and papers.

One of the notable products from J. Herbin is their "La Perle des Encres" (The Jewel of Inks) collection. This collection includes a selection of classic ink colors that are inspired by the brand's rich heritage. Some popular colors in this collection include Perle Noire (Black Pearl), Bleu Myosotis (Forget-Me-Not Blue), and Poussière de Lune (Moon Dust).

J. Herbin is also renowned for its specialty inks, such as scented inks and shimmering inks. Their scented inks add a unique olfactory experience to writing, with fragrances like lavender, rose, and violet. The shimmering inks contain subtle metallic particles that add a touch of sparkle and elegance to handwritten text or artwork.

Google rating: 4.7/5.0

Founded: 1670
Headquarters: Paris
Website: https://www.jherbin.com/index.html

Sailor is a respected Japanese company that specializes in manufacturing high-quality fountain pens and inks. Established in 1911, Sailor has a long history of producing finely crafted writing instruments known for their exceptional performance and attention to detail.

Sailor fountain pens are highly regarded among pen enthusiasts for their smooth writing experience and precision. The company's nibs are particularly renowned for their exceptional quality and consistency. Sailor offers a variety of nib options, including extra fine, fine, medium, broad, and specialty nibs, allowing writers to find the perfect nib size for their preferences.

One of Sailor's notable achievements is its dedication to craftsmanship. The company produces many of its pens in-house in Hiroshima, Japan, and employs skilled artisans who meticulously assemble and test each pen to ensure its superior quality. Sailor is known for its strict quality control standards, resulting in pens that offer a reliable and enjoyable writing experience.

Sailor also has a diverse range of ink offerings, known as Sailor Jentle and Sailor Manyo. Sailor inks are well-regarded for their vibrant colors and excellent performance. The inks exhibit properties such as good flow, saturation, and shading, making them popular among fountain pen users and calligraphers alike. Sailor offers a wide range of ink colors, including classic hues and unique shades inspired by nature and Japanese culture.

Amazon rating: 4.5/5.0

Founded: 1911

Headquarters: Hamburg, Germany

Website:https://en.sailor.co.jp/

Waterman is a well-established and respected brand in the world of fountain pens. Founded in 1884 by Lewis Edson Waterman, the company has a long history of producing high-quality writing instruments.

Waterman fountain pens are known for their elegant designs, craftsmanship, and smooth writing experience. The brand offers a wide range of models and styles to suit different preferences and needs, from classic to contemporary designs.

One of Waterman's notable contributions to the fountain pen industry is the invention of the first practical fountain pen with a capillary feed system. This innovation, patented by Lewis Edson Waterman in 1884, resolved the issue of leakage and revolutionized the way fountain pens functioned.

Waterman pens are recognized for their smooth and consistent ink flow, which contributes to an enjoyable writing experience. They typically use cartridges or converters to hold ink, allowing users to easily refill their pens with a variety of ink colors.

In addition to their functionality, Waterman pens often feature sophisticated designs and materials. They are crafted with attention to detail, combining elements like precious metals, lacquers, and fine engraving to create elegant writing instruments. Waterman offers a wide selection of ink colors and formulations to complement their fountain pens. Their inks are known for their vibrant hues, quick-drying properties, and resistance to fading.

Amazon rating: 4.5/5.0

Founded: 1884
Headquarters: New York City, New York State, USA
Website: https://www.waterman.com/

KWZ Ink is a Polish brand that specializes in producing handmade fountain pen inks. Founded by Konrad Urawski in 2012, KWZ Ink has gained a reputation for its unique ink formulations, rich colors, and excellent performance.

One of the notable aspects of KWZ Ink is the meticulous, handcrafted production process. Each batch of ink is carefully crafted by hand, ensuring a high level of quality control and attention to detail. This artisanal approach contributes to the brand's commitment to delivering exceptional inks to fountain pen enthusiasts.

KWZ Ink offers a diverse range of ink colors, ranging from classic hues to more unconventional and unique shades. The brand's color palette includes vibrant blues, deep greens, rich browns, and a variety of other captivating colors. KWZ Ink is often praised for its ability to capture nuanced tones and produce inks that display depth and character in writing.

In terms of ink properties, KWZ Ink is known for its excellent flow and saturation. The inks tend to have a good balance between lubrication and viscosity, ensuring smooth writing and consistent ink flow. KWZ Ink is formulated to perform well in a variety of fountain pens and on different types of paper.

Additionally, KWZ Ink offers specialty inks that provide unique effects and characteristics. These include iron gall inks, which develop a darker and more permanent color as they oxidize, and sheening inks that exhibit intense and reflective color layers on certain types of paper. These specialty inks add a touch of creativity and versatility to the KWZ Ink lineup.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Founded: 2012
Headquarters: Poland
Website: https://www.kwzink.com/en/about-kwz-ink/

P.W. Akkerman is a Dutch company that specializes in luxury writing instruments and accessories, including fountain pens, inks, and stationery. With a rich history dating back to 1910, P.W. Akkerman is well-known for its expertise and commitment to quality.

One of the notable offerings from P.W. Akkerman is their line of exclusive fountain pen inks. These inks are often referred to as "Akkerman inks" or "Akkerman Amsterdam inks." They are renowned for their exceptional quality and unique colors.

Akkerman inks are known for their generous bottle size, which holds 60 ml of ink. The bottles have a distinctive shape with a large neck and a small marble inside, which acts as an ink reservoir. This design allows users to easily fill their fountain pens, even when the ink level is low.

In terms of colors, Akkerman inks offer a wide range of options, including traditional and vibrant shades. Some of their inks are inspired by the rich cultural heritage of Amsterdam, reflecting the beauty and history of the city. Akkerman inks often display beautiful shading properties and are highly regarded for their flow and saturation.

Beyond inks, P.W. Akkerman also offers a selection of luxury writing instruments from renowned brands. They stock a variety of fountain pens, rollerballs, and ballpoint pens, catering to different preferences and styles. These pens often feature exquisite craftsmanship and high-quality materials.

Google rating: 4.2/5.0

Founded: 1884
Headquarters: Netherlands
Website: https://www.pwakkerman.com/en

Robert Oster is an Australian brand that specializes in producing high-quality fountain pen inks. Named after its founder, Robert Oster, the brand has gained significant recognition in the fountain pen community for its exceptional ink colors and performance.

One of the standout features of Robert Oster inks is their extensive range of colors. The brand offers a vast selection of unique and vibrant ink shades, with each color often inspired by elements of the Australian landscape, nature, or culture. From deep blues and greens to rich reds and purples, Robert Oster inks provide a diverse palette for writers, calligraphers, and artists to explore and express their creativity.

Robert Oster inks are known for their excellent flow and saturation. They generally exhibit good behavior in fountain pens, ensuring a smooth and consistent writing experience. Many users appreciate the lubrication and generous ink flow that Robert Oster inks provide, allowing for comfortable and enjoyable writing sessions.

In terms of ink properties, Robert Oster inks often showcase intriguing shading and sheening effects. Shading refers to the variation in color intensity that occurs as the ink dries, while sheen refers to the reflective color layer that can appear on certain types of paper. These visual effects add depth and dimension to handwritten text or artwork, making Robert Oster inks popular among those who enjoy exploring the artistic possibilities of fountain pen inks.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Founded: 1989

Headquarters: 18 Gaffney Rd, Dartmouth, Massachusetts

Website: https://robertoster.com/

Montblanc is a prestigious German luxury brand that is well-known for its exquisite writing instruments, timepieces, leather goods, and accessories. Founded in 1906, Montblanc has established itself as a symbol of elegance, craftsmanship, and sophistication.

Montblanc is particularly renowned for its iconic fountain pens. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, Montblanc pens are highly sought-after by collectors and writing enthusiasts worldwide. The brand offers a range of pen collections, each with its own distinct design and features, catering to different tastes and preferences. Some of their notable collections include the Meisterstück (Masterpiece), StarWalker, Heritage, and Bohème lines.

The Meisterstück collection is one of Montblanc's most famous and iconic pen lines. The Meisterstück 149, in particular, is often considered a flagship model and is celebrated for its classic design and exceptional craftsmanship. Montblanc pens are typically made using precious materials such as resin and precious metals like gold and platinum and adorned with details like the signature white star emblem.

Montblanc also produces a range of high-quality inks for fountain pens. These inks are formulated to provide smooth, consistent flow and vibrant colors. They offer a variety of ink options, including standard colors, limited editions, and special inks that match specific pen collections.

Google rating: 4.1/5.0

Founded: 1906

Headquarters: Hamburg, Germany

Website: https://www.montblanc.com/en-us/collection/refills-stationery/all-refills/ink-bottles

Diamine is a renowned British brand that specializes in producing high-quality fountain pen inks. Founded in 1864, Diamine has a long history of manufacturing fine writing instruments and ink products.

Diamine inks are highly regarded among fountain pen enthusiasts for their wide range of colors and excellent performance. The brand offers a vast selection of ink shades, from traditional and classic colors to unique and vibrant hues. Their color palette includes blues, blacks, greens, reds, purples, browns, and various other shades, allowing writers and artists to find the perfect ink for their needs.

One of the notable features of Diamine inks is their strong saturation and rich color payoff. Many of their inks exhibit vibrant and intense hues, which can bring life and character to handwriting, calligraphy, or artistic creations. Diamine inks are often praised for their shading properties, providing beautiful variations in color intensity as the ink dries on the page.

Diamine offers a range of ink formulations, including standard fountain pen inks, shimmering inks with subtle metallic particles, and sheening inks that produce a distinct color sheen on certain types of paper. These variations allow users to experiment and add unique effects to their writing or artwork.

Amazon rating: 4.0/5.0

Founded: 1864

Headquarters: United Kingdom

Website: https://www.diamineinks.co.uk/