Fountain pens use water-based ink.
Fountain pen ink is water colored by dyes or pigments. To improve the flow of the ink, thickeners are added to improve the viscosity. The viscosity of the ink allows it to remain on the pen without dripping. It also allows the ink to evenly flow onto the paper without puddles. Ink manufacturers closely guard the ingredients and recipe used in their ink formula.
Ink and Color
The color of ink is a formula created by blending water, dye and additives. The formulas are highly secret. The ink will display its true color on white paper. The color of ivory or other colored paper will affect the translucent color of the ink and slightly change it.
Washable and Water Resistant Ink
Fountain pen ink is water-based which allows the ink to flow evenly in your pen. Since water is the base ingredient, the inks used in fountain pens will never be waterproof or permanent. If ink bottle labels say washable and permanent, it is referring to the reaction of the ink on cloth. Some inks are water resistant and resist smearing if subjected to the water. To prevent smeared addressed envelopes, rub white candles over the inked address, the wax will protect it from the weather.
Permanent Ink
Using cellulose reactive dye ink on cellulose fiber paper binds the two elements together. Cellulose reactive dye ink will resist fading by bleach, UV light and chemicals. This permanent ink prevents check forgery. Forgers use bleach or water to wash away the ink for the payee and dollar amounts and rewrite them. Using ink on paper containing cellulose fibers makes the ink a permanent part of the paper. This paper absorbs water. Cellulose reactive Ink is water-soluble until it dries on cellulose paper. Washing ink from the paper will cause the cellulose paper to absorb the water until it falls apart.
Ink Cartridges and Converters
Most fountain pens use an ink cartridge allowing only an outward flow of ink. This is convenient and easy to carry. Older pens have a built-in ink reservoir filled from bottled ink. This reservoir allows ink to flow out and flow in. The back and forth flow of the ink provides a cleaning action to the tube allowing a smoother ink flow when writing.
Ink Precautions
Indian, technical drawing and artists ink are thick inks. This ink is too thick for fountain pen ink flow. These inks leave dregs, solidified particles, which will block the ink flow. In humid areas, ink will feather at the edge of each stroke on high rag content paper.
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