Keeping Track Of Your Inks - My New System

[migo984]

I'm starting to amass a few inks now and I am in danger of buying too many of one colour/shade or having gaps in my selection. Although I keep a written list in a notebook, by manufacturer/supplier, and by name of ink, I wanted an easy, visual & portable record of my inks, that I could easily add to, and re-order as necessary.

 

My solution: Mnemosyne Word Cards.

 

These are small cards (105mm x 54mm, 4 1/8 x 2 1/8"), off-white in colour & of nice thick ink-friendly paper. Slightly textured, a bit like water colour paper, but smoother on the reverse. The paper is thick enough that you can write on both sides. It allows any sheen to show clearly. They are punched and held together with a hinged. metal ring which can be opened. The cards can therefore be easily added to, or re-arranged. The cards come with nice sturdy plastic front and back covers.

 

I've started by doing a swab of each colour (on the smoothest side), and I will write in the name of the supplier and the ink (pencilled in for now). There is room on the card to add some brief notes on behaviour, saturation etc underneath on the front side, and perhaps add some notes on ink/pen combinations on the reverse as I use the inks. I've ordered the swatches by colour/shade.

 

Now I've got a visual, flexible record of my inks that I can update, add to and re-order; it's small enough to carry round to places like pen shows and meet-ups, and it'll be so much easier to identify whether I need a particular new ink because of a gap in my collection (of course I do!!) LOL. And I've started another one for samples I've been sent, which I want to keep separate from my full ink inventory. But I can move a card from here into my other card inventory if I go on to buy a full size bottle

 

And, best of all this is a cheap solution, at £3.95 for a 100 cards.

 

Here are 2 pics of my efforts so far. I hope some of you like this idea and find it useful.

 

 

 

 

[Chrissy]

What a great idea! Where do I get these cards?

[migo984]

What a great idea! Where do I get these cards?

 

Glad you like it. You can buy them from here:

 

http://www.thejournalshop.com/maruman-mnemosyne-word-cards

[fountainpagan]

Fabulous idea.

 

Thank you.

[mm1624124]

In the US:

 

Muji word card $0.99, haven't tried it, but so far, Muji's stuff is pretty fp friendly

Maruman Mnemosyne word book $4.95

[fountainpagan]

Please add 1.99£ for taxes + 6.67£ shipping and handling for Europe (the problem is you only know it after you have payed and received the paypal invoice)!!!!

[migo984]

Please add 1.99£ for taxes + 6.67£ shipping and handling for Europe (the problem is you only know it after you have payed and received the paypal invoice)!!!!

 

I'm in UK so it was free delivery for me. If you're in other parts of EU perhaps there is a more local supplier you should use?

[Pentulant]

JetPens also has the same Word Cards. I first saw this idea over on Instagram from PenAddict and immediately copied it for my own use.

 

With nearly 400 inks and samples, it's been quite the project, but it's wonderful to have everything all in one place. Friends who come for a visit enjoy flipping through all of the pretty colors...I even think some of them have a new appreciation for my..appreciation.

 

I've organized mine alphabetically by manufacturer. Someone suggested that I could use a punch system to now code the cards by color. I don't think I'll be going that far. Yet.

 

If you're not over on Instagram, you should be. Lots of great pen, ink, and people. I am Pentulant, there...and most everywhere.

[Pentulant]

On the paper...the word cards mentioned above are the ones I use, too. They have a bit of a texture to them, very much like watercolor paper. I've not had a single issue with bleed through.

 

If I was doing it again from the start, I would probably spend some time looking a other paper options and going with. Something bright white and with less texture.

 

Don't misunderstand, though, the paper above is wonderful...just doing some Monday morning quarterbacking.

[mm1624124]

How do the colors compare to other stationery that one normally uses for writing?

 

Thanks!

[migo984]

JetPens also has the same Word Cards. I first saw this idea over on Instagram from PenAddict and immediately copied it for my own use.

 

With nearly 400 inks and samples, it's been quite the project, but it's wonderful to have everything all in one place. Friends who come for a visit enjoy flipping through all of the pretty colors...I even think some of them have a new appreciation for my..appreciation.

 

I've organized mine alphabetically by manufacturer. Someone suggested that I could use a punch system to now code the cards by color. I don't think I'll be going that far. Yet.

 

If you're not over on Instagram, you should be. Lots of great pen, ink, and people. I am Pentulant, there...and most everywhere.

 

I'm not on Instagram. I don't have a lot of free time to scour websites or other social media. I just wanted something quick and handy to organise inks by colour/shade so came up with this idea. I would have been very surprised if it hadn't been done before - it's the same principle as house paint swatch categorisation. I've deliberately avoided organising alphabetically by manufacturer. I'm more interested in finding where a new ink fits into any colour gaps than about who makes them. I keep a separate alphabetised notebook with more details.

 

I like the paper; the reverse side is smoother than the front side. And most of my writing paper is slightly off-white or ivory, so I get a better idea of the effect of an ink using these. Of course, if people prefer bright white paper then these cards may not be suitable. I find the coloue is close enough for me - I'm not too worried about slight shade changes.

[Pentulant]

I should have clarified...I meant the general "you," not specifically you should be on Instagram. Sorry about that.

 

Love the organization by color and may end there myself one day, too. It has definitely worked for paints and Pantones.

 

 

 

I'm not on Instagram. I don't have a lot of free time to scour websites or other social media. I just wanted something quick and handy to organise inks by colour/shade so came up with this idea. I would have been very surprised if it hadn't been done before - it's the same principle as house paint swatch categorisation. I've deliberately avoided organising alphabetically by manufacturer. I'm more interested in finding where a new ink fits into any colour gaps than about who makes them. I keep a separate alphabetised notebook with more details.

 

I like the paper; the reverse side is smoother than the front side. And most of my writing paper is slightly off-white or ivory, so I get a better idea of the effect of an ink using these. Of course, if people prefer bright white paper then these cards may not be suitable. I find the coloue is close enough for me - I'm not too worried about slight shade changes.

[lapis]

Neat idea! And I thought that my inventory was okay....

 

Mike

[RudyR]

They are available at the bookstore in Uwajimaya downtown Seattle.

[Tas]

I have seen the light . . . !!

[Lorna Reed]

Brilliant idea. I've just ordered one.(And a couple of other things I couldn't resist)

Many thanks for the suggestion.

[vistafan]

This is an absolutely brilliant idea. I have bookmarked the link, as I intend to make a purchase in the near future. I cannot wait to use this method to keep track of all the inks that I have.

 

I wish there was 'thanks' button but as there is not, THANK YOU!!

Edited March 25, 2014 by vistafan

[knarflj]

Great idea!

[threeamigos]

Thanks for sharing. I just pick up a few from JetPens.

[amberleadavis]

JetPens also has the same Word Cards. I first saw this idea over on Instagram from PenAddict and immediately copied it for my own use.

 

With nearly 400 inks and samples, it's been quite the project, but it's wonderful to have everything all in one place. Friends who come for a visit enjoy flipping through all of the pretty colors...I even think some of them have a new appreciation for my..appreciation.

 

I've organized mine alphabetically by manufacturer. Someone suggested that I could use a punch system to now code the cards by color. I don't think I'll be going that far. Yet.

 

If you're not over on Instagram, you should be. Lots of great pen, ink, and people. I am Pentulant, there...and most everywhere.

 

 

Oooh, now that's cool. I think you should bring your cards and come over to my office. I'll scan them for you. It's a great excuse to come to Vegas.