Blue Ink For Copy Paper

[akustyk]

I have searched for a blue ink that performs very well on copy paper with a nib/flow typical of a Lamy Safari EF, but with a decent amount of water resistance. I love my Montblanc Midnight Blue and R&K Salix, but I am looking for something brighter. Ideally, the performance of Waterman's Florida Blue but with the water resistance of the Salix. My search has lead me to the new-ish Noodler's Liberty's Elysium. I like the color, the flow, and the water resistance. I wish it had even a slight amount of shading, but I can live with none. However, it does not perform well enough on copy paper. It feathers and bleeds, not terribly, but enough to be a deal breaker. It can't compete with iron-gall inks, like the Midnight Blue or the Salix, sadly.

 

Is there a blue ink that does doesn't feather or bleed through as much?

http://bartus.org/media/noodlersLibertyElysiumSample.jpg

Edited January 19, 2013 by akustyk

[carlos.q]

You should try Pilot/Namiki blue, which is a nice, well behaved and water resistant blue.

[eherreid]

Sailor Jentle Sky High, perhaps? I only have a sample, so I haven't done a really extensive test, but although wet, it seems fairly well behaved on most papers if used with a fine-ish nib. And it's a nice vibrant bright blue.

[carlos.q]

Check out this review on the Pilot/Namiki blue:

 

http://www.inknouveau.com/2011/07/namiki-blue-ink-review.html?m=0

Edited January 20, 2013 by carlos.q

[Uncle Red]

Diamine Washable Blue is a great color and is water resistant, in spite of it's name. Works great on cheap paper . Also look at Platinum Pigmented Blue.

[tonybelding]

I've found that Texas Blue Bonnet works better than the average Noodler's ink on mediocre (not downright bad) paper. It's also a "bulletproof" type ink, and an attractive dark blue color.

 

However, I have got the impression that the country is experiencing a plague of truly awful copy paper these days that no fountain pen ink -- not even Noodler's Black -- can deal with. (I suspect the culprit may be Vietnam: source of both the world's worst paper and the world's worst coffee!)

[pelman]

I have Noodler's Blue bonnet, R&k Salix, and MB blue black, These are all perfectly good blue slash black colors. What is it that you find "objectionable" in this colors? I know these are not your words. I personally like all three for my professional work situation.

 

ETA: may be you don't want the shading in a professional setting.

Edited January 20, 2013 by pelman

[Pat1]

+1 Pilot/Namiki Blue

 

Diamine Sapphire

[The Good Captain]

Diamine Royal Blue, Diamine Presidential Blue, Diamine Washable Blue (yes, seriously!) and Mr Pen's (Diamine plus "special ingredient") Radiant Blue.

[Renfield]

Diamine Royal Blue, Diamine Presidential Blue, Diamine Washable Blue (yes, seriously!) and Mr Pen's (Diamine plus "special ingredient") Radiant Blue.

 

I have Diamine royal Blue, I didn't think it was water resistant though?

[The Good Captain]

Diamine Royal Blue, Diamine Presidential Blue, Diamine Washable Blue (yes, seriously!) and Mr Pen's (Diamine plus "special ingredient") Radiant Blue.

 

I have Diamine royal Blue, I didn't think it was water resistant though?

Well, it's not at all bad.

 

 

 

[DanielB]

Platinum Blue Black performs very well on copy paper.

[akustyk]

I have Noodler's Blue bonnet, R&k Salix, and MB blue black, These are all perfectly good blue slash black colors. What is it that you find "objectionable" in this colors? I know these are not your words. I personally like all three for my professional work situation.

 

ETA: may be you don't want the shading in a professional setting.

I love blue-blacks! I just need a lighter blue ink for writing on photo copied materials and in field notes. Most of these documents will be used in research and will need to have some level of permanence. Thanks for your feedback!

[akustyk]

It looks like there are a lot of votes for Pilot Blue. The funny thing is, I used to have it, it came with the Pilot Custom 823, but I sold the whole package several months ago, never having tried the ink.

Thanks for all your replies!

[Bo Bo Olson]

I have paper for my copier and scribbling paper.

That way I don't have to make compromises.

 

A better grade of copy paper is what I suggest.

[Runnin_Ute]

Ideally a better copy would be best, but if you work for someone else and someone else does the paper buying that isn't much of an option. You work for yourself, or have some say over buying decisions that would be the way to go. Doesn't mean you won't need to make an ink decision too though.....

[Renfield]

Diamine Royal Blue, Diamine Presidential Blue, Diamine Washable Blue (yes, seriously!) and Mr Pen's (Diamine plus "special ingredient") Radiant Blue.

 

I have Diamine royal Blue, I didn't think it was water resistant though?

Well, it's not at all bad.

 

Is that a soak test?

[Mercian]

How about De Atramentis Document Ink Blue?

 

According to one UK website that sells it, it is

 

"A permanent and waterproof ink that conforms to ISO 12757 part 2 for archival quality. Suitable for all fountain pens. Technical data:

 

• pH: 7,5
• Surface tension: 60 mN/m
• Viscosity: 1,2 mPas
• Heat resistant: Yes "

 

I've never used it myself, but there's a review of it here. It seems to fit your criteria

[SeeksAdvice]

Noodler's "Polar Blue" is pretty much indestructible on copy paper. Makes one heck of a mess of your nib though:/ Had both Waterman and Lamy nibs darned near covered with it. I loaded some into a Noodler's roller ball, and used some paper toweling to remove excess. It dried overnight. I saturated the inked area with water. No fading, bleeding, etc. Have also tested it at the office.

 

While "Polar Blue" isn't the most vibrant of blues, it does live up to its billing as being nearly unkillable on paper.

 

Liberty's Elysium isn't truly water resistant IMO. At least not to the degree that "Polar Blue" is. I have used both in my quest to find a "permanent" blue.

 

If you want a darker blue that will survive nearly anything you throw at it, suggest "Polar Blue."

 

Salix isn't bad either. Just wasn't what I was expecting in terms of saturation.

 

Have a sample of Noodler's 54th Mass that I haven't tested out yet. It is a "bulletproof" ink, so I'd expect decent water resistance. Looks to be more of a green/blue/black.

[The Good Captain]

Diamine Royal Blue, Diamine Presidential Blue, Diamine Washable Blue (yes, seriously!) and Mr Pen's (Diamine plus "special ingredient") Radiant Blue.

 

I have Diamine royal Blue, I didn't think it was water resistant though?

Well, it's not at all bad.

 

Is that a soak test?

Yes. Normally I write the names of the inks on two separate pieces of paper - in the same order! Got it wrong that time. From memory, the one that went into the water was in there for about 10 minutes or so.