{"id":6782,"date":"2022-03-04T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-04T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/?p=6782"},"modified":"2024-01-15T14:15:46","modified_gmt":"2024-01-15T19:15:46","slug":"choosing-ink","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/choosing-ink\/","title":{"rendered":"How I Choose Inks for My Pens"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

Alright, another post you asked for. My method of choosing inks for my pens is part data-driven, part personal preference. Ultimately, the actual “choice” of ink is only mildly influenced by the data-driven aspect. So, if you want to skip the data-driven bit<\/a>, you won’t be missing out on too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data-Driven<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Like with my pens<\/a>, I try to ensure I use all of my inks. To do so, I have an Airtable view set up for ink usage. Every time I ink a pen (not counting my “always inked” pens), I check off the ink I used. I only let myself use an ink once per notebook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

On top of that, when I start a new notebook, I do my best to start with the inks that didn’t get used in the previous notebook. Inks that I avoid for 2 or more notebooks are likely to get sold or given away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, if I wasn’t focused on using all my inks evenly, it wouldn’t affect how I actually chose my inks. It only affects the size of the “pool” of inks I can choose from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personal Preference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This comes into play when choosing the ink color family to choose from. As you’ll read in a bit, I need to know what color family in order to finally pick my ink. I go for one of three things when choosing a color family for the ink:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. “Goes well” with my pen: this is my most frequent way of choosing inks. More on this method in just a moment.<\/li>
  2. Opposite color to the pen: I look for an ink opposite the color wheel to the pen. For example, a green ink for a red pen, orange ink for a blue pen, etc.<\/li>
  3. Matches the pen: this one is pretty self-explanatory.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    I used to always try to put opposite inks in my pens, but that became difficult when I got some black pens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Making the Choice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Once I know what color family I’m going with, I hold the pen up to my ink swab notebook<\/a>. I look for an ink that “feels good” with the pen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n
    To me, the pen goes with the ink in the left and right images, but clashes with the one in the middle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    As you can see above, the shading and warmth of an ink can make a huge difference in whether it “goes” with a pen. When I just want an ink that “goes well,” I often run a pen down the different swab pages until a combination calls to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Same Ink Pens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Rarely do I find “the ink” for a pen. I have two “sets” right now:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Visconti Il Magnifico Lapislazzuli and DeAtramentis Madame de Pompadour<\/li>
    2. Sheaffer Triumph Valiant Marine Green and Pilot Iroshizuku Kiri-Same<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      I also really like orange inks in my Kurikara-ken and may end up pairing it with J. Herbin Orange Indien.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Satisfying Writing Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Ultimately, the whole point of my ink choosing method is to create a more satisfying writing experience. Having a well-matched ink in my pen makes it better, and having a poorly-matched in can make it distressing. I’ve been known to clean out a pen and re-ink it if I don’t like the pen-ink combo. It matters that much to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n\n\n\n

      How much does getting the right pen-ink combo matter to you? Do you have a specific method for choosing your inks? Let me know in the comments; I love to hear from you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Make sure to subscribe to my blog<\/a> or follow me on Instagram<\/a> so you don’t miss any posts. I generally post at least once a week. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Another post you asked for. My method of choosing inks for my pens is part data-driven, part personal preference; read my post to learn more.<\/p>\n

      Keep ReadingHow I Choose Inks for My Pens<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6889,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[407],"tags":[315],"class_list":["post-6782","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ink","tag-how-i-do-things","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/choosingInks-IGSm.png?fit=288%2C288&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8Z77k-1Lo","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5719,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/10-most-used-inks\/","url_meta":{"origin":6782,"position":0},"title":"My 10 Most-Used Inks","author":"Rachel","date":"November 9, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"I went through my data hoard and pulled out my 10 most-used inks, which, surprisingly, weren't my favorites. Read my post to find out which inks I use most.","rel":"","context":"In "Ink"","block_context":{"text":"Ink","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/category\/stationery\/ink\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Swab of Caran d'Ache Delicate Green","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/008.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/008.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/008.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/008.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1886,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/fp201-4\/","url_meta":{"origin":6782,"position":1},"title":"Fountain Pen 201: Inventories","author":"Rachel","date":"August 17, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Welcome back to Fountain Pen 201, and happy Fountain Pen Friday! 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Maybe this method would work for you, too.","rel":"","context":"In "Fountain Pens"","block_context":{"text":"Fountain Pens","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/category\/stationery\/fountain-pens\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A break down of how many of each type of pen I should ink each week.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/20210713_125534-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9036,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/resolutions-tag-2023\/","url_meta":{"origin":6782,"position":3},"title":"Pen Resolutions Tag 2023","author":"Rachel","date":"January 4, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"I'm revisiting last year's Pen Resolutions Tag to see how I did with them and providing my answers for this year.","rel":"","context":"In "Fountain Pens"","block_context":{"text":"Fountain Pens","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/category\/stationery\/fountain-pens\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/PenResolutionsTag-IGSm.jpg?fit=288%2C288&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5893,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/ink-catalog-update\/","url_meta":{"origin":6782,"position":4},"title":"Ink Catalog Update","author":"Rachel","date":"November 26, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"I've got an update for you on my thoughts regarding ink catalogs. 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This year, I also added inks.","rel":"","context":"In "Fountain Pens"","block_context":{"text":"Fountain Pens","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/category\/stationery\/fountain-pens\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Diamine Marigold swatch","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2481761.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2481761.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2481761.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2481761.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image-2481761.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6782","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6782"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6782\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6993,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6782\/revisions\/6993"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6889"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6782"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6782"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6782"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}