Waterfast test: Parker Quink, Namiki, and 7 more

[azkid]

With all the talk on other threads about using permanent inks in notebooks and journals, addressing envelopes exposed to rain, and writing checks I was curious how my every day inks would hold up.

The inks tested are below. Some I use everyday (E) for work notes, one is for addressing (A), one is for checks (C). I threw in a couple others for sake of comparison.
* MB Mystery Black (E)
* Parker Quink (E), just purchased
* Namiki Black
* deAtramentis Document Violet (A)
* Diamine Registrar's Blue-Black (C)
* Mystery Ink #21 IG
* Iroshizuku Take-sumi (E)
* Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black (E)
* Speedball Super Black India Ink

Paper: Clairefontaine Papier Velouté.

Procedure: I dripped water on the middle part and let it roll around then dabbed it off. I ran water over the right side for several seconds.

Results:


Document Violet is completely impervious to water, showing no sign whatsoever of color bleeding. To my surprise, even Speedball India Ink isn't quite as waterproof as Document Violet, but close. I could use either for addressing envelopes.

All the other inks immediately began dissolving in water, transforming lines into illegible smears.

Mystery Black washes away completely. So I will need a permanent black for my oft-used MB 221.

The rest of my daily use inks are suitably waterfast, leaving behind at least a faint trace of writing. Namiki Black was best. I like Quink Black for everyday so I'm glad to see I don't have to fear Iced Latte spills.

Thanks for reading. Hope it was interesting and/or useful.

[KKay]

It was very useful, thank you!

[Ahriman4891]

Thanks for sharing this!

Impressive performance from De Atramentis.

[Chrissy]

You have some interesting results there. I wasn't surprised to see that Namiki black performs as well as their blue ink.

[FredRydr]

I've never paid attention to De Atramentis inks, but now this has gotten my attention. I wonder, do all De Atramentis "document" inks stand up to a soaking as well as violet?

[Empty_of_Clouds]

Quick question, azkid. Where the writing samples completely dry before the water was dripped on them?

[azkid]

The ink samples sat for a few minutes before being tested.

[suzy01]

I've never paid attention to De Atramentis inks, but now this has gotten my attention. I wonder, do all De Atramentis "document" inks stand up to a soaking as well as violet?

The black does. Its awesome for watercolour. It's in my main drawing pen most of the time. Platinum carbon is also waterproof but not on the list tried unfortunately.

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

[wingwiper]

[R.A. Stewart]

I'm but a piddling FP Geek and normally just use one ink at a time; currently it's Waterman Intense Black. I tried a similar test out of curiosity (the paper is just 20-pound recycled office paper, Rolland Enviro Copy).

Waterman Intense Black water test 2018-10.PNG

Good enough for my purposes, though I won't be addressing envelopes with it.