Best Waterproof Inks for Calligraphy and Mixed Media
Updated How we research
Dr. Ph. Martin's Bombay India Ink (Set 1), 1.0 oz, Set of 12 Bottles
Dr. Ph. Martin's Bombay India Ink Set 1, twelve 1.0 oz bottles of vivid waterproof colors for lettering and illustration.
Handy Art Black Velvet Waterproof India Ink, 16 Fl Oz, Matte Black, Permanent, for Technical Pens, Dip Pens, Calligraphy
Handy Art Black Velvet waterproof India ink in a 16 fl oz bottle, a matte permanent black for dip pens and technical pens.
Waterproof ink earns its keep the moment your lettering meets moisture: a watercolor wash over an inked quote, an addressed envelope caught in the rain, or fingerprints on a freshly framed piece. The best options combine genuine water resistance once dry with the flow and fine-line control calligraphers need while writing. That balance is trickier than it sounds, because heavily shellacked India inks can gum up pointed nibs, while some pigment inks labeled water resistant still lift under a wet brush. This guide compares waterproof inks across dip pen, brush, and fineliner use, covering dry time, layering behavior under washes, nib cleanup, and which formulas stay matte versus drying glossy.
The short version
We compared 8 picks. Our scores range from 6.8 to 8.6 out of 10.
- Best overall:Dr. Ph. Martin's Bombay India Ink (Set 1), 1.0 oz, Set of 12 Bottles. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Handy Art Black Velvet Waterproof India Ink, 16 Fl Oz, Matte Black, Permanent, for Technical Pens, Dip Pens, Calligraphy. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Solid build:Dr. Ph. Martin's Black Star Hi-Carb Waterproof India Ink, 18 Pack. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Feature-rich:Liquidraw Drawing Ink Set of 10 Colored India Ink Bottles 35ml Waterproof Assorted Colors for Art, Calligraphy, Dip Pens. Features score of 8/10, overall 7.8/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.Dr. Ph. Martin's Bombay India Ink (Set 1), 1.0 oz, Set of 12 Bottles8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.Handy Art Black Velvet Waterproof India Ink, 16 Fl Oz, Matte Black, Permanent, for Technical Pens, Dip Pens, Calligraphy8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.Dr. Ph. Martin's Black Star Hi-Carb Waterproof India Ink, 18 Pack8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.Speedball Super Black India Ink, 2-Ounce8.3/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.Liquidraw Drawing Ink Set of 10 Colored India Ink Bottles 35ml Waterproof Assorted Colors for Art, Calligraphy, Dip Pens7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.New York Central India Ink 16oz Bottle - Matte Black India Ink for Artists, Calligraphy, Illustrations7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 7.Winsor & Newton Specialty Ink, Black, 14ml Bottle7.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 8.Sax Black India Ink, 1 Quart, Black6.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1Dr. Ph. Martin's Bombay India Ink Set 1, twelve 1.0 oz bottles of vivid waterproof colors for lettering and illustration.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Twelve bright Bombay colors turn one purchase into a full ink palette
- + Waterproof once dry, so colored lettering survives watercolor layers
- + Small 1.0 oz bottles are easy to dip into directly with a nib
- - Pigmented ink settles, so each bottle needs a shake before every session
- - Set 1 fixes the color selection, so favorite shades may be missing
#2Handy Art Black Velvet waterproof India ink in a 16 fl oz bottle, a matte permanent black for dip pens and technical pens.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Large 16 fl oz bottle keeps a busy practice routine stocked for a long time
- + Matte black finish scans and photographs without distracting shine
- + Permanent, waterproof lines let you paint washes over finished lettering
- - Big bottle is awkward to dip from, so decanting into a small jar is wiser
- - Shellac-style waterproof ink can gum up nibs if left to dry on them
#3Dr. Ph. Martin's Black Star Hi-Carb waterproof India ink in an 18 pack, a deep carbon black for pointed pen and drafting.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Hi-Carb formula is known for a rich, very opaque black line
- + 18 pack stocks a studio or class with matching bottles of the same ink
- + Waterproof finish lets you erase pencil guides and paint without smearing
- - Buying 18 bottles is overkill unless you teach or letter at volume
- - Dense carbon ink needs regular nib rinsing to avoid buildup
#4Speedball Super Black India ink in a 2-ounce bottle, a dense, opaque black for lettering, inking and dip pens.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Very opaque black gives bold, solid strokes that scan cleanly
- + India ink is waterproof when dry, so it pairs well with watercolor
- + Speedball ink works well with their widely sold dip nibs and holders
- - Shellac in India ink can gum up nibs if not cleaned right away
- - Thicker ink may need a little water to flow through fine pointed nibs
#5Liquidraw drawing ink set of 10 colored India inks in 35ml bottles, waterproof for art, calligraphy and dip pens.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Waterproof India ink lets you add watercolor washes over colored lettering
- + Ten assorted colors give a ready palette for decorative projects
- + 35ml bottles are a useful size for regular colored practice
- - Waterproof ink must be cleaned from nibs before it dries and hardens
- - Colors are fixed in the set, so exact shade choice is not possible
#6New York Central matte black India ink in a 16oz bottle, a bulk ink for artists, illustrators and calligraphy students.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 16oz size is economical for classes, studios and heavy daily drills
- + Matte black dries without glare, which suits scanning finished pieces
- + Works across illustration and lettering, so one bottle covers both hobbies
- - Test waterproofness on scrap paper before adding washes
- - Store brand ink is less documented than long-standing calligraphy inks
#7Winsor & Newton black specialty ink in a 14ml bottle, a small trusted-brand bottle for trying waterproof lettering ink.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Tiny 14ml bottle is a low-risk way to test a premium maker's black
- + Winsor & Newton has a long record of consistent artist inks
- + Compact size travels well in a calligraphy supply case
- - Small volume runs out fast if you letter every day
- - Specialty label is vague, so check the exact formula before buying
#8Sax black India ink sold by the quart, a school-supply bulk ink suited to classrooms and group lettering workshops.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Quart container is built for refilling many student ink jars at once
- + Classic India ink gives dense black lines for drills and poster lettering
- + Bulk format lowers the per-project cost for teachers and clubs
- - Far more ink than a solo hobbyist can use before it thickens
- - Classroom-grade ink may not flow as finely as specialist calligraphy inks
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Pigmented ink settles, so each bottle needs a shake before every session (Dr. Ph. Martin's Bombay India Ink (Set 1),...)
- Big bottle is awkward to dip from, so decanting into a small jar is wiser (Handy Art Black Velvet Waterproof India Ink,...)
- Buying 18 bottles is overkill unless you teach or letter at volume (Dr. Ph. Martin's Black Star Hi-Carb...)
- Shellac in India ink can gum up nibs if not cleaned right away (Speedball Super Black India Ink, 2-Ounce)
- Waterproof ink must be cleaned from nibs before it dries and hardens (Liquidraw Drawing Ink Set of 10 Colored India...)
- Test waterproofness on scrap paper before adding washes (New York Central India Ink 16oz Bottle -...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among waterproof inks for calligraphy and mixed media?
Dr. Ph. Martin's Bombay India Ink (Set 1), 1.0 oz, Set of 12 Bottles is our top overall pick. Dr. Ph. Martin's Bombay India Ink Set 1, twelve 1.0 oz bottles of vivid waterproof colors for lettering and illustration. It earns our score of 8.6/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Handy Art Black Velvet Waterproof India Ink, 16 Fl Oz, Matte Black, Permanent, for Technical Pens, Dip Pens, Calligraphy is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Handy Art Black Velvet waterproof India ink in a 16 fl oz bottle, a matte permanent black for dip pens and technical pens.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Calligraphy Nest independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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