Buying guide
The Ink Cabinet
Updated How we research
A curated shelf of inks for every project. The page is split into five sections (Everyday calligraphy inks; Rich, deep sumi ink; Metallic shimmer inks; White ink for dark paper; Waterproof and permanent picks), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 20 picks. Our scores range from 6.8 to 8.7 out of 10.
- Best overall:Dr. Ph. Martin's Bleed Proof White Fine Art Paint, 1.0 oz Jar. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.7/10.
- 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:Kuretake Gold MICA Ink for Dip Pen and Brush, Metallic, 60ml. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.3/10.
- Feature-rich:Kuretake ZIG Cartoonist White Ink 30ml, for dip Pen, Brush, Drawing, Calligraphy, Illustration, Lettering, for Professional, Artists, Manga, Made in Japan. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.0/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Everyday calligraphy inks
- Winsor & Newton Calligraphy Ink, 30ml (1-oz) Bottle, BlackOur score8.1/10
- Speedball Art Products SB3132 Calligraphy Ink Palette KitOur score7.8/10
- Winsor & Newton Calligraphy Ink, 30ml (1-oz) Bottle, SepiaOur score7.3/10
- Manuscript Pen MC0201SP Calligraphy Ink Bottle, SepiaOur score7.1/10
Rich, deep sumi ink
- Yasutomo Bokuju Liquid Ink - 6oz Sumi Ink for Calligraphy and ArtworkOur score8.1/10
- Kuretake Sumi Calligraphy & Comic Ink - 60 ml Bottle - BlackOur score8.1/10
- Yasutomo Liquid Sumi Ink, 2oz, Black (KF2)Our score7.7/10
- Kuretake Zig Special Black Ink 60ml, for dip Pen, Brush, Drawing, Calligraphy, Illustration, Lettering, for Professional, Artists, Manga, Made in JapanOur score7.6/10
Metallic shimmer inks
- Kuretake Gold MICA Ink for Dip Pen and Brush, Metallic, 60mlOur score8.3/10
- Dr. Ph. Martin's Iridescent Calligraphy Color (11R) Ink Bottle, 1.0 oz, Copper Plate GoldOur score8.1/10
- Dr. Ph. Martin's Iridescent Calligraphy Color (1R) Ink Bottle, 1.0 oz, Iridescent SilverOur score7.8/10
- Winsor & Newton Calligraphy Ink, 30ml (1-oz) Bottle, GoldOur score7.8/10
White ink for dark paper
- Dr. Ph. Martin's Bleed Proof White Fine Art Paint, 1.0 oz JarOur score8.7/10
- Kuretake ZIG Cartoonist White Ink 30ml, for dip Pen, Brush, Drawing, Calligraphy, Illustration, Lettering, for Professional, Artists, Manga, Made in JapanOur score8.0/10
- Winsor & Newton 1110702 Calligraphy Ink 30ml Bottle - WhiteOur score7.5/10
- Dr. Ph. Martin's Pen-White Ink Bottle, 1.0 oz, WhiteOur score7.3/10
Waterproof and permanent picks
- Handy Art Black Velvet Waterproof India Ink, 16 Fl Oz, Matte Black, Permanent, for Technical Pens, Dip Pens, CalligraphyOur score8.4/10
- Liquidraw Drawing Ink Set of 10 Colored India Ink Bottles 35ml Waterproof Assorted Colors for Art, Calligraphy, Dip PensOur score7.8/10
- New York Central India Ink 16oz Bottle - Matte Black India Ink for Artists, Calligraphy, IllustrationsOur score7.8/10
- Sax Black India Ink, 1 Quart, BlackOur score6.8/10
All 20 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1Dr. Ph. Martin's Bleed Proof White in a 1.0 oz jar, the go-to opaque white for pointed pen lettering on dark paper.
Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Very opaque white covers well on black envelopes and chalkboard-style prints
- + Dilute with a little water for smooth flow through pointed nibs
- + Jar lasts a long time since only a small amount is mixed at a time
- - Needs mixing to the right thickness, which beginners find fiddly
- - Can dry out in the jar if the lid is left off, so add water to revive it
#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
#3Kuretake Gold MICA ink in a 60ml bottle, a metallic ink made for dip pens and brushes on invitations and envelopes.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Mica pigment gives a real shimmer that catches light on wedding envelopes
- + Works with both dip pens and brushes, so it suits many lettering styles
- + 60ml bottle is generous for a metallic ink used on large mailings
- - Mica particles settle fast, so stir often while you letter
- - Metallic ink can clog fine pointed nibs, so rinse between sessions
#4Winsor & Newton black calligraphy ink in a 30ml bottle, a free-flowing ink for dip pens and practice sheets.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Free-flowing formula suits dip nibs and broad-edge pens without clogging
- + Winsor & Newton is a trusted art brand with consistent ink quality
- + Small bottle is easy to store and dip into straight from the jar
- - 30ml bottle runs out quickly with heavy daily practice
- - Non-waterproof ink will smear if you add watercolor on top
#5Yasutomo Bokuju liquid sumi ink in a 6oz bottle, a larger supply for regular brush calligraphy and artwork.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Larger 6oz bottle suits students and daily shodo practice
- + Bokuju liquid ink is ready to pour, so sessions start immediately
- + Rich black works for both calligraphy characters and sumi-e painting
- - Big bottle takes longer to use up and can thicken if left open
- - Pouring from a large bottle is messier than dipping from a small well
#6Kuretake Sumi calligraphy and comic ink in a 60 ml black bottle, a versatile ink for brush lettering and manga inking.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Rated for both calligraphy and comics, so it handles brushes and dip nibs alike
- + Kuretake is a historic Japanese sumi maker with dependable ink quality
- + Rich black reads crisply when scanning lettering for digital use
- - 60 ml bottle is modest for students doing large brush characters every day
- - Some sumi inks stay slightly soluble, so test before painting washes on top
#7Dr. Ph. Martin's Iridescent Calligraphy Color in Copper Plate Gold, a 1.0 oz bottle of shimmering ink for pointed pen work.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Iridescent formula glows on dark cardstock and black envelopes
- + Copper Plate Gold is a warm gold that reads rich rather than brassy
- + Dr. Ph. Martin's inks are a staple among wedding calligraphers
- - Pigment separates in the bottle, so it needs shaking and stirring
- - Small 1.0 oz bottle goes quickly on big envelope orders
#8Kuretake ZIG Cartoonist White Ink, 30ml: highly opaque water-based pigment ink for dip pen or brush, showing clearly on dark surfaces.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Highly opaque, water-based pigment white that covers other markings and shows up on dark paper.
- + Listed for brush or dip pen, and for calligraphy and lettering as well as highlights.
- + Stirs back to liquid after settling, and water can be added to adjust consistency.
- - Made for manga and highlights, so it is not a dedicated calligraphy ink like the J. Herbin it replaces.
- - Only 30ml, and the listing says the ink solidifies when idle and needs stirring.
#9Speedball calligraphy ink palette kit with several colored inks, a starter way to explore color in dip pen lettering.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Kit format gives several ink colors at once for experimenting
- + Speedball inks are made for their dip pens, so nibs and ink work well together
- + Great for students who want color without buying full bottles
- - Small bottles are for trying colors, not for large projects
- - Colors in the kit are fixed, so you cannot choose your own shades
#10Dr. Ph. Martin's Iridescent Calligraphy Color in Iridescent Silver, a 1.0 oz bottle for cool metallic lettering.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Silver shimmer looks elegant on navy, black and winter-themed stationery
- + Flows from dip pens and brushes for script and faux calligraphy
- + Pairs with the gold shade from the same line for two-tone designs
- - Silver reads faint on white paper, so it works best on dark stock
- - Metallic pigment settles quickly and needs frequent stirring
#11Winsor & Newton calligraphy ink in gold, a 30ml (1-oz) bottle of metallic ink for accents and holiday lettering.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Gold ink adds instant polish to place cards and greeting card headers
- + Winsor & Newton formula flows reliably from standard dip nibs
- + Easy to find in art stores, so reordering the same shade is simple
- - Shimmer is subtler than mica-heavy golds, so it may look flat on white
- - 30ml bottle suits accents more than large volume projects
#12Liquidraw 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
#13New 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
#14Yasutomo liquid sumi ink in a 2oz bottle, ready-to-use black ink for brush calligraphy and ink wash painting.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Ready-to-use liquid saves the time of grinding an ink stick
- + Deep black dilutes well with water for grey washes and tonal effects
- + Small bottle is a low-risk way to try sumi ink for brush work
- - 2oz bottle goes quickly if you practice large brush characters daily
- - Liquid sumi lacks the subtle tone control of a freshly ground ink stick
#15Kuretake Zig Special Black Ink, 60ml, a smudge-proof black for dip pen and brush from the same Japanese maker as the old Cartoonist bottle.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Designed for brush and dip pen in a wide-mouth 60ml container that is easy to load.
- + Dries matte black and is described as resistant to bleeding with alcohol markers or watercolor once fully dry.
- + Kuretake has made ink since 1902, and the listing names calligraphy and lettering among its uses.
- - Described as a black drawing ink with sumi roots, not a traditional stick-style sumi.
- - Priced above the old Cartoonist bottle for the same 60ml volume.
#16Winsor & Newton calligraphy ink in white, a 30ml bottle for dip pen lettering on dark or colored papers.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Liquid white flows easily from broad-edge and pointed nibs
- + Good choice for black cards, kraft envelopes and scrapbook pages
- + Widely available brand makes it simple to replace when it runs out
- - Coverage is lighter than paste-style whites on very dark paper
- - 30ml bottle is small for bulk envelope addressing
#17Winsor & Newton Calligraphy Ink in Sepia, 30ml. A warm brown for dip pens and airbrush, a color change from the old black Higgins pick.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Listed for dip pen and airbrush use, with a non-waterproof formula for good flow and less clogging.
- + Established maker with a dedicated calligraphy ink line.
- + Sepia gives a traditional warm-brown look that suits formal scripts and certificates.
- - Brown rather than black, so it will not replace a black ink for everyday practice.
- - Not waterproof, and the listing gives few other details beyond the basics.
#18Dr. Ph. Martin's Pen-White ink in a 1.0 oz bottle, a ready-to-use white for dip pens, touch-ups and lettering highlights.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Bottled liquid is ready to use, so there is no mixing like with jar white
- + Handy for highlights, corrections and lettering on colored cardstock
- + Trusted brand name among illustrators and lettering artists
- - Less opaque than Bleed Proof White, so dark papers may need a second pass
- - Pigment settles, so the bottle needs shaking before each use
#19Manuscript calligraphy ink in a sepia bottle, giving a warm brown tone for vintage-style lettering and certificates.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Sepia tone gives an aged, historic look to invitations and certificates
- + Manuscript is a long-standing calligraphy pen brand, so ink suits their nibs
- + Softer than black, which looks elegant on cream and parchment paper
- - Sepia is a specialty shade, so you will still need black for everyday work
- - Plan for some smudging with wet media, as it may not be waterproof
#20Sax 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
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Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.
Calligraphy Nest curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.