Speedball Super Black India Ink, 2-Ounce Review (2026)

A dense, fully opaque black

Speedball formulates this ink from 100 percent carbon pigment rather than a dye base, which is what gives it such strong opacity and deep, consistent black coverage on the page. That opacity matters for anyone lettering pieces meant to be photographed, scanned or printed, since a fully opaque black holds up better under scanning and reproduction than a lighter or slightly translucent ink might. The formula is also described as free flowing and non-clogging when used correctly, aiming to keep ink moving smoothly through a nib rather than drying out mid-stroke and interrupting a line.

Waterproof once dry, and what that means in practice

Once this ink has fully dried on the page, it becomes waterproof, a property that makes it a popular pairing for artists who plan to add watercolor washes over or around inked lettering without smearing the linework underneath. This waterproof behavior comes largely from the shellac Speedball includes in its India ink formulas, which helps bind the carbon pigment to the paper as it cures. Letterers combining ink lettering with watercolor illustration benefit most from this property, while anyone planning to erase pencil guidelines after inking should still wait until the ink is fully dry before erasing to avoid smudging.

Why nibs need prompt cleaning

The same shellac that makes this ink waterproof once dry is also the main reason dip nibs need to be rinsed soon after use, since shellac left to dry inside a nib's slit or reservoir can harden and gum up the mechanism, making the nib harder to load with fresh ink later. This is a known characteristic of shellac-based India inks generally, not unique to Speedball, and the fix is simple: rinse nibs in water promptly after a writing session rather than letting ink sit and dry on the metal. Skipping this step across many sessions is the most common way dip pen nibs get permanently gummed up.

Getting the ink to flow through fine nibs

Because this India ink is formulated thick for strong opacity, it can flow a little heavily through very fine pointed nibs used for delicate scripts like Copperplate or Spencerian, sometimes requiring a drop or two of water to thin it slightly for smoother release. Broader nibs and brushes generally handle the ink at full strength without issue, so this thinning step is mainly a consideration for pointed-pen calligraphers rather than broad-edge letterers or brush artists. A small test swatch on scrap paper before starting a full piece is a reasonable way to judge whether a particular nib needs the ink adjusted, and it also confirms the color reads as fully opaque once dry.

Who this ink suits

This is a solid pick for calligraphers and illustrators who want a dependable, opaque black that holds up to scanning, reproduction and watercolor washes, and it pairs naturally with the widely available dip nibs and holders Speedball also sells. Buyers using very fine pointed nibs should budget a little extra care for thinning and cleaning, while broad-edge and brush users can generally use it straight from the bottle. Anyone who wants a low-maintenance ink that never needs rinsing attention might prefer a non-shellac, water-based calligraphy ink instead, trading some waterproof durability for easier nib care. The 2-ounce bottle also holds enough ink to cover many practice sheets before a refill is needed.

Frequently asked questions