Carbon Ink Bottle 60ml - Black

I don't know how this seller can charge half of what everyone else seems to for this iconic, reliable ink, but it seems to be the real deal. Second bottle I've bought on Amazon. Great for using with watercolor and for everyday writing. Dries fast enough for a lefty to use without smearing.

I've written this review multiple times trying to get it right so I'm going to start from the beginning. I draw comic books and saw people talking about this ink and how black it was on Youtube. After all the reviews, I found it on Amazon an ordered it. Comic book artist like deep black ink against white Bristol board, Speedball Super Black is generally what's used along with Ultra Draw, Dr. PH Martin and various sumi inks which are also getting popular now. I wanted to review this ink on the Night Phoenix Press Youtube channel specifically from the point of view of a comic book artist and how it would work with my Pentel Fude Brush Pen, brushes and dip pens. When I got it, it seemed to dry more dark grayish than black. I shook it up and everything. I will say with the dip and fountain pens there were never any problems. My go to inks are Blick Black Cat and Yasumoto Waterproof Sumi, but I originally tested Carbon Black against Blick Black Cat and Zig Black Ink 60 which is also sumi and made for drawing. Both inks seemed noticeably blacker, so I reviewed it here. I revamped my review when I noticed on 300gsm cotton water color paper Carbon Black went down black and stayed black. I don't know what happened, but a few days later I was going to remove Carbon Black from my brush pen and fill it with Ultra Draw (a thinner ink used for technical pens), but I made some marks with the brush pen and the Carbon Black went down very black and stayed that way. I drew a few images using the brush pen and it was indeed satisfyingly black. I don't know if the pigment had to settle or maybe there was some water still in the brush pen, but I did also try it with a brush early on so I don't know. It is very black now. I tossed the original dark grayish images I used in the original review, but have posted the new images of the ink being very black. My issue is with pricing, considering big bottles of sumi ink cost the same as this and two ounces of Super Black, Black Cat and Zig's cartoonist and manga inks all cost much less. The thing is this ink is marketed to fountain pen users. It's a very black ink that's thin enough to use in fountain pens and easy to clean up according to reviews I've seen. Also the cool glass bottle and internal cup definitely add to the price as most fountain pen inks come in these slick glass bottles that do look cool on a desk. It's a definite recommend, but not something I would buy consistently considering Black Cat, Speed Ball Super Black, Yasumoto and Zig's sumi inks are all very black and Ultra Draw is decently black and can be used as a brush pen ink. I assume Ultra Draw would also work in a fountain pen as it's made for Rapidograph and other technical pens which have much smaller outlets. Also it's more water resistant than waterproof, but according to some that has to do with the kind of paper used. I'm not going to be painting over it and sketch artist who watercolor their art like Teoh Yi Chie still like it, so there's that. -Nathyn Brendan Masters

I use this ink in my writing pen, a drawing pen, and a calligraphy pen. It just works great. Goes on smoothly, looks plenty dark, and is also waterproof, which is important to me as I love to paint watercolors over ink.

Platinum Carbon Ink is a solid choice if you're looking for a true black ink that’s waterproof and archival quality. It has a deep, rich black color that makes your writing or artwork stand out. The ink is great for situations where permanence is important, and it performs well on different paper types with minimal feathering and low bleed-through. However, it's a pigmented ink, which means it requires a bit more care and maintenance. If you don't regularly clean your pen, it can lead to clogging, and getting the pen back to working smoothly can be a hassle. While it doesn't offer any shading or sheen, the rich black tone provides excellent contrast, which is great for readability. Overall, Platinum Carbon Ink is a great option for those needing durable, high-quality ink. Just be prepared for the extra effort to maintain your pens to avoid any performance issues.

Very nice ink. Slight feathering on most papers using dip-pen. Works excellent on textured watercolor paper, whereon, once dried it will not smudge, and totally waterproof. Not as good as Sumi inks for dip-pen, but I needed something that was waterproof. Mine had a small vial inside, which according to my research was to hold last very small amount of ink for types of pens used by sailors. I had writing that is in the description translated, and below is what I got: Here is the translation of the Japanese text in the image: Features • Platinum’s Carbon Black ink has ultra-fine particles, making writing smooth. • Carbon Black is a pigment-based ink, providing excellent lightfastness and durability, ensuring long-lasting clarity. It is ideal for archival writing and document preservation. However, because it is not water-soluble, once dried, it cannot be re-dissolved. Therefore, when using it in a fountain pen, maintenance and care are necessary. Usage Instructions • Carbon ink is for writing with fountain pens and similar instruments. Avoid using it for other purposes. • If changing ink types, clean the nib, cover, and pen reservoir thoroughly with water to prevent chemical reactions. • After use, ensure the bottle cap is tightly closed. Fountain Pen Maintenance • The ink solidifies as moisture evaporates, so always close the cap when not in use. • If the writing quality declines slightly, soak the nib in water and gently wipe it with a soft cloth. • If the pen has not been used for a while or the ink flow is poor, soak the nib in lukewarm water for one to two days. Then, rinse with running water until no more ink color comes out, ensuring only clear water flows. Finally, dry with a soft cloth to remove any moisture. • Do not leave the pen uncapped. If the ink clogs and dries completely, a full disassembly and cleaning will be required.

I bought this for artwork because a lot of people recommended it as a water safe ink to use with watercolor. That is mostly true but I found some problems. First it isn't a true black. When I write with it it looks black but if you look at the way the light reflects off of it in certain light it looks more like a deep charcoal gray, not black. I think that is a minor gripe since its barely noticeable, but if you use it with other black inks or paints then it becomes noticeable by comparison. Just mentioning it because a lot of people work in black and white and contrast is important to those folks. As for the color fastness this is mostly true but if you are working on watercolor paper you have to make sure you leave plenty of time to allow it to dry COMPLETELY before applying water. Heavy 100% cotton Watercolor paper can draw this ink deep into the fibers and even though its dry to the touch on the surface, the ink is still kind of wet beneath the surface and will run as soon as water or paint comes in contact with it. This is manageable, however I found that even taking this precaution I can never completely prevent the paint from mixing with the paint even it it is minimal, but its enough to make a vibrant color look muddy. If you want to use this in solely for writing and not for artwork I think there are better options, because it is so heavily pigmented I find that this ink will clog the flow of ink in the nibs of most of my pens after a while. So I don't really use this stuff anymore, I have found other solutions that do what Platinum Carbon does but better and for less money. Although I will say that the vendor I bought this from on Amazon sold it to me for half of the cost I have seen it for in local stores in my area so nice job there.

So excited about this item. It’s definitely carbon black, perfect for my drawings. Love it. Great price and quality!! It’s waterproof after drying since I am a mixed media artist that was very important.

To quote another reviewer, ”I finally found the perfect writing ink. I’ve been trying to find a dark, rich black ink and I found it. It writes on really dark and flows well onto the paper, and with good quality paper, little to no ghosting, bleeding or feathering.” For me, it greatly outperforms Noodlers X-Feather Black, which, in fact, for me, feathers on cheap paper. Life brings me lousy paper, and generally this stuff is great, much better than any of the other black inks that I have tried. If I had to complain, it’s waterproof from the get-go, so if I get some on my hands, I’m stuck with it for maybe half a day. On better paper, I’m not so sure there is such a big difference, but in my life I generally don’t have a choice as to paper quality. Pen cleaning: I haven’t had any problem with my F and EF pens, a converter-full lasts me about 2-3 weeks, I reload and give the nib a quick bath under running water, and I’m set for another two weeks. My advice: Try it, you’ll like it.

Outstanding. Excellent formulation. It presents a very pleasant consistency. The reaction to the paper is simply the best in the market. Waterproof. Dries in around 30 seconds in most lines and most papers I have tried. Perfect companion to watercolour, colour markers and colour pencils. Very fun for plein air painting, urban sketching, journaling and writing. Highly recommended. 10 stars.

Tinta de negro muy intenso, de gran calidad. Ideal para plumas fuentes y para dibujo para mezclar con técnicas de acuarela pues es resistente al agua

Gather 'round, fellow scribes and artists, and let me regale you with the tale of the most illustrious ink bottle to ever grace a desk! Behold, the 60ml Platinum Carbon Ink, an elixir so potent and pure that it makes the very act of writing a legendary adventure. First things first, let’s talk about the color. This black ink isn’t just black; it’s the black hole of inks, absorbing all light and nonsense in its path. It’s as if the cosmos itself decided to gift us the darkest, richest hue imaginable. My words have never looked so sharp, so bold, so ready to leap off the page and start a revolution. Performance? Imagine the smoothness of a buttered dolphin gliding through silk. That’s how effortlessly this ink flows from my pen. It’s like each stroke is blessed by the muses themselves. Whether I’m drafting the next great novel or jotting down my grocery list, every line is a masterpiece. And the waterproof, archival quality? Oh, it’s like my notes could withstand a monsoon and still look pristine. Durability? Let me tell you, this ink has the staying power of a myth. It doesn’t fade, it doesn’t smudge, it just sits there in all its glorious permanence, daring time to try and erase it. My sketches look just as vivid after a year as they did the day I drew them. It’s like having a little bottle of forever on my desk. And let’s not forget the bottle itself. It’s a work of art, with its elegant design and robust build. Every time I dip my pen, I feel a rush of sophistication, like I should be wearing a top hat and monocle. My cat, Don Pablo, now demands to sit next to it, probably sensing its aura of creativity and class. In conclusion, if you’re seeking an ink that combines depth, performance, and timeless elegance, look no further. The Platinum Carbon Ink 60ml is the king of inks, ready to elevate your writing and artwork to legendary status. Maximum rating? This ink deserves a spot in the hall of fame!

This is a waterproof ink for Platinum fountain pens. It is hard to come by so I was pleased to find it on Amazon. The ink is excellent and it was delivered on time.

Great ink. Doesnt bleed. Many inks say theyre are waterproof. Even india ink. But this is the only true waterproof ink.