Platinum Carbon Ink
Deep black and highly pigmented ink
What makes the Platinum Carbon Ink special?
Platinum Carbon Ink is a high-quality pigmented ink, particularly known for its water resistance and lightfastness. It is widely used by artists and calligraphers as well as for technical drawings, as it offers excellent opacity and durability on many paper types. The ink is ideal for detailed work because it does not smear once dry and can be worked over with watercolours or markers. no smearing when watercolouring Due to its pigmented composition, it is advisable to use the fountain pen regularly and clean it when needed to prevent clogging. Platinum Carbon Ink Black combines precision with longevity and is an excellent choice for creative and professional applications.
Platinum Carbon Ink Black differs from regular inks in that the latter are typically based on water-soluble dyes. the most opaque black, highly pigmented with a subtle sheenIn Carbon Ink Black, ultra-fine nano pigments are so skilfully suspended in the solution that the carbon particles produce a very smooth and rich ink. The high saturation results in a dense, full-bodied application with a tactile quality and subtle sheen. After drying, Carbon Ink Black is waterproof and extremely lightfast, making it particularly well suited for artistic applications and important documents.
Fountain pen recommendation
For this particular ink, an airtight-sealing fountain pen is recommended — such as the Platinum artWORKpen with EF nib, developed specifically for it — to prevent the ink from drying out.
My personal impression
Platinum Carbon Ink Black is a very special ink for me. That may come as a surprise, since "black is black" — or so one might think. But this ink produces an exceptionally crisp line in a deep, rich black that stands out clearly against the page. It has a silky sheen and flows so effortlessly from any nib that it is a genuine pleasure to use.
strong contrast against the pageMy favourite way to use it is in the Platinum artWORKpen with EF nib, developed specifically for this ink, which seals particularly airtight and thus prevents drying out. This combination produces very precise, crisp lines — perfect for fine drawings or small handwriting in a diary. Since the ink is also extremely lightfast thanks to its nano-fine carbon pigments, I also enjoy using it for drawings or documents that should not fade. no fading This, alongside its water resistance, is another decisive advantage over dye-based inks, which can change colour over time under light exposure and sometimes fade to the point of illegibility.
Due to its high saturation, Platinum Carbon Ink Black is a relatively slow-drying ink. Depending on the paper surface and ink flow, it can take around 30 to 60 seconds to dry. This minor drawback is more than compensated for by its deep black lines.
Conclusion
Despite its special properties, Platinum Carbon Ink Black is (aside from the requirement to use an airtight-sealing fountain pen) a very straightforward ink that also washes out well. It may leave traces in porous materials, so a little caution might be advisable with light-coloured or very sensitive fountain pens. I have personally been using Platinum Carbon Ink Black since 2016. For me it is a truly special ink that I can recommend to everyone.
Testing conditions
| Paper | For the review we selected three papers that are important to us, all of which are particularly well suited for use with fountain pens: the KAMI Hauspapier as well as Tomoe River (white 52 g/m²) and the slightly cream-coloured Midori MD paper as frequently used reference papers. |
|---|---|
| Pens used | The writing samples were created with a Platinum artWORKpen with EF nib and a Lamy AL-star with B nib. |
| Drying time & smearing | For the drying time and smear resistance test, lines were applied with the respective nib size and smeared with a finger after the indicated time. |
| Layering | Since some inks show a noticeable colour change when multiple layers are applied on top of each other, we created a layering example; the strokes were applied using the broad nib of the Lamy fountain pen. |
| Water resistance | The water resistance test shows under drop how a water droplet affects the ink without any further external influence. Under smear, a drop of water was placed on the dried ink and smeared after one to two seconds. |
