Pigmented vs Dye-Based Ink: Which One Fits Your Writing Style?
Ink is more than just colour in a bottle — it has a personality. Some inks glide transparently; others sit bold and permanent. The two main kinds you’ll hear about in the fountain pen world are pigmented and dye-based inks. Understanding how they differ helps you choose the right ink for your pens, your paper, and your mood.
What’s the Difference?
Dye-based inks are the “classic” kind: the colour is dissolved into the liquid, so there are no solid bits floating around. They tend to flow smoothly, clean easily, and offer a wide palette of vivid colours. However, dye inks can fade in bright light and may smudge if they get wet.
Pigmented inks, on the other hand, use very fine particles suspended in the liquid. The pigment doesn’t dissolve — it floats (or is held in suspension) until deposited on paper. Pigment inks often offer more permanence, better lightfastness, and resistance to water once dry. But because of the particles, they can be more demanding for your pen’s feed system.
In short:
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Dye ink: smooth, vivid, easier to maintain — but less permanent
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Pigment ink: durable, archival, resist fading or water — but needs more care
How They Behave in Practice
| Feature | Dye-Based Ink | Pigmented Ink |
|---|---|---|
| Flow & wetness | Generally fluid, good for fine nibs | Slightly more resistance, needs a wetter feed |
| Colour brightness | Very bright, wide variety | Slightly more muted (because pigment particles absorb/reflect) |
| Permanence / lightfastness | More prone to fading, especially in sunlight | Better resistance to fading and water once fully dry |
| Smudging / washability | Can smear if wet | More water-resistant when dry |
| Maintenance | Easier to clean, fewer risks | Must clean regularly to minimize particle accumulation |
| Suitable pens | All pens generally | Prefer pens with robust feed + good ink flow |
| Clogging risk | Lower | Higher (if you don’t clean often) |
| Use cases | Everyday writing, expressive colour work | Archival documents, mixed media, ink washes over writing |
When to Choose One Over the Other
Choose dye-based ink if:
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You want vibrant, saturated colours
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You switch inks frequently
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You prefer lower maintenance
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You're using fine nibs or pens with delicate feeds
Choose pigmented ink if:
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You want writing or art that resists fading
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You need water resistance (e.g. address writing, mixed media)
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You don’t mind doing a bit more maintenance
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You use robust pens with generous ink flow
How to Minimize Issues with Pigmented Inks
Because pigment inks carry particles, they place more demands on your pen. Here are ways to use them well without frustration:
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Flush your pen more often
Even when not in use, flush with clean water (or a gentle pen-safe flush solution) to minimize particle buildup inside your feed or converter. -
Use wetter pens or broader nibs
A pen that lays down more ink helps carry the pigment particles along, reducing the chance they settle or clog narrow channels. -
Avoid leaving pigment ink sitting in your pen for long periods
If you won’t be using your pen for weeks, it’s safer to empty it or do a light flush. -
Stir or gently agitate the ink before filling
This helps re-suspend pigment particles evenly, so you don’t draw mostly water first. -
Use papers with some ink resistance
That way, pigment particles stay more on the surface, ensuring better appearance and minimizing leaks. -
Be gentle on the feed and converter
Avoid aggressive pressure or forcing components — the particles can scratch delicate passages over time.