I just filled my new M200 (F) with Pelikan Royal Blue and am a little disappointed in the washed out look I get on all different types of paper.

I just read in a different post something about shaking the ink bottle before use, but as it was shipped to me, I figure it probably got enough shaking en route.

Is this just the color of the ink, or am I doing something wrong?

Yes, colour of that ink really is very washed-out and pale. I hate it.

From the scans I've seen, you're doing nothing wrong. If you're looking for something more vibrant, head to the Ink Reviews Forum and Ink Comparisons and Scans Subforum and check out some other blues. Some of my favorites are Diamine Royal Blue, Diamine Sapphire Blue, Visconti Blue, Omas Blue, Lamy Turquoise, and Waterman South Seas Blue.

yep, Pel Royal Blue is a bit anemic, but I love it. If you want vibrance and saturation, get Waterman's Florida Blue

Nenad

Hmmm.. I need to find a scan of this ink. I was just thinking how I'd like to find a faded or light blue ink and I've had good luck with the other Pelikan ink I have.

I agree with superfly. Sometimes soft inks work great with some pens, so keep that pelikan bottle. To me pelikan blue and sheaffer skrip blue are like that cocktail "sex on a beach". They're close to water.

They're 2 of the safest inks you can use though. Same with waterman florida blue.

Pelikan Blue is the weakest blue I have tried. It's very faded and I tried to make it work on several pens and even papers.
It is meant from the drain hole but save the bottle. Pelikan Bottles are quite nice.

For a good blue use Visconti Blue or Waterman Florida Blue.


Both are excellent inks but I personally lean towards Visconti because it is a little brighter

Mame

You are doing nothing wrong
That is how it is. It will become darker in a few hours though