This is a review of an Iodine Prep Solution used as a fountain pen ink. I thought this might produce an antique sort of look.

Warning!! I have no idea what this solution will do to the inner workings of a fountain pen. If you try this, make sure to use a pen that you won't loose any sleep over if it gets damaged.


Here is the handwritten review. I hope you enjoy.


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Below are the results of a water soak test. The top scan shows a writing sample that was not soaked. The bottom scan shows a writing sample soaked for 20 seconds in deionized water.
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I tried writing with iodine tincture once (with a glass dip pen), and found that it feathered horribly. Yours doesn't seem to, though.

Yes, it seems to behave surprisingly well in that regard. It may be because of whatever else is in the iodine prep solution mixture. I noticed when cleaning out my pen that the solution sank rather uniformly to the bottom of my glass beaker. Maybe this cohesive property helps keep the solution from feathering too bad...

I'm glad I am not the only one to try non-conventional inks!

Dip pens in general lay down a wetter line than fountain pens so that could contribute to the feathering.

The idea of trying other liquids as ink is intriguing.... I never considered it until now. Hmmm, red wine? port? espresso?

lol at using operating room iodine prep solution.

surgeon? doctor? intern? student? nurse?

Iodine tincture (the stuff one normally encounters) contains 8% ether by volume, which will wreak havoc on rubber/ebonite and plastic given prolonged exposure (especially the former). You could probably get away with using this in a dip pen, provided you clean the steel nib afterwards, but I would not use it in even the cheapest fountain pen, as it will eventually corrupt the seals and feed.

However, Lugol's Iodine (which the OP may be using) is something worth checking out. It does not contain any alcohol, and iodine itself is not very reactive. Indeed, iodine is often used as a dye, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was an ingredient in some inks.

Good point about ether. However, the stuff I used doesn't list it as an ingredient or have that sweet ether smell.

Interesting experiment (you're braver than I am, inkyfingr!)

My Noodler's Apache Sunset produces a colour very similar to Tincture of Iodine

That brown color/the color shift you see is actually a reaction between the iodine and the starches in the paper. We actually used iodine in my chemistry class as a simple test for starches.

Pretty cool, no?

Interesting idea for an ink, too. I applaud your creativity and curiosity! I like the way it looks on the paper. Hmm, I'll have to find a similar brown ink, I think...

If you are looking for a similar brown ink, you might check Rohrer & Klingner Sepia, Noodlers Grizzly (Swisher),
and other sepia shades.

FYI - This is termed a Schiff Reaction.

Jerry