Ink Fades Out

[BayBee]

I write a lot and use my notes later. But in a year or so, a lot of my writing disappear. Since I used a variety of inks, I am not sure now which inks fade out. The only thing I know that Noodler's are not among them.

 

Anyone had similar experience? Which inks are fading after a few years?

 

BayBee

[jmw19]

Hmmm, that's a good question. Assuming the pages haven't been exposed to light continuously over the years, it's either a property of the dyes used, or a reaction with the paper (or rather, something in the paper).

Paper is usually bleached to make it appear whiter, and often the bleaching agents aren't washed out or neutralized completely. The residue could certainly react with ink to cause it to fade, though I'd expect it to happen faster than a multi-year span.

 

As for inks that fade, I've noticed Quink washable blue lightens up fairly quickly, over a few weeks. Modern Waterman blue-black also fades in minutes, from a nice dark blue to a teal shade. (The vintage version starts out dark blue, and stays dark blue).

 

Other than that, I haven't noticed much color shift or fading in my inks, but then I tend not to save most of my writing.

 

If you're patient, you could write out a few lines with all your inks, including the name and date, and store those pages somewhere safe. Refer back once a year, and see which fade and which don't.

If you're impatient, the Noodlers seem to be treating you well, so maybe switch to those exclusively for your notes?

[BayBee]

Other than that, I haven't noticed much color shift or fading in my inks, but then I tend not to save most of my writing.

 

If you're patient, you could write out a few lines with all your inks, including the name and date, and store those pages somewhere safe. Refer back once a year, and see which fade and which don't.

If you're impatient, the Noodlers seem to be treating you well, so maybe switch to those exclusively for your notes?

 

Thank you, jmw19!

 

You are right, I am talking here about notes that I'd like to save for more than one year.

 

I do use Noodler's and never noticed them fading. But some other inks obviously do - according to my old journals. I plan to use some of my inks for my book illustrations, and since I already have an extensive collection of inks (Delta, J. Herbin, Private Reserve, MB, etc.), I just want to know which ink I better avoid when attempting to create something permanent.

 

Any artists out there who draw with inks and notice their work fade after a year or so?

[cubic archon]

I was looking at ink longevity recently, and theres a thread in here where somebody posts examples of correspondence and journal entries from varying dates throughout this century in J Herbin ink, which have all stayed legible.

 

Eta: I remember somebody else saying that they had found lecture notes from decades ago in Florida Blue which were fine. I have a feeling the paper may be a significant issue here.

Edited August 25, 2010 by cubic archon

[MJ Vesuvius]

For some strange reason I haven't had much luck with most orange inks.

They are light to begin with, but over time they seem to get even lighter.

I am hoping that Noodler's Dragon's Napalm holds up...

 

– MJ

[BayBee]

For some strange reason I haven't had much luck with most orange inks.

They are light to begin with, but over time they seem to get even lighter.

I am hoping that Noodler's Dragon's Napalm holds up...

 

– MJ

 

Could it be my PR Shoreline Gold that completely disappeared without of trace of color? I have a lot of PRs, anyway. Do they hold their color after one year?

[JLT]

For some strange reason I haven't had much luck with most orange inks.

They are light to begin with, but over time they seem to get even lighter.

I am hoping that Noodler's Dragon's Napalm holds up...

 

– MJ

 

I have some journals with three years' age on them and the notes made with Dragon's Napalm (not hard to tell . . .) have not faded one little bit. One, in fact, was left open on top of a book case exposed to sunlight - still bright and perfectly legible. I think it'll be OK for the long run.

[BayBee]

I have some journals with three years' age on them and the notes made with Dragon's Napalm (not hard to tell . . .) have not faded one little bit. One, in fact, was left open on top of a book case exposed to sunlight - still bright and perfectly legible. I think it'll be OK for the long run.

 

Thanks, JLT!

I think Noodler's rule for permanency. And I feel good about my avatar too - BSB is still the same bright blue in my old notes.

[BayBee]

I was looking at ink longevity recently, and theres a thread in here where somebody posts examples of correspondence and journal entries from varying dates throughout this century in J Herbin ink, which have all stayed legible.

 

Eta: I remember somebody else saying that they had found lecture notes from decades ago in Florida Blue which were fine. I have a feeling the paper may be a significant issue here.

That's interesting, cubic archon. Do you have any links to the thread?

 

The paper is the same, but I wrote my notes with different inks, and some of them stay fresh while others look washed out. I feel sorry now that I didn't write down the type of inks I used.

 

I suspect my PR's are to blame for such inconstancy.

[Possum Hill]

I have some journals with three years' age on them and the notes made with Dragon's Napalm (not hard to tell . . .) have not faded one little bit. One, in fact, was left open on top of a book case exposed to sunlight - still bright and perfectly legible. I think it'll be OK for the long run.

 

Thanks, JLT!

I think Noodler's rule for permanency. And I feel good about my avatar too - BSB is still the same bright blue in my old notes.

BSB is apparently more subject to fading than some other inks when exposed to ultraviolet light or sunlight. However, I don't know that anyone here has posted results of a thorough test. I've been meaning to put a sample up in a window, but haven't yet. In the mean time, I'm enjoying it anyway.

[BayBee]

BSB is apparently more subject to fading than some other inks when exposed to ultraviolet light or sunlight. However, I don't know that anyone here has posted results of a thorough test. I've been meaning to put a sample up in a window, but haven't yet. In the mean time, I'm enjoying it anyway.

Interesting. I don't know how UV reacts with BSB. My notes inside my journals were not exposed to any light. That's why I got upset when some of my notes faded.

 

BTW, those that were made with BSB did not fade at all.

[Truppi327]

BSB is apparently more subject to fading than some other inks when exposed to ultraviolet light or sunlight. However, I don't know that anyone here has posted results of a thorough test. I've been meaning to put a sample up in a window, but haven't yet. In the mean time, I'm enjoying it anyway.

Interesting. I don't know how UV reacts with BSB. My notes inside my journals were not exposed to any light. That's why I got upset when some of my notes faded. BTW, those that were made with BSB did not fade at all.

 

I use BSB in my notebooks and journals, Rhodia and Clairefontaine papers, and there is no fading or loss of vibrancy.

 

I have a scratch pad of cheap blank paper on my desk for quick notes and pen/ink tests. It sits on the corner of my desk that the sun hits. I have notice that when left in direct sunlight the B SB tends to get darker and less vibrant. This is purely unscientific of course but pretty much any ink that I use on that pad which is left in the sun fades (Kung Te-cheng I think is the exception).

Edited August 26, 2010 by Truppi327

[welch]

Sheaffer Skrip #62 Washable Black doesn't fade. I have essays from 1963 that haven't faded a bit.

[BayBee]

 

I use BSB in my notebooks and journals, Rhodia and Clairefontaine papers, and there is no fading or loss of vibrancy.

 

I have a scratch pad of cheap blank paper on my desk for quick notes and pen/ink tests. It sits on the corner of my desk that the sun hits. I have notice that when left in direct sunlight the B SB tends to get darker and less vibrant. This is purely unscientific of course but pretty much any ink that I use on that pad which is left in the sun fades (Kung Te-cheng I think is the exception).

 

It means that BSB just gets darker when the rest of the inks fade, right? What is Kung Te-Cheng ink?

[BayBee]

Sheaffer Skrip #62 Washable Black doesn't fade. I have essays from 1963 that haven't faded a bit.

 

I don't have that one. What about PR? I suspect that it was the ink that faded. And MB too.

 

I need to write down my inks now. One year later, I 'll make a valid scientific observation.

[Truppi327]

I use BSB in my notebooks and journals, Rhodia and Clairefontaine papers, and there is no fading or loss of vibrancy.I have a scratch pad of cheap blank paper on my desk for quick notes and pen/ink tests. It sits on the corner of my desk that the sun hits. I have notice that when left in direct sunlight the B SB tends to get darker and less vibrant. This is purely unscientific of course but pretty much any ink that I use on that pad which is left in the sun fades (Kung Te-cheng I think is the exception).

It means that BSB just gets darker when the rest of the inks fade, right? What is Kung Te-Cheng ink?

 

I guess it doesn't fade but it definitely gets duller as it darkens in the sun. Readability is unaffected.

 

Noodler's Kung Te-cheng, Emperor's Purple, is an eternal, bulletproof Noodler's ink. It comes in 4.5oz bottles and it my favorite ink (maybe, if I had to choose one, I think. I love it though.)

I got mine at Jetpens but I think Swisher and others carry it.

[wallylynn]

 

I use BSB in my notebooks and journals, Rhodia and Clairefontaine papers, and there is no fading or loss of vibrancy.

 

I have a scratch pad of cheap blank paper on my desk for quick notes and pen/ink tests. It sits on the corner of my desk that the sun hits. I have notice that when left in direct sunlight the B SB tends to get darker and less vibrant. This is purely unscientific of course but pretty much any ink that I use on that pad which is left in the sun fades (Kung Te-cheng I think is the exception).

 

It means that BSB just gets darker when the rest of the inks fade, right? What is Kung Te-Cheng ink?

It means that BSB wasn't in the sun long enough. Every report I've read matches my own experience: don't put BSB in the sun, it'll fade away to nothingness quite quickly. First the vibrancy goes, then it turns brown, yellow, gone. That said, away from the light it seems to do fine. I have year old journal entries that are still bright.

 

Here's a tiny sample I stuck to my CFL desk lamp. I don't remember the duration, maybe a month.

 

Kung Te-Cheng is one of Noodler's bulletproof inks. Purple or purple-blue or blue depending on your bottle and your eye's color perception according to the reviews. Supposedly, the ingredients are hard to get.

http://www.jetpens.com/product_info.php/products_id/3840

[BayBee]

Thank you, Truppy, and thank you, wallylynn! Even if BSB is good for journal notes, it's better to use more UV-stable inks for art drawings.

 

I'll definitely get that Kung Te-Cheng. It would be great to have another Noodler's ink in my collection.

[BayBee]

Oops! It's sold out.

[cubic archon]

I was looking at ink longevity recently, and theres a thread in here where somebody posts examples of correspondence and journal entries from varying dates throughout this century in J Herbin ink, which have all stayed legible.

 

Eta: I remember somebody else saying that they had found lecture notes from decades ago in Florida Blue which were fine. I have a feeling the paper may be a significant issue here.

That's interesting, cubic archon. Do you have any links to the thread?

 

The paper is the same, but I wrote my notes with different inks, and some of them stay fresh while others look washed out. I feel sorry now that I didn't write down the type of inks I used.

 

I suspect my PR's are to blame for such inconstancy.

Sorry, I was on my phone at the time, but here it is:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/155086-herbin-longevity/

 

The pictures are on the first page.