Are Blue Inks Just More Prone To Fading?

[Witsius]

I've got a notebook that I wrote some notes in with Waterman Serenity Blue about a year ago. I opened it today to review some of my notes, and the ink has faded quite noticeably. It's still legible, but it's significantly fainter. I've noticed the same thing with Pelikan 4001 Royal blue. I've even noticed a little fading with Aurora blue.

 

Colors like purple, brown, and the sort of off-blues like Iroshizuku shin kai or tsuki-yo don't seem to suffer from this issue. Those notes are just a bold as the day I wrote them. The blue's however–faded. I really like the performance of Waterman's blue ink, but I may have to relegate it to notes I don't plan to keep–stuff I jot down at work etc.

 

Has anyone else noticed the same thing with blue inks? What's your experience? What colors do you favor for notes that you plan to keep?

[amberleadavis]

Check out some of the fade tests that we have done around here. Aurora blue does fade, Pelikan Royal Blue fades and BSB fades the fastest.

[ksm]

I'm not sure about Waterman's Serenity Blue, but Pelikan 4001 Royal Blue is a washable blue ink (or "school ink").

This kind of ink is designed to be easily washed out of stained clothes, a property essential for parents of school children. School notebook are usually discarded after a year, so fading is not a problem.

[Olya]

The blues you mention are washable blues. In France Waterman's Serenity Blue is advertised as erasable and if I remember correctly Aurora Blue can be erased with an ink eraser as well (eg Pelikan's Pirate).

You have to buy non-washable blues. Generally speaking, a German brand Royal Blue is usually a Washable Blue. That includes old school inks like Pelikan and Lamy.

You can have a look at Diamine's offer, plenty of blues and the washable blue is clearly named Washable Blue, their Royal Blue holds up well and is non-erasable. Also Pilot Blue or Herbin's offer.

 

Black is however more likely to hold up well over time, as black ink has a lot more dye in it than blue ink. I have only ever used dye based inks, you have of course also irongall and pigment ink which hold up really well, better than dye based inks. But as you don't expose your writing to sunlight (you said it faded in a closed notebook), a dye based ink should be good enough, just stay away from washables and erasable inks if you want sth to last.

[Witsius]

The blues you mention are washable blues. In France Waterman's Serenity Blue is advertised as erasable and if I remember correctly Aurora Blue can be erased with an ink eraser as well (eg Pelikan's Pirate).

You have to buy non-washable blues. Generally speaking, a German brand Royal Blue is usually a Washable Blue. That includes old school inks like Pelikan and Lamy.

You can have a look at Diamine's offer, plenty of blues and the washable blue is clearly named Washable Blue, their Royal Blue holds up well and is non-erasable. Also Pilot Blue or Herbin's offer.

 

Black is however more likely to hold up well over time, as black ink has a lot more dye in it than blue ink. I have only ever used dye based inks, you have of course also irongall and pigment ink which hold up really well, better than dye based inks. But as you don't expose your writing to sunlight (you said it faded in a closed notebook), a dye based ink should be good enough, just stay away from washables and erasable inks if you want sth to last.

 

 

 

Thanks. That does seem to be the pattern I'm seeing. Inks that are "washable" seem to be the ones that don't hold up well even in a closed notebook. So far Auroa Blue has faded some, but not like Waterman. Interestingly, Sailor Jentle Blue seems to be holding its own pretty well.

[Olya]

Sailor Blue is neither washable nor erasable. Same for Pilot Blue or Herbin's Eclat de Saphir and Diamine's inks (except washable blue of course!). Some of them might change their colour when an ink eradicator is used, but that's the worst that happens to those inks. Those are the brands and inks I use most often, which is why I didn't mention other brands. Had the same problem with Pelikan and noticed the same with Serenity Blue, so don't use those anymore.

Here's a link to an old thread with a list of eradicable inks https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/6887-eradicable-inks-and-the-pelikan-super-pirat/?do=findComment&comment=89648

 

Few inks are washable or eradicable and often advertised as such (or commonly known to be such inks, like German Royal Blues), so technically you should easily find a good blue that doesn't fade in closed books!

[Buzz_130]

I'm a blue and blue-black writer. The colors are professional, and every ink manufacturer makes a gamut of colors and characteristics. You can find a blue to meet your writing needs.

 

Amberleadavis pointed out the fade tests. Do a forum search, grab a cup of your favorite morning beverage, and spend time looking at the results. These comparisons will help you find an ink you want.

 

Iron gall inks and nanopigment inks offer excellent durability at the price of high maintenance. Other manufacturers sell inks that are waterproof, water resistant, or fade resistant. Some bond to the fibers of the paper.

 

I recommend you take advantage of ink samples to explore a world of blue inks at a manageable cost (and storage requirement).

 

Buzz

[inkstainedruth]

I used to only use Quink Permanent Blue cartridges. Then I couldn't get them in the US anymore. I could only find Washable Blue -- which fades HORRIBLY.

Other blue inks are a lot more permanent. Witsius, I'm afraid that the only ink that you've listed for which I have any experience is Pelikan Royal Blue, and I didn't like the color enough to want to get a bottle of it.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[amberleadavis]

Here is a link to go the great fade Olympics.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/248800-fade-olympics-2013-sponsored-by-t-l-v-p-p/