Tips for using Diamine shimmer inks

[Eoghan2009]

Having trouble with the shimmer settling in the ink reservoir. When writing the first couple of sentences are heavy with shimmer and then it kinda dies out?

 

Any tips or suggestions?

[tde44x]

Needs constant agitation. What I do is make sure the particles are well distributed before starting. Then about every sentence or so will rotate the pen a few times as well as vertical/horizontal before the next sentence. It is why I prefer to use a demonstrator pen with shimmer so I can see if they settle out and when they are back in suspension.

[hilsedwards]

I usually use a broad juicy nib on a Pelikan. The' flavour' is not that important but a good flow of ink is essential.

Only fill the reservour half way then you'll have room to gently mix the shimmer ink in the barrel. Ink and shimmer will pool in the feed if left for any time so the distribution of the shimmer is too heavy to begin with as you describe, I personally give the nib a quick shower under the cold tap, blot off the excess water/ink before puting pen to paper. The occasional inversion of the pen helps to keep the 'sparkles' in suspension.

Hope this helps

[Sailor Kenshin]

2 hours ago, Eoghan2009 said:

Having trouble with the shimmer settling in the ink reservoir. When writing the first couple of sentences are heavy with shimmer and then it kinda dies out?

 

Any tips or suggestions?

 

When I want shimmer I use Sakura Jelly Roll gel pens.  😜

[Noihvo]

[derivativegal]

Goulet Pens had a short tutorial (not Brian or Rachel) which I watched when I decided to try shimmer inks. One thing I remembered was to not shake too vigorously to prevent bubbles. With that said, similar to what tde44x does, I just try to "swish" the ink back and forth every other sentence. Yes, it can interrupt a train of thought when writing, but if you do it enough times, it becomes a habit.  You will also, as others have said, get a heavier concentration when you first start out.  But I have that issue with regular inks too where they are more saturated the first few sentences.  I really enjoy my shimmer inks and hope you do too.

[VillersCotterets]

My answer won't be popular but shimmer inks are best used with glass pens. They were never meant to be used in regular fountain pens. We see more of them because of the inku-numa phenomenon in Japan and now in other neighbouring Asian countries, which became a non negligeable market, in terms of ¥¥¥, even for Western ink manufacturers.
 

 

[Eoghan2009]

As a former chemist the "solution" (pun intended) is to use an inkwell with a magnetic stirrer on a low setting and a dip pen.

 

Speaking practically the best approach is to half fill the reservoir and gently agitate.  I am doing this already rubbing the pen like a fire stick between my hands.  Half filling is probably the best and most practical advice that was offered.  That and using a wet nib!

 

Thanks to everyone!

[Inunu]

I got balls of steeeel.

Put one in the converter, happy ever after.