Calligraphy Ink

Calligraphy ink must have certain properties for the correct effect to be achieved. The ink must be thick enough to cover guide lines but thin enough to flow through the nib of the pen. The ink must be smooth and finely ground so that the effect is consistent and clean.

A good calligraphy ink should flow freely with no spread, dry quickly, and be stable when it dries. The most common calligraphy ink is India Ink. Also called China Ink, this is a very simple black ink that became popular around the turn of the 20^th century.

There are three main types of calligraphy ink: bottled ink, stick ink, and ink cartridges. Bottled ink is the most common type of calligraphy ink. This type of ink is used with pens with nibs or quill pens. Bottled ink comes in many different colors and finishes. Some have a matte finish while others may have a metallic sheen.

Stick ink is primarily used in calligraphy that uses a brush instead of a pen. This ink comes in solid form and is mixed into distilled water to become usable. Stick ink is handy because you can get the precise density and texture that you want.

Cartridges are used in fountain pens to get a continuous flow of ink. Some fountain pens now come with calligraphy tips that allow you to easily practice without refilling your pen nib. You shouldn't use waterproof ink unless doing a project that absolutely requires it. Waterproof ink tends to clog pen nibs very easily.

There are many calligraphy gift sets available in book stores, art stores, or online. These sets often include dip pens with nibs, ink or several kinds of inks, paper, and instructions. Sometimes, calligraphy sets come with a full instruction book that will guide you through the process of learning this ancient art.

Calligraphy sets are also useful for determining what brand or style of ink or pen you need or want. A good site to visit to order a quality calligraphy kit and to get some general information is Blots Pen and Ink Supplies. This site offers kits, pens, brushes, inks, and other supplies you'll need, all at reasonable prices.

Another good site for calligraphy ink and supplies is Manuscript. This company has locations all over the world and a great online catalog. Several calligraphy kits are available as well as many other quality printing items.

If you don't want to order your calligraphy materials online, simply head to your local book store or hobby store to see what is available locally. Most book and hobby stores have information on calligraphy if not actual kits and supplies.