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  1. Store Home
  2. Choosing ink for a fountain pen

INKWELLS, CARTRIDGES, CONVERTERS: THE BEST INK FOR YOUR FOUNTAIN PEN

Ballpoint, rollerball, fountain pen… choosing the right pen for you is the first step, and if you’ve selected a fountain pen, then finding the right ink is next. Learn what is involved in choosing an ink cartridge or inkwell, as well as how to use a piston pump, otherwise known as a fountain pen converter.

Putting a fountain pen to paper is a special pleasure. Building on its expertise in manufacturing fine writing and drawing instruments, Caran d'Ache creates fountain pen inks in rich tints.

Our products make your writing experience exceptional.

INKS FOR ALL WRITING STYLES


Each Caran d’Ache fountain pen leaves our workshop in Geneva packaged with one or more blue or black ink cartridges, plus a piston pump converter for writers who enjoy the retro experience of refilling from an inkwell.

Not sure what is the right type of ink for your pen and writing style? The best approach is to try different options and see what you enjoy best. Each has its particular advantages.

The simple, universal ink cartridge


An ink cartridge can be installed in no time flat, and will allow you to write with peace of mind for days. Caran d'Ache cartridges come in a universal size that fits all nibs. Sold in sets of 6, the Chromatics INKredible cartridges come in 12 colours. From Delicate Green to Magnetic Blue, Organic Brown and Divine Pink, these inks offer incomparable writing quality and elegance. Idyllic Blue has the special distinction of being the only Chromatics ink that is erasable.

The authentic inkwell


If you like a vintage vibe, then a 50-ml Chromatics glass inkwell from Caran d'Ache is the perfect addition to your desk. Appeal to your sense of nostalgia as you gently rest your pen on the base of the well. Inkwells can be used either for dipping your pen or for filling a fountain pen converter.

Like the Chromatics cartridges, the Chromatics inkwells come in 12 colours. The hexagonal prism shape of the well subtly reflects light, displaying the full depth of the colour it contains. It is a beautiful and utilitarian item for writers who care for the aesthetics of their surroundings.

The piston pump + inkwell: for unlimited refills

 
The piston pump, also known as a converter, is where the inkwell meets the ink cartridge. The piston pump is a separate component inside the pen; it replaces cartridges and allows the pen to store ink from an inkwell. It can be refilled as many times as you wish. And if damaged, it can easily be replaced without affecting the pen.

HOW TO REFILL YOUR FOUNTAIN PEN


Installing an ink cartridge: nothing could be easier

 
Practical and convenient, the ink cartridge is one of the most common ways of filling a fountain pen. To install an ink cartridge:
 
1. Unscrew the pen’s barrel.
2. Gently press the small end of the ink cartridge into the grip section.
3. Let the ink flow into the nib.

Using a piston pump, for changing colour in no time at all


Is your fountain pen already fitted with piston ink pump? This refillable reservoir is located inside the pen. Refilling it is straightforward – and environmentally friendly, as there are no plastic ink cartridges to throw away.

Ecridor, Léman and Varius fountain pens come equipped with the Caran d'Ache piston ink pump. Refilling is not complex, but it does require delicacy.
 
1. Unscrew and remove the top half of the pen.
2. Immerse the nib in an inkwell and turn the end of the piston. This will draw the plunger upwards, allowing ink to be pulled into the reservoir.
3. Once the reservoir is full, remove the nib from the inkwell.
4. To prevent ink leaking inside your pen, clean excess ink from the nib using a tissue or soft paper.
5. Reassemble the pen.
Do you have your own converter or ink pump? Installing it is simple:
 
1. Start by inserting the converter into the pen’s nib section.
2. Fully submerge the nib in an inkwell.
3. Rotate the top of the converter counter-clockwise to remove air from the cylinder.
4. Turn the top of the converter clockwise to draw the ink into the cylinder.
5. Remove the nib from the ink and gently dab off any excess with a tissue or soft cloth.

With a fountain pen, writing is a completely customizable experience, as you can choose the design of the body, the type of nib, and the colour and format of the ink. Using a fountain pen will soon become second nature for you!

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Our colour and writing products are manufactured in our workshops in Geneva since 1915.

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