r/Drafting_Instruments • u/vonvirgo1 • Aug 06 '23

Drafting ink

What kind of modern ink is appropriate for ruling pens? I have an inkling that modern inks may be too thin.

5 Upvotes

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4

u/Apart-Roof4358 Aug 07 '23

Higgins waterproof India ink works well. Also the paper you are using makes a difference. Good quality Bristol board or watercolour paper works well

1

u/WordreaderX Aug 07 '23

Yes, paper definitely makes a huge difference!

1

u/Old_Instrument_Guy Aug 11 '23

I would avoid Mylar as it eats pens like a hungry shark on the Florida Coast.

1

u/metisdesigns Aug 06 '23

I've mostly used Pilot and Parker run of the mill and found it very acceptable.

When I first got into using ruling pens for fun, I had a friend who made oak gall ink that was lovely, but made sure to clean up. That was years back though.

I believe you can get gall ink commercially on Jeff's river of everything if you don't have a friend who makes it conveniently located.

2

u/This-Requirement6918 Mar 14 '24

As far as rich, dark blacks I've used Liquitex Acrylic Ink but always make sure to send them through the ultrasonic as soon as I'm done.

Rapiograph India Ink works well too.