Pens and Inks
From Silvergrain Labs
Contents |
Writing on Prints
Curators usually recommend to write all relevant information directly on the print. This is because all other forms of record are very easily lost, and the margin or back of the print is the most secure place to record important information. Also, it is customary among many photographers to sign on the margin or back of final prints.
Additionally, it once was a common practice to make postcards and greeting cards on enlarging paper. These applications also require a reliable writing on the print.
Requirements for useful writing instruments for this application are:
- The ink can write on both sides of most fiber and resin coated paper stocks.
- The ink is preferrably water-based and nontoxic.
- The ink is preferrably compatible with convenient modern pens.
- The ink is permanent and archival:
- The ink does not fade over time.
- The ink does not damage the paper, gelatin, sizing material, or image.
- The ink cannot be washed or bleached by water, household bleach, peroxide, or any other techniques known to "chech washers."
I have run some tests on these aspects.
Perfect Solutions
Uchida Marvy Memories
Uchida Marvy Caligraphy "Quality Memory Book markers" are nylon felt tip pens that come in variety of colors and tip shapes/sizes. They claim to use non-toxic, water-based archival pigment ink. The ink is waterproof once it dries. Even on the back of RC prints, the writing does not wash in complete immersion in water. (Tested black and purple versions.)
These pens are commonly available (a few US dollars) from artist supply stores in the US.
Platinum Carbon inks, INKC-1500 and SPC-200
Platinum is a Japanese fountain pen manufacturer. They make an inexpensive fountain pen (DP-800) designed for their proprietary carbon ink cartidge (SPC-200). This combination can write very nice, jet-black letters that won't fade or wash in most reasonable conditions. However, these products seem not available in the US.
Platinum also sells this carbon ink in a bottle (INKC-1500). It's a bit pricey but available in the US from a few internet stores. This ink is well worth the money if you like jet black india ink that works in fountain pen! Depending on the feeder structure, this type of ink may clogg the pen, and once the ink is dried, it may be difficult to clean without using special solvents. Therefore, I don't recommend to use this ink in an expensive pen.
Among inexpensive fountain pens, I found Rotring ArtPen to be fairly comfortable pen to write, and this pen seems to handle the Platinum Carbon ink very well. I use Monteverde converter, which is a very short converter, since the barrel of ArtPen doesn't provide enough space for usual converters. You can also fill an empty cartridge with a disposable medical syringe.
Passable Solutions
Koh-i-noor Ultradraw Ink
This non-clogging, waterproof drawing ink (black india) is reasonably waterproof on back of RC print, once dried completely. However, some of the pigment washes off in complete immersion in water. The letters remain legible but the washed pigment may stain surrounding areas.
Pencils
Pencils at least won't damage the print, but may stain over time, due to physical contacts. Pencils can't write on emulsion side, or on back of RC prints. Pencils are not permanent.
Unsuitable Solutions
Noodler's Eternal Inks
Noodler's Eternal series inks are dye-based inks that are waterproof once written on paper and completely dried. They bind to cellulose fiber to become waterproof, but the ink itself is water-based, thus safe to use in any fountain pen. They are very nice products, but in order to make the ink waterproof, it has to be written directly on cellulose. They are completely washable if written on RC prints.
Higgins Eternal Black
Higgins Eternal Permanent Black ink (Cat #44041(813)) is a black ink that claims to be carbon based ink. However, it has some greenish tint to the black writing, and the ink washes out miserably when written on back of RC prints. The ink also tends to bleed quite a bit more than the Platinum Carbon, Koh-i-noor or Noodler's Eternal Black. I wouldn't use this ink.
Most rollerball pens
Some rollerball pens claim to use waterproof inks that are resistant to check washing. Uni-ball Vision Elite is one of my favorite pen, but this ink also washes out miserably unless written directly on cellulose paper, just like Noodler's Eternal inks.
