Hey pen friends!
Today's email is for the fountain pen addicts.
I have a question for you. How do you keep track of the fountain pens you ink up? If you don't keep a currently inked spread in your journal or have a journal dedicated solely for tracking inked fountain pens, I think it's time to start.
Anyone that is an avid fountain pen user knows that there's a lot of variety when it comes to fountain pens and the writing experience you can get. There's different pens with different filling mechanisms and different nib types. There's a plethora of fountain pen inks out there. Some inks shade, while others sheen or shimmer. Finally, there's different paper brands and types out there that can affect the color of the ink and the way the nib glides across the page.
Because of all the variation that can occur, I believe it's important to keep a currently inked journal. Ink swatches are a nice way to get a general idea of what the ink looks like, but nothing beats a proper writing sample with a fountain pen.
What is a currently inked journal?
A currently inked journal is a journal solely dedicated to keeping track of the fountain pens and inks you use. Alternatively, you can create currently inked spreads in your existing journal as well.
The idea is to have an entry for every pen and ink combination you use. It can be as simple as writing out the pen, nib, and ink, which is most common. Or you can create elaborate writing samples, which is what I do.
Regardless of what you choose to do, the goal is to have a small writing sample to see how the fountain pen ink behaves in the fountain pen and on paper you frequently use or are currently using for journaling or planning.
Having a currently inked journal is great for record keeping. It can help you decide what inks you may want to purchase a full bottle of if you only had an ink sample. It can help you understand whether or you like a specific ink in fine nibs or only broad nibs. There's a lot of information you can gain as a fountain pen novice about fountain pen inks by record keeping.
What does my currently inked journal look like?
For my currently inked journal, I repurposed an unused Hobonichi Cousin Avec notebook. I dedicate a single page for each newly inked pen, and I write out a writing sample in both print and cursive.
For more image examples, you can check out my Instagram account @ayachan91.inklog, which is dedicated solely for my currently inked journal.
I like to use first chapters from books as the source material for my handwriting samples. It's fun revisiting books that I enjoyed, and it provides something to write without having to think much about it.
For those that may be wondering, I haven't encountered any issues from using first chapters for my currently inked journal. My currently inked journal is for my personal use, and often times, the first chapter is available in ebook samples. Although if you're concerned with copyright issues (especially if you plan on profiting off of your ink journal somehow), I'd highly recommend using Project Gutenberg to pick a piece of work that is copyright free.
Side note, copying a piece of written material by hand is a fantastic way to practice your handwriting too.
Other Creators to Check Out
Keeping a currently inked journal or journal spread is not a unique idea. Here are some other Instagram or TikTok posts to check out for currently inked journal inspiration:
There are also creators that keep elaborate fountain pen ink journals. Here are some posts for you to check out for more inspiration:
