Sailor Inks

Sailor inks have a way of multiplying from one bottle into occupying a whole shelf. From one of Japan's big three pen makers, they're prized for their smooth flow and inspired by the country's ever-changing seasonal colors. Most lines are dye-based: Manyo comes in 50 mL bottles, Shikiori and Ink Studio pack sheen and shading into 20 mL bottles, Yurameku shifts hues as it dries, and Jentle serves as an everyday workhorse. For water-resistant and lightfast archival writing, look to the three nano-pigment inks (Kiwa-Guro, Seiboku, and Souboku). Pick your line first, then chase down your dream color.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Sailor fountain pen inks different from other inks? +

Two things: the flow and the way the range is organized. Sailor inks have a reputation for writing wet and smooth, and instead of one big color chart, you shop by line, each with its own personality. Most are dye inks loved for shading and sheen (Manyo, Shikiori, Ink Studio, Yurameku, Jentle), while Kiwa-Guro, Seiboku, and Souboku are nano-pigment inks made for water resistance.

What's the difference between Sailor's Manyo, Shikiori, Ink Studio, Yurameku, and pigment lines? +

Manyo is the 50 mL line, with colors named for plants like Kikyou and Sakura. Shikiori puts seasonal colors in 20 mL bottles, Ink Studio is the 20 mL range identified by number instead of name, and Yurameku is a small 20 mL line of multichromatic inks that shift hue as they dry. The three pigment inks, resistant to water and light, are best for archival writing. You'll also find limited runs like the USA State inks on this page, all in 20 mL.

Which Sailor ink is best for everyday writing? +

Reach for the dye lines: Shikiori and Ink Studio give you the widest, most affordable color choices, Manyo offers its own floral colors in larger 50 mL bottles, and the legacy Jentle line in black and blue-black is the brand's workhorse. All of them flow wet and clean out easily, without the extra maintenance the nano-pigment inks ask for.

Which Sailor inks are waterproof or water resistant? +

The three nano-pigment colors: Kiwa-Guro, Seiboku, and Souboku. The pigment particles stay put on the paper once it dries, which is why we reach for them for envelopes, signatures, and anything that might meet a coffee cup. If your mission is water resistance, the pigment trio is your best bet, and you can also browse water-resistant inks from every brand.

Do the pigment inks require special cleaning? +

A bit more than dye inks, yes. Pigment can be harder to flush out of the feed than dye, so keep the pen in regular use and flush it if it sits idle for long stretches. If that sounds like homework, the dye lines are the fill-and-forget choice.

Can I use these inks in any fountain pen, or only Sailor pens? +

You can use most Sailor ink in any fountain pen, though the brand's Compass Dipton Shimmer is made specifically for dip pens. Line by line, the main variation is upkeep: the nano-pigment inks ask for regular cleaning, while the dye lines are the easygoing pick for a vintage or treasured pen. Sailor ink is naturally a fine match for a Sailor nib, but nothing about it is brand-specific.

Do Sailor inks show noticeable sheen and shading? +

Yes, and it's a big part of why collectors keep coming back. The effect is concentrated in the Shikiori and Manyo lines: Shikiori's Tokiwa-matsu throws a subtle red sheen over green, and Manyo's Kikyou shows off a medium copper sheen. Ink Studio colors shade well too, while the nano-pigment trio and the plain Jentle blacks are more utilitarian. Sheening ink shows best on smooth paper and through broader nibs.

What are the Yurameku inks, and how do they change color? +

The Yurameku inks change color by shifting between two or three hues as the ink dries. The name means something like "flickering," and the effect is dependent on paper. A single color like Itezora can read grey on plain paper, green on bank paper, and purple with a hint of pink on Tomoe River. Nib width and lighting shift it further, which is half the fun.

How does the Sailor Ink Studio numbering system work? +

Sailor hasn't published a key, but collectors have spotted a pattern. The first digit tracks lightness from the light 100s up to the much darker 800s. The second is the color family: 2 for blacks and greys, 3 for reds and pinks, 4 for blues, 5 for purples, 6 for greens, and 7 for yellows, oranges, and olives, with browns running into the 8s. The third picks out the specific hue. This page carries a subset of the full range. If you're looking beyond Sailor, our full fountain pen ink collection has hundreds more bottles.

Sailor Inks

Frequently Asked Questions

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