Iron-Gall Ink

• 70 ml bottle, black (other colours on request: contact us and we collect preferences)
• Waterproof and indelible on paper
• Produced under the supervision of scientists from the University of Florence
• Materials of over 99% purity
• Compatible with fountain pens, nib included

Why choose it, despite the price

A traditional ink stays largely on the surface of the paper and can fade with light, humidity or the passing of years. This one penetrates the paper fibres and fixes there stably. It is the right choice for diaries, letters, registers and notebooks meant to last.

The Stipula formulation was developed with the Department of Chemistry of the University of Florence and uses materials of over 99% purity. It is designed to be compatible with fountain pens, nib included.

What to know before using iron gall ink

The same permanence that makes it valuable calls for a little care:

• Use it in a pen that is written with often. If the pen dries out after only one or two days of rest, it is better to avoid it.
• Wash the pen well before the first fill and every time you change ink. Dried ink can be cleaned, but it takes time and patience.
• With stainless steel, titanium or gold nibs, according to Luca Viti, a long-time partner of Stipula, «our iron gall ink does not cause corrosion in normal use». With ordinary steel nibs, traces of corrosion can appear.
• Once dry, the stroke resists water: that is its strength, but it also means it cannot be erased.
• Keep the bottle in a cool, dark place.

Who it is for

This ink is for people who write often with the same pen and want a stroke that stays legible for years. It is less suitable if you change ink frequently or leave the pen unused for days: in that case an ordinary ink is more convenient.

The history, science and use of this ink are told in our article From Oak Galls to the Page. To clean your pen you can use a specific fountain pen cleaner. The University of Florence studies on historical inks are in the proceedings of the V National IGIIC Congress.