Founded in 1918 by two visionary engineers, Pilot has spent more than 100 years perfecting fountain pens and inks.
Pilot knows exactly what writers need. That’s why we stick with them.
Though they may seem less adventurous than newer ink line-ups boasting hundreds of shades and finishes, Pilot’s inks cover the full spectrum of possibilities. You’ll find inks for reliable everyday writing, archival-quality pigments, playful multicolour expressions, and of course, the timeless, landscape-inspired shades of the iconic Iroshizuku line.
Pilot’s journey into ink production extends nearly as far back as its founding. After Ryosuke Namiki and Masao Wada launched the Namiki Manufacturing Company in 1918, Pilot steadily broadened its expertise, not only in pens, nibs, and mechanical pencils but also in ink formulation. In 1950, the Nagoya Ink Plant was formally established as The Pilot Ink Co., Ltd., marking a major step in structuring dedicated ink production.
Over the decades, Pilot has released notable innovations beyond standard inks
– oil-based markers began in the ‘50s, and over time they’ve developed inks optimised for rollerballs, cartridges, and extraordinary vibrant bottled lines.
In this blog, we’ll explore Pilot’s range of fountain pen and calligraphy inks and guide you to the perfect choice for your style and needs.
Pilot Iroshizuku: A Landscape of Colour
When people talk about modern fountain pen inks, Pilot Iroshizuku nearly always comes up. Launched in 2007 after five years of careful development, this line has become one of the most beloved ink ranges worldwide. “Iro” means colour, “shizuku” means droplet. Together, they capture the idea of a single droplet of colour carrying the beauty of the Japanese landscape onto paper.
The Story Behind the Shades
Pilot has been making ink for over a century, but the Iroshizuku line was a turning point. We have Kiyomi Hasegawa, who spent 15 years listening to customers’ feedback in-store, to thank for this exceptional shade range. The message she heard most often? “We want more colours.” Inspired by the natural beauty of Kyoto, Hasegawa and the Pilot team set out to create inks that went beyond the functional.
Every colour in the range takes its name from Japanese nature: from misty greys (Kiri-same, “Autumn Shower”) to deep browns (Yama-guri, “Wild Chestnut”) and bright blossoms (Hana-ikada, “Cherry Blossom Petals”). Each shade was thoroughly tested and refined – up to five prototypes per colour – before making it into the final collection of 24 inks.
The Bottle That Became Iconic
The 50ml glass bottle has become a design classic in its own right, inspired by luxury perfume bottles. It features a wide opening to fit larger pens and a clever V-shaped depression at the base, so you can reach every last drop. A simple label and silk cord complete the elegant presentation, which makes these a beautiful gift as well.
We get it – buying a big bottle of ink is a bit of a commitment. Luckily, Iroshizuku inks also come in handy 15ml bottles, so you can try more shades without the pressure.
Performance and Personality
We gladly join the community in recommending Iroshizuku for anyone looking for a dependable ink. They behave well in most pens, clean out easily, and offer consistent flow. Colours are rich and vibrant, with many shades offering subtle shading.
They’re not waterproof, but a few shades (Fuyu-syogun, Kiri-same, Yama-guri) hold up decently. Drying times are average across the line, with a few faster-drying options (Hana-ikada, Hotaru-bi, Ama-iro), and just one slower-drying ink (Syo-ro).
This balance of beautiful colours, reliable performance, and great design helped Iroshizuku become a global favourite. While today it competes with dozens of boutique brands, it remains a classic choice for a reason.
Pilot Tsuwairo – Pigment Inks
Pilot is best known for its dye-based inks, but the Tsuwairo line takes things in a different direction. The name translates as “strong colour,” and it refers to a small but important collection of pigment inks made for permanence.
Available in Black, Blue-Black, and Blue, Tsuwairo is designed to resist water and light. Once fully dry, it clings to the page far more securely than Pilot’s standard dye inks, making it a strong choice for signing documents or sketching.
How to Use Them Safely
Of course, permanence comes with trade-offs. Pigment inks contain tiny solid particles, so they might cling to certain materials or clog your pen if not cleaned frequently enough.
- Do not mix Tsuwairo inks, even if they are the same color.
- Gently invert the bottle a few times before use to keep pigments evenly distributed.
- Clean the pen thoroughly when switching inks or if it hasn’t been used for a while.
- Use Pilot’s recommended converters (CON-40 or CON-70N).
- Always close the cap tightly, as the ink evaporates easily.
- Avoid using Tsuwairo in certain pens, including:
- Maki-e or Urushi-lacquered pens (or any with lacquer finish)
- Justus 95
- Inhalation-type pens (S-type / P-type)
- Screw-type or plunger fillers
With those cautions in mind, Tsuwairo still marks a fascinating step for Pilot. It brings them into the same conversation as other Japanese pigment inks, like Platinum Carbon Black or Sailor’s pigmented range. For those willing to give their pens a little extra care, Tsuwairo will give you that extra durability without sacrificing the smooth writing experience Pilot is known for.
Pilot Signature Inks — The Reliable Everyday Essential
Not every ink has to dazzle with extreme permanence or artistic flair – sometimes what matters most is consistency and reliability. That’s where Pilot’s Signature (standard dye-based) inks shine.
Put simply: minimal fuss and trusted performance.
Pilot’s Signature inks are the core dye-based formulations offered in cartridges and glass bottles for general fountain pen use. These are by no means second-rate – they’re built for regular fountain pen users who want smooth writing, solid simple colour, and broad compatibility.
Why They’re a Great Choice
- Well-Behaved with Many Pens and Papers: One of the most praised aspects of Pilot’s standard inks is how they flow across a wide range of pens, nibs, and paper types. No surprise clogging, excessive feathering even on cheaper paper, or skipping.
- Easy Maintenance & Cleaning: With dye-only formulas, you don’t have to wage a battle against stubborn particles or chemical residues. These inks rinse out cleanly, making pen care simpler, especially when switching colours or storing a pen for a while.
- Balanced Colour & Readability: The standard blacks and blues in the Signature line offer strong contrast and legibility. While they won’t compete with archival inks in permanence, they deliver consistent tone and good saturation for everyday documents, journaling, and note-taking.
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Practical Packaging & Convenience: Pilot offers these inks in both cartridges and bottles. The cartridge system is compact, portable, and clean.
The 70ml bottles are specifically designed for plunger-type fountain pens, with a plastic tube that allows you to use every last drop of ink. This flexibility means users can choose what fits their style without compromising ink behavior. - Legacy & Community Confidence: Because these inks have been around for long, many fountain pen users have long-term experience with them. They form the backbone upon which Pilot has layered its more specialised inks.
Pilot Parallel Mixable Colour Cartridges
Introduced in 2001, the Pilot Parallel Pen quickly became popular for its versatility and fun factor. Its distinctive nib design – with parallel plates – allows for crisp edges, dramatic line width contrasts, and a range of styles from Roman and Gothic to Italic or modern scripts.
The ink itself is specially formulated to mix easily, something you won’t get with regular fountain pen inks. To create a gradient effect, you simply touch the nib of one pen loaded with a different ink to the nib of your writing pen. The inks transfer slightly between the nibs, so when you write, the two colours naturally blend on the paper. This technique allows for smooth, multicolour strokes without the need for complicated layering or extra tools – and it’s all thanks to the specially formulated inks that flow and mix cleanly.
Over the years, the Parallel Pen has built a passionate following. Calligraphy enthusiasts worldwide share tips, colour combinations, and projects. If you've never used it, we believe a good place to start is this video by Pilot showing how to create gradients with mixable colours!
Finding Your Perfect Pilot Ink
Each line of Pilot ink has its own personality – from the beautiful, nature-inspired shades of Iroshizuku, to the dependable standard Signature inks, the durable Tsuwairo pigments, and the playful, mix-and-match Parallel cartridges.
Yet across all of these, one thing remains the same: Pilot inks are smooth, well-behaved, and reliable, making their range one of the most consistent and trusted in the world of fountain pen inks.
Discover the perfect Pilot ink for your style and see why so many writers trust them!
