An ink color for work.

[Slivovitz]

My years in the Navy indoctrinated me with the idea that only black ink was suitable for "professional" use; even a sedate dark blue was not acceptable. I got over that when I started using fountain pens, as it seemed a shame to waste the richer look of the inks on just black. My favorites are blues and purples, but I also use green, brown, red, and even some gray and black.

At work, nobody really cares what I use, although they may occasionally shake their heads at a sheet of data filled out in R&K Scabiosa or Kiowa Pecan. If we have official policies for ink color, nobody is enforcing them, or even mentioning them. Most of what I write is, in any case, personal notes which other people will not need to see. Anything going out of our station will be by Email or a saved Office document.

Just wondering how many feel similarly free to use whatever colors they want. Does your employer have standards that must be followed, or is it simply understood in your line of work that certain things are not done? I'm an electronics technician for a satellite communications company. It wouldn't bother me to have my lawyer signing documents in Bad Green Gator, but I don't know what his other clients would think.

 

[Commander Quan]

I'm the am the boss, so I exercise my god given privilege to write in Noodler's Cayenne whenever I want.

 

[SmoovD]

If the writing is one of personal notes I use whatever I like. If it is something that is to gain distribution outside my desk I use a shade of blue. It just so happens that mostly what I like is a blue/black so it covers both situations equally well.

 

[Barbash]

I have to sign contracts with black ink and tend to use blue or blue/black ink for all other work notes. I love colored inks, but use those for outside of work.

 

[Viseguy]

I've been into inks for 8 years and own a stable of them. Although I understand the hobbyist's enthusiasm, I believe that in a professional setting (especially in certain tradition-bound professions, like mine, law) personal preference should take second place to decorum and, especially, substance. For example, if you are making a serious point in a printed letter, signing it in, say, burgundy ink will probably distract (and, therefore, detract) from your point, not enhance it. Wide-eyed hobbyists -- and, let's face it, that's what we are -- tend to view things through the distorting lens of an all-consuming interest, but the "real" world is largely indifferent to such preoccupations.

That said, different jobs operate differently, and in the end you have to use your own judgment.

Personally, I've tried all sorts of inks at work (for personal notes, not for signing documents), but in the end what works best for me is the eminently non-controversial blue-black. I've been happily working my way through my supply of "Navindigo", an almost-bulletproof mix of equal parts Noodler's Navy and Noodler's The Violet Vote, which used to be called Iraqi Indigo. I also have what seems like a gallon of Bad Belted Kingfisher, which I've tweaked with Noodler's La Reine Mauve and lord knows what other ingredients. Unquestionably, I have enough B-B to see me through to retirement. My idea of a romp in the park is to switch to Visconti Blue or one of the Diamine blues, like Sapphire or Imperial Blue.

 

[intotheforge]

I have to use blue ink at work. I believe the policy dates back to before color copiers and is intended to show the difference between a copy and an original. I just use cheapo company issued pens though.

 

[Doc4]

I believe that in a professional setting (especially in certain tradition-bound professions, like mine, law) personal preference should take second place to decorum and, especially, substance. For example, if you are making a serious point in a printed letter, signing it in, say, burgundy ink will probably distract (and, therefore, detract) from your point, not enhance it.

I find that Kung Te-cheng fits the bill nicely there, with just enough individuality (but gravitas-inducing individuality, not frivolous kind) to be interesting, and the waterproof and bulletproof qualities help a lot too.



But generally for notes and my own personal records at work (which is most of what I use the ink for, volume-wise) I go for whatever I want. Sometimes, a rainbow of colours helps me tell one thing from another on the same page.

 

[PugslyCat]

Everything at my level in this company is electronic, so nobody cares what, if anything, I choose to write with. So far I haven't brought any fountain pens into the office because I have enough trouble with Sharpies and ball points going missing.

 

[the_edski]

Wait till Owen gets here and tells you all about the great BSB wars!

I use 50S, BBB, Lamy Blue and Parker Quink Black for signatures and Sheaffer Skrip Red for underlining/substitute for highlighting. And nothing has been said. So blue, black or blue/black is acceptable at my work. I use grey and green ink for notes between co-workers and they seem to actually like the different pops of color in a drab day, but I never use them for anything official.

 

[KW Driver]

I'm stuck on black, because I've become institutionalized to the requirement as stated by the OP. I've used and loved Write in the Rain ball points, because they are pressurized to write at any angle, and don't leak or bleed out the ball. right now I'm using a Parker, entry level pen/pencil set, with an EF cartridge. I use red ball points on some forms and for corrections.

I don't use my fountain pens at work, but am deeply in lust with Noodler's Heart of Darkness.

 

[cvandyke27]

Working in the medical profession I have to write in patients charts all day and we have to use black ink so I always go with HoD.

 

[Alacrity59]

I'm guessing that 98% of folk use blue ballpoint pens. I've always used black for work. But I started a new job a year ago and our GM and I have disturbingly similar handwriting and make similar choices of black ink pens. He threatened to start writing in purple . . . so now it is open season. I was using Derrick's favourite Cayanne . . . a lot. Bought a bottle of Noodler's Nikita which came with a pen . . . that burps once in a while . . . needing cleanup. I have a Pilot VP loaded with Plum. One of our external accountants admired my pen today . . . loaded with B&B 5 O'Clock shadow.

 

[Doc4]

I'm stuck on black, because I've become institutionalized to the requirement

Working in the medical profession I have to write in ... black ink so I always go with HoD.

I've always used black for work.

I see a lot of guys who take a "Henry Ford approach" to ink ... any colour so long as it's black ... especially for work.

Personal preference here, but ... I find something other than black often the best choice for work. Filling out form in a blue that is noticeably blue (not Baystate Blue, necessarily, just a blue or not-too-black blue-black) can be really helpful in sorting out originals from photocopies.

If anything, I'd think that "must use blue" is a better rule (although for me, there are lots of other work-appropriate colours ... I'm a real rainbow kind of guy in that regard.) But hey, I won't lose any sleep over it either way.

It's just curious, that's all.

 

[the_edski]

In the legal field, blue is the only color you can use to sign an original document in some counties in Illinois. But I suppose that might be a dying trend.

I see a lot of guys who take a "Henry Ford approach" to ink ... any colour so long as it's black ... especially for work.

Personal preference here, but ... I find something other than black often the best choice for work. Filling out form in a blue that is noticeably blue (not Baystate Blue, necessarily, just a blue or not-too-black blue-black) can be really helpful in sorting out originals from photocopies.

If anything, I'd think that "must use blue" is a better rule (although for me, there are lots of other work-appropriate colours ... I'm a real rainbow kind of guy in that regard.) But hey, I won't lose any sleep over it either way.

It's just curious, that's all.

 

[Robert45]

I have to sign contracts with black ink and tend to use blue or blue/black ink for all other work notes. I love colored inks, but use those for outside of work.

Same here

 

[oc_in_fw]

We have an ink cop at work. He took exception to Black Swan in Australian Roses, and sent an email saying we could only use blue or black ink. I started using Baystate Blue and he shut up- I think he feared what I might whip out next

 

[andrew98]

We have an ink cop at work.

Lame.

-Andy

 

[Lexbomb]

Government gig black or blue only...gah! I only use blue so I know photocopys.

 

[dcobranchi]

None of my writing ever leaves my office, so it's anything goes for inks (my personal choice is Lamy Blue). OTOH, I'll be starting a job in which I'll be signing lots of checks. Pretty sure I'll have to go with a bulletproof black for that bit.

 

[Slivovitz]

We have an ink cop at work. He took exception to Black Swan in Australian Roses, and sent an email saying we could only use blue or black ink. I started using Baystate Blue and he shut up- I think he feared what I might whip out next