Inks for Christmas cards

[Pebcak]

I'm breaking down this year and am finally going to send out Christmas cards (ok maybe it's just an excuse to buy more inks), so I'm looking for some Christmasy inks in the traditional colours that one thinks of when it comes to Christmas which for me are red, green, and gold.

So far I'm thinking of the following:
Diamine Sherwood Green: http://www.gouletpens.com/Diamine_80ml_Sherwood_Green_Ink_p/d7074.htm?CartID=2
Diamine Matador: http://www.gouletpens.com/Diamine_80ml_Matador_Ink_p/d7094.htm?CartID=1
Diamine Ancient Copper: http://www.gouletpens.com/Diamine_80ml_Ancient_Copper_Ink_p/d7086.htm?CartID=3 Not so much a traditional Christmas type colour but I think it looks really nice and would look great on the cards.

What do you enablers think of my choices? Any better Christmasy colours out there?

 

[syngent]

I used Yama Budo last year (iroshizuku) there is a diamine version of the colour but I foget which one... beautiful on the cards

 

[Curlingfly]

J Herbin - Rouge Hematite (1670)
http://www.gouletpens.com/J_Herbin_1670_Anniversary_Ink_p/h150-26.htm

 

[purerockfury]

Not sure but does any ink manufacturers make a gold or silver ink? I would add them to the list if they exist.

 

[Snargle]

Not sure but does any ink manufacturers make a gold or silver ink? I would add them to the list if they exist.

There are gold and silver calligraphy (dip pen) inks, but I don't think they would play nicely with fountain pens. The microscopic metal particles would be almost guaranteed to clog up the feeds and nibs, not to mention the shellac or other sticky substances that are added to the calligraphy inks.

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

I've used Black Swan in Australian Roses for the past two years. It works ok. Sherwood green or one of the bright greens may be in the next ink/paper order.

I have Diamine Evergreen but it is so close to 5oS that I don't use it. In a broad nib it shows more green but I prefer the flex nibs for letter and envelopes and they write a bit wet and the evergreen comes out black.

I need to read more reviews for a good red ink. I'm curious on Edelstein Ruby and Noodler's Nikita.

 

[Lexbomb]

I had trouble finding cards that I could use my pens on. I hate those glossy ones that ink will never dry on! I used Noodlers Black widow last year, it is a nice dark red almost black red

 

[maxman]

I prefer green and at that I like a brighter green.
My current favourite is Montblanc Emerald.
They don't make it anymore but if you can find it, it's a nice bright green.

 

[Snargle]

Private Reserve Fiesta Red and DC Supershow Green make a nice Christmas combination.

 

[Doc4]

Noodler's Nikita is a nice "bright" red that seems actually "red" rather than most popular reds which tend to "dried blood" look.

I had trouble finding cards that I could use my pens on. I hate those glossy ones that ink will never dry on!

Excellent point.

 

[inspiringK]

I had trouble finding cards that I could use my pens on. I hate those glossy ones that ink will never dry on! I used Noodlers Black widow last year, it is a nice dark red almost black red

This would be my biggest concern. Other than when using Post-it notes, writing on cards is about the only time when I cave and have to use a non-fountain pen for the job. The gloss that they place on cards seems to make it impossible to avoid some smearing when using a fountain pen

 

[jzuzphreek]

Has anyone thought of using Clairefontaine, G. Lalo, or Crown Mill Classic Laid stationery for sending Christmas cards? I guess they would be more of a Christmas greeting. But I would much rather receive a nicely thought out note than a store-bought sentiment that says "Merry Christmas from the family name here!"

 

[Snargle]

Has anyone thought of using Clairefontaine, G. Lalo, or Crown Mill Classic Laid stationery for sending Christmas cards? I guess they would be more of a Christmas greeting. But I would much rather receive a nicely thought out note than a store-bought sentiment that says "Merry Christmas from the family name here!"

Hey...careful who you're bad-mouthing!

Larry J. Family-Name-Here

 

[jzuzphreek]

I'm going to convince my wife that we need to make our own Christmas cards this year. I'll need to put together a shopping list:

1 pack G.Lalo Champagne Envelopes (25) - $14.50
1 pack G.Lalo Champagne Stationery Tablet (50) - $12.00
EITHER
Edelstein Topaz Ink (matches our Christmas decor) - $25.00 OR Pilot Iroshizuku Yama-Budo - $28.00
25 Wallet sized pictures of our son or our family - $5-$10 (shutterfly)
1 Stick Green sealing wax (local) - $5

So for a little over $60, I can have some super expensive, home made Christmas cards!


Or, I could just give my son a red crayon and some construction paper...

 

[the_edski]

I've used Black Swan in Australian Roses for the past two years. It works ok. Sherwood green or one of the bright greens may be in the next ink/paper order.

I used Pelikan Brilliant Green last year. I think I'm going to use BSIAR this year unless this thread drives me to purchase another color....like that ever happens!

 

[Doc4]

The less expensive Christmas cards tend to be less "glossy" ... either the ones in boxes of two dozen or whatever, or the ones at the dollar store.

No doubt there are some really nice, expensive ones out there that make a point of using good card stock and such, that would also work well.

 

[jzuzphreek]

Hey...careful who you're bad-mouthing!

Larry J. Family-Name-Here

Careful using your last name on the internet. That's how they'll find you.

 

[andrew98]

I used Yama Budo last year (iroshizuku) there is a diamine version of the colour but I foget which one... beautiful on the cards

Diamine Claret is very similar to Yama-budo. I've tried both and I have a bottle of Claret. It's well behaved. It doesn't feather like some Diamine inks do.

-Andy

 

[Pebcak]

The less expensive Christmas cards tend to be less "glossy" ... either the ones in boxes of two dozen or whatever, or the ones at the dollar store.

No doubt there are some really nice, expensive ones out there that make a point of using good card stock and such, that would also work well.

Those are the type of cards I was looking at. The better looking half has a part time job at the local dollar store and she mentioned they have christmas cards in stock.

 

[syngent]

I use the cheap dollar store cards and dress them up with fancy shmancy hand writing, or I will go through ebay looking for vintage postcards in packs (They are all over the place) usually on the cheap