Inktend / Ink library / Red
Red
Cross's core ink line supports its long-running cartridge and converter pen collections.
Paper & pairing
Reds and pinks show the most dramatic shading of any color family — expect real variation between the edges and center of each letter. This ink will behave predictably on most fountain-pen-friendly paper. Cheap, highly absorbent paper (standard copier paper) will dull any ink's saturation and can cause feathering or bleed-through with wetter nibs.
About Cross
Founded in Providence, Rhode Island in 1846, Cross is one of the oldest American writing instrument makers, historically better known for ballpoints than fountain pens.
Storing and using the bottle
Bottled fountain pen ink has an effectively long shelf life when kept capped and out of direct sunlight — most inks remain usable for years. The main risk isn't the ink spoiling, it's a pen sitting inked and unused for weeks: that's what causes clogs, not the ink's age.
Frequently asked questions
Similar shades By colour distance
Color shown is a close digital approximation of a typical swatch, not a calibrated color match.