Inktend / Ink library / Onyx Black

Diamine

Onyx Black

Blacks & greys
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A UK ink maker (est. 1864) known for an enormous range — 150+ shades — at accessible prices, including several shading and sheening standouts.

Specs

Color familyBlacks & greys
Approx. hex#1E1E1E
SheenNot typically noted
BrandDiamine
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About Diamine

Founded in Liverpool in 1864, Diamine is one of the UK's oldest ink makers, known today for an unusually large range — 150+ colors — at accessible prices.

United Kingdom Founded 1864
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Paper & pairing notes

As a near-neutral tone, it reads as professional and safe for anything from journaling to signatures. 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.

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

What color family is Onyx Black?
Onyx Black falls into Inktend's blacks & greys family based on its typical swatch color.
Does Onyx Black have sheen?
Onyx Black is not typically noted for sheen. If you want that effect, browse similarly colored inks tagged with sheen in the ink library.
How should I store a bottle of Onyx Black?
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.
What paper works best with Onyx Black?
As a near-neutral tone, it reads as professional and safe for anything from journaling to signatures. 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.

Similar shades

Black
Pilot
4001 Brilliant Black
Pelikan
Leipziger Schwarz
Rohrer & Klingner
Intense Black
Waterman
Black
Parker Quink
Pearl Black
Kaweco

Color shown is a close digital approximation of a typical swatch, not a calibrated color match.