Inktend / Ink library / 4001 Brilliant Black
Pelikan
4001 Brilliant Black
Blacks & greys
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Pelikan's Edelstein line names each ink after a gemstone, alongside the long-running budget-friendly 4001 series.
Specs
Color familyBlacks & greys
Approx. hex#1E1E1E
SheenNot typically noted
BrandPelikan
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About Pelikan
Founded in Hannover in 1838, Pelikan is one of the oldest writing brands still operating, known for its striped Souverän pens and the differential-pressure piston filler it patented in 1929.
Germany
Founded 1838
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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 4001 Brilliant Black?
4001 Brilliant Black falls into Inktend's blacks & greys family based on its typical swatch color.
Does 4001 Brilliant Black have sheen?
4001 Brilliant 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 4001 Brilliant 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 4001 Brilliant 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
Color shown is a close digital approximation of a typical swatch, not a calibrated color match.