Inktend / Ink library / 228 Xi'an
228 Xi'an
Numbered, seasonally released Chinese inks from the PenBBS forum community, spanning hundreds of literary- and nature-themed colors.
Paper & pairing
Warm tones (oranges, yellows, ambers) show strong contrast between light and dark areas of each stroke, which is part of why they're popular with broader nibs. 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 PenBBS
PenBBS grew out of China's largest online fountain pen forum, which began producing its own pens and inks for the community in the mid-2010s. Its inks are released in numbered seasonal batches, with each color carrying a catalog number and a name drawn from Chinese literature, history, places, and nature. The huge, ever-rotating range spans well-behaved workhorse colors as well as shimmer and sheen formulas at a modest price.
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.