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Fountain Pen Ink Review: "Roses in the Louvre" by Noodler's Ink
- provincialmills
- Jan 2
- 4 min read
The color is a rich, warm burgundy that acts as the base, but looks as if it has been infused with hot pink. Imagine mixing a glass of red wine with a drop of fluorescent pink highlighter ink. The result is a saturated, elegant shade that has the sophistication of dark maroon, yet holds onto a noticeable pop of bright, a deep rose at its core.
🖋 Core Properties
Features: (This is just a description of the ink properties)
✅ Standard Fountain Pen Ink
❌ Glitter/Shimmer
❌ Waterproof/Permanent Ink
The Review:
The standout feature of this Noodler's ink is its unique personality. It provides a sophisticated look with a surprising "pop" of energy. While the ink is highly saturated, you can catch a hint of shading during regular writing with a fine nib, and a lot of shading with a stub nib! While it performs well on all paper types, it truly shines on high-quality stationery, where the vibrancy of the pink tones becomes much more pronounced. Surprisingly, it is quite forgiving on low-quality paper; you might see minor feathering or bleed-through, but it is much more stable than expected regardless of the quality of paper being used!
The primary downside is the exceptionally long drying time. When using broad or stub nibs, expect dry times to exceed 30 seconds. Most notably, this ink struggles to dry if applied heavily. In my testing, accidental ink droplets or "spots" on the paper remained wet for weeks—if you tend to have a heavy hand or leave large pools of ink, be prepared for potential smearing long after you've finished writing.
While the ink is generally easy to flush out of a pen, users should be aware of potential staining. I noticed minor staining on the converter and would caution demonstrator pen users to be careful, as the ink may leave a lasting tint on clear components.
To bring this fountain pen ink review to life, I’ve included a series of photographs that demonstrate the ink’s behavior under real writing conditions. These images highlight everything from smudge resistance and drying time intervals to the flow characteristics observed during extended writing. You are seeing my authentic comments penned using the ink itself, offering a direct glimpse into its consistency, saturation, and personality of the ink. These snapshots serve not just as proof, but as part of the ink’s narrative—capturing its strengths, quirks, and overall impression.
**Please note that our reviews may differ significantly from what you typically see from other individuals or companies. This is more than just a review—it's an ink test conducted for both our benefit and yours. We use each ink for one and a half to two weeks to gather as much information as possible. During this time, we test a range of nib sizes to evaluate how the ink performs across different writing styles. Some inks are tested with everything from a fine nib to a 1.1 mm stub, while shimmer inks may only be used with broad and stub nibs, as we generally advise against using shimmer inks with fine or extra-fine nibs.
This isn’t a “sit down, open a bottle, and write a review in 15 minutes” kind of approach. Instead, we aim to offer insights based on real-world tests and extended daily use. Keep in mind, every pen writes a little differently, and ink performance can vary from one to another. We also conduct several tests on various types of paper. Most of the time, we use Clairefontaine Triomphe 90g paper as our high-quality benchmark, and Pen+Gear 20lb copy paper as a lower-quality comparison.**
Performance Factors
Saturation & Depth - (How rich and bold the ink appears)
4 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✒️✧) – Deep, rich tones! Pops off the page beautifully.
Shading / Sheen / Shimmer - (How the ink performs against other inks in this category)
2 Nibs (✒️✒️✧✧✧) – Minimal shading/sheen/shimmer. Some variation, but nothing special.
Consistency & Flow - (Is is smooth & reliable while writing?)
4 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✒️✧) – Smooth & steady. Reliable, no skips, great ink performance.
Feathering & Bleed-through - (How much the ink spread/bleed on different paper types)
4 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✒️✧) – Excellent! Perfect on quality paper (no feathering/bleed). Shows some feathering/bleed on low-quality paper.
Drying Time - (How fast the ink dries on paper?)
2 Nibs (✒️✒️✧✧✧) – Sluggish. Takes 21-30 seconds to dry, making it risky for left handers. But broader nibs can take over 30 seconds!
Smudging & Smear Resistance - (How well the ink resists smudging)
3 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✧✧) – Average. Not perfect, but manageable.
Water Resistance - (How well the ink holds up against moisture)
2 Nibs (✒️✒️✧✧✧) – Mostly dissolves. Some traces remain, but not legible.
Cleaning - (How easy it is to flush ink from a fountain pen?)
3 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✧✧) – Manageable. Cleans out fairly easily with normal maintenance.
Staining – (Does the Ink Leave a Mark Where It Shouldn't after cleaning?)
⬜2 Nibs (✒️✒️✧✧✧) - Noticeable stains remain after cleaning.
Overall Opinion
If you are looking for a "burgundy with a secret," this is it. Its performance on cheap paper is a huge plus, but the drying time for larger nibs and the potential for staining clear pens are important trade-offs to consider.
This ink is a pleasure to use. Beautiful color, good flow, and just enough uniqueness to elevate your writing. It definitely has some drawbacks.... but that won't keep if from being added to my personal ink collection for its unique color and ability to write on any paper!
Interested in this ink?
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