Ink Review: "Maroon" by KWZ

provincialmills
Jul 23
3 min read

Ink Review: "Maroon" by KWZ

A rich, dark maroon ink with subtle warmth and understated elegance.

🖋 Core Properties

Features: (This is just a description of the ink properties)

⬜ Sheen

⬜ Glitter/Shimmer

⬜ Scented

⬜ Unique Properties

✅ Standard Fountain Pen Ink

⬜ Waterproof/Permanent Ink

The Review:

This ink has a deep, elegant color and writes incredibly smoothly—it almost feels like it’s lubricating the nib, helping the pen glide. We tested it with both a fine and a broader nib, and it flowed perfectly every time, with no skipping or clogging. Even on basic copy paper, it held up well, and in some areas, you can see subtle shading that gives the writing some character. After two weeks of use in three different pens, it stayed consistent and reliable throughout.

To bring the 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)

3 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✧✧) – Decent shading/sheen/shimmer.

Consistency & Flow -(Is is smooth & reliable while writing?)

5 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️) – Effortless! Ink glides like silk—perfect consistency!

Feathering & Bleed-through - (How much the ink spread/bleed on different paper types)

4 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✒️✧) – Excellent! No feathering on quality paper.

Drying Time - (How fast the ink dries on paper?)

3 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✧✧) – Moderate. Dries in 13-20 seconds, decent for daily use.

Smudging & Smear Resistance - (How well the ink resists smudging)

5 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️) – Smudge-proof! Once dry, it won’t budge at all.

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?)

4 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✒️✧) - Little to no staining visible. Feed may retain faint traces, but barrel and nib clean easily.

Final Overall Rating

This is not simply an average of the individual performance factors—it's a holistic reflection of how the ink feels in hand, behaves on paper, and inspires expression. Whether sketching, journaling, or crafting letters, this rating speaks to whether the ink fulfills its promise and earns a permanent place in your collection.

This ink is a pleasure to use. Beautiful color, good flow, and just enough uniqueness to elevate your writing. Not quite perfect, but it rewards regular use and offers a refined experience without fuss.

✒️✒️✒️✒️✧