How to get the most out of Shimmer & Sheen Inks

A Note on Shimmer & Sheen Inks

Shimmer and sheen inks are designed to create visual effects that go beyond standard ink color. These properties appear differently depending on nib size, ink flow, and paper choice.

Want the full guide — clogging, maintenance, and all? Read A Guide to Sheen & Shimmer Inks.

Broader nibs generally show shimmer and sheen more clearly.

Medium, Broad, and specialty nibs (such as stub or italic) lay down more ink on the page. This heavier ink flow allows:

• shimmer particles to distribute more visibly

• sheen to pool and develop at the edges of strokes

• color variation and shading to become more pronounced

Finer nibs use less ink and create a thinner line, which can limit how much shimmer or sheen appears on the page. While shimmer and sheen inks can still be used in Fine or Extra Fine nibs, the visual effect will typically be more subtle.

Paper choice also plays an important role.

Smooth, fountain-pen-friendly paper allows ink to sit on the surface longer, giving shimmer particles time to settle and sheen to develop. More absorbent paper will reduce these effects.

If your goal is to see the full character of a shimmer or sheen ink, a Medium or broader nib paired with quality paper will produce the most visible results.

Ready to try one? For Whom the Bell Tolls dries with a dark red sheen over bluish green, Faust covers violet black with a shining green sheen, Edward Hyde pools with bold green over deep plum, and The Glass Bead Game layers silver and blue glitter over pink and green. We'd love to help you pick your first one.