One might have expected a more flamboyant name to match Cioccolato's steep price, but Fabriano's ink is true to its name: the colour is a delectable chocolate. Which is just as well because stacked in a corner of London's new dazzling Fabriano boutique, Fabriano ink looks like an afterthought. It is like the makers of the exquisite paper and designers of fine stationery had ran out of steam and decided to package the good ink as fast as possible and ran off to the pub for a well-deserved pint. But what it lacks in packaging style, Cioccolato ink gains in substance.
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| Fabriano Cioccolato ink on Rhodia paper with dip pen |
The Cioccolato flows well and demonstrates excellent shading. As expected, its chocolate tones show even better when writing with a flexible dip pen. It is not a very wet ink, but flows just right and the Lamy I used had no complaints with Cioccolato and started writing straight away. There was no feathering or show through on Rhodia paper and only some feathering on standard printer paper. No significant show through though as I was able to write on the other side of the printer paper without major issues. It dried in 10 seconds, which is good.
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| Fabriano Cioccolato ink with dip pen and Lamy |
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| Fabriano Cioccolato ink on standard printer paper - show through |
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| Drying times |
How many millilitres of Fabriano ink do you get for £9.80? The bottle does not inform us but it must be 30ml. The writing fluid is bottled in a clear glass cube capped with a standard plastic lid and bears a simple white label which looks like it is hand-cut. It is placed in a flimsy black matte card box with the Fabriano logo embossed on the top. Disappointing design compared with J. Herbin's beautiful ink bottles, for instance. However, this is a great everyday ink whose performance does not disappoint - you may even get away with using in an official setting.
G I V E A W A Y
FABRIANO have given Palimpsest a calligraphy pen-and-ink set as a Thank You for a previous review on this blog. If you would like to receive this set, please leave a comment below to participate in the draw. Results of the draw on Wednesday 19 March. This is the set:
* Good luck!
I don't think I've heard of Fabriano before, but I think the simple design of the bottle, label and packaging is quite nice.
ReplyDeleteoooh lovely name, I use ink & pens to draw with, but would be tempted write a letter with this spectacular set.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a beautiful set. Really like the look of the Fabriano ink. I really like their fine art papers and use them often. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice rich brown! Looks like it has solid performance as well. Fabriano drawing paper has not failed on me and I would love to try out the calligraphy set. Thank you for the opportunity :)
ReplyDeleteOh, just delicious! The color is wonderful. I love brown inks. Thank you for giving us a chance at trying it ourselves.
ReplyDeleteVery nice ink and very nice review...
ReplyDeleteI use Fabriano's paper. Altough it is only 60 gsm, it works perfect. I really like it with my wet fountain pens.
ReplyDeleteI do like the idea of 'fumo Londra' or London smoke as an ink colour! but the cioccolato looks very nice indeed, too.
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the most attractive inks I have seen, thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI really love Fabriano stuff: I've been using thier paper since I was a kid (yes, I'm Italian!) and now that I'm grown up I'm even more in love with their pens and inks!
ReplyDeleteFabriano's paper is the best I have ever used.. I'm a drawer and a student of Architecture: your products are really versatile for all my applications. Calligraphy plays an important role in all my works: ink lets flow my thoughts! ...And who does not like Cioccolato? I'm a Fabriano fan!
ReplyDeleteLovely name! I would love to try out this amazing set cause I've always loved Fabriano inks and drawing paper. Thanks for this great opportunity :)
ReplyDeleteI'd so much love to win this set! I use Fabriano paper daily for my calligraphy and watercolors, it's wonderful! Fingers crossed then ;-) thanks for this gorgeous giveaway and for the beautiful and useful review of their Cioccolato ink!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shading. I'd love to use it with a flex nib.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Fabriano products are absolutely amazing, well packaged and high quality. I would love to has this fabulous set! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a gorgeous set! I've never used dip pens before...maybe this'll be my lucky day!
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely set! Must visit the shop on Monday to see it.
ReplyDeleteWonderful ink and beatiful site!
ReplyDeleteI too think their paper -- especially the dotted sheets -- are great.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, how generous of you to give it away! That could keep me busy and off the streets for quite a while.
ReplyDeleteI would love to try the set! I was thinking of buying some of their paper following your reviews (though I am buying faster than I write...) and this set would be a perfect companion.
ReplyDeleteI love nib pens- every new nib is like having an entirely different pen!
ReplyDeleteExcellent review, and that set looks lovely—I'd love to put it to use!
ReplyDeleteNice set. I'd love to win this!
ReplyDeleteThat ink is such a pretty colour! The set looks great, too.
ReplyDeleteNice looking set! I'd love a chance to win it! I don't think I've heard of this manufacturer before, but I might have to try to find some of their ink.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome color! I would love to try it out. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of these pens and ink previously. I would like to find out more
ReplyDeleteBeautiful combo! Can't wait
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteDavidson paper products are excellent quality! I'd like to try their inks too.
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in lettering.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win this.
ReplyDeleteIt would be cool to try the Fabriano stuff
ReplyDeleteI've never tried a real calligraphy pen or brown ink before -- I use a Sharpie chisel tip and boring old blue in my fountain pen -- so this would be nice to try out!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your review! This is a lovely ink and now I'm curious about the other colors as well. The pen set is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOoh...I'd love to have that! Love the color of that ink too!
ReplyDeleteNever heard of the company, but looks like some really nice ink
ReplyDeleteFound your blog through your Etsy shop, will be a regular reader from now on! Great review, love how clearly your photographs show the colour and different effects you've achieved. Would be great to be in with a chance of winning that incredible set too!
ReplyDeleteThe color is such a great chocolate color! Would love to win that pen set, I've always wanted to try calligraphy
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful Ink, I love it.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is a lovely giveaway! I hope I'll have a chance to try them =)
ReplyDeleteI need to pick up a bottle now, thanks for introducing me to it.
ReplyDeleteLooks amazing, would love to be entered please
ReplyDeletekaren s
twannywun at hotmail dot com
This would be wonderful to win! I've never had a brown ink to play with!
ReplyDeleteComments are now closed. And the winner is... Write to me Often! Please contact Palimpsest at blogpalimpsest@gmail.com with your address details. Congrats.
ReplyDelete