Ink Review: Diplomat Orange fountain pen ink manufactured by Octopus Fluids

Diplomat Orange Fountain Pen Ink Review - Ink Drop — **Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange** - **Ink Drop**

Diplomat worked with ink maker Octopus Fluids to create a nice series of bottled inks. I’d never tried either brand previously, so I was excited to put pen to paper. Diplomat Orange is also available under Octopus Fluids’ own label in the Feinste Tinte (Finest Ink) product line. Prices are similar, and the bottle is identical other than the label, but I think Diplomat inks are more widely distributed globally.

Diplomat Orange fountain pen ink on Cosmo Air Light — **Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange** **- on Cosmo Air Light**

Diplomat offers a selection of fifteen colors, and the Octopus Fluids Feinste Tinte series has another dozen or so. Both lines offer nice variety and complete palettes. Diplomat has chosen a nice range that goes beyond the basics.

Diplomat Orange fountain pen ink color range — **Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange** **- Color Range**

Diplomat Orange is a really attractive ink. When you think of orange, this is probably the color you imagine. It’s bright and sunny, but not blinding, and it compares nicely to some popular alternatives. There’s very nice shading and wide color variation on every stroke, and that makes it stand out from most others. Shading is nice on both coated and uncoated papers, too. From the darker mandarin orange peel orange to the yellow-orange of orange juice, this is a feel-good ink!

Diplomat Orange fountain pen ink saturation edge — **Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange** **- Saturation Edge**

Diplomat Orange is a wet ink, but it dries very quickly (under five seconds in most cases, and never longer than ten to fifteen.) I always appreciate that in an ink. It’s very comfortable in writing.

Diplomat Orange fountain pen ink on Rhodia paper — **Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange** **- on Rhodia**

Overall, writing performance is pretty good. On Midori MD and Cosmo Air Light, it’s sharp and crisp perfection! On uncoated, HP BrightWhite 32 it was clean, too. However, on some papers performance suffers with moderate micro-feathering. It’s not always a problem, and it’s barely noticeable in many cases, but it does occur more than I’d prefer. When I saw my ink drop in the top image, I was worried, but in writing it isn’t a deal-breaker when paired with compatible papers. I used both medium and fine Jowo nibs for testing, but you might find more in broader nibs. It’s something to keep in mind.

Diplomat Orange fountain pen ink writing samples — **Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange** **- Writing Samples**

This is a beautiful orange. The color variation makes it a very attractive choice, and I think ink that way I prefer it to most alternatives. On Midori MD, it is exactly what I want in an orange. Paired with compatible pen and paper, it’s hard to imagine a happier orange!

Keep scrolling down for the swatch card, swatch card comparisons, and the Diplomat bottle. (For the Octopus Fluids bottle, click on “Inks by Brand” above to find them on the brand menu page.)

Diplomat Orange fountain pen ink swatch card — **Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange** **- Ink Swatch Card**

Diplomat Orange fountain pen ink swatch card comparisons — **Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange** **- Swatch Comparisons**

Diplomat Orange fountain pen ink bottle — **Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange** **- Ink Bottle**

Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange

Diplomat (Octopus) - Orchid

Colorverse - New Year 2023