Description

Jacques Herbin is the oldest ink brand in the world. Founded in Paris in 1670 during the reign of Louis XIV,
the company began as a manufacturer of sealing wax before moving into ink production during the First
Empire. Herbin inks were used by Napoleon Bonaparte, and the brand has remained a benchmark for quality
in writing and calligraphy ever since. Since January 2021 it has operated under the Clairefontaine Rhodia
umbrella, maintaining its French manufacturing and its reputation for precision formulation.

The Arabic Ink range returns to the original calligraphy formulation: gum arabic and traditional pigments.
Gum arabic is a natural binder derived from acacia trees and has been used in ink-making for thousands of
years. It gives the ink its characteristic viscosity – thick enough to sit cleanly on a nib without flooding, fluid
enough to release smoothly with each stroke. The pigment load in this ink is high, which is what produces the
deep, intense black that calligraphy demands.

Once dry, this ink is water-resistant, making it suitable for work that will be handled, displayed, or built upon
with additional media. Watercolour washes, for example, can be applied over dried lines without the ink
bleeding or lifting – which makes it a practical choice for artists who combine calligraphy or ink linework with
watercolour painting.

The ink can be used at full strength for bold, opaque black marks, or diluted with water to produce a range of
grey tones. This makes it versatile beyond pure calligraphy – it works equally well for ink wash illustration, life
drawing, figure studies, and loose expressive mark-making. The diluted ink behaves similarly to a transparent
watercolour wash, allowing for layered, tonal work.

The 40ml glass bottle is wide-necked and has a stable, flat base. The wide opening makes it easy to dip
oblique pen holders and standard nib holders without angling the bottle, and the stable base means it sits
securely on the desk during use. The bottle should be shaken well before use to ensure the pigment is fully
suspended. A brush dipped in ink is recommended for loading nibs for better control.
This ink is not suitable for fountain pens or rollerballs – it is formulated specifically for dip pens, nib holders,
reed pens, brushes, and calligraphy nibs. Using it in a fountain pen will damage the mechanism.

Perfect For:
• Calligraphers working in traditional and modern styles.
• Artists who combine ink linework with watercolour.
• Illustration, life drawing, and ink wash work.
• Brush lettering with a dip pen or brush.
• Archival and display work requiring water-resistant ink.
• Gift for calligraphy and writing enthusiasts