Deleter Manga Ink — Black No. 3 & Black No. 4

Deleter Black No. 3

£14.95

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Deleter Manga Ink — Black No. 3 & Black No. 4

Deleter Black inks are the Japanese production standard for manga illustration — used by professional manga artists and art schools across Japan since 1984. Black No. 3 is waterproof and matte, designed for pen and wash workflows without alcohol marker colouring. Black No. 4 is the highest quality Deleter ink — waterproof, matte, and alcohol marker safe, making it the most versatile production black in the range. Both are 30ml bottles for dip pen and brush use only.

Carbon black pigment in suspension

Yes — fully waterproof when dry; watercolour wash and alcohol markers can be applied over dried linework

Dip pen · Brush · NOT fountain pen · Us no4 if you require Alcohol marker safe · Clean nibs immediately — dried carbon black very difficult to remove

Japan — Deleter

£14.95

Taxes included.

Packaging:

We know art supplies are fragile. All professional pair and boards are shipped in reinforced rigid flat mailers. No tubes, no folds, no crushed corners.

Order Processing Times:

Orders are processed within 1–2 business days - we always aim to dispatch all “in-Stock’ items within 24 hours..

Note: Orders placed after 2 PM GMT on Fridays will be processed the following Monday.

Domestic Shipping (UK):

Standard (2–4 days): £3.50 (Free for The Illustrator & Studio Master tiers).

Priority (1–2 days): £4.50 (Free for Studio Master tier)

International Shipping:

We ship globally. Costs are calculated at checkout based on weight and destination. Please note that customers are responsible for any local customs duties or taxes.

Order Tracking:

You will receive a tracking link via email the moment your tools leave our studio.

30-Day Change of Mind:

We offer a 30-day return window (exceeding the UK legal minimum of 14 days). Items must be unused, in original packaging, and in "as-new" condition.

Faulty Goods:

In the rare event of a defect, you are entitled to a full refund or replacement within 30 days. We will cover all return shipping costs for faulty items.

Defective Nibs:

Occasionally, a pen may arrive dry or a nib maybe scratchy. Contact us within 7 days of purchase with a photo/video of the issue and we will send a replacement immediately.

Exclusions:

Due to the nature of the product, unless faulty we cannot accept returns on opened markers or used paper pads returned.

Digital Goods:

The "Birthday Palette" and other digital downloads are non-refundable once accessed.

How to Start a Return:

Email studio@inkwellartsupplies.com with your order number. We aim to process all refunds to the original payment method within 5–10 business days of receiving the item

"Gravity Happens. We’ve Got You Covered."

We know the heartbreak of a fountain pen hitting the floor. As a member of our Creative Rewards, you don't have to worry about the 'tines.' If the worst happens, just send us a photo and we'll send you a 50% discount for a fresh start.

"The Nib Safety Net" – Terms & Conditions

Eligibility: This benefit is exclusive to active members of the Creative Rewards program at the time of the accident.
Coverage: The 50% discount applies strictly to accidental damage (e.g., dropping the pen) that renders the nib unusable. It does not cover intentional damage, loss of the pen, theft, or normal wear and tear.
The Claim: To activate your discount, you must provide a clear photo of the damaged nib and your original order number to oops@yourstore.com.
Limitations: This discount is valid for a one-time replacement per pen purchased and applies only to the cost of the replacement nib unit. It cannot be combined with other promotional codes or used for full pen replacements.
Availability: We will provide the discount for the exact nib model where stock is available. If the model is discontinued, we will offer a 50% discount on a comparable alternative nib unit.

The Japanese manga production standard — two waterproof blacks for two different workflows

Deleter has supplied the Japanese manga industry since 1984. Their inks are used at art schools, by amateur artists, and by professional manga artists whose work appears in weekly publications. Black No. 3 and Black No. 4 are both waterproof when dry — but they serve different workflows and are not interchangeable. The critical distinction is alcohol marker compatibility. Black No. 3 is NOT compatible with alcohol-based markers — applying Copic, Neopiko, or similar alcohol markers over dried No. 3 linework will cause the ink to bleed. Black No. 4 is specifically formulated to resist alcohol-based markers, making it the correct choice for colouring workflows that involve markers over ink. Both inks are for dip pen and brush use only — neither should be used in fountain pens.

Black No. 3 — waterproof, matte, pen and wash

Black No. 3 is a waterproof matte ink designed for manga linework that will be finished with watercolour wash, gouache, or other water-based media — but not with alcohol markers. It dries quickly to a dense matte black that accepts water-based media applied over the top without lifting or bleeding. The absence of alcohol marker compatibility is not a flaw — it is a formulation choice that allows the ink to perform differently in water-based media workflows. For artists working in a purely pen and wash tradition with no alcohol marker colouring, Black No. 3 is the correct choice. Clean nibs and brushes promptly after use — the waterproof chemistry that makes No. 3 resistant to water also makes it resistant to removal once dried on metal.

Black No. 4 — the industry standard, alcohol marker safe

Black No. 4 is Deleter's highest quality ink. It is waterproof when dry, matte in finish, and specifically formulated to resist alcohol-based markers — meaning Copic, Neopiko, Promarker, and similar alcohol-ink markers can be applied directly over dried Black No. 4 linework without causing the ink to bleed, lift, or smear. This makes No. 4 the correct choice for the most common professional manga colouring workflow: ink the page in black, apply alcohol marker colour fills, then add further ink detail if needed. Clean nibs immediately after every session — dried carbon black is significantly harder to remove than standard pigment inks and will reduce nib performance if allowed to accumulate.

Honest Note:

NOT FOR FOUNTAIN PENS — carbon particles will clog feeds irreversibly. This is an absolute restriction stated by Deleter. Clean dip pen nibs immediately after use — dried carbon black adheres tenaciously to metal and is very difficult to remove. The ink is waterproof when fully dry — do not apply wet media before the ink has completely dried and cured on the paper.

Who is it For?

Black No. 3: Manga and comic artists working in pen and wash — watercolour or water-based colour over ink linework, no alcohol markers
Black No. 4: Manga and comic artists who colour with Copic or other alcohol-based markers — the industry standard choice for this workflow
Anyone learning analogue manga production who wants professional-grade Japanese production inks
Illustrators who need a reliable, dense matte black for reproduction-ready linework

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUSTIONS (FAQ)

Is Deleter Black 4 waterproof?

Not fully waterproof — it is optimised for reproduction fidelity rather than water resistance. Do not apply watercolour or ink wash over linework made with Deleter Black No. 4. For work that requires a waterproof black under wash, use De Atramentis Document Black (dip pen and fountain pen safe) or Kakimori Sumi Black (dip pen only).

How does Deleter Black No. 4 compare to De Atramentis Document Black?

Both are waterproof carbon/pigment blacks suitable for manga production. Deleter Black No. 4 is a carbon black specifically formulated for the Japanese manga production workflow — matte, very dense, and optimised for photocopy and scan reproduction. De Atramentis Document Black is a dye-based waterproof ink — it is also safe in fountain pens (Deleter is not), and has a slightly different dry character. Both are excellent for scanning. For the purist manga production workflow, Deleter No. 4 is the production-standard Japanese choice. For pen and wash illustration where a fountain-pen-safe waterproof black is also needed, De Atramentis Document Black is the right ink.

Is Deleter Black 4 Copic-proof?

Yes, once fully dry (approx. 20-30 mins), it will not bleed when used with alcohol markers like Copics.

Which should I choose — Black No. 3 or Black No. 4?

The decision is simple: do you colour with alcohol-based markers (Copic, Neopiko, Promarker) over your ink linework? If yes, choose Black No. 4 — it is the only Deleter black that resists alcohol markers. If you colour with watercolour, gouache, or other water-based media only, Black No. 3 is the correct choice. If you are unsure, Black No. 4 is the safer starting point — it handles both water-based media and alcohol markers.

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Deleter Manga Ink — Black No. 3 & Black No. 4

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