Dr. Ph. Martin’s Black Star — Hi-Carb & Matte Waterproof Black Ink

Hi-Carb

£11.50

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Dr. Ph. Martin’s Black Star — Hi-Carb & Matte Waterproof Black Ink

Dr. Ph. Martin’s Black Star is a pair of waterproof carbon black inks for illustration and technical work. Hi-Carb is the densest: extra carbon for maximum opacity, even on film, acetate and tracing paper. Matte gives a velvety, non-reflective black that scans cleanly. Both are shellac-free, so they flow freely from dip pens, technical pens and airbrushes.

Carbon black pigment — shellac-free

30ml

Yes — permanent, waterproof when dry

Archival

Hi-Carb: dense matte black · Matte: velvety, non-reflective

Dip pen · Technical pen · Brush · Airbrush · NOT FOR FOUNTAIN PENS · Works on paper, illustration board, canvas, acetate and film

USA — Dr. Ph. Martin’s (Salis International), est. 1934

£11.50

Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Illustrator’s Ink Compatibility Guide

Choosing a drawing ink is about more than finding the right colour. It needs to suit your pen or brush—and the materials you apply over your linework.

This guide compares two common techniques: colouring dried ink lines with alcohol markers, and painting watercolour over dried ink. The order matters: these recommendations concern colour applied over the ink, not ink drawn over an existing painted surface.

Water resistance and alcohol-marker resistance are separate properties. Check the relevant column rather than assuming that an ink suitable beneath watercolour will also withstand alcohol markers.

Ink compatibility chart

Ink	Alcohol markers over dried ink	Watercolour over dried ink	Suggested tools
Deleter Black No. 4	Suitable once dry	Suitable once dry	Dip pen or brush
Tachikawa Jet Black	Suitable once dry	Water-resistant once dry; test your wash technique	Dip pen
Platinum Carbon Black	Test first	Suitable once fully dry	Fountain pen, dip pen or brush
Diamine Forever Ink	Test first	Suitable once fully dry	Fountain pen, dip pen or brush
De Atramentis Document Ink	Test first	Suitable once fully dry	Fountain pen or dip pen
Kuretake ZIG Cartoonist Black Ink 60	Test first—do not assume the same properties as Special Black Ink	Test first—confirm the exact formulation	Dip pen or brush
Speedball Super Black India Ink	Test first	Suitable once fully dry	Dip pen or brush
Speedball Black Velvet	Compatibility not confirmed here	Compatibility not confirmed here	Check the product instructions
Dr. Ph. Martin’s Black Star Hi-Carb	Test first	Suitable once fully dry	Dip pen or brush
Dr. Ph. Martin’s Black Star Matte	Test first	Suitable once fully dry	Dip pen or suitable technical pen
Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bombay India Ink	Test first	Suitable once fully dry	Dip pen, brush, suitable technical pen or airbrush
Holbein Acrylic Ink	Test first—alcohol-marker compatibility not confirmed	Test first—check the exact product instructions	Brush or dip pen; other applicators depend on the colour

The watercolour recommendations draw on the manufacturers’ waterproof or water-resistance descriptions; these are not comparative “excellent” ratings or results of an Inkwell laboratory test. Deleter and Tachikawa also identify marker resistance, while Diamine, Speedball and Dr. Ph. Martin’s document water resistance or waterproofness for the relevant products.

How to read the chart

Suitable once dry
The available product information supports using the ink beneath that medium. Let the linework dry fully and test your chosen paper before starting a finished piece.

Water-resistant once dry
The ink is described as resisting water. Test the amount of water and brushing you intend to use rather than assuming every wash technique will leave it unchanged.

Test first
The combination has not been confirmed here. This is not a judgement on ink quality: it means you should test your particular ink, paper and colouring technique.

Compatibility not confirmed here
This guide does not currently provide enough evidence to recommend that combination. Check the exact product’s instructions before using it.

Check the Kuretake bottle carefully

ZIG Cartoonist Black Ink 60, Special Black Ink and Sumi Ink are separate products. Kuretake explicitly describes Special Black Ink as smudge-proof when combined with watercolour or alcohol-based markers. Do not apply that statement automatically to another Kuretake ink.

If your bottle is Special Black Ink, its row can read:

Ink	Alcohol markers over dried ink	Watercolour over dried ink	Suggested tools
Kuretake ZIG Cartoonist Special Black Ink	Suitable once dry	Suitable once dry	Dip pen or brush

Check the tool—not just the ink

Use only inks explicitly intended for fountain pens inside a fountain pen. “Suitable for pens” can refer to dip pens or technical pens, not necessarily fountain pens.

For example, Dr. Ph. Martin’s lists Bombay India Ink for dip pens, technical drawing pens, brushes and airbrushes; that description should not be interpreted as fountain-pen approval. Holbein also lists restrictions for particular acrylic-ink colours and applicators.

Test your combination before the finished drawing

Use a spare piece of the paper you intend to work on.
Draw several fine lines and one heavier stroke.
Allow the ink to dry according to its instructions.
Apply your marker or watercolour across part of the linework.
Check for bleeding, lifting, smearing or colour transfer.

Keep the test strip with the ink name, paper and drying time. It becomes a useful reference for your own working methods.

What about other fountain-pen and drawing inks?

An ink does not need to resist water to be useful. You may want lines that soften into a wash or colours that blend when touched with a wet brush. Those effects belong to a different workflow from preserving crisp outlines beneath paint.

For inks not covered above—including walnut inks, other sumi formulations and individual dye-based fountain-pen colours—check the exact product rather than assuming that every ink from a brand behaves the same way.

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.

Two blacks, two jobs

Hi-Carb carries a higher carbon load, making it thicker and more opaque — the choice for slippery, non-absorbent surfaces like drafting film and acetate, and for large solid fills. Matte is formulated for a flat, glare-free black on paper and board: the finish you want for work that will be scanned or photographed.

Why shellac-free matters

Many India inks use shellac as a binder. It makes them tough, but it can clog technical pens and airbrushes. Black Star leaves shellac out, so it flows through fine technical pen tips and can be thinned with water for airbrush without gumming up.

Honest Note:

Not for fountain pens under any circumstances. Carbon inks dry hard on metal: clean nibs and technical pen tips straight after use. As our compatibility chart notes, test alcohol markers over it before committing — waterproof to water is not always the same as resistant to solvent.

Who is it For?

• Technical illustrators and draughtspeople working on film or acetate (Hi-Carb)
• Comic and manga artists who scan their inks and want a glare-free black (Matte)
• Airbrush and technical pen users who need a shellac-free carbon ink
• Calligraphers who want a deep matte black

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUSTIONS (FAQ)

How does Hi-Carb differ from the 'Matte' version?

A: Hi-Carb has a higher carbon concentration, making it thicker and more opaque, which is ideal for technical film work.

Is it safe for airbrushes?

Yes, it is shellac-free and can be diluted with water for airbrush use without clogging.

Can I use this for calligraphy?

Yes, it provides a beautiful matte finish for broad-edged or pointed-pen calligraphy.

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Dr. Ph. Martin’s Black Star — Hi-Carb & Matte Waterproof Black Ink

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