IC Comic Premium Black Ink — Type 1 & Type 3

Type 1 — 20ml (Dip pen linework)

£0.00

IC Comic Premium Black Ink — Type 1 & Type 3

IC Comic Premium Black inks are professional Japanese manga illustration inks designed for the specific demands of analogue comic production. Type 1 is optimised for dip pen linework — smooth, matte, water resistant. Type 3 is formulated specifically for inking over screentones — the only ink in the Inkwell range that adheres where most other inks repel. Both are 20ml glass bottles.

Water-based pigment

20ml

Type 1 - Yes — water resistant when dry, Type 3 Yes — fully waterproof, handles multiple watercolour wash layers

Not stated by manufacture

Type 1- Matte, Type 3 - : Semi-gloss (slight surface sheen reported in user testing)

Dip pen · Brush · NOT fountain pen

Japan — IC

£0.00

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.

Two inks for two specific jobs in the manga workflow

IC Comic Premium Black is a specialist Japanese ink range built around the distinct demands of professional manga production. Type 1 and Type 3 are not interchangeable — each is engineered for a specific step in the workflow, and using the wrong type for the wrong job produces predictably poor results. Type 1 is designed for dip pen linework: it flows cleanly through G-nibs and fine illustration nibs, sits on top of the paper surface rather than soaking in, and dries to a matte finish that reads crisply under scanner light. Type 3 is designed for a problem that most inks fail at entirely — inking over applied screentone. Screentone sheets have a surface that actively repels most inks; Type 3 is specifically formulated to adhere to this surface, making it the correct ink for adding linework, corrections, or details over screentone without the ink beading or lifting.

Type 1 — for dip pen linework

Type 1 is the nib ink in the IC Comic range. It has been formulated for the specific flow characteristics of dip pen illustration — a smooth, consistent feed that does not flood the nib or dry on it prematurely, and that produces an even line across the full range of G-nib pressure. It is water resistant when dry and eraser resistant, which means pencil underdrawing can be removed after inking without disturbing the dried ink. One important restriction: Type 1 is NOT alcohol marker safe — it bleeds immediately with Copic and other alcohol-based markers. For workflows that include alcohol marker colouring over ink, use Deleter Black No. 4 or Tachikawa Jet Black instead.

Type 3 — for inking over screentones

Type 3 solves a specific problem in analogue manga production: most inks repel from the surface of applied screentone sheets, making it impossible to add linework or corrections directly over tones without the ink beading up and not adhering. Type 3 is formulated to adhere to screentone surfaces where other inks fail. It handles multiple watercolour wash layers without lifting — making it useful beyond screentone work for any situation where fully waterproof performance is required. The finish is reported as semi-gloss by users testing under different conditions; it is less matte than Type 1 and Kuretake Zig. A note on alcohol markers: the manufacturer claims Type 3 is alcohol marker compatible, but independent user testing has shown Copic smearing. Test your specific marker and screentone combination before committing to a project.

Honest Note:

Type 1 is NOT alcohol marker safe — it bleeds immediately with Copic and other alcohol-based markers. If colouring with alcohol markers is part of your workflow, use Deleter Black No. 4 instead. Type 3 alcohol marker compatibility is claimed by the manufacturer but Copic smearing has been reported in independent user testing — test on your specific combination before committing. Lightfast and archival status are not stated by IC Comic for either type — do not describe these inks as archival in customer-facing material

Who is it For?

Manga artists working in full analogue production who want specialist inks matched to specific workflow steps
Type 1: Illustrators who want a dedicated nib ink with smooth consistent flow and matte reproduction-ready finish
Type 3: Manga artists who apply screentone and need to add linework, corrections, or details directly over the toned surface
Type 3: Illustrators who need fully waterproof ink for pen and wash work with multiple wash layers

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUSTIONS (FAQ)

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IC Comic Premium Black Ink — Type 1 & Type 3

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