2 replies to this topic

[Sadiq]

Hi my fellow FP buddies…

I’ve been a member of the FP community for some years.
Check out my profiles at FPG - link & FPN - link  - well...I’ve been an FP freak a while before I found an online FP community. (I've posted identical threads on both boards as well to broaden my audience - hoping for quite a bit of responses)
Lately I’ve been on the quiet side, browsed a few threads occasionally, but been mostly off the grid for some time now.

Apart from the usual family life responsibilities, I’ve been busy experimenting with producing my own ink. I’ve contemplated manufacturing my own ink, but have been a little hesitant as I know there have been a few ink companies that have closed down in recent years. So...I’d like to know from you wonderful guys & gals, if you’d like to see a new ink company? I trust you to give me some honest feedback.

A little bit more about my plan of action (dependent on the feedback I receive)...

I haven’t perfected my recipe yet, although things look very promising – colours can be done in a rainbow of choice, nothing is impossible to achieve. I still have a few things to tweak. Initially, I’d like to start with 20-30 colours & grow from there to over a 100 different colours. As my colour range grows, to follow would be permanent inks, maybe a line of sparkly inks (maybe not), then possibly something unique, who knows... .

I’m not sure when exactly this would happen, seeing as the ink is still in final experimental phase & a 1-2 years into the madness already. When I’m 100% happy, I’ll need to first get samples out to as many interested people willing to review my ink. Thereafter, if ‘God Willing’ I finally bring my ink to market, I’d initially be shipping orders once a week (as I think giving up my day job isn’t a good idea right now). Thereafter I’ll move on to next day shipping & then possibly same day shipping on weekday orders placed before 12pm (GMT  +2)

I intend to sell direct to you wonderful guys & gals through my own website & cut out the middle man (it’s a scary thought thinking of the huge task at hand, but I guess everyone needs to start somewhere). I’d like to keep prices lower than the competition even taking into account international customs. This way, on the plus side my South African FP buddies will be getting them super low priced. Then all you guys & gals will have extra bucks to buy some more awesome fountain pens .

Let me see how the feedback goes & then hopefully make my decision based on that.

Fellow FP freak
Sadiq

[Sadiq]

Hi all,

 

Just an update from other boards...

I've been going through all my responses everywhere I've posted my "fountain ink manufacture advice thread" & had a long think about some of the responses. And even though I've dreamt as far as producing, I have a name in mind & in my excitement I may have jumped the gun & even designed the logo & bottle sticker, seeing as they're spin offs from my actual day job (not an expert, but I can get around such things ok-ish). Even though I would really like to see this happen, my thinking has evolved slightly since posting...

Someone mentioned that producing ink in South Africa may be a good thing as SA doesn't have any ink producers...but, as I've mentioned in previous threads, its a dying hobby in this part of the world. Asia, Europe & USA have FP movements me & the handful of SA FP enthusiasts can only dream of. What I'd give to attend any of your conferences/expos with a few nib meisters & test inks, etc. I do hope the demand grows this side of the pond, but from the responses alone, the SA online crew doesn't even know I exist. My reasoning for reducing my prices below other international producers was to enter their markets with a great ink & not have my international customers have to pay more due to customs & shipping, etc. I now think that this may hurt my growth some & to make this happen beyond just a hobby, I may need to price myself into a category that allows me to grow & the only way I can do that is offer my product to a SA market. My main fear is that we are at the stage of FP development I mentioned earlier.

Can someone please tell me how to check google search words in SA for "fountain pen ink" to see what kind of interest we have? (I may be using the wrong terms, I know IT guys get very hyped up when people use the wrong wording ) This would be the tipping point swaying my decision. I can always offer bulk discounts so international customers or FP groups can get them at a great price.

If, just if this idea doesn't see fruition, I will still send out some samples of my final ink to the ink reviewers & some other interested parties (as far as my pocket allows). Don't stress as yet, this is a  last resort.

Thank you for all the responses thus far.

Sadiq

[thepenworld]

Hello!
Greetings from India! If you are looking to try out some new fountain pen inks you should have a look at Krishna Fountain Pen Inks. Here are some links to their reviews:

https://mehandiratta...hna-blue-magic/

https://mehandiratta...shna-gold-rush/

https://mehandiratta...y/ink-review-2/

https://mehandiratta...krishna-mangal/

 

International shipping available on http://www.thepenworld.com/

An intro about the maker of the inks:

Krishna Inks is the brainchild of Dr. Sreekumar a medical professional by day and a connoisseur by night.

He brings his passion from his younger days, when he would grind and turn fountain pens long before the era of the ball pen. Drawing inspiration from his Master Mr Ramachandran of Calicut Dr.Sreekumar started making fountain pen inks in 2010. What started as a hobby is today his passion. Dr.Sreekumar a beleiver of the "Make in India" campaign hand makes these inks at his workshop in Kerala, India also known as God's own country!

 

 

Edited by thepenworld, 03 September 2016 - 08:07 AM.