just bought this set and cannot get the ink to stay on top of the water. i watched a video first too! i am an artist used to using varying materials?
585927
If your ink sinks, try these things: Use distilled water in a tray that has been wiped clean but not washed in soapy water. Cover and shake the ink bottle, drip 5 drops into a small dish. Add two drops of distilled water and one very small drop of dish detergent (I used Dawn). Mix with your brush and pick up a small amount of this blend. Put just the very tip of the brush on the surface of the water, no more than an eighth of an inch. The more paint you have on the brush and the longer you leave the brush on the water the further the pigment will spread on the surface. In another paint well, use 3 drops of water and one drop of detergent. Alternate touches of pigment with touches of soapy water on another paint brush and you will have distinct rings. Clean dust and pigment off your water bath between prints with strips of paper drawn across the surface.
599984
I have had this problem before with ink I purchased from Sam's Club. I brought back the ink and they replaced it. Appears to be some type of problem with who's making the ink. I guess you'll have to contact the person you purchased the ink from and go from there. It's a real pain but there is not other choice. You may want to bring the ink to a store and see if they will replace it. I'm sure you (I) are not the only ones with this problem. The larger stores will know about it, just hope they own up to it.
2204867
NO! (I hit the wrong button on my previous answer. If you are not getting good flow, there is another problem. The tines of the nib may be spread incorrectly, the pen may need cleaning, you may be using an ink with inadequate lubricants (ref to as "dry"). Start by soaking the front section in warm water for an hour, rinse and & try again. If that doesn't work, add a tbsp of clear ammonia and soak again. Also look at the nib. if the tines spread rather than narrow as they proceed to the point, see this vid. If they touch tightly at the tip, also watch it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_bNRrPk5MY. Start around minute 5.
111830
I used Pelican violet ink and just filled the cartridge with my ink of choice and it wries beautifully. If it hasn't been used for awhile and it is dry, I just dip it in a little warm water and it just keeps on writing beautifully
1521030
With the older ink formulas, a bit of alcohol rubbed on the pad and letting it sit awhile helped some. With the newer, washable inks - not sure. Myself, if a bit of alcohol or water didn't liven the ink up some, I would look into buying a bottle of the roll-on inkers if they still manufacture them. They look like one of those roll-on deodorant bottles but have ink pad ink in them. If none of the above are helpful, toss it and buy another one.
1168646
Not well. I think it's a water-based ink. It is kind of splotchy on most plastic - and ....I just tried wetting my finger after it dried for 5 minutes and could easily wipe the ink off the plastic. Then I tried a red and a blue "Sharpie" brand permanent marker - the most common type of permanent felt tip marker pen - and couldn't remove the mark after it dried for a minute. However, the calligraphic pen is permanent on paper - and the pens stay good for years - sometimes even surviving when they are left uncapped for a while. And their chisel points keep a nice shape too. Makes average handwriting - like mine - look fantastic. enjoy, Roger L. Not well. I think it's a water-based ink. It is kind of splotchy on most plastic - and ....I just tried wetting my finger after it dried for 5 minutes and could easily wipe the ink off the plastic. Then I tried a red and a blue "Sharpie" brand permanent marker - the most common type of permanent felt tip marker pen - and couldn't remove the mark after it dried for a minute. However, the calligraphic pen is permanent on paper - and the pens stay good for years - sometimes even surviving when they are left uncapped for a while. And their chisel points keep a nice shape too.... » Read More Not well. I think it's a water-based ink. It is kind of splotchy on most plastic - and ....I just tried wetting my finger after it dried for 5 minutes and could easily wipe the ink off the plastic. Then I tried a red and a blue "Sharpie" brand permanent marker - the most common type of permanent felt tip marker pen - and couldn't remove the mark after it dried for a minute. However, the calligraphic pen is permanent on paper - and the pens stay good for years - sometimes even surviving when they are left uncapped for a while. And their chisel points keep a nice shape too. Makes average handwriting - like mine - look fantastic. enjoy, Roger L. « Show Less
2027952
A few suggestions for your problem, Warren. Firstly, I've found that cartridges just don't work as well as bottled ink. For cleaning, remove the cartridge, insert a converter, and fill the pen with plain (preferably filtered) luke warm water from a glass and empty it out. Do this a few times until the water coming out of the pen is clear. If you don't have a converter then unscrew the nib, drop the whole assembly in the glass and rinse it in the water, changing the water until clear. I suggest cleaning the nib in this way every time you fill it.
352470
Im having the same problem and according to the reviews on this site...We are not alone. Ive tried saturating the heck out of um .. to a fine mist and no mater what they just dont seem to stick very well. Looks to me like it needs more work. There was some mention about placing it under a book to flatten the design? I dont know... to be honest the instructions that came with this thing, In my opinion were very lacking. If my 6 yr old son didnt just "HAVE TO HAVE IT!" I wouldnt have gone with this toy and I wont be recommending it to anyone else.
138918
What kind of paint? Be sure to adjust the tip depth - you may have to loosen it. I had the same problem on the first couple of tries before I found the right height.
142765
Hi. I printed an email and dripped water on it, and the ink held up pretty good; however, it did smear when I rubbed my finger over it, but the letters were still there. I hope this review was helpful.
1138112
I have struggled with that issue. Sometimes, I have to run it under a very low stream of water to get it primed, but then you need to write out a little because the ink will be a little thinner than normal. If you use the faucet trick, be careful if you use permanent ink.
1168650
Not well. I think it's a water-based ink. It is kind of splotchy on most plastic - and ....I just tried wetting my finger after it dried for 5 minutes and could easily wipe the ink off the plastic. Then I tried a red and a blue "Sharpie" brand permanent marker - the most common type of permanent felt tip marker pen - and couldn't remove the mark after it dried for a minute. However, the calligraphic pen is permanent on paper - and the pens stay good for years - sometimes even surviving when they are left uncapped for a while. And their chisel points keep a nice shape too. Makes average handwriting - like mine - look fantastic. enjoy, Roger L.
1983368
The ink reservoir has a plunger that must first be descended by twisting the black endpiece slowly counter clockwise. Then place pen tip into the ink bottle while slowly turning the top piece clockwise. You can practice this with water to get the hang of it. Its less messy. Pelikan 4001 is an ink I've been happy with.
839483
water and it works amazing but it takes some getting used to. also i think the angles are inverted so take care of that. I recommend putting duct tape on the back of the stones and writing which grit they are as the ink on the stone will where off
1980204
I have had problems off and on but I found if it sits for awhile the ink backs up and you need to hold the container above the ink jets until the ink flows again. Just using it at least once a week has eliminated this problem for now. It has been at least 4 months now and no problem. Hope this helps
713316
Time, it takes the ink a while to dry completely, and the you need to spray it with a fixer or cover it with a clear plastic otherwise the water based ink will run.
2031755
ink jet seems to rub off when wet. Are you talking about the index card papers?