Frequently Asked Questions

Each sample is a 2ml plastic vial - enough to fill most converters at least once and give you a proper feel for the ink's colour, shading, sheen, and flow before committing to a full bottle.

We currently stock 300+ inks across 25+ brands, with new additions arriving regularly. If there's an ink you're hoping to find, drop us a message - we're always open to expanding the range.

Absolutely. Add as many samples to your basket as you like - there's no maximum. Ordering a handful at once is a brilliant way to explore a colour palette or compare brands side by side.

No minimum at all. Order one vial or twenty - entirely up to you. We want trying new inks to be as low-commitment as possible.

A wide and ever-growing range, including:

• Diamine
• Pilot Iroshizuku
• Ferris Wheel Press
• Wearingeul
• Robert Oster
• J.Herbin
• Sailor
• KWZ Ink
• Colorverse
• Taccia
• Vinta
• Laban
• Dominant Industry
• The Birmingham Pen Company
• …and more

Browse the full selection in the shop.

Each ink is priced individually based on what its full bottle costs us - so an everyday Diamine isn't charged at the same rate as a premium bottle of Pilot Iroshizuku. Most samples fall between £1.75 and £3.00, with a few rarer inks up to £5.00. The price is shown clearly on every ink, so there are no surprises at checkout.

Yes, completely. The ink in your vial is exactly the same ink from the full-size bottle - we simply decant a 2ml portion. No additives, no dilution. If the ink is safe from the original bottle, it's safe from ours.

Every vial is freshly filled by hand to order. We don't pre-fill batches and leave them sitting on a shelf. That means you receive the freshest possible ink every time.

Each vial has a tightly fitted cap that creates a secure seal for transit. It's also clearly labelled with the ink name and brand, so you always know exactly what's inside.

A sealed, unopened vial keeps well for 6–12 months when stored away from direct sunlight and heat. Once opened, use it fairly promptly - ideally within a few weeks.

Yes! A 2ml vial holds roughly the same amount as a standard converter. Use a blunt syringe or dip-fill directly - whichever method you prefer.

Because every vial is hand-filled fresh to order rather than pulled off a shelf, please allow 3–5 working days for us to fill, label and pack your order before it's posted.

This processing time is separate from delivery - once your order is on its way, Royal Mail tracked delivery typically adds another 1–3 working days.

Once your order leaves us it's sent via Royal Mail tracked delivery, which usually arrives within 1–3 working days. You'll get a tracking number as soon as it ships. (Remember to add the 3–5 working day filling time above when estimating when your inks will land.)

Yes - UK delivery is free on orders over £40. Below that, a flat £3.50 Royal Mail tracked rate applies. Your basket shows how close you are to free shipping as you add inks.

We're UK only for now. International shipping with liquid goods involves additional complexity, but it's something we're keen to explore as we grow. Watch this space!

Your vials are tucked into a sealed bag and posted in a protective, fully recyclable padded mailer, with each vial secured to prevent movement and leaks. Plastic-free packaging wherever we can - better for your inks and for the planet. 💜

We're sorry if that happens - it's rare, but we'll always put it right. Get in touch with your order number and a photo, and we'll resend your order as soon as possible.

Because our samples are filled fresh to order, we're unable to accept returns on opened vials. However, if something has gone wrong - wrong ink sent, vial arrived damaged - please get in touch and we'll sort it out.