Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange
Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange - Ink Drop
Diplomat worked with ink maker Octopus Fluids to create a nice series of bottled inks. I’d never tried either brand previously, so I was excited to put pen to paper. Diplomat Orange is also available under Octopus Fluids’ own label in the Feinste Tinte (Finest Ink) product line. Prices are similar, and the bottle is identical other than the label, but I think Diplomat inks are more widely distributed globally.
Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange - on Cosmo Air Light
Diplomat offers a selection of fifteen colors, and the Octopus Fluids Feinste Tinte series has another dozen or so. Both lines offer nice variety and complete palettes. Diplomat has chosen a nice range that goes beyond the basics.
Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange - Color Range
Diplomat Orange is a really attractive ink. When you think of orange, this is probably the color you imagine. It’s bright and sunny, but not blinding, and it compares nicely to some popular alternatives. There’s very nice shading and wide color variation on every stroke, and that makes it stand out from most others. Shading is nice on both coated and uncoated papers, too. From the darker mandarin orange peel orange to the yellow-orange of orange juice, this is a feel-good ink!
Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange - Saturation Edge
Diplomat Orange is a wet ink, but it dries very quickly (under five seconds in most cases, and never longer than ten to fifteen.) I always appreciate that in an ink. It’s very comfortable in writing.
Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange - on Rhodia
Overall, writing performance is pretty good. On Midori MD and Cosmo Air Light, it’s sharp and crisp perfection! On uncoated, HP BrightWhite 32 it was clean, too. However, on some papers performance suffers with moderate micro-feathering. It’s not always a problem, and it’s barely noticeable in many cases, but it does occur more than I’d prefer. When I saw my ink drop in the top image, I was worried, but in writing it isn’t a deal-breaker when paired with compatible papers. I used both medium and fine Jowo nibs for testing, but you might find more in broader nibs. It’s something to keep in mind.
Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange - Writing Samples
This is a beautiful orange. The color variation makes it a very attractive choice, and I think ink that way I prefer it to most alternatives. On Midori MD, it is exactly what I want in an orange. Paired with compatible pen and paper, it’s hard to imagine a happier orange!
Keep scrolling down for the swatch card, swatch card comparisons, and the Diplomat bottle. (For the Octopus Fluids bottle, click on “Inks by Brand” above to find them on the brand menu page.)
Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange - Ink Swatch Card
Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange - Swatch Comparisons
Diplomat (Octopus) - Orange - Ink Bottle