Do I need to shake the bottle before using this ink?

Yes. The metallic particles settle at the bottom between uses, so a gentle shake or swirl before filling your pen redistributes them throughout the ink and ensures consistent shimmer.

How long does a 30ml bottle typically last?

That depends on how much you write and how often you refill. For someone who writes a few pages most days, a 30ml bottle can last weeks to a few months. It is smaller than standard bottles but large enough for regular use.

Does the shimmer show up on all paper types?

The shimmer is most visible on smooth paper where ink sits on the surface rather than soaking in immediately. Highly absorbent or textured paper can reduce the metallic effect as particles disperse into the fibers.

Shanghai Stationary Ink - Blue Flycatcher - 30ml

The 3-second version

Metallic shimmer suspended in a rich blue base
30ml bottle provides weeks of regular fountain pen use
Particles concentrate along stroke edges for dimensional effect
Needs shaking before each fill
Requires more frequent pen cleaning than standard inks
Shimmer subtle on extra-fine nibs

Why it's on GiftsFeed

Shimmering fountain pen ink that catches light on the page

Most fountain pen inks prioritize consistency and invisibility—a reliable blue that behaves the same in every pen, on every paper, under every light. Blue Flycatcher does the opposite. The shimmer particles mean the ink shifts as you move the page, as ambient light changes, as stroke width varies. That inconsistency is the point. For someone who writes by hand because they value the physical artifact—not just the words but the object itself—this brings a dimension that flat ink fundamentally cannot. It rewards the extra cleaning and the occasional clogged feed with writing that looks materially different from what a standard cartridge produces.

Good gift when

People who write by hand regularly and value how it looks on paper
Fountain pen users willing to rinse pens between ink changes
Anyone building a rotation of inks for different moods or projects

Skip it if You prefer inks that never require extra pen maintenance, or you write with very fine, dry nibs where shimmer barely registers

Also in 1 other colour: 50ml, 30ml

Specs

Volume: 30ml
Type: Fountain pen ink with shimmer
Color: Blue with metallic particles

What's included

30ml bottle of Blue Flycatcher ink

If you're giving it

No sizing to guess

A distinctive ink for anyone who already uses fountain pens regularly.

The details

This 30ml bottle of fountain pen ink delivers a distinctive blue with shimmer suspended throughout. The Blue Flycatcher name suits the character—a rich blue base punctuated by metallic particles that reveal themselves as light hits dried writing at different angles.

Shimmering inks behave differently than flat pigment or dye-based formulas. The suspended particles settle at the bottom of the bottle between uses, so a gentle shake or swirl before filling redistributes them. Once on paper, the shimmer concentrates along stroke edges and in pooled areas where ink flows heaviest, creating variation even within a single letter. Broader nibs and wetter flow show the effect more dramatically than fine, dry writers.

Shanghai Stationary produces inks that favor character over absolute predictability. This formulation works in most fountain pens, though the shimmer means slightly more frequent cleaning than standard inks require. The particles can collect in feed channels over time, especially in pens with tight tolerances or intricate feed designs. A rinse between fills and occasional deeper cleaning keeps flow consistent.

The 30ml volume suits experimentation without the commitment of a full-size bottle. It is enough for regular use over weeks or months, depending on how much writing you do, and the smaller format makes it practical to rotate between several inks without half-empty bottles occupying drawer space indefinitely. The blue works across contexts—journal entries, correspondence, sketching—anywhere handwriting benefits from a layer of visual interest that plain ink cannot provide.

Galen Leather

Shanghai Stationary Ink - Blue Flycatcher - 30ml

Blue Flycatcher brings depth to handwriting with suspended metallic particles

$27at galenleather.com

Quantity

Buy from Galen Leather

Ships and sold by Galen Leather. About this merchant

The 3-second version

Metallic shimmer suspended in a rich blue base
30ml bottle provides weeks of regular fountain pen use
Particles concentrate along stroke edges for dimensional effect
Needs shaking before each fill
Requires more frequent pen cleaning than standard inks
Shimmer subtle on extra-fine nibs

Cheaper alternatives

Questions

Do I need to shake the bottle before using this ink?: Yes. The metallic particles settle at the bottom between uses, so a gentle shake or swirl before filling your pen redistributes them throughout the ink and ensures consistent shimmer.
Will this ink work in any fountain pen?: It works in most fountain pens, but shimmering inks can collect in feed channels over time, especially in pens with tight tolerances. Regular rinsing between fills and occasional deeper cleaning keep flow reliable.
How long does a 30ml bottle typically last?: That depends on how much you write and how often you refill. For someone who writes a few pages most days, a 30ml bottle can last weeks to a few months. It is smaller than standard bottles but large enough for regular use.
Does the shimmer show up on all paper types?: The shimmer is most visible on smooth paper where ink sits on the surface rather than soaking in immediately. Highly absorbent or textured paper can reduce the metallic effect as particles disperse into the fibers.