Early last week a knitting friend and fountain pen enthusiast sent me a link to the post below with a note: “I NEED THESE IN INK.”
You know I love a good collab and coming up with ink palettes so here’s my best shot. The USPS x Pantone collaboration boasts 7 new Pantone Colors:
For ease, I put them all in one collage so we’re looking at things together. I sorted through all my inks and I found what I think are the best matches. Your monitor and mileage may vary (and I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments!)
- USPS Blue: If I’m honest, Diamine Florida Blue is just a shade too aqua for this, but I couldn’t find anything that was that much closer. I should look at more Robert Oster colors (they have monopolies on every shade of blue right?) but this one was pretty close.
- USPS Gold Seal: I knew immediately that Robert Oster Honey Bee was a lock! I had thought about Franklin Christoph Honeycomb but it’s definitely too dark. If you don’t have Honey Bee, Robert Oster Aussie Gold is a close second.
- USPS Carrier Red: I dithered for a bit over this one but I think Robert Oster Astorquiza Rot is pretty close. Monteverde Mercury Noir was the other one I was debating with.
- USPS Airmail Red: When I showed these to Ana, her first comment was maybe a coral would work there? J. Herbin Corail de Tropiques is very close. There may be another red, but I didn’t find it. I also tried Iroshizuku Fuyugaki but that was way too orange.
- USPS Mr. Zip Orange: Is there an orange that’s both neon but also a little duller/more matte? I thought Lucky Orange might be good but it’s too dark if that makes sense. J. Herbin Orange Indien sort of worked here.
- USPS Pony Express: This reminds of of a milk chocolate but none of the Mocha Mousse colors fit, and many of my browns were either too yellow or red. I finally settled on Pilot Iroshizuku Tsukushi. There’s also the fun fact that Tsukushi means horse tail. Perfect right?
You may notice that I didn’t find a swatch for USPS Parchment White. While there are white inks out there, I don’t have any in the stash. Ana offered instead a paper suggestion: Midori MD!
What do you think?