We’re shaking things up this week with a customer-requested ink comparison instead of our usual weekly ink review. In the comments of a recent post, one of you asked to see Dominant Industry Lavender vs. Sunset ink side by side—and we were more than happy to oblige. This post features up-close swatches, writing samples, and ink bottle and packaging shots, so you can get a better feel for these two shimmery inks from Domimant Industry’s Pearl Series. If you’re a fan of purple fountain pen inks, you may find a couple in today’s feature you’ll want to get to know better.

Meet the Maker: Dominant Industry

Dominant Industry is a South Korean ink company known for their luxurious, high-performing fountain pen inks and their iconic teardrop-shaped 25ml bottles. The brand frequently draws inspiration from nature, literature, and emotions, resulting in inks with expressive personalities, strong design aesthetics, and beautiful packaging.

This Week’s Ink Comparison: Dominant Industry Sunset Ink vs. Lavender Ink

Both Dominant Industry Lavender ink and Dominant Industry Sunset ink come from the brand’s Pearl Series, a line of shimmering inks that pair rich base colors with either gold or silver sparkle.

Dominant Inudstry Sunset Ink Review: In a Nutshell

• Color: Pale lilac purple
• Shimmer: Gold (more visible in large swatches or pooled areas)
• Dry Time: ~20 seconds
• Shading: Yes
• Sheen: None
• Water Resistance: Low
• Flow: Average
• Feathering/Bleeding: None noticed
• Best Nib Sizes: Medium to broad or larger (due to light color)

Dominant Industry Lavender Ink Review: In a Nutshell

• Color: Light lavender (true to name)
• Shimmer: Silver shimmer (visible in larger swatches)
• Dry Time: ~20 seconds
• Shading: Yes (just a smidge)
• Sheen: None
• Water Resistance: Medium (but not enough to make it worthy of putting it to the test if you care about your writing/art not being damaged)
• Flow: Average
• Feathering/Bleeding: None noticed
• Best Nib Sizes: Medium to broad or larger

Dominant Industry Sunset Ink vs. Lavender Ink: Ink Swatches + Writing Samples

We tested both inks using a J. Herbin glass dip pen and swatched them on Col-o-ring ink testing swatch cards. You can also see Sunset ink perform below on both Tomoe River paper and 100gsm cream dot grid paper.

Sunset ink shows off a delicate gold shimmer in pooled areas and subtle shading throughout. Lavender, on the other hand, leans slightly pinker in tone and offers a soft silver shimmer that plays beautifully with its pastel hue. Both are stunning in larger swatches but may appear too faint with finer nibs in regular writing.

Dominant Industry Sunset Ink vs. Lavender Ink: Packaging Perks

Both inks arrive in Dominant Industry’s signature 25ml teardrop-shaped glass bottle—a fan favorite for its unique look and functional, stable base. The inks also come boxed in attractive, minimalist brown-and-white packaging that adds to the premium feel.

Final Thoughts: Which Should You Choose?

If you love warm-toned purples with a golden glow, Sunset may be your new favorite shimmer ink. Prefer a cooler, slightly pink lavender with silver sparkle? Lavender is a perfect fit. While both offer the same dry time, flow, and shimmer behavior, the difference in base hue and shimmer color makes them feel distinct. Either one would make a lovely addition to any ink lover’s collection—especially those who like to write with broader nibs or want shimmer inks for decorative work.

Have a favorite between the two? Let us know in the comments! And if there’s a particular ink you’d love to see featured in a future review or comparison, don’t be shy—send us your request.

Shop your favorite fountain pens, inks, and writing accessories anytime at PenChalet.com.