Terms of service

The bit nobody enjoys writing and nobody enjoys reading, but which matters if something goes wrong. I've tried to keep it in plain English. If anything here is unclear, message me and I'll explain it properly.

Last updated: 5/9/2026

Who you're buying from

The Pen Smuggler is a sole trader business run by Kirstin Frost in Irthlingborough, United Kingdom

Email: thepensmuggler@gmail.com

When you place an order you're entering into a contract with me. Your order is accepted when I send you a confirmation email, not at the moment you pay.

What you're actually buying

Every item here is a 4ml ink sample, hand-decanted by me from a full bottle in my own collection. It is not a manufacturer-sealed product, and it isn't sold or endorsed by the ink's maker. All brand and ink names belong to their respective manufacturers and are used here only to describe what's in the vial.

Vials are filled to approximately 4ml. A very small variation either way is normal when decanting by hand.

Swatch photographs are my own, made on Tomoe River paper. Ink looks different on different papers, through different nibs, and on different screens, so treat the photos as a good guide rather than an exact match. Where my swatches differ noticeably from the manufacturer's own description, I say so in the listing.

Prices and payment

Prices are in pounds sterling and include VAT where applicable. I am not currently VAT registered, so no VAT is charged and no VAT invoice can be issued.

Payment is taken at checkout. If an item turns out to be unavailable after you've ordered — usually because a bottle has run lower than my records suggest — I'll contact you and refund you in full.

Postage and delivery

At checkout you can choose whichever carrier suits you:

• Royal Mail Standard — £1.90, 2–3 business days. Free on orders of £20 and over.
• Evri Standard — £2.70, 2–4 business days. Free on orders of £20 and over.
• Royal Mail Next Day — £3.50, 1 business day. Free on orders of £25 and over.

I dispatch within 2 working days of receiving your order, and I'll email you when yours is on its way.

Vials are sealed, bagged and padded, because ink in transit is ink looking for something to ruin. If a parcel does arrive leaking or damaged, photograph it before you clean anything up and email me — I'll replace or refund it.

Delivery estimates belong to the carrier, not to me. Once a parcel is with them I'm dependent on their timescales like everyone else. If something hasn't arrived within 10 working days of dispatch, get in touch and I'll chase it or send a replacement.

I only post within the United Kingdom at the moment. If you're overseas and would like a sample, email me anyway — I'd like to work out how to make it happen.

Changing your mind

You have the right to cancel your order for any reason within 14 days of the day after you receive it. You don't need to give me a reason. Just email me and say so.

You then have a further 14 days to send the items back. Return postage is your responsibility unless the item was faulty or not as described.

I'll refund you within 14 days of receiving the items back, or of you showing me proof of postage, whichever is sooner. The refund includes the standard outbound postage you paid. If you chose a faster or more expensive delivery option, I refund the standard rate rather than the premium.

One thing to be aware of: the law lets me reduce a refund to reflect any loss in value caused by handling the goods more than was necessary to check them. For ink samples, that means a vial returned unopened is refunded in full, and a vial that's been opened and used will usually be worth little or nothing on return. Please don't decant half of it and then send it back.

Faulty, damaged or not as described

If something arrives faulty, leaking, or genuinely isn't what the listing described, you have the right to a refund, replacement or repair under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Email me within 30 days and I'll sort it out, and I'll cover return postage where one is needed.

Nothing on this page affects your statutory rights.

Using the ink

A few things worth knowing, offered as a fellow user rather than as a disclaimer:

• Shimmer inks contain suspended particles. They need shaking before use, suit broader nibs, and should not be left sitting in a pen for weeks.
• Highly saturated and iron gall inks can stain demonstrators and converters, and iron gall in particular wants regular cleaning.
• Ink stains skin, clothes, carpets, and the good tablecloth. Keep vials upright and out of reach of children and pets.
• Fountain pen ink is not food. Don't drink it, and don't use it on skin or for tattooing.

I can't take responsibility for damage caused by using an ink in a way the manufacturer doesn't recommend. If you're unsure whether something suits your pen, ask me first — I'd much rather have that conversation than the other one.

Your information

I only collect what I need to process and post your order, and I don't sell or share it for marketing. Full details are in my Privacy Policy.

Changes and governing law

I may update these terms from time to time. The version in force is the one published here when you place your order.

These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales.

Getting hold of me

Email thepensmuggler@gmail.com. I answer everything, usually quickly, and questions about ink are always welcome, whether or not you're buying anything.

If we can't resolve a complaint between us, you can also raise it through the EU/UK online dispute resolution routes available to consumers, or seek advice from Citizens Advice.