Writing History Through Color
- Admin Tinta Nusantara
- Aug 3, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 5, 2025
At Tinta Nusantara, we believe ink is the language of the soul. Each drop holds the spirit of a generation, the vision of a leader, and the unspoken stories of a nation. Our Indonesian Presidents Ink Collection was created with that belief in mind—celebrating national history through carefully selected colors, crafted for writers and fountain pen lovers alike.
When Kikay from the YouTube channel Kikay Kraft & Journals reviewed this collection, we were honored. She not only explored the colors, but deeply appreciated the thought and context behind them. As she said, “It feels like a lot of thought was put into the ink collection for the presidents.”
Colors with Character, Ink with Meaning
Kikay swatched all seven inks in the collection and reflected on how each one aligns with the story of the leader it honors. Here’s a closer look at how she experienced them:
Soekarno – Revolutionary Red
A bold, orange-red symbolizing the fire of independence. Kikay described it as “a very nice, strong color,” evoking Soekarno’s fierce leadership during Indonesia’s emergence from colonial rule.
Soeharto – Mustard Yellow
A mustard-toned yellow—soft, watery, but surprisingly pigmented on paper. Kikay called it “very strong in color” and fitting for a long-serving president who oversaw decades of structural change.
Habibie – Sky Blue
A vibrant blue with clarity and optimism. “Very nice, strong color,” Kikay said. This ink captures the brilliance and vision of President Habibie’s brief but impactful term.
Gus Dur – Deep Navy-Grey Blue
Not just another blue—this one leans dark, almost grey. “Almost like a navy,” noted Kikay. It reflects Gus Dur’s contemplative, peaceful presence and progressive reforms.
Megawati – Vibrant Orange
A standout color in the set, described as “super nice orange” and “probably my current favorite orange.” Loud, assertive, and bright—fitting for Indonesia’s first female president and daughter of Soekarno.
SBY – Dusty Dark Purple
A serious, deep purple. Kikay called it “very thick” and “flows very smoothly.” It carries the calm, composed energy of a two-term presidency marked by diplomacy and stability.
Jokowi – Earthy Olive Brown
A brown that leans green—“a green-brown,” Kikay noted. Rich, solid, and flowing smoothly, it feels grounded and modern, much like the grassroots rise of President Jokowi.
Each ink in this collection offers not just color, but presence—a story embedded in shade. Kikay concluded her review by calling this one of the most unique and thematically cohesive ink collections she’s encountered.
Performance that Tells Its Own Story
Beyond color, Kikay appreciated the technical qualities of the inks:
Saturated & expressive: Each ink laid down rich color, even when diluted in water or rinsed from brass nibs.
Smooth flow: Performed well even on traveler's notebooks and with various tools.
Wet but manageable: Particularly for Jokowi’s brown, which she described as “very wet,” allowing expressive strokes without overwhelming the page.
Ink as Cultural Storytelling
What made this review even more meaningful was Kikay’s observation that these weren’t just beautiful inks—they were thoughtful. She appreciated the connection between Megawati’s orange and Soekarno’s red, reflecting a familial legacy. She shared how she would personally choose the Megawati orange, both for its hue and what it represents.
If I were going to get a bottle from this collection, I’d definitely get the Megawati... it's also nice to sort of honor that.
At Tinta Nusantara, that is our aim: to create inks that move beyond color—inks that speak, reflect, and commemorate. We’re grateful to Kikay for exploring these inks with such care and insight. Her words reinforce what we always hoped this collection would be:
This is more than ink. It’s cultural storytelling—done through color.
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